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Nanofiltration membrane plays an increasingly important role in many industrial applications, such as water treatment and resource recovery. The performance of the smart nanofiltration membrane is largely controlled by pore size, the Donnan effect, and surface wettability, which are determined by the function of stimuli‐responsive components. Smart membranes, which contain stimuli‐responsive components, are capable of changing their physical and chemical properties in response to changes in the environment so that the microstructure of the membrane will have more efficient performances and broader application prospects than the current traditional nanofiltration membranes. Herein, the preparation methods of stimuli‐responsive membranes are described and they are systematically classified accordingly to their mechanisms. Moreover, the latest progress of stimuli‐responsive membranes in nanofiltration and the main mechanism of each stimuli‐response type through relevant examples are discussed and summarized. Finally, this review provides new insights into the remaining challenges and future directions of stimuli‐responsive membranes. Fueled by advances in chemistry and materials science, it is expected to build a smart and efficient nanofiltration membrane platform for the benefit of mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incomplete osseointegration is primary cause of failure for orthopedic implants. New biomaterials that present stable signals promoting osteogenesis could reduce failure rates of orthopedic implants. In this study bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) was delivered from titania nanotubes (Nt) modified with chitosan/heparin polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). The surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. BMP‐2 release from the surfaces was measured in vitro for up to 28 days. After an initial burst release of BMP‐2 during the first 2 days, most of the BMP‐2 remained on the surface. To determine the osteogenic properties of these surfaces, they were seeded with rat bone marrow cells; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, total protein, calcium deposition, and osteocalcin were measured up to 4 weeks in vitro. When compared to Nt surfaces, the surfaces with BMP‐2 induce greater osteocalcin and calcium deposition. PEMs provide sustained presentation of BMP‐2, from a biomimetic surface. This enhances the osteogenic properties of the surface without requiring supraphysiologic growth factor dose. This growth factor delivery strategy could be used to improve bone healing outcomes and reduce complications for recipients of orthopedic implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterial‐associated thrombus formation and bacterial infection remain major challenges for blood‐contacting devices. For decades, titanium‐based implants have been largely used for different medical applications. However, titanium can neither suppress blood coagulation, nor prevent bacterial infections. To address these challenges, tanfloc/heparin polyelectrolyte multilayers on titania nanotubes array surfaces (NT) were developed. The surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and water contact angle measurements. To evaluate the hemocompatibility of the surfaces, fibrinogen adsorption, Factor XII activation, and platelet adhesion and activation were analyzed. The antibacterial activity was investigated against Gram‐negative P. aeruginosa and Gram‐positive S. aureus. Bacterial adhesion and morphology, as well as biofilm formation, were analyzed using fluorescence microscopy and SEM. The anti‐thrombogenic properties of the surfaces were demonstrated by significant decreases in fibrinogen adsorption, Factor XII activation, and platelet adhesion and activation. Modifying NT with tanfloc/heparin also reduces the adhesion and proliferation of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus bacteria after 24 hr of incubation, with no biofilm formation. The modified NT surfaces with tanfloc/heparin polyelectrolyte multilayers are a promising biomaterial for use on implant surfaces because of their enhanced blood biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) of chitosan and heparin are useful for mimicking growth factor (GF) binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) as in vivo. Here, we developed a PEM platform for delivering bound/adsorbed GFs to monocultures of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) and PHH/nonparenchymal cell (NPC) co-cultures, which are useful for drug development and regenerative medicine. The effects of ECM protein coating (collagen I, fibronectin, and MatrigelVR) and terminal PEM layer on PHH attachment/functions were determined. Then, heparin-terminated/fibronectin-coated PEMs were used to deliver varying concentrations of an adsorbed model GF, transforming growth factor b (TGFb), to PHH monocultures while using soluble TGFb delivery via culture medium as the conventional control. Soluble TGFb delivery caused a severe, monotonic, and sustained downregulation of all PHH functions measured (albumin and urea secretions, cytochrome-P450 2A6 and 3A4 enzyme activities), whereas adsorbed TGFβ delivery caused transient upregulation of 3 out of 4 functions. Finally, functionally stable co-cultures of PHHs and 3T3-J2 murine embryonic fibroblasts were created on the heparin-terminated/fibronectin-coated PEMs modified with adsorbed TGFβ to elucidate similarities and differences in functional response relative to the monocultures. In conclusion, chitosan-heparin PEMs constitute a robust platform for investigating the effects of GF delivery modes on PHH monocultures and PHH/NPC co-cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical-sized long bone defects suffer from complications including impaired healing and non-union due to substandard healing and integration of devitalized bone allograft. Removal of the periosteum contributes to the limited healing of bone allografts. Restoring a periosteum on bone allografts may provide improved allograft healing and integration. This article reports a polysaccharide-based tissue engineered periosteum that delivers basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) to a critical-sized mouse femur defect. The tissue engineered periosteum was evaluated for improving bone allograft healing and incorporation by locally delivering FGF-2, TGF-β1, and supporting ASCs transplantation. ASCs were successfully delivered and longitudinally tracked at the defect site for at least 7 days post operation with delivered FGF-2 and TGF-β1 showing a mitogenic effect on the ASCs. At 6 weeks post implantation, data showed a non-significant increase in normalized bone callus volume. However, union ratio analysis showed a significant inhibition in allograft incorporation, confirmed by histological analysis, due to loosening of the nanofiber coating from the allograft surface. Ultimately, this investigation shows our tissue engineered periosteum can deliver FGF-2, TGF-β1, and ASCs to a mouse critical-sized femur defect and further optimization may yield improved bone allograft healing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 900-911, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cortical bone allografts suffer from high rates of failure due to poor integration with host tissue, leading to non-union, fracture, and infection following secondary procedures. Here, we report a method for modifying the surfaces of cortical bone with coatings that have biological functions that may help overcome these challenges. These chitosan-heparin coatings promote mesenchymal stem cell attachment and have significant antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli. Furthermore, their chemistry is similar to coatings we have reported on previously, which effectively stabilize and deliver heparin-binding growth factors. These coatings have potential as synthetic periosteum for improving bone allograft outcomes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 609-618. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shortage of water resources is a problem concerned by all countries in the world. In order to solve this problem of human survival, membrane separation technology promotes the development of water treatment field by virtue of its own advantages of high efficiency and low consumption. Membrane separation technology combined with nanomaterials has brought surprises to researchers. Graphene has unique structure and properties, making graphene and its derivatives have very good potential in water treatment and selective separation. Graphene‐based materials combined with traditional polymer materials have great potential in the field of membrane separation technology. In this article, we first introduce the preparation methods and transport mechanism of graphene‐based membranes, and then summarize the recent applications of graphene oxide/polymer composite membranes in water purification, gas separation, self‐cleaning, and oil–water separation. It is expected to become the next generation of functional composite membranes. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47761. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]