Use Of Beads Research Articles

Gastroretentive floating sterculia–alginate beads for use in antiulcer drug delivery

To improve the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of the drugs used for the diseases associated with the stomach, the retention of drug delivery systems in the stomach for longer time is requred. Therefore, in the present study, an attempt has been made to synthesize gastro-retentive floating drug delivery system by simultaneously ionotropic gelation of alginate and sterculia gum by using CaCl 2 as crosslinker. The beads thus formed have been characterized by scanning electron micrographs (SEMs), electron dispersion X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The swelling of beads has been carried out as a function of various reaction parameters and pH of the swelling media. In addition, in vitro release dynamics of anti-ulcer model drug pantoprazole from drug loaded beads in different release media has been carried out for the evaluation of the drug release mechanism and diffusion coefficients. Release of drug from beads occurred through Fickian type diffusion mechanism.

Comparison and Suitability of Gel Matrix for Entrapping Higher Content of Enzymes for Commercial Applications

To check the suitability of enzyme entrapped beads for use in pharmaceutical industry, amylase enzyme was entrapped in agar/agarose, polyacrylamide gels and calcium alginate beads. Sodium alginate of 1% concentration was found to be best with respect to immobilization efficiency and calcium alginate beads so obtained were not much susceptible to breakage. When sodium alginate- amylase mixture was added from a height of about 20-30 cm. into CaCl2 solution, size of beads was large at higher alginate concentration due to the increase in the size of droplet formation before entering into CaCl2 solution. Enzyme entrapped polyacrylamide and agar/agarose gels were fragile and could not withstand repeated use whereas enzyme entrapped in large calcium alginate beads was used successfully for 50 cycles for the conversion of starch into product without much damage to the beads under stirring conditions. Amylase preparation was also mixed with urease, lysozyme and coimmobilized in large sized calcium alginate beads. These beads were used for 10 repeated cycles to check the conversion of substrates into their products by their respective enzymes and we concluded that an enzyme or mixture of two or three enzymes can be immobilized in the same large sized calcium alginate beads. This will save the additional cost of bioreactor, manpower, maintenance conditions required for the conversion of one drug into another using enzyme/s entrapped in large sized beads.

Concanavalin a Immobilized Monosize and Magnetic Poly(glycidyl Methacrylate) Beads for Use in Yeast Invertase Adsorption

Concanavalin A (Con A) immobilized monosize and magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate)[m-poly(GMA)] beads were investigated for specific adsorption of yeast invertase from aqueous solutions. m-Poly(GMA) beads (1.6 μ m in diameter) were prepared by dispersion polymerization in the presence of Fe3O4 nanopowder. The epoxy groups of m-poly(GMA) beads were opened by base catalyses. Then, Con A was immobilized by covalent binding onto the beads. Con A immobilization amount was 12.5 mg/g. The invertase adsorption capacity of the m-poly(GMA)/Con A beads was 111 mg/g. The maximum invertase adsorption on the m-poly(GMA)/Con A beads was observed at pH 5.5. The optimum activity for both free and adsorbed invertase was observed at 50°C. Vmax values were determined as 330 U/mg and 292 U/mg enzyme, for free and adsorbed invertase, respectively. KM values were found to be the same for free and adsorbed invertase (20 mM). Adsorption of invertase via Con A improved the pH stability of invertase. Thermal stability also increased with adsorption. The adsorbed enzyme activity was found to be quite stable in repeated experiments.

Novel fabrication of PCL porous beads for use as an injectable cell carrier system

Injectable polycaprolactone (PCL) porous beads were fabricated for use as cell carriers by a novel isolated particle-melting method (for nonporous beads) and the following melt-molding particulate-leaching method (for porous beads). The prepared beads showed highly porous and uniform pore structures with almost the same surface and interior porosities (porosity, over 90%). The PCL porous beads (bead size, 400-550 microm) with different pore sizes (25-50 and 50-100 microm) were compared for their in vitro cell (human chondrocyte) growth behavior with the nonporous beads. The porous beads showed higher cell seeding density and growth than the nonporous beads. The pore size effect between the porous beads was not significant up to 7 days, but after that time the beads with pore sizes of 50-100 microm showed significantly higher cell growth than those of 25-50 microm. To evaluate the tissue compatibility of the PCL porous beads, the beads were dispersed, uniformly, in cold Pluronic F127 solution and injected into hairless mice, subcutaneously, in the gel state of Pluronic F127 at room temperature, leading to the homogeneous bead delivery. The histological findings confirmed that the PCL porous beads in Pluronic F127 gel are biocompatible: surrounding tissues gradually infiltrated into the porous beads for up to 4 weeks with little inflammatory response. The PCL porous beads with highly porous and uniform pore structures fabricated in this study can be widely applicable as cell carriers.

High-throughput optimization of surfaces for antibody immobilization using metal complexes

Using a high-throughput surface discovery approach, we have generated a 1600-member library of metal-containing surfaces and screened them for antibody binding potential. The surface library assembly involved graft modification of argon plasma-treated polyvinylidenedifluoride (PVDF) membranes with alternating maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer followed by anhydride ring opening with a range of secondary amines and microarray contact printing of transition metal complexes. The microarrays of metal-containing surfaces were then tested for their antibody binding capacity by incubation with a biotinylated mouse antibody in a chemiluminescence assay. A total of 11 leads were identified from the first screen, constituting a “hit” rate of 0.7%. A smaller 135-member surface library was then synthesized and screened to optimize existing hits and generate additional leads. To demonstrate the applicability of these surfaces to other formats, high-binding surface leads were then transferred onto Luminex beads for use in a bead flow cytometric immunoassay. The novel one-step antibody coupling process increased assay sensitivity of a Luminex tumor necrosis factor immunoassay. These high-binding surfaces do not require prior incorporation of polyhistidine tags or posttreatments such as oxidation to achieve essentially irreversible binding of immunoglobulin G.

Unusually large acrylamide induced effect on the droplet size in AOT/Brij30 water-in-oil microemulsions

Droplet microemulsions are widely used as templates for controlled synthesis of nanometer sized polymer gel beads for use as, e.g., nanobiosensors. Here we examine water-in-oil microemulsions typically used for preparation of sensors. The cores of the microemulsion droplets are constituted by an aqueous component consisting of water, reagent monomer mixture, buffer salts, and the relevant dyes and/or enzymes. The cores are encapsulated by a mixture of the surfactants Brij30 and AOT and the resulting microemulsion droplets are suspended in a continuous hexane phase. The size of the final polymer particles may be of great importance for the applications of the sensors. Our initial working hypothesis was that the size of the droplet cores and therefore the size of the synthesized polymer gel beads could be controlled by the surfactant-to-water ratio of the template microemulsion. In the present work we have tested this hypothesis and investigated how the monomers and the ratio between the two surfactants affect the size of the microemulsion droplets and the microemulsion domain. We find that the monomers in water have a profound effect on the microemulsion domain as well as on the size of the microemulsion droplets. The relation between microemulsion composition and droplet size is in this case more complicated than assumed in standard descriptions of microemulsions [R. Strey, Colloid Polym. Sci. 272 (1994) 1005–1019; I. Danielsson, B. Lindman, Colloids Surf. 3 (1981) 391–392; Y. Chevalier, T. Zemb, Rep. Progr. Phys. 53 (1990) 279–371].

Irinotecan drug eluting beads for use in chemoembolization: In vitro and in vivo evaluation of drug release properties

Drug eluting beads that release irinotecan in a controlled manner may be useful for application in the chemoembolization of colorectal cancer metastases to the liver. In this study, irinotecan drug eluting beads were prepared with loadings up to 50 mg drug/mL hydrated beads. Drug loading was via an ion-exchange mechanism with sulfonate binding sites in the bead. Release in vitro was shown to be sustained and dependent upon the presence of ions in the elution medium, drug loading and bead size. Drug elution in PBS was controlled by solute diffusion within the beads and gave rise to values for the diffusion coefficient, D, of between 2.4 × 10 −9and 1.4 × 10 −7 cm 2 s −1. The beads were shown to decrease in size (by a maximum 25–30%), and concomitantly their modulus of compression increased (from ∼27 kPa to a maximum of about 49 kPa), with increasing drug loading. This did not however, influence their ability to be suspended homogeneously in contrast agent or delivered through a microcatheter. Following porcine hepatic artery embolization, maximum plasma levels were 70–75% lower for both irinotecan and SN-38 compared to intraarterial bolus administration, with peak levels observed at 2 and 5 min after completion of the embolization procedure. The in vivo data were shown to correlate well with the in vitro release measured using a T-apparatus model of embolization.

SERRS labelled beads for multiplex detection

Beads labelled using surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) are highly sensitive and specific tags, with potential applications in biological assays, including molecular diagnostics. The beads consist of a nucleus containing dye labelled silver-nanoparticle aggregates surrounded by a polymer core. The nuclei generate strong SERRS signals. To illustrate the coding advantage created by the sharp, molecularly specific SERRS signals, four specially designed SERRS dyes have been used as labels and three of these have been combined in a multiplex analysis. These dyes use specific groups such as benzotriazole and 8-hydroxyquinoline to improve binding to the surface of the silver particles. The aggregation state of the particles is held constant by the polymer core, this nucleus also contains many dye labels, yielding a very high Raman scattering intensity for each bead. To functionalise these beads for use in biological assays an outer polymer shell can be added, which allows the attachment of oligonucleotide probes. Oligonucleotide modified beads can then be used for detection of specific oligonucleotide targets. The specificity of SERRS will allow for the detection of multiple targets within a single assay.

Large Uniform-Sized Polymer Beads for Use as Solid-Phase Supports Prepared by Ascension Polymerization

Large uniform-sized polymer beads are desirable for "one-bead-one-compound" applications in the combinatorial synthesis of compound libraries. We have developed a technique for the preparation of large polymer spheres with narrow size distributions. Uniform-sized poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) beads with diameters in excess of 1 mm have been prepared by free radical polymerization in an ascension process through a heated column. The size of the beads can be adjusted by the diameter of the injection needle and the injection speed. The resin beads can be made porous by the incorporation of a porogen during the preparation; they reach a specific surface area in excess of 200 m(2)/g. The mechanical properties of the spheres and their use in organic synthesis have been studied.

PolyHIPE Supports in Batch and Flow-Through Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions

As part of ongoing research efforts to discover alternative support materials to polymer beads for use in polymer-supported synthesis, particularly under flow-through conditions, this work involves the synthesis of PolyHIPE (High Internal Phase Emulsion) polymer monoliths. PolyHIPEs containing high loadings of chloromethyl groups were efficiently prepared by the direct copolymerization of 4-vinylbenzyl chloride and divinylbenzene monomers. The ‘Merrifield' PolyHIPE proved to be an excellent support for batch and flow-through Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. A remarkably high yield of pure biaryl product was obtained using the PolyHIPE support in cubic form and utilizing an electron-rich boronic acid. In comparison to polymer beads, this material was found to be a much more efficient support in both batch and continuous flow modes. PolyHIPE converted a greater amount of chloromethyl groups into biaryl product under identical reaction conditions. It is suggested that the absence of channelling with PolyHIPE monoliths gives better performance under flow-through conditions than permanently porous beads.

