Biosprayed spleen cells integrate and function in mouse models

Bio-electrospraying (BES) and aerodynamically assisted bio-jetting (AABJ), two non-contact direct cell handling approaches, have recently undergone rigorous scientific testing to assess whether cells retain chemical, physical and more importantly biological functions similarly to their unmanipulated counterparts. Previous in vitro validation of these two approaches has shown that they are inert for the direct handling and distributing of cells with great accuracy. In the present investigation we aim to validate, in vivo, that the spray techniques do not functionally or phenotypically alter splenic cells. By taking advantage of an adoptive transfer mouse model we demonstrated that the in vivo behaviour of treated cells is indistinguishable from unmanipulated cells following adoptive transfer into C57/BL6 mice. Indeed, sprayed cells survived and proliferated in response to antigen activation to similar levels observed in unmanipulated cells. In addition, in vivo sprayed cells displayed identical migratory characteristics to those observed in unmanipulated cells. Thus, demonstrating the inertness of these biosprays. Hence these biotechniques hold great potential for use in the development of three-dimensional cultures, tracking and monitoring cell-interactions and in vitro modelling of disease-states and therapeutics.     

Bio-electrosprayed living composite matrix implanted into mouse models

We show that composite de novo structures can be generated using bio-electrosprays. Mouse lung fibroblasts are bio-electrosprayed directly with a biopolymer to form cell-bearing matrices, which are viable even when implanted subcutaneously into murine hosts. Generated cell-bearing matrices are assessed in-vitro and found to undergo all expected cellular behaviour. Subsequent in-vivo studies demonstrate the implanted living matrices integrating as expected with the surrounding microenvironment. The in-vitro and in-vivo studies elucidate and validate the ability for either bio-electrosprays or cell electrospinning to form a desired living architecture for undergoing investigation for repairing, replacing and rejuvenating damaged and/or ageing tissues.     

On the stretch factor of Delaunay triangulations of points in convex position

Let S be a finite set of points in the Euclidean plane. Let G be a geometric graph in the plane whose point set is S. The stretch factor of G is the maximum ratio, among all points p and q in S, of the length of the shortest path from p to q in G over the Euclidean distance |pq|. Keil and Gutwin in 1989 [11] proved that the stretch factor of the Delaunay triangulation of a set of points S in the plane is at most 2π/(3cos(π/6))≈2.42. Improving on this upper bound remains an intriguing open problem in computational geometry.In this paper we consider the special case when the points in S are in convex position. We prove that in this case the stretch factor of the Delaunay triangulation of S is at most ρ=2.33.     

Aerodynamically assisted bio-jetting of hematopoietic stem cells

The research reported in this communication demonstrates the emerging direct cell handling technology now widely referred to as aerodynamically assisted bio-jetting. This is a non-electric field driven approach which directly competes with bio-electrosprays. The technology in these investigations has been explored for the direct handling of live murine primary hematopoietic stem cells. The viability studies demonstrate the complete inertness of this technology for handling such cells for a wide range of applications in both basic biology and clinical medicine. Interestingly these studies pave the way for this technology to undergo development as a flow cell for utility as a sheathless cell most useful in flow cytometry.     

Synthesis and vibrational circular dichroism of enantiopure chiral oxorhenium(V) complexes containing the hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate ligand

The infrared and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of six chiral oxorhenium(V) complexes, bearing a hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) ligand, have been investigated. These complexes are promising candidates for observation of parity violation (symmetry breaking due to the weak nuclear force). New chiral oxorhenium complexes have been synthesized, namely, [TpReO(eta2-O(CH3)CH2CH2O-O,O)] (4a and 4b) diastereomers and [TpReO(eta2-N(CH3)CH2CH2O-N,O)] (5) and [TpReO(eta2-N(tBu)CH2CH2O-N,O)] (6) enantiomers. All compounds could be obtained in enantiomerically pure form by using either column chromatography or HPLC over chiral columns. VCD spectroscopy of these compounds and of [TpReO(eta2-N(CH3)CH(CH3)CH(Ph)O-N,O)] (2) and [TpReO(eta2-N(CH2)3CHCO2-N,O)] (3) (with chiral bidentate ligands derived, respectively, from ephedrine and proline) were studied. This allowed the absolute configuration determination of all compounds together with their conformational analysis, by comparing calculated and experimental spectra. This is the first VCD study of rhenium complexes which further demonstrates the applicability of VCD spectroscopy in determining the chirality of inorganic complexes.     

VSCF in internal coordinates and the calculation of anharmonic torsional mode transitions

The vibrational self-consistent field (VSCF) method assumes separability in normal modes in its usual version. However, the method fails in cases such as soft torsional modes which are better treated by angular variables. We develop VSCF equations based on the assumption of wave function separability in internal coordinates. To test the method, simple illustrative applications to small systems are provided: trans-HONO, cis-HONO, H₂S₂, and H₂O₂. The code directly uses points from ab initio calculations, and the method proves to be accurate for all types of transitions. For typical torsional transitions, the error in the computed frequency is smaller than that of VSCF in normal coordinates. The wave functions for the torsional mode are compared with the corresponding normal mode wave functions. The differences are substantial. The results are encouraging for extension of the model for large polyatomic systems. Work along these lines is in progress.     

Pump-limited, 203 W, single-frequency monolithic fiber amplifier based on laser gain competition

We present high power results of a Yb-doped fiber amplifier seeded with a combination of broad and single-frequency laser signals. This two-tone concept was used in conjunction with externally applied or intrinsically formed thermal gradients to demonstrate combined stimulated Brillouin scattering suppression in a copumped monolithic, polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber. Depending on the input parameters and the thermal gradient, the output power of the single-frequency signal ranged from 80 to 203?W with slope efficiencies from 70% to 80%. The 203?W amplifier was pump limited and is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest reported in the literature for monolithic, PM single-frequency fiber amplifiers.