Influence of process-material conditions on the structure and biological properties of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride fibers

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is one of the most important piezoelectric polymers. Piezoelectricity in PVDF appears in polar b and ɣ phases. Piezoelectric fibers obtained by means of electrospinning may be used in tissue engineering (TE) as a smart analogue of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). We present results showing the effect of rotational speed of the collecting drum on morphology, phase content and in vitro biological properties of PVDF nonwovens. Morphology and phase composition were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. It was shown that increasing rotational speed of the collector leads to an increase in fiber orientation, reduction in fiber diameter and considerable increase of polar phase content, both b and g. In vitro cell culture experiments, carried out with the use of ultrasounds in order to generate electrical potential via piezoelectricity, indicate a positive effect of polar phases on fibroblasts. Our preliminary results demonstrate that piezoelectric PVDF scaffolds are promising materials for tissue engineering applications, particularly for neural tissue regeneration, where the electric potential is crucial

Keuper magnetostratigraphy in the southern Mesozoic margin of the Holy Cross Mts. (southeastern edge of the German Basin)

Magnetostratigraphy of the Keuper succession in the southern Mesozoic margin of the Holy Cross Mountains is presented based on investigations of two sections of Brzeziny and Wolica. They cut an ~60 m thick succession of variegated siltstones and claystones, which overlies the Reed Sandstone (Stuttgart Formation). The succession has been correlated with the Patoka Member of the Grabowa Formation, defined in the Upper Silesia region as an equivalent of the Steinmergelkeuper (Arnstadt Formation). The primary Late Triassic magnetization was obtained from component B carried by fine-grained haematite. Twelve magnetic polarity zones, six of normal and six of reversed polarity, have been defined. The obtained polarity pattern corresponds to the Norian (E13–E16 Newark zones) according to the Long-Rhaetian option of the Late Triassic Magnetic Polarity Time Scale. The mean normal polarity characteristic direction (N = 24, D/I = 31/62, k = 28.24, α95 = 6.04) differs significantly from the reversed one (N = 18, D/I = 223/-25, k = 16.38, α95 = 8.65): the primary magnetic signal is partly overlapped by component A carried by magnetite of recent viscuous remanent magnetization. Some samples do contain also coarse-grained haematite that, however, does not form any clustered magnetization. The palaeopole position calculated from the transposed reversed and normal polarity directions of component B corresponds to the Late Triassic (Norian) segment of the reference Baltica/Europe Apparent Polar Wander Path

Effects of seawater Mg 2+

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Photocrosslinkable electrospun fiber meshes for tissue engineering applications

Electrospun polymeric meshes are known to exhibit promising properties for the regeneration of several soft tissues. Herein, electrospun polymeric meshes were prepared from blends of polycaprolactone and functionalized gelatin. The meshes were then photocrosslinked under UV light using Irgacure® 2959 as the photoinitiator, aiming to improve membranes’ stability in biological fluids. Moreover, meshes suitability to be used as vascular grafts was evaluated by characterizing their chemical/physical properties as well as their haemo and biocompatibility in vitro. The obtained results show that the blended polymeric meshes are biodegradable and those with a higher content of gelatin display a lower water contact angle. Blood compatibility studies showed that the photocrosslinked membranes are haemocompatible, i.e. they display low values of thrombogenicity and do not trigger any haemolytic effect. Also, Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts cells were incubated in the presence of the produced membranes and they were able to adhere and proliferate, thus revealing the biocompatibility of the photocrosslinked meshes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio