Another angle on contact lens surface analysis

Purpose: Dynamic contact angle (DCA) methods have advantages over other contact angle methodologies, not least that they can provide more than single contact angle values. Here we illustrate the use of DCA analysis to provide “fingerprint” characterisation of contact lens surfaces, and the way that different materials change in the early stages of wear. Method: The DCA method involves attaching to a microbalance weighted strips cut from a lens. The strips are then cyclically inserted into and removed from an aqueous solution. Conventionally, readings of force taken from linear portions of the resultant dipping curves are translated into advancing (CAa) and receding contact (CAr) angles. Additionally, analysis of the force versus immersion profile provides a “fingerprint” characterisation of the state of the lens surface. Results: CAa and CAr values from DCA traces provide a useful means of differentiating gross differences in hydrophilicity and molecular mobility of surfaces under particular immersion and emersion conditions, such as dipping rate and dwell times. Typical values for etafilcon A (CAa:63.1; CAr:37) and balafilcon B (CAa:118.4; CAr:36.4) illustrate this. Surface modifications induced in lens manufacture are observed to produce not only changes in these value, which may be small, but also changes in the DCA “fingerprint” (slope, undulations, length of plateau). Interestingly, similar changes are induced in the first few hours of lens wear with some lens-patient combinations. Conclusions: Although single parameter contact angles are useful for material characterisation, information of potential clinical interest can be obtained from more detailed analysis of DCA traces.

Design and development of a time of flight fast scattering spectrometer : a quantitative surface analysis technique and a new approach towards the experimental investigation of the surface particle interactions

A new surface analysis technique has been developed which has a number of benefits compared to conventional Low Energy Ion Scattering Spectrometry (LEISS). A major potential advantage arising from the absence of charge exchange complications is the possibility of quantification. The instrumentation that has been developed also offers the possibility of unique studies concerning the interaction between low energy ions and atoms and solid surfaces. From these studies it may also be possible, in principle, to generate sensitivity factors to quantify LEISS data. The instrumentation, which is referred to as a Time-of-Flight Fast Atom Scattering Spectrometer has been developed to investigate these conjecture in practice. The development, involved a number of modifications to an existing instrument, and allowed samples to be bombarded with a monoenergetic pulsed beam of either atoms or ions, and provided the capability to analyse the spectra of scattered atoms and ions separately. Further to this a system was designed and constructed to allow incident, exit and azimuthal angles of the particle beam to be varied independently. The key development was that of a pulsed, and mass filtered atom source; which was developed by a cyclic process of design, modelling and experimentation. Although it was possible to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the instrument, problems relating to surface contamination prevented the measurement of the neutralisation probabilities. However, these problems appear to be technical rather than scientific in nature, and could be readily resolved given the appropriate resources. Experimental spectra obtained from a number of samples demonstrate some fundamental differences between the scattered ion and neutral spectra. For practical non-ordered surfaces the ToF spectra are more complex than their LEISS counterparts. This is particularly true for helium scattering where it appears, in the absence of detailed computer simulation, that quantitative analysis is limited to ordered surfaces. Despite this limitation the ToFFASS instrument opens the way for quantitative analysis of the 'true' surface region to a wider range of surface materials.

Unexpected role of surface transglutaminase type II in celiac disease

Background & Aims: In celiac disease (CD), transglutaminase type II (TG2) has 2 fundamental roles: (1) as the autoantigen recognized by highly specific autoantibodies and (2) the modifier of pathogenic gliadin T-cell epitopes. It follows that inhibition of TG2 might represent an attractive strategy to curb the toxic action of gliadin. Here we studied the validity of this strategy using the organ culture approach. Methods: Duodenal biopsy specimens from 30 treated patients with CD, 33 untreated patients with CD, and 24 controls were cultured with or without gliadin peptides p31-43, pα-9, and deamidated pα-9 for 20 minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours. In 31 patients with CD and 16 controls, TG2 inhibitor R283 or anti-TG CUB 7402 or anti-surface TG2 (6B9) mAbs were used in cultures. T84 cells were also cultured with or without peptides with or without TG inhibitors. Mucosal modifications after culture were assessed by immunofluorescence, in situ detection of TG activity, confocal microscopy, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Results: The enzymatic inhibition of TG2 only controlled gliadin-specific T-cell activation. The binding of surface TG2 contained gliadin-specific T-cell activation and p31-43-induced actin rearrangement, epithelial phosphorylation, and apoptosis, both in organ cultures and T84 cells. Conclusions: These data indicate a novel and unexpected biological role for surface TG2 in the pathogenesis of CD suggesting a third role for TG2 in CD. These results have a specific impact for celiac disease, with wider implications indicating a novel biologic function of TG2 with possible repercussions in other diseases. © 2005 by the American Gastroenterological Association.

Structural and chemical modifications of typical South African biomasses during torrefaction

Torrefaction experiments were carried out for three typical South African biomass samples (softwood chips, hardwood chips and sweet sorghum bagasse) to a weight loss of 30wt.%. During torrefaction, moisture, non-structural carbohydrates and hemicelluloses were reduced, resulting in a structurally modified torrefaction product. There was a reduction in the average crystalline diameter (La) (XRD), an increase in the aromatic fraction and a reduction in aliphatics (substituted and unsubstituted) (CPMAS 13C NMR). The decrease in the aliphatic components of the lignocellulosic material under the torrefaction conditions also resulted in a slight ordering of the carbon lattice. The degradation of hemicelluloses and non-structural carbohydrates increased the inclusive surface area of sweet sorghum bagasse, while it did not change significantly for the woody biomasses.