Composite PLA/PEG/nHA/Dexamethasone Scaffold Prepared by 3D Printing for Bone Regeneration

3D printing has become an essential part of bone tissue engineering and attracts great attention for the fabrication of bioactive scaffolds. Combining this rapid manufacturing technique with chemical precipitation, biodegradable 3D scaffold composed of polymer matrix (polylactic acid and polyethylene glycol), ceramics (nano hydroxyapatite), and drugs (dexamethasone (Dex)) is prepared. Results of water contact angle, differential scanning calorimeter, and mechanical tests confirm that incorporation of Dex leads to significantly improved wettability, higher crystallinity degree, and tunable degradation rates. In vitro experiment with mouse MC3T3‐E1 cells implies that Dex released from scaffolds is not beneficial for early cell proliferation, but it improves late alkaline phosphatase secretion and mineralization significantly. Anti‐inflammation assay of murine RAW 264.7 cells proves that Dex released from all the scaffolds successfully suppresses lipopolysaccharide induced interleukin‐6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase secretion by M1 macrophages. Further in vivo experiment on rat calvarial defects indicates that scaffolds containing Dex promote osteoinduction and osteogenic response and would be promising candidates for clinical applications.     

三维多孔碳纤维/聚乳酸/壳聚糖复合支架材料的体外细胞相容性评价

利用溶液共混法以及冷冻干燥法制备了三维多孔碳纤维/聚乳酸/壳聚糖(CF/PLA/CS)复合生物支架材料,通过相差显微镜和扫描电子显微镜检测了鼠骨髓基质细胞（BMSCs）与该材料的生物相容性,得到了MTT生长曲线,评价了材料的毒性。 结果表明,以实验组材料的浸提液培养细胞,8 d后细胞开始连片生长,没有观察到细胞变形、坏死现象;在实验组材料上培养4 d后细胞的SEM图像显示,细胞形貌正常,并已开始向孔隙深部生长;MTT法绘制的增值曲线表明,培养4 d后实验组的细胞增殖速度高出空白对照组30%。 以上细胞形态学观察法和细胞增殖法评价结果表明,三维多孔 CF/PLA/CS复合材料没有细胞毒性,并对细胞有良好的粘附、增殖能力,有望成为骨修复材料。     

A 3D Hydroxylated MXene/Carbon Nanotubes Composite as a Scaffold for Dendrite-Free Sodium-Metal Electrodes

Sodium metal is a promising anode, but uneven Na deposition with a dendrite growth seriously impedes its application. Herein, a fibrous hydroxylated MXene/carbon nanotubes (h-Ti₃C₂/CNTs) composite is designed as a scaffold for dendrite-free Na metal electrodes. This composite displays fast Na⁺/electron transport kinetics and good thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. The h-Ti₃C₂ contains abundant sodiophilic functional groups, which play a significant role in inducing homogeneous nucleation of Na. Meanwhile, CNTs provide high tensile strength and ease of film-forming. As a result, h-Ti₃C₂/CNTs exhibit a high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.2 % and no dendrite after 1000 cycles. The h-Ti₃C₂/CNTs/Na based symmetric cells show a long lifespan over 4000 h at 1.0 mA cm⁻² with a capacity of 1.0 mAh cm⁻². Furthermore, Na-O₂ batteries with a h-Ti₃C₂/CNTs/Na anode exhibit a low potential gap of 0.11 V after an initial 70 cycles.     

Synergistic Effects of Beta Tri‐Calcium Phosphate and Porcine‐Derived Decellularized Bone Extracellular Matrix in 3D‐Printed Polycaprolactone Scaffold on Bone Regeneration

Bone‐derived extracellular matrix (ECM) is widely used in studies on bone regeneration because of its ability to provide a microenvironment of native bone tissue. However, a hydrogel, which is a main type of ECM application, is limited to use for bone graft substitutes due to relative lack of mechanical properties. The present study aims to fabricate a scaffold for guiding effective bone regeneration. A polycaprolactone (PCL)/beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP)/bone decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffold capable of providing physical and physiological environment are fabricated using 3D printing technology and decoration method. PCL/β‐TCP/bone dECM scaffolds exhibit excellent cell seeding efficiency, proliferation, and early and late osteogenic differentiation capacity in vitro. In addition, outstanding results of bone regeneration are observed in PCL/β‐TCP/bone dECM scaffold group in the rabbit calvarial defect model in vivo. These results indicate that PCL/β‐TCP/bone dECM scaffolds have an outstanding potential as bone graft substitutes for effective bone regeneration.     

