Poly(lactic acid) based Pearl Layer Moistureproof Membrane for Flexible Laminated Packaging.

The development of bio-based polymer materials, such as polylactic acid (PLA) -based polymers, is an effective strategy to reduce dependence on petrochemical-based polymers. However, the preparation of bio-based polymers with high barrier properties is a major challenge. To overcome this challenge, a nacreous layer structure with a ' brick and mud ' pattern is mimicked to improve the overall performance of the material. In this paper, Poly (L -lactic acid) (PLLA) and Polypropylene Glycol (PPG) was combined to prepare bio-based polyurethane (PU-PLLA), which is used as the slurry structure of nacreous layer. The bio-based biomimetic composite membrane (PU-PLLA/BN) is then obtained by adding boron nitride (BN, brick structure of pearl layer) to it. The water vapor permeability test results show that the permeability of PU-PLLA material can be reduced by more than 50% by 5 wt.% BN, which is because the addition of BN can increase the length and tortuosity of the gas molecular diffusion path in the composite. Therefore, this pearl-inspired PU-PLLA/BN film has excellent moisture resistance, which opens up a broad road for the practical application of PLLA in flexible laminated packaging.

Interfacial Property of Dental Cobalt­Chromium Alloys and Their Bonding Strength with Porcelains.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is one of the widely-used prostheses among the dental porcelain restorations. Nonprecious metals like Ni­Cr and Co­Cr have extensively been used for metal-ceramic restorations due to advantages such as inexpensive price, hardness, durability, resistance to deformation, thin thickness of metal of porcelain area, and other mechanical and physical properties. However, the immediate advantage of the Co­Cr alloy is comparable performance to other base metal alloys, but without an allergenic nickel component. To achieve clinical longevity of porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, it is essential to have adequate bond strength between the metal substrate and porcelain. Any type of metal-ceramic fracture failure can become a costly and timeconsuming problem, both in the clinic and laboratory. Therefore, the suitability of the Co­Cr alloy for dental applications is critically associated with its ceramic bonding capacity. In this study, Co­Cr metal alloys modified by acid-etching and sandblasting, oxide layer was formed for subsequent bonding to porcelain ceramics. By both acid-etching and sandblasting oxide layer was formed and showed higher bonding strength at a proper condition, but debonding was occurred at porcelain layer so that they showed highest bonding strength by combined these two kind of surface treatment. Because the oxide film was formed more densely in a vacuum at the portions where more sophisticated concavo-convex were formed on the surface of a metal.

Biological Behavior of Osteoblast Cell and Apatite Forming Ability of the Surface Modified Ti Alloys.

Titanium as one kind of biomaterials comes in direct contact with the body, making evaluation of biocompatibility an important aspect to biomaterials development. Surface chemistry of titanium plays an important role in osseointegration. Different surface modification alters the surface chemistry and result in different biological response. In this study, three kinds of mixed acid solutions were used to treat Ti specimens to induce Ca-P formation. Following a strong mixed acid activation process, Ca-P coating successfully formed on the Ti surfaces in simulated body fluid. Strong mixed acid increased the roughness of the metal surface, because the porous and rough surface allows better adhesion between Ca-P coatings and substrates. After modification of titanium surface by mixed acidic solution and subsequently H2O2/HCL treatment evaluation of biocompatibility was conducted from hydroxyapatite formation by biomimetic process and cell viability on modified titanium surface. Nano-scale modification of titanium surfaces can alter cellular and tissue responses, which may benefit osseointegration and dental implant therapy. Results from this study indicated that surface treatment methods affect the surface morphology, type of TiO2 layer formed and subsequent apatite deposition and biological responses. The thermo scientific alamarblue cell viability assay reagent is used to quantitatively measure the viability of mammalian cell lines, bacteria and fungi by incorporating a rapid, sensitive and reliable fluorometric/colorimetric growth indicator, without any toxic and side effect to cell line. In addition, mixed acid treatment uses a lower temperature and shorter time period than widely used alkali treatment.

Carbonic anhydrase II as host protein for the creation of a biocompatible artificial metathesase.

An artificial metathesase results from incorporation of an Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst bearing an arylsulfonamide anchor within human carbonic anhydrase II. The optimization of the catalytic performance is achieved upon combining both chemical and genetic means. Up to 28 TONs were obtained within four hours under aerobic physiological conditions.