Surface activity of cancer cells:The fusion of two cell aggregates

A key feature that distinguishes cancer cells from all other cells is their capability to spread throughout the body.Although how cancer cells collectively migrate by following molecular rules which influence the state of cell-cell adhesion contacts has been comprehensively formulated,the impact of physical interactions on cell spreading remains less understood.Cumulative effects of physical interactions exist as the interplay between various physical parameters such as(1)tissue surface tension,(2)viscoelasticity caused by collective cell migration,and(3)solid stress accumulated in the cell aggregate core region.This review aims to point out the role of these physical parameters in cancer cell spreading by considering and comparing the rearrangement of various mono-cultured cancer and epithelial model systems such as the fusion of two cell aggregates.While epithelial cells undergo volumetric cell rearrangement driven by the tissue surface tension,which directs cell movement from the surface to the core region of two-aggregate systems,cancer cells rather perform surface cell rearrangement.Cancer cells migrate toward the surface of the two-aggregate system driven by the solid stress while the surface tension is significantly reduced.The solid stress,accumulated in the core region of the two-aggregate system,is capable of suppressing the movement of epithelial cells that can undergo the jamming state transition;however,this stress enhances the movement of cancer cells.We have focused here on the multi-scale rheological modeling approaches that aimed at reproducing and understanding these biological systems.

Adjusting the interfacial adhesion via surface modification to prepare high-performance fibers

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE)fiber is a new kind of high-performance fiber.Due to its excellent physical and chemical characteristics,it is widely used in various fields.However,the surface UHMWPE fiber is smooth and demonstrates no-polar groups.The weak interfacial adhesion between fiber and resin seri-ously restricts the applications of UHMWPE fiber.Therefore,the surface modification treatments of UHMWPE fiber are used to improve the interfacial adhesion strength.The modified method by adding nanomaterials elu-cidates the easy fabrication,advanced equipment and proper technology.Thus,the progress of UHMWPE nanocomposite fibers prepared via adding various nanofillers are reviewed.Meanwhile,the effects of other various methods on surface modification are also reviewed.This work advances the various design strategies about nano technologies on improving interfacial adhesion performance via treatment methodologies.

Femtosecond laser-mediated anchoring of polymer layers on the surface of a biodegradable metal

Mg has received much attention as a next-generation implantable material owing to its biocompatibility,bone-like mechanical properties,and biodegradability in physiological environments.The application of various polymer coatings has been conducted in the past to reduce the rapid formation of hydrogen gas and the local change in pH during the initial phase of the chemical reaction with the body fluids.Here,we propose femtosecond(fs)laser-mediated Mg surface patterning for significant enhancement of the binding strength of the coating material,which eventually reduces the corrosion rate.Analyses of the structural,physical,crystallographic,and chemical properties of the Mg surface have been conducted in order to understand the mechanism by which the surface adhesion increases between Mg and the polymer coating layer.Depending on the fs laser conditions,the surface structure becomes rough owing to the presence of several microscaled pits and grooves of nanoporous MgO,resulting in a tightly bonded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)layer.The corrosion rate of the PLGA-coated,fs laser-treated Mg is considerably slow compared with the non-treated Mg;the treated Mg is also more biocompatible compared with the non-treated Mg.The fs laser-based surface modification technique offers a simple and quick method for introducing a rough coating on Mg;further,it does not require any chemical treatment,thereby overcoming a potential obstacle for its clinical use.

Effects of Modifiers on the Anti-wetting and Anti-icing Property of Aluminum Surface

The effects of modifiers on the anti-wetting and anti-icing property of the prepared rough aluminum surface were investigated.The rough aluminum substrates were obtained through electrochemical oxidization with 15 wt% sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte at the constant current of 4 mA for 3 h.And then they were modified with octadecanoic acid (C18),polyethylene (PE),polystyrene (PS),polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA),respectively,whose surface free energies were 27.6,31.0,33.0,61.6 and 70.0 mN/m,respectively.The contact angles (CA) were 154.6°,128.4°,127.6°,5.0° and 0.0°,respectively,and the ice adhesion pressures were 15.9,36.3,55.9,155.3 and 216.1 kPa,respectively.The ice adhesion strengths decrease along with the increasing anti-wetting property of aluminum surfaces and the decreasing of the surface energy of modifiers.These provide some new insights when designing the aluminum surface with anti-icing properties in some special applications.

