This study investigates various microfluidic chip fabrication techniques, highlighting their applicability and limitations in the context of urgent diagnostic needs showcased by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a detailed examination of methods such as computer numerical control milling of a polymethyl methacrylate, soft lithography for polydimethylsiloxane-based devices, xurography for glass-glass chips, and micromachining-based silicon-glass chips, we analyze each technique's strengths and trade-offs. Hence, we discuss the fabrication complexity and chip thermal properties, such as heating and cooling rates, which are essential features of chip utilization for a polymerase chain reaction. Our comparative analysis reveals critical insights into material challenges, design flexibility, and cost-efficiency, aiming to guide the development of robust and reliable microfluidic devices for healthcare and research. This work underscores the importance of selecting appropriate fabrication methods to optimize device functionality, durability, and production efficiency.
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * virologie MeSH
- design vybavení MeSH
- dimethylpolysiloxany chemie MeSH
- laboratoř na čipu * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrofluidika metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- mikrofluidní analytické techniky přístrojové vybavení metody MeSH
- polymethylmethakrylát chemie MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
The application of microfluidic devices as next-generation cell and tissue culture systems has increased impressively in the last decades. With that, a plethora of materials as well as fabrication methods for these devices have emerged. Here, we describe the rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices, using micromilling and vapour-assisted thermal bonding of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), to create a spheroid-on-a-chip culture system. Surface roughness of the micromilled structures was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), showing that the fabrication procedure can impact the surface quality of micromilled substrates with milling tracks that can be readily observed in micromilled channels. A roughness of approximately 153 nm was created. Chloroform vapour-assisted bonding was used for simultaneous surface smoothing and bonding. A 30-s treatment with chloroform-vapour was able to reduce the surface roughness and smooth it to approximately 39 nm roughness. Subsequent bonding of multilayer PMMA-based microfluidic chips created a durable assembly, as shown by tensile testing. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were cultured as multicellular tumour spheroids in the device and their characteristics evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. Spheroids could be successfully maintained for at least three weeks. They consisted of a characteristic hypoxic core, along with expression of the quiescence marker, p27kip1. This core was surrounded by a ring of Ki67-positive, proliferative cells. Overall, the method described represents a versatile approach to generate microfluidic devices compatible with biological applications.
Introduction: Tissue conditioners have been widely used in various clinical applications in dentistry, such as treating inflamed alveolar ridges, temporarily relining partial and complete dentures, and the acquisition of functional impressions for denture fabrication. This study aimed to investigate the mechanical properties of the most prevalent tissue conditioner materials on the market, including Tissue Conditioners (TC), Visco Gel (VG), and FITT (F). Materials and Methods: The three tissue conditioners, TC, VG, and F, were assessed based on the parameters mentioned above. The following tests were performed based on the ISO 10139-1 and ISO 10139-2 requirements: Shore A hardness, denture plate adhesion, sorption, water solubility, and contraction after 1 and 3 days in water. Additional tests are described in the literature, such as ethanol content and gelling time. The tests were carried out by storing the materials in water at 37 °C for 7 days. Results: The gel times of all tested materials exceeded 5 min (TC = 300 [s], VG = 350 [s]). In vitro, phthalate-free materials exhibited higher dissolution in water after 14 days (VG = -260.78 ± 11.31 μg/mm2) compared to F (-76.12 ± 7.11 μg/mm2) and experienced faster hardening when stored in distilled water (F = 33.4 ± 0.30 Sh. A, VG = 59.2 ± 0.60 Sh. A). They also showed greater contractions. The connection of all materials to the prosthesis plate was consistent at 0.11 MPa. The highest counterbalance after 3 days was observed in TC = 3.53 ± 1.12%. Conclusions: Materials containing plasticizers that are not phthalates have worse mechanical properties than products containing these substances. Since phthalates are not allowed to be used indefinitely in medical devices, additional research is necessary, especially in vivo, to develop safe materials with superior functional properties to newer-generation alternatives. In vitro results often do not agree fully with those of in vivo outcomes.
