Biocompatible multi-address 3D cell assembly in microfluidic devices using spatially programmable gel formation

Programmable 3D cell assembly under physiological pH conditions is achieved using electrodeposited stimuli-responsive alginate gels in a microfluidic device, with parallel sidewall electrodes enabling direct observation of the cell assembly. Electrically triggered assembly and subsequent viability of mammalian cells is demonstrated, along with spatially programmable, multi-address assembly of different strains of E. coli cells. Our approach enables in vitro study of dynamic cellular and inter-cellular processes, from cell growth and stimulus/response to inter-colony and inter-species signaling.     

Enhanced sensitivity by laser-induced fluorescence for the determination of calcitriol and other vitamin D3 metabolites in plasma

Summary A sensitive method for the determination of hydroxymetabolites of vitamin D₃, parficularly calcitriol (1,25-(OH)₂-D₃), in human plasma is reported. The method is based on the use of laser-induced fluorescence detection as an alternative to conventional fluorimetry in an integrated cleanup/preconcentration, HPLC separation and post-column derivatization system. The derivatization step is based on a dehydration reaction which takes place in secosteroid structures at high temperature in a strong-acid medium. A LOD of 0.01 pg mL⁻¹ (SNR=3) was obtained for each analyte with a linear dynamic range over 4 order of magnitude with excellent regression coefficients (≥0.9922) in all cases. The precision was studied at two concentration levels and the RSDs values (for n=5) were acceptable (between 2.6 and 4.7%). The method was also checked by applying it to human plasma spiked with the target analytes and excellent recoveries were obtained. This is the first time that these species have been determined at the sub-pg mL⁻¹ level.     

Carcinogenic azo dyes--detection of new metabolites of 3'-methyl-4-(methylamino)azobenzene in rat bile.

Metabolism of 3'-methyl-4-(methylamino)azobenzene (3'-Me-MAB) in the rat has been investigated by an ion cluster technique. A mixture of non-labeled and deuterium labeled 3'-Me-MAB in cottonseed oil was administered orally with a stomach tube. After administration, the rat bile was collected for 24 hr and enzymically hydrolyzed. This sample was applied to an Amberlite XAD-2 column and the column was washed with water. The metabolites were eluted with methanol and were separated by thin-layer chromatography. The mass spectrum of each metabolite was measured. By means of this technique, the metabolites oxidized at the 3'-methyl group were newly detected in the bile in addition to the N-demethylated, arly hydroxylated, and their azo-reduced metabolites. The effect of the ring methyl group on the carcinogenic action of aminoazo dyes is also discussed.     

Enhanced Cell Penetration and Pluripotency Maintenance of hiPSCs in 3D Natural Chitosan Scaffolds

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) cultured in 3D matrices hold great promise in disease modeling, drug discovery, and tissue regeneration. Uniform cell distribution in a 3D structure is critical to the growth and function of hiPSCs, yet cell seeding in 3D matrices often remains superficial, leading to limited cell proliferation and compromised pluripotency. Here, an approach to improve cell penetration depth of hiPSCs in 3D scaffolds modified with hiPSCs conditioned medium (CM) is reported. It is shown that extracellular matrix components are successfully deposited onto the scaffold wall surface after CM treatment and promoted homogeneous cell adhesion during initial seeding. Compared to plain, unmodified scaffolds, the CM treated scaffold improves spatial cell distribution uniformity and upregulates pluripotency markers. Notably, the expression of 29 genes associated with 11 signaling pathways participated in the pluripotency maintenance of hiPSCs exhibits >2-fold change in hiPSCs grown in the CM treated scaffolds than 2D counterparts, demonstrating that CM treated scaffolds can support a more primitive and undifferentiated phenotype of hiPSCs. This study introduces a simple and effective method to enhance cell penetration and maintain cell pluripotency in 3D matrices.     

3D LAVA-FLEX序列在喉癌和下咽癌MR增强扫描中的应用

本文旨在探讨3D LAVA-FLEX序列在喉癌和下咽癌MR增强扫描中的应用价值.对40例临床确诊的喉癌和下咽癌患者行MRI增强扫描,分别采用2D IDEAL T1WI序列和3D LAVA-FLEX序列,对两种方法所得图像进行分析和评价.结果显示,所有患者均完成IDEAL T1WI和3D LAVA-FLEX序列增强检查....     