Release of angiogenic growth factors from cells encapsulated in alginate beads with bioactive glass

Attempts to stimulate therapeutic angiogenesis using gene therapy or delivery of recombinant growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), have failed to demonstrate unequivocal efficacy in human trials. Bioactive glass stimulates fibroblasts to secrete significantly increased amounts of angiogenic growth factors and therefore has a number of potential applications in therapeutic angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess whether it is possible to encapsulate specific quantities of bioactive glass and fibroblasts into alginate beads, which will secrete growth factors capable of stimulating angiogenesis. Human fibroblasts (CCD-18Co) were encapsulated in alginate beads with specific quantities of 45S5 bioactive glass and incubated in culture medium (0–17 days). The conditioned medium was collected and assayed for VEGF or used to assess its ability to stimulate angiogenesis by measuring the proliferation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. At 17 days the beads were lysed and the amount of VEGF retained by the beads measured. Fibroblasts encapsulated in alginate beads containing 0.01% and 0.1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass particles secreted increased quantities of VEGF compared with cells encapsulated with 0% or 1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass particles. Lysed alginate beads containing 0.01% and 0.1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass contained significantly more VEGF ( p<0.01) compared with beads containing no glass particles. Endothelial cell proliferation was significantly increased ( p<0.01) by conditioned medium collected from alginate beads containing 0.1% (w/v) 45S5 bioactive glass particles. The results of this study demonstrate that bioactive glass and fibroblasts can be successfully incorporated into alginate beads for use in delivering angiogenic growth factors. With further optimization, this technique offers a novel delivery device for stimulating therapeutic angiogenesis.

Degree of crosslinking and mechanical properties of crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) beads for use in solid-phase organic synthesis

The limited swellability in polar media of the commonly used polystyrene/divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) support materials for solid-phase organic synthesis has led to the development of novel, highly swellable hydrophilic gels designed for use in aqueous or polar media. Poly(vinyl alcohol) beads crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (PVA-EP) were prepared by a two-step inverse-suspension polymerization method. While it is known that the morphology of the resulting beads can be controlled by the ratio of EP versus PVA as well as by the pre-crosslinking time, the actual degree of crosslinking of the beads and their mechanical properties remain unknown. It is therefore the purpose of this study to evaluate the actual degree of crosslinking of beads prepared with different quantities of crosslinker in the feed by spectroscopic (Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance) and chemical (functional group loading) methods. The mechanical properties of these swollen PVA-EP beads will be evaluated by single-bead unconfined compression in solvents such as water, N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and compared to model PS-DVB beads commonly used for solid phase synthesis.

Uptake of mercury by thiol-grafted chitosan gel beads

This study describes the synthesis and characterization of thiol-grafted chitosan beads for use as mercury (Hg) adsorbents. Chitosan flakes were dissolved and formed into spherical beads using a phase inversion technique, then crosslinked to improve their porosity and chemical stability. Cysteine was grafted onto the beads in order to improve the adsorption affinity of Hg to the beads. The beads possessed an average diameter of 3.2 mm, porosity of 0.9, specific surface area of ∼100 m 2/g, average pore size of ∼120 Å, and specific gravity of 2.0. Equilibrium and kinetic uptake experiments were conducted to study the uptake of Hg by the beads. The adsorption capacity was approximately 8.0 mmol-Hg/g-dry beads at pH 7, and decreased with decreasing pH. Hg adsorption kinetics was modeled as radial pore diffusion into a spherical bead with nonlinear adsorption. Use of the nonlinear Freundlich isotherm in the diffusion equation allowed modeling of the uptake kinetics with a single tortuosity factor of 1.5±0.3 as the fitting parameter for all initial Hg concentrations, chitosan loadings, and agitation rates. At agitation rates of 50 and 75 rpm, where uptake rate was reduced significantly due to the boundary layer effect, the mass transfer coefficient at the outside boundary was also used as a fitting parameter to model the kinetic data. At agitation rates higher than 150 rpm, pore diffusion was the rate-limiting step. The beads exhibited a high initial uptake rate followed by a slower uptake rate suggesting pore diffusion as the rate-determining step especially at high agitation rates. Higher uptake rates observed in this study compared to those in a previous study of chitosan-based crab shells indicate that dissolution and gel formation increase the porosity and pore accessibility of chitosan.