- MeSH
- kostní destičky * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- methylmetakryláty * MeSH
- voda MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Infections of joint replacements represent one of the most serious problems in contemporary orthopedics. The joint infections treatment is usually multimodal and involves various combinations of drug delivery and surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties of the most common antibiotic carriers used in orthopedic surgery: bone cements mixed with antibiotic and porous calcium sulfate mixed with antibiotic. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three commercial bone cements (Palacos®, Palacos® R+G, Vancogenx®) and commercial porous sulfate (Stimulan®) were prepared with a known concentration of vancomycin (a glycopeptide antibiotic). Specifically, for the purpose of our study, the testing specimens were prepared to release 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 mg of vancomycin into 1 liter of solution. The specimens with increasing amount of antibiotic were placed in a separate tubes containing 5 mL of Mueller-Hinton broth inoculated with a suspension (0.1 m, McFarland 1) of the reference strain CCM 4223 Staphylococcus aureus to evaluate their bacteriostatic properties (broth dilution method). After this initial incubation and evaluation of the broth dilution method, an inoculum from each tube was transferred onto blood agar plates. After another 24-hour incubation under the same conditions, we evaluated the bactericidal properties (agar plate method). As many as 132 of independent experiments were performed (4 specimens × 11 concentrations × 3 repetitions = 132). RESULTS The bacteriostatic properties of all investigated samples were excellent, perhaps with the exception of the first bone cement (Palacos®). The sample Palacos® started to exhibit bacteriostatic properties at concentrations ≥ 8 mg/mL, while all other samples (Palacos R+G®, Vancogenx®, and Stimulan®) were bacteriostatic in the whole concentration range starting from 1 mg/mL. The bacteriocidic properties did not show such clear trends, but correlated quite well with different properties of the investigated samples during mixing - the most homogeneous samples seemed to exhibit the best and the most reproducible results. DISCUSSION The reliable and reproducible comparison of ATB carriers is a difficult task. The situation is complicated by high numbers of local antibiotic carriers on the market, numerous antibiotics used, and differences in clinical trials at different laboratories. Simple in vitro testing of bacteriostatic and bacteriocidic properties represents a simple and efficient approach to the problem. CONCLUSIONS The study confirmed that the two most common commercial systems used in the orthopedic surgery (bone cements and porous calcium sulfate) prevent bacterial growth (bacteriostatic effect), but they may not be 100% efficient in complete elimination of bacteria (bacteriocidic effect). The scattered results in the case of bacteriocidic tests seemed to be connected with the homogeneity of ATB dispersion in the systems and with the lower reproducibility of the employed agar plate method. Key words: local release of antibiotics; bone cements; calcium sulfate; antimicrobial susceptibility.
- MeSH
- agar MeSH
- antibakteriální látky farmakologie terapeutické užití MeSH
- kostní cementy farmakologie terapeutické užití MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ortopedické výkony * MeSH
- ortopedie * MeSH
- polymethylmethakrylát chemie MeSH
- reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
- síran vápenatý MeSH
- vankomycin farmakologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
This study aimed to prepare a bioactive acrylic material by adding different types of glasses. Commercially available polymerized acrylic resin was mixed with 10% of four different types of glasses in the powder form and cured. Flexural strength, sorption, and solubility of the samples were tested according to ISO 20795-1:2013. The total number of samples used in the tests were 60. The materials were placed in artificial saliva of pH 4 and 7, and elution was performed for 0, 1, 28, and 42 days. The collected samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry to detect Ca, P, and Si ions and using ion chromatography to detect F ions. The materials obtained after modification with glasses showed lower compressive strength compared with pure polymethyl methacrylate but met the standard requirements. Two glass types showed higher solubility values compared with the value defined by the ISO standard. Biomin C and S53P4 released Ca, P, and Si ions, respectively, after 42 days in artificial saliva. Acrylic resins modified with 10% Biomin C and S53P4 glasses can be a valuable source of Ca and P ions under acid conditions for 28 and 42 days.
PURPOSE: Hyperthermia is a cancer treatment in which the target region is heated to temperatures of 40-44 °C usually applying external electromagnetic field sources. The behavior of the hyperthermia applicators (antennas) in clinical practice should be periodically checked with phantom experiments to verify the applicator's performance over time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of photogrammetry reconstructions of 3D applicator position in these quality control procedure measurements. METHODS: Photogrammetry reconstruction was applied at superficial hyperthermia scenario using the Lucite cone applicator (LCA) and phased-array heating in the head and neck region using the HYPERcollar3D. Wire-frame models of the entire measurement setups were created from multiple-view images and used for recreation of the setup inside 3D electromagnetic field simulation software. We evaluated applicator relation (Ra) between measured and simulated absolute specific absorption rate (SAR) for manually created and photogrammetry reconstructed simulation setups. RESULTS: We found a displacement of 7.9 mm for the LCA and 8.2 mm for the HYPERcollar3D setups when comparing manually created and photogrammetry reconstructed applicator models placements. Ra improved from 1.24 to 1.18 for the LCA and from 1.17 to 1.07 for the HYPERcollar3D when using photogrammetry reconstructed simulation setups. CONCLUSION: Photogrammetry reconstruction technique holds promise to improve measurement setup reconstruction and agreement between measured and simulated absolute SAR.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement mixed with antibiotics is used in orthopedic surgery to cope with implant-related infections which are typically associated with the formation of bacterial biofilms. Taking into account the growing bacterial resistance to current antibiotics, we examined here the efficacy of a selected antimicrobial peptide (AMP) mixed into the bone cement to inhibit bacterial adhesion and the consequent biofilm formation on its surface. In particular, we followed the formation of bacterial biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on implants made from PMMA bone cement loaded with AMP composed of 12 amino acid residues. This was evaluated by CFU counting of bacteria released by sonication from the biofilms formed on their surfaces after these implants were retrieved from the infected murine femoral canals. The AMP loaded in these model implants prevented adhesion of MRSA and the subsequent formation of MRSA biofilm on the surfaces of more than 80% of these implants, whereas biofilms did form on control implants made from the plain cement. The results of our experiments performed in the murine femoral canal indicate the potential for this murine osteomyelitis model to mimic actual operations in orthopedics.