Regulation of mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and orientation in 3D collagen scaffold by electrical stimulus

Cell adhesion and orientation are important for both natural and engineered tissues to fully achieve physiologic functions. Based on diverse cellular responses induced by electrical stimulus on 2D substrate, we applied non-invasive electrical stimulus to regulate cell adhesion and orientation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and fibroblasts in a reconstituted 3D collagen-based scaffold. While fibroblasts were induced to reorient perpendicularly in response to direct current electrical stimulus, rat MSCs showed only slight changes in cell reorientation. Multiphoton microscopy revealed that rat MSCs exhibited much stronger 3D adhesion, which appears to resist cell reorientation. Only in response to a large electrical stimulus (e.g., 10 V/cm), collagen fibers around rat MSCs became disconnected and loosely reorganized. In contrast, the collagen fibers surrounding the fibroblasts were entangled in a random network and became preferentially aligned in the direction of the electrical stimulus. When incubated with integrin antibodies, both fibroblasts and rat MSCs failed to respond to electrical stimulus, providing evidence that integrin-dependent molecular mechanisms are involved in 3D cell adhesion and orientation. Elucidation of physical regulation of 3D cell adhesion and orientation may offer a novel approach in controlling cell growth and differentiation and could be useful for stem cell-based therapeutic application and engineering tissue constructs.     

A delicately designed functional binder enabling in situ construction of 3D cross-linking robust network for high-performance Si/graphite composite anode

The silicon (Si)-based anodes suffer from large volume expansion in the lithiation process. Aiming at improving the cycling stability of a Si/graphite composite anode processed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, a functional aqueous binder was delicately designed and synthesized via an aqueous copolymerization of lithium acrylate and vinyl triethoxy silane (VTEO). The PAA-VTEO binder can in situ react with the silanol groups on the surface of Si nanoparticles to form a robust 3D cross-linked network. The resulting extremely high modulus and hardness of this integrated 3D network structure effectively restrained the volume expansion effect and significantly enhanced the electrochemical cycling stability of the CVD-Si@graphite composite anode. This work will provide new perspectives in designing functional binder for Si-based anodes.     

Enhanced ionic conductivity in novel nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte based on intercalation of PMMA into layered LiV3O8

In the present work, a novel polymer electrolyte based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/layered lithium trivanadate (LiV₃O₈) nanocomposite has been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study shows that d-spacing is increased from 6.3?±?0.1 Å to 12.8?±?0.1 Å upon intercalation of the polymer into the layered LiV₃O₈. Room temperature ionic conductivity of the obtained nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte is found to be superior to that of conventional PMMA-based gel polymer electrolyte. Enhancement in ionic conductivity of the nanocomposite gel electrolyte is attributed to the formation of a two-dimensional channel as a result of decreased interaction between Li⁺ and V₃O ₈ ^? layers as confirmed by FTIR. SEM results show aggregation of nanocomposite particles resulting from extension of some of the polymer chains from interlayer to the edge providing paths for Li⁺ ion transport. Interfacial stability of nanocomposite gel electrolyte is also found to be better than that of the conventional PMMA-based gel polymer electrolyte.     

Determination of vitamins D2, D3, K1 and K3 and some hydroxy metabolites of vitamin D3 in plasma using a continuous clean-up-preconcentration procedure coupled on-line with liquid chromatography-UV detection