Transplant: immunology and treatment of rejection

Transplant: immunology and treatment of rejection

The use of molecular sieves to produce point sources of radioactivity

We have used commercially available molecular sieves (zeolites) to adsorb radioactivity onto small (∼2.1 mm diameter) beads for use in various applications in nuclear medicine. Soaking the beads in [99mTc]-NaTcO4 solution of ∼3 GBq ml−1 for 1–2 min can produce point sources containing 3–6 MBq total. Radioactive uptake was strongly dependent on bead size. We have employed the sources for gamma camera uniformity and as point source markers for interactive identification of anatomical landmarks. Due to their small size (≪system spatial resolution), relatively high uptake and negligible scattering contribution they provide excellent devices with which to measure spatial resolution, detector uniformity and energy resolution. The molecular sieves are inexpensive and readily usable with both single photon and positron emitting radionuclides.

Biomolecular screening with encoded porous-silicon photonic crystals.

Strategies to encode or label small particles or beads for use in high-throughput screening and bioassay applications focus on either spatially differentiated, on-chip arrays or random distributions of encoded beads. Attempts to encode large numbers of polymeric, metallic or glass beads in random arrays or in fluid suspension have used a variety of entities to provide coded elements (bits)--fluorescent molecules, molecules with specific vibrational signatures, quantum dots, or discrete metallic layers. Here we report a method for optically encoding micrometre-sized nanostructured particles of porous silicon. We generate multilayered porous films in crystalline silicon using a periodic electrochemical etch. This results in photonic crystals with well-resolved and narrow optical reflectivity features, whose wavelengths are determined by the etching parameters. Millions of possible codes can be prepared this way. Micrometre-sized particles are then produced by ultrasonic fracture, mechanical grinding or by lithographic means. A simple antibody-based bioassay using fluorescently tagged proteins demonstrates the encoding strategy in biologically relevant media.

Expression and purification of functional JNK2beta2: perspectives on high-level production of recombinant MAP kinases.

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a group of serine/threonine kinases that mediate intracellular signal transduction in response to environmental stimuli including stress, growth factors, and various cytokines. Of this family, the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members which, depending on cell type, have been shown to activate the transcription of genes involved in the inflammatory response, apoptosis, and hypertrophy. Here we report the use Baculovirus/Sf9 cells to produce milligram quantities of recombinant JNK2beta2 substrate which could be purified to >90% as judged by SDS-PAGE. In addition, we report a novel method for the site-specific biotinylation for this enzyme and demonstrate that the biotinylated product is an authentic substrate of the upstream kinases MKK4 and 7 and can phosphorylate a downstream target, ATF-2. We also show that the phosphorylated product can be captured efficiently on streptavidin-coated beads for use in scintillation proximity assays.

Single-molecule measurements calibrate green fluorescent protein surface densities on transparent beads for use with ‘knock-in’ animals and other expression systems

Quantitative aspects of synaptic transmission can be studied by inserting green fluorescent protein (GFP) moieties into the genes encoding membrane proteins. To provide calibrations for measurements on synapses expressing such proteins, we developed methods to quantify histidine-tagged GFP molecules (His 6-GFP) bound to Ni-NTA moieties on transparent beads (80–120 μm diameter) over a density range comprising nearly four orders of magnitude (to 30 000 GFP/μm 2). The procedures employ commonly available Hg lamps, fluorescent microscopes, and CCD cameras. Two independent routes are employed: (1) single-molecule fluorescence measurements are made at the lowest GFP densities, providing an absolute calibration for macroscopic signals at higher GFP densities; (2) known numbers of His 6-GFP molecules are coupled quantitatively to the beads. Each of the two independent routes provides linear data over the measured density range, and the two independent methods agree with root mean square (rms) deviation of 11–21% over this range. These satisfactory results are obtained on two separate microscope systems. The data can be corrected for bleaching rates, which are linear with light intensity and become appreciable at intensities >∼1 W/cm 2. If a suitable GFP-tagged protein can be chosen and incorporated into a ‘knock-in’ animal, the density of the protein can be measured with an absolute accuracy on the order of 20%.