A 3D Hydroxylated MXene/Carbon Nanotubes Composite as a Scaffold for Dendrite‐Free Sodium‐Metal Electrodes

Sodium metal is a promising anode, but uneven Na deposition with a dendrite growth seriously impedes its application. Herein, a fibrous hydroxylated MXene/carbon nanotubes (h‐Ti₃C₂/CNTs) composite is designed as a scaffold for dendrite‐free Na metal electrodes. This composite displays fast Na⁺/electron transport kinetics and good thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. The h‐Ti₃C₂ contains abundant sodiophilic functional groups, which play a significant role in inducing homogeneous nucleation of Na. Meanwhile, CNTs provide high tensile strength and ease of film‐forming. As a result, h‐Ti₃C₂/CNTs exhibit a high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.2 % and no dendrite after 1000 cycles. The h‐Ti₃C₂/CNTs/Na based symmetric cells show a long lifespan over 4000 h at 1.0 mA cm^?2 with a capacity of 1.0 mAh cm^?2. Furthermore, Na‐O₂ batteries with a h‐Ti₃C₂/CNTs/Na anode exhibit a low potential gap of 0.11 V after an initial 70 cycles.     

与胶原特异性结合的BMP2模拟肽/PLGA 3D打印复合支架的制备及成骨诱导活性

将胶原绑定结构域(CBD)多肽序列与骨形态发生蛋白2模拟肽(BMP2-MP)序列连接制备具有胶原绑定能力的CBD-BMP2-MP, 再将CBD-BMP2-MP与聚丙交酯-乙交酯/胶原(PLGA/COL)3D打印支架相结合, 以支架表面的胶原成分为媒介, 将CBD-BMP2-MP更有效地固定于骨修复材料上, 达到对其进行改性的目的. 利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、 电子万能试验机和接触角测量仪对复合支架表面形貌、 力学强度和亲水性等材料学性能进行评价. 用荧光成像法评测 CBD-BMP2-MP及BMP2-MP与支架材料的结合能力. 在各组支架材料表面接种MC3T3-E1细胞进行体外培养, 采用CCK-8、 鬼笔环肽荧光染色、 茜素红染色及qPCR综合评价细胞在材料表面的黏附、 增殖和成骨分化等细胞行为, 研究CBD-BMP2-MP修饰的3D多孔PLGA/COL复合支架的生物学性能. 研究结果表明, 利用3D打印技术制备的多孔支架具有形貌可控的孔隙结构, 为细胞生长创造更有利的细胞微环境, 支架表面胶原成分的加入提高了支架材料的亲水性, 同时对支架材料本身的力学性能无任何影响, 提高了复合支架本身的生物相容性. 与普通BMP2-MP相比, CBD-BMP2-MP具有更好的胶原绑定能力, 与复合支架的结合更稳定, 提高了PLGA/COL复合支架对BMP2-MP的负载能力. 支架表面负载CBD-BMP2-MP后具有极强的促细胞成骨分化能力. MC3T3-E1细胞表现出更高的钙沉积能力, 并且成骨分化相关基因Runx2, ALP, COL-I及OPN等水平也有了明显提升. 表明CBD-BMP2-MP多孔复合支架具有良好的生物相容性和成骨诱导活性, 在骨组织修复领域具有良好的应用前景.     

A specific LC/ESI-MS/MS method for determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in neonatal dried blood spots containing a potential interfering metabolite, 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3

Vitamin D deficiency in an infant is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes in later life. A method for the quantification of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃, the best‐established indicator of vitamin D status] in neonatal dried blood spots (DBSs) using LC/ESI‐MS/MS has been developed and validated. The method employed two steps of derivatization, a Diels–Alder reaction with 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione followed by acetylation, to enhance the detectability of 25(OH)D₃ in ESI‐MS/MS and to separate 25(OH)D₃ from 3‐epi‐25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ [3‐epi‐25(OH)D₃], a potent interfering metabolite. 25(OH)D₃ was extracted from two DBS punches (3 mm in diameter, equivalent to 5.3 μL of whole blood), purified using an Oasis HLB^® cartridge, and subjected to derivatization prior to analysis with LC/ESI‐MS/MS. 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D₄ was used as the internal standard. This method was reproducible (intra‐ and inter‐assay RSDs, <6.9%) and accurate (analytical recovery, 95.2–102.7%), and the LOQ was 3.0 ng/mL. The developed method enabled specific quantification of 25(OH)D₃ in neonatal DBSs and detection of vitamin D deficiency without interference from 3‐epi‐25(OH)D₃.     