A semi-automatic procedure for the continuous clean-up and concentration of several fat-soluble vitamins prior to their separation by HPLC and UV detection is reported. The procedure is based on the use of a minicolumn packed with aminopropylsilica as sorbent located prior to the chromatographic detection system. The overall process was developed and applied to the main liposoluble vitamins (A, D2, D3, E, K1, K3) and several hydroxy metabolites of vitamin D3 [25-(OH)-D3,24,25-(OH)2-D3 and 1,25-(OH)2-D3]. All the analytes were monitored at a compromise wavelength of 270 nm. Calibration graphs were constructed between 0.01 and 100 ng ml-1 for vitamin D2 and D3 and their hydroxy metabolites, between 0.1 and 100 ng ml-1 for vitamin A, K1 and K3 and between 1 and 100 ng ml-1 for vitamin E, with excellent regression coefficients (> or = 0.9901) in all cases. The precision was established at two concentration levels with acceptable RSDs in all instances (between 3.6 and 8.7%). The method was appropriate for the determination of vitamin D2, D3, K1 and K3 and the 24,25-dihydroxy and 25-hydroxy metabolites of vitamin D3 in human plasma. The method was applied to plasma samples spiked with the target analytes and the recoveries ranged between 78 and 109%.     

Mass spectrometry imaging of endogenous metabolites in response to doxorubicin in a novel 3D osteosarcoma cell culture model

Three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture is a rapidly emerging field, which mimics some of the physiological conditions of human tissues. In cancer biology, it is considered a useful tool in predicting in vivo chemotherapy responses, compared with conventional two‐dimensional (2D) cell culture. We have developed a novel 3D cell culture model of osteosarcoma composed of aggregated proliferative tumour spheroids, which shows regions of tumour heterogeneity formed by aggregated spheroids of polyclonal tumour cells. Aggregated spheroids show local necrotic and apoptotic regions and have sizes suitable for the study of spatial distribution of metabolites by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). We have used this model to perform a proof‐of‐principle study showing a heterogeneous distribution of endogenous metabolites that colocalise with the necrotic core and apoptotic regions in this model. Cytotoxic chemotherapy (doxorubicin) responses were significantly attenuated in our 3D cell culture model compared with those of standard cell culture, as determined by resazurin assay, despite sufficient doxorubicin diffusion demonstrated by localisation throughout the 3D constructs. Finally, changes to the distribution of endogenous metabolites in response to doxorubicin were readily detected by MSI. Principal component analysis identified 50 metabolites which differed most in their abundance between treatment groups, and of these, 10 were identified by both in‐software t test and mixed‐effects analysis of variance (ANOVA). Subsequent independent MSIs of identified species were consistent with principle component analysis findings. This proof‐of‐principle study shows for the first time that chemotherapy‐induced changes in metabolite abundance and distribution may be determined in 3D cell culture by MSI, highlighting this method as a potentially useful tool in the elucidation of chemotherapy responses as an alternative to in vivo testing.     

Self-assembly of aromatic sulfonamide-amide hybridized molecules: formation of 2D layers and 3D microporous networks in the solid state

Three sulfonamide-amide hybridized molecules and one cyclic analogue were synthesized and their assembling behaviors in the solid state were investigated by X-ray crystallography. The results showed that the hybridized molecules could be not only induced to take up helical secondary structures by a network of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, but also utilized as useful building blocks for assembling into 1D zigzag chains and superhelices, 2D layers and further 3D networks. Moreover, it was found that the multiple C-H?OS hydrogen bonds played an important role in the assembling processes.     

Dual role of azide in the formation of a 3D coordination polymer containing bridging 5-pyrimidinecarboxylate

A new 3D framework [Mn4(5-pmc)4(1,1-N3)4]n () composed of a rare MnII4 square as the repeating secondary building unit, representing the first coordination polymer of 5-pyrimidinecarboxylate (5-pmc) has been successfully synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis.     

Structure-directing and template roles of aromatic molecules in the self-assembly formation process of 3D holmium-succinate MOFs

Two new holmium-succinate frameworks have been synthesized by hydrolysis in situ of the succinylsalicylic acid under different hydrothermal conditions. Compound 1, [Ho(2)(C(4)H(4)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)(2)]·0.33(C(7)H(6)O(3)), P ?i space group, has a novel structure composed by 1D-SBUs consisting of [HoO(9)] chains of polyhedra linked by the succinate ligands giving a 3D framework. Compound 2, [Ho(2)(C(4)H(4)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)(2)], also belonging to the P ?i space group, has a denser structure. The role of the in-situ-generated salicylic acid on formation of both structures is studied by means of a synthesis design methodology. A topological study of the new holmium succinate compounds in comparison with the previously reported 3D holmium-succinate framework is performed here.     

