Importance of a three-stage cooling regime and induced ice nucleation during cryopreservation on colony-forming potential and differentiation in mesenchymal stem progenitor cells from human fetal liver

Colony-forming activity, as well as osteogenic and adipogenic capacities of primary human fetal liver (HFL) mesenchymal stem or progenitor cells (MSCs) were compared before and after cryopreservation using a standard three-step cooling protocol (Cryo3-S) or the same protocol with induced ice nucleation (Cryo3-IIN) and 5% and 10% w/v dimethyl sulphoxide (Me?SO). Cell viability, using the Cryo3-S protocol with 5 % and 10 % Me?SO, was about 60 to 70 % as assessed by the trypan blue staining method, but the ability to undergo growth in culture and form colonies was completely lost. Cryopreservation using Cryo3-IIN resulted in conservation of colony-forming MSCs. Colony-forming efficiency (CFE) of the cell samples cryopreserved with Cryo3-IIN and 5 % Me?SO was on average 0.4 +/- 0.1 colonies per 10? cells, whereas with 10% Me?SO 1.6 +/- 0.7 colonies were obtained. HFL MSCs recovered after cryopreservation in the both groups demonstrated capacity to be expanded and induced into either osteogenic or adipogenic differentiation.     

Van Vleck second moments and hydrogen diffusion in YH2.1--measurements and simulations

Proton magnetic resonance absorption spectra of yttrium dihydride (YH(2+x)), with x = 0.10, were recorded in the temperature ranges 4.2-310 K at 36.01 MHz and 150-400 K at 299.8 MHz. The evidence of proton self-diffusion follows from the changes of linewidth with temperature. The second moment of the resonance lines was determined from the experimental spectra and was compared with values calculated from the crystallographic data. The averaging effect of diffusion on the second moment was taken into account through Monte Carlo simulations of the diffusion process. The simulation was performed in a block of unit cells 5 x 5 x 5 with periodic boundary conditions. They compensated the effect of finite dimensions of the block. The calculated temperature dependence of the proton second moment values was fitted to the experimental ones. The fitting parameters were: the attempt frequency v0 and the activation energy Ea for hydrogen diffusion, assuming Arrhenius behavior of the jump frequencies vc = v0 exp(-Ea/k(B)T). In these preliminary studies, the Monte Carlo simulations were performed for tetrahedral-octahedral exchanges while direct tetrahedral-tetrahedral jumps were neglected for simplicity. Three models of hydrogen diffusion, differing in the maximum jump lengths allowed for a given model, were considered. These lengths were taken as the distances from the hydrogen attempting to jump to the first (1NN), second (2NN), and third (3NN) nearest neighbor position able to accept the jumping atom. Assuming the same attempt frequency v0 = 6.0 x 10(12)s(-1) for all three models, the activation energies giving the best fit to experimental data were 0.5, 0.54, and 0.55 eV for 1NN, 2NN, and 3NN models, respectively.     

In-Vitro Degradation Behaviors of Composite Scaffolds Based on 1,4-Butadnediamine Modified Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and Nanobioceramics

In-vitro degradation behaviors of composite scaffold materials composed of 1,4-butanediamine modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (BMPLGA), nanobioactive glass (NBG) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were systematically investigated in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) at 37?°C. The properties of the BMPLGA/NBG-β-TCP and BMPLGA scaffolds, including the changes of pH value, mass, water uptake, compressive strength and molecular mass, were investigated as a function of degradation time. The results showed that the introduction of the NBG and β-TCP particles played important roles in the degradation of BMPLGA matrix. The degradation rate of the BMPLGA/NBG-β-TCP scaffolds was slower than that of the BMPLGA scaffolds.     

过渡金属氧化物催化剂上NH3 分解Claus反应机理研究

运用浸渍法制备了七种过渡金属氧化物催化剂 .对于NH3 分解反应均可获得很高的NH3 转化率 ;对于NH3 分解Claus反应则可以获得较高的SO2 转化率和单质硫选择性 .通过比较发现Co3 O4 TiO2 和Fe2 O3 TiO2 催化剂的低温活性比较高 .经过XRD表征发现 ,在NH3 分解Claus反应中 ,催化剂的活性相可能是过渡金属硫化物 .结合活性评价和XRD表征结果提出了NH3 分解Claus反应的机理 .     