Disentangling diffusion information of individual components in a mixture with a 3D COMPACT‐IDOSY NMR experiment

A new 3D diffusion‐ordered heteronuclear NMR experiment COMPACT‐IDOSY (cross‐polarization optimized multisite polarized accelerated time internally encoded diffusion ordered spectroscopy) has been designed and experimentally implemented on a mixture of flavonoids rutin and quercetin. The pulse sequence uses a cross‐polarization mixing period and diffusion encoding gradients internally incorporated into the coherence transfer interval of a long‐range heteronuclear correlation experiment. Substantial reduction in experimental time, good sensitivity and excellent resolution of signal overlap lead to the accurate determination of translational diffusion coefficients of individual components in the mixture. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Osteoconductive biocompatible 3D-printed composites of poly-d,l-lactide filled with nanocrystalline cellulose modified by poly(glutamic acid)

Three dimensional composite matrices based on poly-d,l-lactide filled with 5 or 10 wt% of nanocrystalline cellulose modified by poly(glutamic acid) were produced using pre- optimized 3D printing technique. The composites demonstrated good biocompatibility and significantly improved osteoconductive properties compared with the matrix without filler or the one filled with neat nanocrystalline cellulose.     

Antiproliferative Effect of Colonic Fermented Phenolic Compounds from Jaboticaba (Myrciaria trunciflora) Fruit Peel in a 3D Cell Model of Colorectal Cancer

Jaboticaba is a Brazilian native berry described as a rich source of phenolic compounds (PC) with health promoting effects. PC from jaboticaba peel powder (JPP) have low intestinal bio-accessibility and are catabolized by gut microbiota. However, the biological implication of PC-derived metabolites produced during JPP digestion remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of colonic fermented JPP (FJPP) in a 3D model of colorectal cancer (CRC) composed by HT29 spheroids. JPP samples fermented with human feces during 0, 2, 8, 24 or 48 h were incubated (10,000 µg mL⁻¹) with spheroids, and cell viability was assessed after 72 h. Chemometric analyses (cluster and principal component analyses) were used to identify the main compounds responsible for the bioactive effect. The antiproliferative effect of FJPP in the CRC 3D model was increased between 8 h and 24 h of incubation, and this effect was associated with HHDP-digalloylglucose isomer and dihydroxyphenyl-γ-valerolactone. At 48 h of fermentation, the antiproliferative effect of FJPP was negligible, indicating that the presence of urolithins did not improve the bioactivity of JPP. These findings provide relevant knowledge on the role of colonic microbiota fermentation to generate active phenolic metabolites from JPP with positive impact on CRC.     

钛改性对γ-Fe2O3选择催化还原脱硝性能强化机制的分子模拟研究

采用密度泛函理论（DFT）研究了典型过渡金属Ti掺杂改性对γ-Fe₂O₃选择催化还原（NH₃-SCR）脱硝性能强化影响的作用机制。构建了单Ti和双Ti在γ-Fe₂O₃（001）表面的不同Fe位置的掺杂模型，计算了表面掺杂形成能，探讨了O₂、NO和NH₃分子在Ti掺杂前后的γ-Fe₂O₃（001）表面的吸附特性，并进行了反应机理分析。结果表明，单Ti倾向于掺杂在八面体Fe_oct位，双Ti倾向于两个Fe_oct位。Ti的掺杂增强了催化剂表面对O₂的吸附能力，吸附性能随Ti掺杂量增加而增强。单Ti和双Ti的掺杂都抑制了NO以N端在催化剂表面的吸附。Ti能够强化NH₃的吸附，增强了Lewis酸位，有利于SCR反应。Ti的掺杂增大了NO₂生成的反应能垒，降低了γ-Fe₂O₃低温区的SCR反应。Ti的掺杂抑制了NH和N的形成，避免了NH₃的过度氧化，提高NH₃的利用率，有利于SCR反应，并且抑制了通过E-R机理产生的N₂O，具有良好的N₂选择性。Ti的掺杂能够改善γ-Fe₂O₃在NH₃-SCR中还原NO的性能。     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structure of a New 3D Lanthanide—Carboxylate Framework,[La（btec）1／2（H2btec）1／2（H2O）]n（H4btec=1,2,4,5—Benzeneteracarboxylic acid）