A Novel Approach for the Surface Modification of Polymeric Membrane with Phospholipid Polymer

A new economic and convenient method to modify the surface of microporous polypropylene (PP) membranes with phospholipid polymer was given. The process included the photo-irradiated graft polymerization of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and the ring-opening reaction of the grafted polyDMAEMA with 2-alkyloxy-2-oxide-1,3,2-dioxo-phospholanes (AOP). Four AOPs, whose alkyloxy groups consisted of dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl moieties, were used to convert the grafted polyDMAEMA to phospholipid polymers. FT-IR spectra confirmed the chemical change of membrane surface. Platelets adhesion experiment indicated that PP membrane with excellent blood compatible surface could be fabricated by this method.

Non-Smooth Morphologies of Typical Plant Leaf Surfaces and Their Anti-Adhesion Effects

The micromorphologies of surfaces of several typical plant leaves were investigated by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. Different non-smooth surface characteristics were described and classified. The hydrophobicity and anti-adhesion of non-smooth leaf surfaces were quantitatively measured. Results show that the morphology of epidermal cells and the morphology and distribution density of epicuticular wax directly affect the hydrophobicity and anti-adhesion. The surface with uniformly distributed convex units shows the best anti-adhesion, and the surface with regularly arranged trellis units displays better anti-adhesion. In contrast, the surface with randomly distributed hair units performs relatively bad anti-adheslon. The hydrophobic models of papilla-ciliary and fold-setal non-smooth surfaces were set up to determine the impacts of geometric parameters on the hydrophobicity. This study may provide an insight into surface machine molding and apparent morphology design for biomimetics engineering.

Epithelial cell adhesion efficacy of a novel peptide identified by panning on a smooth titanium surface

Epithelial attachment via the basal lamina on the tooth surface provides an important structural defence mechanism against bacterial invasion in combating periodontal disease. However, when considering dental implants, strong epithelial attachment does not exist throughout the titanium-soft tissue interface, making soft tissues more susceptible to peri-implant disease. This study introduced a novel synthetic peptide(A10) to enhance epithelial attachment. A10 was identified from a bacterial peptide display library and synthesized. A10 and protease-activated receptor 4-activating peptide(PAR4-AP, positive control) were immobilized on commercially pure titanium. The peptide-treated titanium showed high epithelial cell migration ability during incubation in platelet-rich plasma. We confirmed the development of dense and expanded BL(stained by Ln5) with pericellular junctions(stained by ZO1) on the peptide-treated titanium surface. In an adhesion assay of epithelial cells on A10-treated titanium, PAR4-AP-treated titanium, bovine root and non-treated titanium, A10-treated titanium and PAR4-AP-treated titanium showed significantly stronger adhesion than non-treated titanium. PAR4-AP-treated titanium showed significantly higher inflammatory cytokine release than non-treated titanium. There was no significant difference in inflammatory cytokine release between A10-treated and non-treated titanium. These results indicated that A10 could induce the adhesion and migration of epithelial cells with low inflammatory cytokine release. This novel peptide has a potentially useful application that could improve clinical outcomes with titanium implants and abutments by reducing or preventing peri-implant disease.