The pertinence of expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) to the efficacy of cryopreservation in HELAs

HELAs (Hela cells, passed cells of human cervical carcinoma) were heat or cold treated (named heat or cold shock) and then resumed normal culture for 2, 4 or 8 hours respectively. The expressions of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and 90 (HSP90) of the HELAs were measured by Northern and Western blotting. HELAs after 4-hour culture were exposed to or cryopreserved with different concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively, V/V). Meanwhile, the HELAs after different culture time (2, 4 and 6 hours of culture) were cryopreserved with 5% Me2SO. After exposure or cryopreservation, the number of live HELAs was counted and the survival rate was calculated. The results showed that heat shock increased the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 of HELAs, while cold shock decreased the expression of the two proteins. When the concentrations of Me2SO were 10%, 15% and 20%, the survival rates of HELAs after exposure to Me2SO or cryopreservation were much lower than those when the concentrations were small. The survival rates of the heat shocked HELAs were significantly higher than those of the cold shocked and control HELAs. After cryopreservation with 5% Me2SO, the survival rate of heat shocked HELAs group with 2 hours culture time was the lowest among all the groups of HELAs with different cultural time. From the results of this study, we conclude that the expressions of HSP70 and HSP90 in HELAs increased significantly after heat shock, while cold shock decreased the expressions of these two proteins. The over-expressions of HSPs in the heat shocked HELAs could protect the cells from both injury caused by potential toxicity of high concentrations of Me2SO and cryoinjury caused by the freeze-thawing/cryopreservation procedure.     

Functionalized alginate/chitosan biocomposites consisted of cylindrical struts and biologically designed for chitosan release

A novel alginate/chitosan composite scaffold was developed. The composite scaffolds were fabricated at low temperature using a three-axis robot system connected to a micro-dispenser and a core/shell nozzle. The structure of the composite scaffolds included hollow struts; deposited chitosan on the inner walls (core region) of the struts reacted electrostatically with the alginate layer (shell region). The fabricated, highly porous composite scaffolds exhibited excellent mechanical properties and controllable chitosan release, which was closely dependent on the weight fraction of the alginate in the shell region. The tensile strength in the dry state was ∼1.8-fold greater than that of pure alginate scaffold due to the ionic interaction between alginate and chitosan. To determine the feasibility of using the developed scaffold in tissue regeneration applications, in vitro cellular responses were evaluated using osteoblast-like-cells (MG63). The cell proliferation on the composite scaffold was ∼3.4-fold greater than that on the pure alginate scaffold. Alkaline phosphate activity and calcium deposition of the composite scaffold after 14 and 21 days of cell culture were significantly enhanced (1.6- and 1.8-fold greater, respectively) compared with those of the pure alginate scaffold. These results suggested that the alginate/chitosan composite scaffolds with a controlled chitosan release have great potential for use in regenerating various tissues.     

Investigation of the superionic behaviour of BaF 2 ( x mol% LaF 3 ) by raman and brillouin scattering and molecular dynamics simulations

High temperature Raman and Brillouin light scattering experiments have been combined with molecular dynamics simulations to provide a comprehensive study of the superionic state of BaF 2 ( x v mol% LaF 3 ) over a particularly wide range of LaF 3 dopant concentrations from x =0 to 50. Room temperature Raman spectra for x =0, 5 and 10 show the usual T 2g symmetry mode at 241 v cm m 1 , but for samples with x =20, 30 and 50 the dominant Raman mode is at higher frequencies and of E g symmetry. The temperature dependence of the Raman line-widths show initial near linear increases followed by substantial increases above temperatures ( T c ) at 1200, 850, 800, 975, 950 and 920 v K for x =0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50. In the Brillouin scattering experiments, the acoustic modes respectively related to elastic constants C 11 and C 44 initially showed a quasi-linear decrease in frequency with increasing temperature. Above the same characteristic values of T c , where the Raman line-widths show marked increases, there are substantial decreases in the elastic constant C 11 for all samples with x =0 to 50. Only the doped samples showed significant decreases in C 44 at corresponding values of T c . Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been carried out on the same systems. From the calculated mean square displacements, the diffusion coefficients ( D ) of the mobile fluorine ions were calculated as a function of temperature for each of the samples. Substantial increases in the values of D occur above the respective values of T c determined in the light scattering experiments. The MD simulations also provide details of the mechanisms of diffusion of the mobile fluorine ions. The results emphasize the role of motional effects as an explanation of the mechanisms responsible and provide a self-consistent explanation of the dominant processes in the superionic phase of doped fluorites.     