The title complex, [La(btec)_1/2(H₂btec)_1/2 (H₂O)]_n (H₄btec= 1, 2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid) (1) was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride with La(NO₃)₃·6H₂O in H₂O, and crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P‐1 with a = 0.64403(3) nm, b = 0.94500(4) nm, c = 0.96380(5) nm, a = 88.535(2)°, β = 100.314(2)°, γ = 76.6470(10)°, V = 1.60968(10) nm³, Z = 2, and final R = 0.0274, R_w = 0.0735. In 1, each La(m) ion is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms from six carboxylate groups and one coordinated water molecule. Two different coordination modes of H₄btec were present in the structure, one of which contains two protonated carboxylate groups to balance the charge.     

Linagliptin and Vitamin D3 Synergistically Rescue Testicular Steroidogenesis and Spermatogenesis in Cisplatin-Exposed Rats: The Crosstalk of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress with NF-κB/iNOS Activation

This study investigated the therapeutic effect of linagliptin and/or vitamin D3 on testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in cisplatin-exposed rats including their impact on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and NF-κB/iNOS crosstalk. Cisplatin (7 mg/kg, IP) was injected into adult male albino rats which then were orally treated with drug vehicle, linagliptin (3 mg/kg/day), vitamin D3 (10 μg/kg/day) or both drugs for four weeks. Age-matched rats were used as the control group. Serum samples and testes were collected for further analyses. Cisplatin induced testicular weight loss, deteriorated testicular architecture, loss of germ cells and declined serum and intra-testicular testosterone levels, compared to the control group. There was down-regulation of steroidogenic markers including StAR, CYP11A1, HSD3b and HSD17b in cisplatin-exposed rats, compared with controls. Cisplatin-exposed rats showed up-regulation of ER stress markers in testicular tissue along with increased expression of NF-κB and iNOS in spermatogenic and Leydig cells. These perturbations were almost reversed by vitamin D3 or linagliptin. The combined therapy exerted a more remarkable effect on testicular dysfunction than either monotherapy. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic application for linagliptin combined with vitamin D3 to restore testicular architecture, aberrant steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis after cisplatin exposure. These effects may be attributed to suppression of ER stress and NF-kB/iNOS.     

静电自组装方法合成的具有多孔三维网络结构的Fe3O4/石墨烯复合材料作为高性能锂离子电池负极材料

采用静电自组装方法,分两步合成Fe（OH）₃/GO前驱体（GO：氧化石墨烯）,再通过水热反应和600 ℃高纯氮气气氛下煅烧,获得了Fe₃O₄/石墨烯复合材料. 通过X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电镜（SEM）、高分辨透射电镜（HRTEM）、拉曼（Raman）光谱等多种分析,发现该复合材料具有三维多孔石墨烯网络结构. 把合成的这种Fe₃O₄/石墨烯复合材料作为锂离子电池负极材料,电化学测试结果表明其具有优良的电化学性能：首次放电容量为1390 mAh·g^-1,50次循环后容量为819 mAh·g^-1. 通过对比实验表明,三维石墨烯网络结构的形成对复合材料的电化学循环稳定性起着关键作用.     

Enhanced electrocatalytic degradation of 2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) in three-dimensional sono-electrochemical (3D/SEC) process equipped with Fe/SBA-15 nanocomposite particle electrodes: Degradation pathway and application for real wastewater

2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP), which is a nitrophenol compound, is a carcinogenic and non-biodegradable pollutant, which is found at high concentrations in industrial wastewater. Degradation of 2,4-DNP using a three-dimensional sono-electrochemical (3D/SEC) process equipped with G/β-PbO₂ anode and Fe/SBA-15 nanocomposite particle electrodes was evaluated in the present study. Investigating the effect of parameters including pH, electrolysis time, current density, and 2,4-DNP concentration on the performance of the 3D/SEC-Fe-SBA-15 process in 2,4-DNP degradation was considered, and optimization of these parameters was done using the Taguchi design technique. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping (EDX-mapping), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)) were the analyses techniques used to support the successful synthesis of Fe-SBA-15 and G/β-PbO₂ anode. The optimum values obtained for pH, electrolysis time, current density, and 2,4-DNP concentration were 5.0, 60.0 min, 5.0 mA/cm², and 50.0 mg/L, respectively. The experimental removal efficiencies of 2,4-DNP, COD, and TOC using 3D/SEC-Fe-SBA-15 process, under the mentioned conditions, were obtained to be 96.3%, 88.28%, and 83.82%, respectively. In addition, the AOS value was developed from ?0.29 to + 0.88; this indicates the high mineralization of 2,4-DNP and improvement of the solution biodegradability. Detecting the intermediates produced during the degradation process was done by LC-MS analysis, and pathways for its degradation was proposed. Results were indicative of the high potential of the 3D/SEC-Fe-SBA-15 process for treating wastewater containing phenolic compounds, e.g., 2,4-DNP, and can provide acceptable efficiency.     