Investigation of the factors affecting the limit of detection of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for surface inspection

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS) was examined to detect a trace substance adhered onto Al alloys for the surface inspection of materials to be adhesively bonded. As an example of Si contamination, silicone oil was employed and sprayed onto substrates with a controlled surface concentration. LIBS measurements employing nanosecond UV pulses(λ?=?266 nm) and an off-axis emission collection system with different detecting heights were performed. Because surface contaminants are involved in the plasma formed by laser ablation of the substrates, the relative contribution of the surface contaminants and the substrates to the plasma emission could be changed depending on the conditions for plasma formation. The limit of detection(LOD) was evaluated under several detecting conditions for investigating the factors that affected the LOD. A significant factor was the standard deviation values of signal intensities obtained for the clean substrates. This value varied depending on the measurement conditions.For the Al alloy(A6061), the smallest LOD obtained was 0.529 μg?·?cm^(-2). Furthermore, an improved LOD(0.299 μg?·?cm^(-2)) was obtained for the Al alloy with a lower Si content.

Syntheses and Surface Properties of Polyacrylonitrile-based Copolymer Membranes Containing Sugar Moieties

To improve the hydrophilicity of polyacrylonitrile-based membranes, sugar moieties were incorporated into acrylonitrile-based copolymers via the radical copolymerization of α-allyl glucoside(AG) with acrylonitrile(AN) with 2,2′-azobis-iso-butyronitrile(AIBN) as the initiator in dimethyl sulphoxide(DMSO). It was found that the yield increased with the increase of the initiator concentration and reaction time, while it decreased with the increase of the monomer molar ratio of AG to AN. Raising the AG proportion in the monomer mixture resulted in the increase of the AG content in the copolymer. M_v of the copolymers decreased with increasing the AG monomer fraction in feed. The copolymers were fabricated into dense membranes and their surface properties were studied by means of the water contact angle measurement and platelet adhesion tests. It was found that the static water contact angle on the membrane decreased significantly from 70° to 33° with the increase of the AG content. The adhesive number of platelets on the membrane surface also decreased significantly with increasing AG content in the copolymers. These results demonstrate that the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the acrylonitrile-based copolymer membranes could be improved efficiently by the copolymerization of acrylonitrile with vinyl carbohydrates.

Evaluate the Effects of Various Surface Roughness on the Tribological Characteristics under Dry and Lubricated Conditions for Al-Si Alloy

The effect of surface roughness average of hypereutectic aluminum silicon alloys (with 16 wt% Si) on the friction and wear was investigated. Various surface roughness average (Ra) of different degrees was verified as well as three different loads 10, 20 and 30 N, speeds 200, 300 and 400 rpm and relative humidity 77%. Different surface preparation techniques are resulted in different Ra values from (6, 8 and 12) ± 0.05 μm. The contacts were dried sliding and lubricated regime at 2.5 centimeters per second. Surfaces were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray dispersive analyses. It was noted that the weighted and volumetric wear rate decreases as degree of roughness decreases, as well as coefficient of friction is considered as a function of the stability state. Wear rate is decreased and the transition stress from high to low wear is increased with increasing surface roughness average. There was a correlation between friction coefficient and hardness.

Platelet adhesion to the surface of a sudden tubular expansion tube under swirling flow condition

The size mismatch in an end-to-end vascular anastomosis between the host vessel and the graft may cause flow disturbance and predispose to thrombosis [1].Although a number of techniques have been employed to reduce the risk of anastomotic thrombosis due to the size mismatch。

Surface Modification with Carbon Fiber for the Metallization of Polyether-ether-ketone

