title: Tailoring of new polymeric biomaterials for the repair of medium-sized corneal perforations.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymeric biomaterials can be designed such that they become suitable for surgical closure of medium-sized perforations in the cornea, the transparent tissue in the front of the eye. Such a biomaterial must meet stringent requirements in terms of hydrophilicity, strength, transparency, flexibility, and biocompatibility. Four different copolymers of n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) and hexa(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (HEGMA) were prepared and characterized. Poly(BMA) was made as a reference material. Physicochemical properties were measured (contact angles, glass-transition temperatures, thermal degradation, water uptake and swelling), and cytotoxicity in vitro was assessed with a MTT test. Moreover, the interaction between the materials and cultured human corneal epithelial cells was studied. The copolymers may be useful for temporary closure of corneal perforations.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomaterials Research, University of Maastricht, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bruining
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Blaauwgeers
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuijer
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Jongsma
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Brabander
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nuijts
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Koole
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D013844:Thiazoles
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate; C022616:thiazolyl blue