- MeSH
- adenosinmonofosfát MeSH
- aminokyseliny MeSH
- antibakteriální látky farmakologie terapeutické užití MeSH
- antimikrobiální peptidy MeSH
- biofilmy MeSH
- kostní cementy MeSH
- methicilin rezistentní Staphylococcus aureus * MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- myši MeSH
- ortopedické výkony * MeSH
- polymethylmethakrylát chemie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
At present, new acrylic plastic technologies are being developed in dentistry. Although this kind of material has been used for dental prostheses for over 80 years, it has been produced in the form of disks with the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology for over 15 years. The purpose of the article was to collect information from the literature on acrylic materials processed through the milling technology (CAD/CAM). The publicly available databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus were searched using the key word "acrylic resins, CAD/CAM". All articles describing the application and testing of CAD/CAM disks were selected. Duplicate articles were removed. More than 100 articles that described the use of materials machined using the milling equipment were found. These included works comparing the mechanical properties, biocompatibility and clinical use of the materials. After the initial selection, 36 papers on this subject were included in this review. The number of studies on the processing of acrylic materials with the use of the CAD/CAM technology has been increasing worldwide. Since such materials have better mechanical properties, no polymerization shrinkage occurs during processing, the amount of residual monomer material is very low and they have better color stability than self-curing materials.
- MeSH
- akrylové pryskyřice * MeSH
- design s pomocí počítače MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- polymethylmethakrylát MeSH
- testování materiálů MeSH
- zubní materiály * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- systematický přehled MeSH
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Artificial denture teeth made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin have good adhesion to the denture base but are relatively soft and have limited wear resistance during function. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of the addition of 2 inorganic nanofillers on the flexural strength, maximal displacement, elastic modulus, Isolde impact resistance, and Brinell hardness of acrylic resin denture teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Heat polymerizing polymethyl methacrylate resin was mixed with silanized silica or silanized feldspar in concentrations of 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%. The first test was conducted after 24 hours of storage in laboratory conditions, and the second assessment was conducted after 3 months of storage in distilled water at 37 °C. The Brinell hardness was evaluated, and the elastic modulus and maximal displacement at fracture were calculated. The flexural strength and Isolde impact resistance were measured with a 3-point flexural test. Acrylic resin specimens without filler addition were used as a control group. Statistical analysis included 2-way ANOVA for independent variables (α=.05) and the Student t test for time-dependent changes (α=.05). These were performed with Statistica 12 software. RESULTS: The acrylic resin specimens modified with the addition of silanized feldspar had significantly higher Brinell hardness, elastic modulus, maximal displacement, and flexural strength and also had no adverse effect on Isolde impact resistance compared with the conventional acrylic resin. Silica filler increased the Brinell hardness and elastic modulus of acrylic resins but significantly reduced the flexural strength and Isolde impact resistance.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mechanický stres MeSH
- ohebnost (fyzika) MeSH
- oxid křemičitý * MeSH
- polymethylmethakrylát * MeSH
- povrchové vlastnosti MeSH
- silikáty hliníku MeSH
- sloučeniny draslíku MeSH
- testování materiálů MeSH
- zubní materiály MeSH
- zubní náhrady - baze MeSH
- zubní náhrady MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
This study is focussed on micro-encapsulation of essential oils in polylactic acid (PLA) and a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix as well as blends of the same. Microspheres were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique and characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The encapsulation efficiencies and release profiles of the essential oils were studied by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and head-space solid-phase microextraction GC-MS, respectively. Furthermore, the microspheres were tested for antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. The results showed that the microspheres compositions (PLA/PMMA ratio) have significant effect on their characteristics. The process adopted for preparing the microspheres promoted formation of spherical particles at the sizes of 1.5-9.5 µm. The highest encapsulation efficiency of the prepared microspheres was observed in systems consisting of linalool (81.10 ± 10.0 wt. % for PLA system and 76.0 ± 3.3 wt. % for PMMA system). Confirmation was also made that the release rate of the microspheres was affected by the size of the same.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky aplikace a dávkování farmakologie MeSH
- Bacteria účinky léků MeSH
- bakteriální infekce farmakoterapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nosiče léků chemie MeSH
- oleje prchavé aplikace a dávkování farmakologie MeSH
- polyestery chemie MeSH
- polymethylmethakrylát chemie MeSH
- příprava léků MeSH
- velikost částic MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