Ultraviolet-initiated reactions of H(2) with germanosilicate fibers and H(2) concentration dependence of the Bragg wavelength of a fiber grating

We present a model with which to calculate the index increase induced in standard single-mode fiber by hydrogen loading. Also, we propose that the dominant products of reaction in UV-written hydrogenated standard communication fibers are GeE? and Si-OH. Based on the above models, we calculate the Bragg wavelength shifts that are due to hydrogen diffusion out of the fiber gratings. The relative effective index change that is due to hydrogen dissolved in fiber can be as much as 6 x 10(-4) if standard telecom fiber is hydrogen loaded with a concentration of ~1.44 mol.%. Theoretical results agree with experimental results.     

Morphological and surface compositional changes in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) tissue engineering scaffolds upon radio frequency glow discharge plasma treatment

Chemical functionalisation of polymeric scaffolds with functional groups such as amine could provide optimal conditions for loading of signalling biomolecules over the entire volume of the porous scaffolds. Three-dimensional (both surface and bulk) functionlisation of large volume scaffolds is highly desirable, but preferably without any change to the basic morphological, structural and bulk chemical properties of the scaffolds. In this work, we have carried out and compared treatments of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) tissue engineering scaffolds by two methods, that is, a wet chemical method using ethylenediamine and a glow discharge plasma method using heptylamine as a precursor. The samples thus prepared were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The plasma treatment generated amide and protonated amine (NH⁺) groups which were present in the bulk and on the surface of the scaffold. Amination also occurred for the wet chemical treatments but the structural and chemical integrity were adversely affected.     

Evidence of red cell alignment in the magnetic field of an NMR spectrometer based on the diffusion tensor of water

The alignment of human erythrocytes in aqueous suspensions in the magnetic field B(0) (called the z-direction) of an NMR spectrometer was shown by calculating the diffusion tensor for water in the sample. The diffusion was measured using a pulsed-field-gradient spin-echo NMR method. The extent of diffusion anisotropy for water was exemplified by the values of the apparent diffusion coefficients with erythrocytes of normal shape and volume: for a typical experiment the values for the x-, y-, and z-directions were (6.88 +/- 0.17) x 10(-10), (7.07 +/- 0.17) x 10(-10), and (10.20 +/- 0.17) x 10(-10) m(2) s(-1), respectively. Cells in hypo- and hyperosmotic media were also studied and they too showed the anisotropy of the apparent diffusion coefficients but the extents were different. A new method of data analysis was developed using the Standard Add-On Packages in a Mathematica program. The experimental findings support evidence of erythrocyte alignment that was previously obtained with a high-field-gradient q-space method.     

Cryoprotection in plant tissues related to reduced volume expansion of cryoprotectant solution

To clarify the mechanism of reduced volume expansion-related cryoprotection changes in solution volume during freezing using several types of cryoprotectant were investigated. The effect of each cryoprotectant solution on the survival of asparagus nodal segments cooled slowly (0.5 degrees C/min) to -40 degrees C was also examined. The ratio of the volume at -40 degrees C to the volume at +20 degrees C was used as an index for expansion, calculated as a ratio of the density at +20 degrees C to the density at -40 degrees C. Distilled, deionized water showed the largest volume change at a ratio of 1.094. The ratio gradually decreased with an increase in the molar concentration of cryoprotectant, with the magnitude of the change dependent on the nature of the cryoprotectant. Raffinose was the most effective in reducing volume expansion when compared with other cryoprotectants at a same concentration. Raffinose exhibited greatest cryoprotection in asparagus tissue at 0.6 M where the solution became saturated. Dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) at 1.69 M had the largest effect on cryoprotecting asparagus tissue. Furthermore, Me2SO was also the most effective in reducing volume expansion among the group of cryoprotectants permeable to the plasma membrane. It is concluded that cryoprotection in tissues was closely related to reduced volume expansion especially at low concentration (< or = 1.0 M). Cryoprotectants of impermeable sugar group lost their cryoprotective effect at > 1.0 M, which may due to severe dehydration and cell damage occurred in hypertonic solution. Useful cryoprotectants should be furnished with high ability of reducing volume expansion during freezing as well as low toxicity and high permeability for cells.     