The poly-ether-ether-ketone(PEEK)polymer is a semi-crystalline aromatic thermoplastic with outstanding features,such as superior mechanical properties,thermal stability,radiation resistance and excellent chemical and hydrolysis resistance.However,PEEK exhibits a high volume resistivity(1014Ω·m)and surface resistance(1015Ω).This limits its use in the electronics and electromagnetic field.To decrease the resistivity and reduce the thermal expansion of composite materials,this paper modified the PEEK with carbon fiber(CF)and metalized the composites with the electroless Ni-P alloy plating through self-catalyzed deposition,which brings about high conductivity,thermal conductivity,high-temperature weldability resistance and high-low temperature resistance property.The composites and metal coatings were characterized by metallurgical microscope,SEM,and resistance tester.The metal coatings have a uniform surface and low surface resistance less than 10 mΩ~20 mΩ.The thermal shock test at 250°C and the-70°C^100°C high-low temperature environment test were measured.Compared with the electroless plating on unmodified peek,there is no bump and crack,etc.after testing,which shows a good adhesion between the metal coatings and PEEK-CF,high-low temperature resistance as well as high temperature weldability.The researches on the modification of PEEK by carbon fiber and its surface metallization provide technical support for the application of PEEK Composites in radar antenna and other electronic fields.

Variation of Surface Adhesion Force During the Formation of OTS Self-assembled Monolayer Investigated by AFM

Variation of the surface adhesion force during the formation of octadecyl trichlororilane (OTS) .self-assembled monolayer on a glass substrate surface was investigated hy atomic force microscope (AFM). The research shows that the hydrophobicity and the adbeslon force of the sample surface increases gradualy while the substrate surface is covered by OTS molecules as the reaction proceeds. After 15 min reaction, a cloee-pac.ked and smooth OTS self-assembled monolayer could from on the glass subetrate surface with an advancing contact angle of 105° and an interfaeial energy of 55.79 mJ.m^-2.

Comparative Response of CRL-11372 Cells to Surface Roughness and Crystalline Structure of the Surfaces Developed by Sandblasting,Etching,and TiO_(2) Coating on Commercially Pure Ti Discs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adhesion of human fetal osteoblast cells (CRL-11372) in vitro at 24 h on commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) metal surfaces’ crystalline structure and surface roughnesses that are modified by polishing, sand blasting (with alumina (Al2O3)), sand blasting and coating (with titanium oxide (TiO2)), and sand blasting and etching (with oxalic acid). Modified surfaces were characterized quantitatively by a non-contacting optical profilometer in terms of their Rz and Ra values and surface profile diagrams were obtained. These surfaces were characterized qualitatively by scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. The crystalline structures of the coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). CRL-11372 cells were cultured for 24 h and evaluated for their mean total cell counts. Cell morphologies were examined by SEM micrographs. Data were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Post Hoc LSD test comparisons. SEM micrographs showed variations among the topographies of the surfaces and the morphologies of the cells adhered to these four different surfaces. Cell adhesion was affected by neither Ti chemical composition nor surface roughness within the Ra and Rz parameters used.

Study of the Adhesion of Clinical Strains of Staphylococcus aureus on an Abiotic Surface Using the Biofilm Ring Test^(█)

Four methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and 4 methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains of Staphylococcus aureus were collected and isolated at the Laboratory of Bacteriology of the Provincial General Reference Hospital of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The microbial adhesion to solvents (MATS) test showed that the MRSA strains had a less hydrophobic membrane than the MSSA strains. Using the Biofilm Ring Test? (BFRT?) to investigate on the adhesion of these bacterial strains to smooth surfaces, we observed that the MSSA strains adhered more rapidly than the MRSA strains. The biomass of the produced biofilm measured by the Crystal violet staining method (CVSM) was more important with MSSA than with MRSA strains. Ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) inhibited the adhesion and the formation of a biofilm by MRSA strains;this inhibition was reversed by calcium, magnesium and manganese. The MRSA strains adhered less to silicon tubing and the adhesion was inhibited by EGTA in 2 of the 4 MRSA strains and none of the MSSA strains. In conclusion, the MSSA and MRSA strains adhered on an abiotic surface and formed a biofilm at distinct rates and with different sensitivities to ions. The results also confirm the utility as well as the limits of the BFRT? to study the adhesion of bacteria on a surface.