Immunophenotyping using gold or silver nanoparticle-polystyrene bead conjugates with multiple light scatter.

The type of antibody-conjugated polystyrene (PS) latex beads for use as light scatter shift agents for targeted lymphocyte populations in whole blood has been expanded to include gold and silver nanoparticle-aminodextran-PS latex bead conjugates with antibodies. The linkers between antibody and colloidal metal were an aminotrithiol ligand or aminodextran polymer molecules. A modified flow instrument, including forward light scatter (FS), side light scatter (SS), light scatter at other intermediate angle ranges, LMALS (10-20 degrees ) and UMALS (20-65 degrees ) was used for simultaneous bead probe measurements. A conventional flow cytometer was used in simultaneous bead-fluorescent marker experiments. Two mutually exclusive cell populations, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, have been simultaneously enumerated in blood by using a mixture of CD4-PS, CD8-Au-PS or CD4-Au-PS, CD8-PS beads, and one laser line, 633 nm, excitation. Similar measurements were made with mixtures of CD4-PS, CD8-Ag-PS or CD4-Ag-PS, CD8-PS beads. Also, simultaneous use of bead and fluorescent markers mixed with whole blood was demonstrated with CD4-PS beads and with the CD4-RD1/CD8-FITC dual marker. Enumeration of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in whole blood by light scatter parameters only compared well with standard analyses with fluorescent markers. In simultaneous bead-fluorescent marker labeling of lymphocytes, the labeled bead had to be mixed first with cells in whole blood.

Dechlorination of p-chlorophenol on a Pd/Fe catalyst in a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed; Implications for sludge and liquid remediation

p-Chlorophenol is dechlorinated using a Pd/Fe bimetallic micro-size catalyst in a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed (MSFB) reactor. The catalyst is used in both powder form ( d c =7 μm) and entrapped in alginate beads ( d b =2.0 mm). The dechlorination reaction is performed in aqueous solution containing p-chlorophenol with and without the presence of soil particles (20% w/w). Several important operating parameters involved in this complex chemical process are studied: Pd/Fe weight ratio, the extent of palladization or the ratio of Pd (Fe) interface area to the amount of chlorine to be removed, system pH, and dissolved O 2. Important process resistances including formation of Fe(OH) 2, Fe(OH) 3, and hydrogen gas bubbles, which are dependent on the mentioned operating parameters, are identified for accurate representation of the overall reaction kinetics. Pseudo first-order kinetics ( k=3.81±0.08 m 3/kg min) with first order deactivation of catalyst ( k d=0.12 1/min) are found to excellently represent dechlorination chemical reaction. Once the chemical kinetics were defined, the active Pd/Fe catalyst was entrapped in alginate beads for use in a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed. Diffusion constraints ( D e =8.0×10 -10 m 2/s) through the bead material (1.5% alginate +98.5% H 2O) are not severe and are reported as being approximately 85–90% of the diffusivity measured in water (Shishido et al., Chem. Engng. Res. Design: Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. 73(6), 719–725, 1995; Oyaas et al., 1995a Biotechnol. Bioengng 47, 492–500). It can be further moderated by decreasing the size of the beads and by using a nano size Pd/Fe catalyst particles (Wang and Zhang, 1997). Overall, the Pd/Fe bimetallic catalyst has been shown to effectively dechlorinate p-chlorophenol both as a powder and entrapped in 2 mm alginate beads. Integration of the catalyst entrapped in the beads with the MSFB introduces a novel method for the treatment of difficult to handle materials, and toxic compounds. The MSFB and alginate beads are shown to be an excellent engineering platform which can be implemented in a variety of catalytic and non-catalytic liquid-solid reaction processes.