CaO脱硫化学反应速率与气体扩散速率对比

区分氧化钙脱硫反应中的化学反应动力学速率与二氧化硫、氧气分子的扩散速率是一个难题。通过系列样品的TGA实验,在简化假设的基础上找到了CaO颗粒脱硫反应中的化学反应动力学速率与二氧化硫、氧气分子的扩散速率的变化规律。实验结果表明:化学反应速率和二氧化硫、氧气分子的扩散速率随着反应温度的上升、脱硫剂颗粒粒径的降低和氧化钙纯度的提高而提高。适当提高脱硫反应温度、最大限度地降低颗粒粒径是提高氧化钙脱硫反应速率的主要措施。     

Novel mineral contrast agent for magnetic resonance studies of bone implants grown on a chick chorioallantoic membrane

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of tissue engineered constructs prior to implantation clearly demonstrate the utility of the MRI technique for studying the bone formation process. To test the utility of our MRI protocols for explant studies, we present a novel test platform in which osteoblast-seeded scaffolds were implanted on the chorioallantoic membrane of a chick embryo. Scaffolds from the following experimental groups were examined by high-resolution MRI: (a) cell-seeded implanted scaffolds (CIM), (b) unseeded implanted scaffolds (UCIM), (c) cell-seeded scaffolds in static culture (CIV) and (d) unseeded scaffolds in static culture (UCIV). The reduction in water proton transverse relaxation times and the concomitant increase in water proton magnetization transfer ratios for CIM and CIV scaffolds, compared to UCIV scaffolds, were consistent with the formation of a bone-like tissue within the polymer scaffold, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy. However, the presence of angiogenic vessels and fibrotic adhesions around UCIM scaffolds can confound MRI findings of bone deposition. Consequently, to improve the specificity of the MRI technique for detecting mineralized deposits within explanted tissue engineered bone constructs, we introduce a novel contrast agent that uses alendronate to target a Food and Drug Administration-approved MRI contrast agent (Gd-DOTA) to bone mineral. Our contrast agent termed GdALN was used to uniquely identify mineralized deposits in representative samples from our four experimental groups. After GdALN treatment, both CIM and CIV scaffolds, containing mineralized deposits, showed marked signal enhancement on longitudinal relaxation time-weighted (T1W) images compared to UCIV scaffolds. Relative to UCIV scaffolds, some enhancement was observed in T1W images of GdALN-treated UCIM scaffolds, subjacent to the dark adhesions at the scaffold surface, possibly from dystrophic mineral formed in the fibrotic adhesions. Notably, residual dark areas on T1W images of CIM and UCIM scaffolds were attributable to blood inside infiltrating vessels. In summary, we present the efficacy of GdALN for sensitizing the MRI technique to the deposition of mineralized deposits in explanted polymeric scaffolds.     

血液可见吸收光谱与血氧参数神经网络估算法

总血红蛋白浓度和血氧饱和度是两个基本的血氧参数。文章提出了利用内置双光纤微创探头在位测量大鼠脑组织血氧参数的新方法。首先,利用悬乳液(Intralipid)和全血配置不同总血红蛋白浓度的混合溶液,模拟生物组织模型,用光纤光谱仪测试系统测量组织模型在加氧和去氧时的实时吸收光谱,同时用血氧分析仪(OXI meter)对血氧参数定标,建立测试光谱和定标数据样本集。然后,利用人工神经网络建立血液吸收光谱与血氧参数的神经网络模型,训练后的网络模型能根据吸收光谱输出生物组织的血氧参数值,总血红蛋白浓度和血氧饱和度的平均输出误差分别为±4μmol·L-1和±5%。最后,利用神经网络模型对大鼠脑组织血氧参数进行了在位测试实验,测得脑灰质的血氧饱和度为0.60~0.70,脑白质血氧饱和度为0.45~0.55;总血红蛋白浓度在脑皮层(深度1mm)附近最高,平均110μmol·L-1,其余深度脑组织的总血红蛋白浓度为70~90μmol·L-1。这种方法对脑外科微创手术中实时在位测试脑组织血氧参数具有重要的参考意义。     

A Comparative Study on In vitro Degradation Behaviors of Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) Scaffolds and Films

In vitro degradation behaviors of three-dimensional porous scaffolds and films made from amorphous poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (85/15) were systematically investigated up to 12 weeks in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution at 37°C. The following properties of the scaffolds and films were compared as a function of degradation time: pH value of PBS, water uptake, weight, molecular mass and its distribution, and morphology. The results show that the films degraded much faster than the scaffolds. The film's degradation was heterogenous due to the increased concentration of the acidic degradation products inside. However, owing to much thinner pore walls, heterogenous degradation due to the autocatalytic effect was not observed in the scaffolds.     

