17 research outputs found
Effect of Catechol Content in Catechol-Conjugated Dextrans on Antiplatelet Performance
The surface coating of solid substrates using dextrans has gained a great deal of attention, because dextran-coated surfaces show excellent anti-fouling property as well as biocompatibility behavior. Much effort has been made to develop efficient methods for grafting dextrans on solid surfaces. This led to the development of catechol-conjugated dextrans (Dex-C) which can adhere to a number of solid surfaces, inspired by the underwater adhesion behavior of marine mussels. The present study is a systematic investigation of the characteristics of surface coatings developed with Dex-C. Various Dex-C with different catechol contents were synthesized and used as a surface coating material. The effect of catechol content on surface coating and antiplatelet performance was investigated
Surface Coating with Naphthalene Trisulfonate/Hafnium(IV) Complexes: Versatility and Post-Functionalization
Naphthalene trisulfonate is found to have versatile surface
coating
capability when combined with hafnium(IV) ions, thereby forming complexes.
Solid substrates such as titanium/titanium dioxide, glass, and nylon
immersed in a solution of naphthalene trisulfonate and HfIV produces naphthalene trisulfonate/HfIV complex coating.
The coating is not produced when the HfIV ions are absent
or when naphthalene monosulfonate replaces naphthalene trisulfonate;
this indicates the significance of HfIV ions and multiple
sulfonates in this coating system. The versatile surface coating property
of naphthalene trisulfonate/HfIV complexes is attributed
to the coexistence of hydrophobic aromatic and hydrophilic side groups
in naphthalene trisulfonate. Additionally, HfIV ion-mediated
cross-linking reactions between naphthalene trisulfonate molecules
induce molecular assembly, facilitating versatile surface coating.
Post-functionalization of the coating is accomplished through additional
HfIV-mediated coordinate bond formation; alginate and λ-carrageenan
are successfully grafted onto the coating for nonbiofouling applications
Modulation of immune responses with nanoparticles and reduction of their immunotoxicity
Particles with a size range of 1-100 nm used in various fields of life sciences are called nanoparticles (NPs). Currently, nanotechnology has a wide range of applications in biomedical research, industries and in almost all types of modern technology. The growing applications of nanotechnology in medicine urge scientists to analyze the impact of NPs on human body tissues and the immune system. Easy surface modifications of the NPs enable the modulation of the immune system either by evading the immune system to prevent allergic reactions or by enhancing the immunogenic response. In this review, we discussed the various possible theories and practical implications reported to date for the applications of nanotechnology in immunostimulation and immunosuppression for favorable immune response, such as vaccine delivery and cancer treatments. In the last part of this paper, we also discussed the biocompatibility and unfavorable immunotoxicity of NPs and methods for lowering their toxicity.11Nsciescopu
Enhanced Adhesion of Fish Ovarian Germline Stem Cells on Solid Surfaces by Mussel-Inspired Polymer Coating
Development of advanced cell culture methods has gained increasing attention because it allows for efficient genetic engineering and precise regulation of animal reproduction on a cellular basis. Numerous studies have attempted to develop an advanced cell culture method. Previous studies have altered cell culture media and pretreated culture plates with functional molecules. Among them, a mussel-inspired polymer coating has been extensively utilized owing to its wide applicability. For instance, adhesion of human embryonic stem cells and neuronal cells on solid surfaces has been improved. Despite the excellent capability of the mussel-inspired polymer coating, most studies have primarily focused on mammalian cells. However, the efficacy of these coatings on the adhesion of other cell lines is yet unclear. This study aimed to assess the potential of the mussel-inspired polymer coating in the regulation of the adhesion of fish ovarian germline stem cells on solid surfaces. Solid surfaces were coated by polydopamine and poly-L-lysine, and the effect of the coatings on cellular behaviors was investigated
Facile Construction of Robust Multilayered PEG Films on Polydopamine-Coated Solid Substrates for Marine Antifouling Applications
We
report an effective and versatile approach to control marine fouling
on artificial surfaces based on specific chemical interactions found
in marine mussels. The approach consists of mussel-inspired polydopamine
coating, spin-coating-assisted deposition of poly(ethylene glycol)
(PEG) catechols, and their cross-linking via catechol–Fe<sup>3+</sup>–catechol interactions. Using this approach, multilayered
PEG films that were highly resistant to marine diatom adhesion were
successfully constructed on various substrates, such as stainless
steel, nylon, titanium oxide, and silicon oxide. We believe that our
results will provide a basis for the construction of a marine antifouling
agent that can be applied by a large variety of industries owing to
its applicability to different types of substrates and stability under
marine environments
Awareness and Needs of Smoking Cessation Services for Female Emotional Laborers, Parcel Delivery Workers, Transportation Workers, and Construction Workers in South Korea
Although South Korea has implemented various smoking cessation services, women who are emotional laborers, as well as parcel delivery, transportation, and construction workers, have poor access to these services. This study evaluated the smoking-related characteristics of workers in these four occupations as well as the awareness of and need for smoking cessation services. In total 808 workers in these four occupations aged 19 years and above were recruited nationwide and had their data analyzed. The participants’ age, marital status, number of work hours per week, job-related stress, age when they started smoking, average number of cigarettes a day, types of tobacco products, close relationships to others who smoke, number of attempts to quit smoking, plans to quit smoking, awareness of cessation services, prior utilization of cessation services, and need for cessation services were surveyed. Compared with parcel delivery workers, female emotional laborers and transportation and construction workers had more attempts to quit smoking, plans to quit smoking, and prior utilization of smoking cessation services, moreover, construction workers had a significantly lower awareness of smoking cessation services. Parcel delivery workers need smoking cessation programs, mobile applications to help them quit smoking, and improvements in their work environments. Cessation services and education should be promoted at workplaces and among managers