Structural determination of a new 2(3 --> 20)abeotaxane with an unusual 13beta-substitution pattern and a new 6/8/6-ring taxane from Taxus cuspidata

A new 2(3 --> 20)abeotaxane with an unusual 13beta-substitution pattern and a new 6/8/6-ring taxane were isolated from the methanol extract of the needles of Taxus cuspidata. The structures were established as 2alpha,7beta-diacetoxy-5alpha,10beta,13beta-trihydroxy-2(3 --> 20)abeotaxa-4(20), 11-dien-9-one (1) and 2alpha,5alpha,7beta,9alpha,13alpha-pentahydroxy-10beta-acetoxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (2) on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and high-resolution FAB-MS analyses.     

Preservation of Contractile Reserve and Diastolic Function by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome with OLT1177® (Dapansutrile) in a Mouse Model of Severe Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Due to Non-Reperfused Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a product of the NLRP3 inflammasome, modulates cardiac contractility and diastolic function. We proposed that OLT1177^® (dapansutrile), a novel NLRP3 inhibitor, could preserve contractile reserve and diastolic function after myocardial infarction (MI). We used an experimental murine model of severe ischemic cardiomyopathy through the ligation of the left coronary artery without reperfusion, and after 7 days randomly assigned mice showing large anterior MI (>4 akinetic segments), increased left ventricular (LV) dimensions ([LVEDD] > 4.4 mm), and reduced function (LV ejection fraction < 40%) to a diet that was enriched with OLT1177^® admixed with the chow in the diet at 3.75 g/kg (Group 1 [n = 10]) or 7.5 g/kg (Group 2 [n = 9]), or a standard diet as the no-treatment control group (Group 3 [n = 10]) for 9 weeks. We measured the cardiac function and contractile reserve with an isoproterenol challenge, and the diastolic function with cardiac catheterization at 10 weeks following the MI surgery. When compared with the control (Group 3), the mice treated with OLT1177 (Group 1 and 2) showed significantly greater preservation of their contractile reserve (the percent increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] after the isoproterenol challenge was +33 ± 11% and +40 ± 6% vs. +9 ± 7% in the standard diet; p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 for Group 1 and 2, respectively) and of diastolic function measured as the lower left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (3.2 ± 0.5 mmHg or 4.5 ± 0.5 mmHg vs. 10.0 ± 1.6 mmHg; p < 0.005 and p < 0.009 respectively). No differences were noted between the resting LVEF of the MI groups. These effects were independent of the effects on the ventricular remodeling after MI. NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition with OLT1177^® can preserve β-adrenergic responsiveness and prevent left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in a large non-reperfused anterior MI mouse model. OLT1177^® could therefore be used to prevent the development of heart failure in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.     

A convenient purification and preconcentration of peptides with α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid matrix crystals in a pipette tip for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Peptide samples derived from enzymatic in‐gel digestion of proteins resolved by gel electrophoresis often contain high amount of salts originating from reaction and separation buffers. Different methods are used for desalting prior to matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS), e.g. reversed‐phase pipette tip purification, on‐target washing, adding co‐matrices, etc. As a suitable matrix for MALDI MS of peptides, α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) is frequently used. Crystalline CHCA shows the ability to bind peptides on its surface and because it is almost insoluble in acidic water solutions, the on‐target washing of peptide samples can significantly improve MALDI MS signals. Although the common on‐target washing represents a simple, cheap and fast procedure, only a small portion of the available peptide solution is efficiently used for the subsequent MS analysis. The present approach is a combination of the on‐target washing principle carried out in a narrow‐end pipette tip (e.g. GELoader tip) and preconcentration of peptides from acidified solution by passing it through small CHCA crystals captured inside the tip on a glass microfiber frit. The results of MALDI MS analysis using CHCA‐tip peptide preconcentration are comparable with the use of homemade POROS R2 pipette tip microcolumns. Advantages and limitations of this approach are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.