Evaluation of diffusional anisotropy and microscopic structure in skeletal muscles using magnetic resonance

The pulsed-gradient spin-echo (PGSE) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method is used for detecting the diffusion of water molecules in biological tissues. Because tissues generally have diffusional anisotropy, their diffusion properties are denoted by a tensor. In this study, we evaluated the diffusional anisotropy and microscopic structure in atrophied skeletal muscles using the PGSE NMR method. The left sciatic nerve was severed in twelve 9-week-old rats. Neurotomy caused neurogenic muscular atrophy at the left gastrocnemius. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks after neurotomy, magnetic resonance signals were selectively acquired from a 2 x 2 x 2 mm(3) voxel, which was located on the left gastrocnemius. The diffusion tensor, the mean diffusivity (MD) and the fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated from the signals. A theoretical model of the diffusion in muscles was derived from Tanner's equation. The muscle fiber diameter was estimated by fitting the model to the measured signals. The measurements were also performed for normal rats as controls. No significant difference was found in the MD and the estimated intracellular diffusion coefficient between the control group and the denervated group. The denervated group had significantly higher FA compared with the control group (P<.05). The estimated muscle fiber diameter of the denervated group was significantly smaller than the estimated value of the control group (P<.05). These differences were found at 8 weeks after neurotomy. The proposed method is effective for evaluating changes in the microscopic structure of skeletal muscles.     

Time-domain measurement of spontaneous vibrational decay of magnetically trapped NH

The v=1-->0 radiative lifetime of NH(X(3)Sigma(-),v=1,N=0) is determined to be tau_(rad,exp.)=37.0+/-0.5_(stat)+2.0/-0.8_(syst) ms, corresponding to a transition dipole moment of |mu_(10)|=0.0540_(-0.0018)(+0.0009) D. To achieve sufficiently long observation times, NH(X;{3}Sigma;{-},v=1) radicals are magnetically trapped using helium buffer-gas loading. The rate constant for background helium-induced collisional quenching was determined to be k_(v=1)<3.9x10(-15) cm(3) s(-1), which yields the quoted systematic uncertainty on tau_{rad,exp.}. With a new ab initio dipole moment function and a Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential, we calculate a lifetime of 36.99 ms, in agreement with our experimental value.     

Depth-resolved monitoring of glucose diffusion in tissues by using optical coherence tomography

We demonstrate the capability of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique for depth-resolved monitoring and quantifying of glucose diffusion in fibrous tissues (sclera). The depth-resolved and average permeability coefficients of glucose were calculated. We found that the glucose diffusion rate is not uniform throughout the tissue and is increased from approximately 2.39+/-0.73 x 10(-6) cm/s at the epithelial side to 8.63+/-0.27 x 10(-6) cm/s close to the endothelial side of the sclera. Results demonstrated that the OCT technique is capable of depth-resolved monitoring and quantification of glucose diffusion in sclera with a resolution of approximately 40 mum.     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone)/Nano-biaoactive Glass-Nano-β-tricalcium Phosphate Composite Scaffolds

Abstract

Polymeric/ceramic composite scaffolds that are biocompatible and biodegradable are widely used for tissue engineering applications. In this work a series of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone)/nano-biaoactive glass-nano-β-tricalcium phosphate composite scaffolds were successfully fabricated and the influences of the inorganic content and freezing temperature on the physical properties were studied. The composite scaffolds with various inorganic contents showed an interconnected pore structure with irregular shapes. The composite scaffolds had a porosity that was reduced with increasing inorganic content and decreasing freezing temperature. The incorporation of inorganic fillers and decreasing freezing temperature improved the mechanical properties of the hybrid scaffolds. By appropriate control of these two factors (10.0?wt% content of NBAG and β-TCP with freezing at ?30?°C) a suitable composite scaffold was prepared as a potential bone tissue engineering implant.     

Biomimetic formation of apatite on the surface of porous gelatin/bioactive glass nanocomposite scaffolds

There have been several attempts to combine bioactive glasses (BaGs) with biodegradable polymers to create a scaffold material with excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, biodegradability and toughness. In the present study, the nanocomposite scaffolds with compositions based on gelatin (Gel) and BaG nanoparticles in the ternary SiO₂-CaO-P₂O₅ system were prepared. In vitro evaluations of the nanocomposite scaffolds were performed, and for investigating their bioactive capacity these scaffolds were soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at different time intervals. The scaffolds showed significant enhancement in bioactivity within few days of immersion in SBF solution. The apatite formation at the surface of the nanocomposite samples confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses. In vitro experiments with osteoblast cells indicated an appropriate penetration of the cells into the scaffold's pores, and also the continuous increase in cell aggregation on the bioactive scaffolds with increase in the incubation time demonstrated the ability of the scaffolds to support cell growth. The SEM observations revealed that the prepared scaffolds were porous with three dimensional (3D) and interconnected microstructure, pore size was 200-500 μm and the porosity was 72-86%. The nanocomposite scaffold made from Gel and BaG nanoparticles could be considered as a highly bioactive and potential bone tissue engineering implant.