Near-zero-adhesion-enabled intact wafer-scale resist-transfer printing for high-fidelity nanofabrication on arbitrary substrates

There is an urgent need for novel processes that can integrate different functional nanostructures onto specific substrates,so as to meet the fast-growing need for broad applications in nanoelectronics,nanophotonics,and fexible optoelectronics.Existing direct-lithography methods are difficult to use on fexible,nonplanar,and biocompatible surfaces.Therefore,this fabrication is usually accomplished by nanotransfer printing.However,large-scale integration of multiscale nanostructures with unconventional substrates remains challenging because fabrication yields and quality are often limited by the resolution,uniformity,adhesivity,and integrity of the nanostructures formed by direct transfer.Here,we proposed a resist-based transfer strategy enabled by near-zero adhesion,which was achieved by molecular modification to attain a critical surface energy interval.This approach enabled the intact transfer of wafer-scale,ultrathin-resist nanofilms onto arbitrary substrates with mitigated cracking and wrinkling,thereby facilitating the in situ fabrication of nanostructures for functional devices.Applying this approach,fabrication of three-dimensional-stacked multilayer structures with enhanced functionalities,nanoplasmonic structures with~10 nm resolution,and MoS2-based devices with excellent performance was demonstrated on specific substrates.These results collectively demonstrated the high stability,reliability,and throughput of our strategy for optical and electronic device applications.

Recent advances in preparation of metallic superhydrophobic surface by chemical etching and its applications

In the past few decades,inspired by the superhydrophobic surfaces(SHPS)of animals and plants such as lotus leaves,rose petals,legs of water striders,and wings of butterflies,preparing metal materials with metallic SHPS(MSHPS)have attracted great research interest,due to the great prospect in practical applications.To obtain SHPS on conventional metal materials,it is necessary to construct rough surface,followed by modification with low surface energy substances.In this paper,the action mechanism and the current research status of MSHPS were reviewed through the following aspects.Firstly,the model of wetting theory was presented,and then the progress in MSHPS preparation through chemical etching method was discussed.Secondly,the applications of MSHPS in self-cleaning,anti-icing,corrosion resistance,drag reduction,oil-water separation,and other aspects were introduced.Finally,the challenges encountered in the present application of MSHPS were summarized,and the future research interests were discussed.

Current Strategies of Surface Modifications to Polyurethane Biomaterials for Vascular Grafts

As the number of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases and peripheral vascular diseases rises,the constraints of autologous transplantation remain unavoidable.As a result,artificial vascular grafts must be developed.Adhesion of proteins,platelets and bacteria on implants can result in stenosis,thrombus formation,and postoperative infection,which can be fatal for an implantation.Polyurethane,as a commonly used biomaterial,has been modified in various ways to deal with the adhesions of proteins,platelets,and bacteria and to stimulate endothelium adhesion.In this review,we briefly summarize the mechanisms behind adhesions,overview the current strategies of surface modifications of polyurethane biomaterials used in vascular grafts,and highlight the challenges that need to be addressed in future studies,aiming to gain a more profound understanding of how to develop artificial polyurethane vascular grafts with an enhanced implantation success rate and reduced side effect.

Reduction of ice adhesion on nanostructured and nanoscale slippery surfaces

Ice nucleation and accretion on structural surfaces are sources of major safety and operational concerns in many industries including aviation and renewable energy.Common methods for tackling these are active ones such as heating,ultrasound,and chemicals or passive ones such as surface coatings.In this study,we explored the ice adhesion properties of slippery coated substrates by measuring the shear forces required to remove a glaze ice block on the coated substrates.Among the studied nanostructured and nanoscale surfaces[i.e.,a superhydrophobic coating,a fluoropolymer coating,and a polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)chain coating],the slippery omniphobic covalently attached liquid(SOCAL)surface with its flexible polymer brushes and liquid-like structure significantly reduced the ice adhesion on both glass and silicon surfaces.Further studies of the SOCAL coating on roughened substrates also demonstrated its low ice adhesion.The reduction in ice adhesion is attributed to the flexible nature of the brush-like structures of PDMS chains,allowing ice to detach easily.