Preparation of W1/O/W2 emulsion to limit the diffusion of Fe3+ in the Fricke gel 3D dosimeter

The irradiation of tumors in radiotherapy requires accurate 3D dosimetry. The Fricke 3D dosimeters, which were considered to be high potential of application in 3D dosimetry, suffer from a reduced temporal integrity of dose distribution caused by Fe³⁺ ions diffusion. To overcome the drawback, we firstly synthesized a kind of amphiphilic molecules with critical micelle concentration of 0.45 g/L and hydrophile‐lipophile balance value of 10, then prepared multiple emulsions by self‐assembling those molecules in Fricke solution under liquid paraffin, and finally obtained Fricke hydrogel embedded with the multiple emulsions. The diffusion coefficient of Fe³⁺ ions in the embedded Fricke hydrogel was measured to be 0.17 mm²/h. The hydrogel dosimeter exhibits considerable potential for use in dose verification applications.     

Measurements and modeling of DO2 formation in the reactions of C2D5 and C3D7 radicals with O2

Time-resolved production of HO2 and DO2 from the reactions of nondeuterated and deuterated ethyl and propyl radicals with O2 are measured as a function of temperature and pressure in the "transition region" between 623 and 748 K using the technique of laser photolysis/long path frequency modulation spectroscopy. Experimental measurements, using both pulsed-photolytic Cl-atom-initiated oxidation of ethane and propane and direct photolysis of ethyl, n-propyl, and isopropyl iodides, are compared to kinetic models based on the results of time-dependent master equation calculations with ab initio characterization of stationary points. The formation of DO2 and HO2 from the subsequent reaction of the alkyl radicals with O2 is followed by infrared frequency modulation spectroscopy. The concentration of I atoms is simultaneously monitored by direct absorption of a second laser probe on the spin-orbit transition. The kinetic models accurately describe the time scale and amplitude of the DO2 and HO2 formation resulting from C2D5 + O2, n-C3D7 + O2, i-C3D7 + O2, and i-C3H7 + O2. Overall, a very good level of agreement is found between theory and experiments over a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and O2 concentrations. Good agreement is also found between previous literature studies and the theory presented in this work except in the case of the high-temperature rate coefficients for the reaction of i-C3H7 + O2 to form propene. A reinvestigation of the high-temperature kinetics of the i-C3H7 + O2 reaction appears warranted. The results from the present work suggest that the theory for formation of HO2 from the reactions of ethyl and both isomeric forms of propyl radicals with O2 are very well established at this time. It is hoped that these reactions can now form the groundwork for the study and interpretation of larger and more complex R + O2 systems.     

A Novel 3D Zn-based Luminescence Metal-organic Framework: Synthesis,Structure and Fluorescence Enhanced Sensing of Ammonia Vapor in Air

A three-dimensional(3D) zinc metal-organic framework(MOF),Zn_4(μ_4-O)(bcd)_3(complex 1) has been synthesized by using 1-[bis(4-carboxylphenyl)methyl]-1,3-diazole(H_2 bcd) and Zn(NO_3)_2·6 H_2O under hydrothermal conditions.The structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses,IR spectra,powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD) and thermogravimetric analyses(TGA).Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that complex 1 crystallizes in trigonal system,space group R3 with a=23.0521(6),b=23.0521(6),c=15.3326(6)A,γ=120°,V=7056.2(4) A~3,Z=6,C_(54)H_(36)N_6O_(13)Zn_4,M_r=1242.37,D_c=1.754 g/cm~3,F(000)=3756,the final R=0.0411 and wR=0.1007 for 2743 observed reflections(I2σ(I)).Complex 1 consists of a 3D network constructed by four nuclear clusters Zn_4(μ_4-O)(COO)_6 N_3 and the bcd~(2-) ligand.Interestingly,1 exhibits strong luminescent emission in solid state at room temperature and could be used as a qualitative fluorescence enhancing sensor for ammonia vapor in air.