RESUMEN
Among numerous rubbers, high-performance rubber composites can be obtained by mixing fluororubber (FKM) with excellent oil resistance and silicone rubber (SiR) with excellent low-temperature resistance. While the difference in polarity between these two kinds of rubbers leads to a reduction in the properties of the composites. To solve the compatibility problem between the two-phase interfaces in FKM/SiR composites, in this research, fluorinated silicone rubbers (MVQ-g-PFDT) of methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) grafted with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol (PFDT) were prepared via a facile and efficient thiol-ene click reaction, which was then added into FKM/SiR composites. The results showed that the fluorine-containing side chains could effectively inhibit the low-temperature crystallization phenomenon of silicone rubber and further broaden its application ranges in low-temperature environments. The properties of FKM/SiR composites with the addition of MVQ-g-PFDT were significantly improved, with the highest tensile strength of 14.1 MPa and the lowest mass change rate of 6.71% after 48h immersion at 200 °C in IRM903 oil. Additionally, the hydroxyl groups between the fluorine-containing side chains of MVQ-g-PFDT and the surface of silica facilitate the enhancement of the uniform dispersion of fillers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization results showed a distinct enhancement of the compatibility between the two phases of FKM and SiR. This work would provide further insight into efforts to improve compatibility between rubbers with widely different polarities.
RESUMEN
Emmetropization, a natural process of ocular elongation, is closely associated with scleral remodeling. The Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) was reported involved in scleral remodeling in myopia models. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of scleral fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and FGF-2 in scleral remodeling during maturation. Our findings revealed that the posterior scleral fibroblasts (SFs) from mature guinea pigs exhibit increased stiffness compared to those from young guinea pigs. Moreover, mature SFs displayed decreased cell proliferation but increased levels of α-SMA, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and collagen 1, when compared to young SFs. Additionally, the mRNA expression of scleral Fgf-2, Fgf receptor 1 (Fgfr1), Fgfr2, Fgfr3, and Fgfr4 was increased in mature SFs. Notably, exogenous FGF-2 showed increased cell proliferation and led to decreased expression of α-SMA, MMP2, and collagen 1 in mature SFs. Overall, our findings highlight the influence of maturation on SFs from posterior scleral shells, resulting in increased stiffness and the manifestation of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation during development. Exogenous FGF-2 increased cell proliferation and reversed the age-related fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, suggesting a potential role of FGF-2 in regulating scleral remodeling.