Serial sectioning and three-dimensional reconstruction of mouse Peyer's patch

Peyer's patches (PPs) are typical gut-associated lymphoid tissues that are located along the wall of the small intestine and that serve as the major sites for generation of immunity to intestinal antigens. Their unique micro-organization is crucial for the generation of the immune response. Although many studies have been reported on the functional anatomy of PP, most investigations have relied on the random sampling of these organs, a procedure that is insufficient for the systemic scanning of the whole tissue or organ. By combining a variety of methods, we have accomplished 3D reconstructions of Peyer's patch. The complex reconstruction procedure includes several steps. First, the PP are serially sectioned at a thickness of 10 microm with a cryostat; (b) the serial sections are stained with haematoxylin-eosin; (c) multiple images from the PP are acquired with an automatic microscope and stitched together with Image Pro Plus to generate a composite image for the whole organ; (d) the serial images are reconstructed with Image J, Reconstruct and 3D Studio Max. The combinational approaches that we present here should be of value when extrapolated to the reconstruction of other tissues or organs. Moreover, the 3D model that we have created and our stereological analysis should be extremely helpful for further in vivo microscopic studies of PP with respect to the immune response.     

An alternative tuning approach to enhance NMR signals

By using spin-noise type measurement we show that the resonance frequency of the reception circuit of classical NMR spectrometers does not match the Larmor frequency even if, in emission, the electronic circuit is perfectly tuned at the Larmor frequency and matches the amplifier impedance. We also show that this spin-noise method can be used to ensure a match between the Larmor frequency and the reception circuit resonance frequency. In these conditions, (i) the radiation damping field is in perfect quadrature to the magnetization and (ii) the NMR signal level and potentially the signal-to-noise ratio, are enhanced. This choice induces a change of the probe resonance frequency by several hundreds of kHz for 500 or 700 MHz spectrometer. We show that the resulting mismatch condition for emission can be removed by adding other tuning and matching degrees of freedom located on the excitation line (or by symmetry on the reception line) decoupled to the probe resonance circuit by the crossed diodes.     

Thermoplastic processing of protein-based bioplastics: chemical engineering aspects of mixing,extrusion and hot molding

Proteins, as heteropolymers, offer a large range of possible interactions and chemical reactions. The thermoplastic behavior of proteins has been studied in order to produce bioplastics by thermal or thermomechanical processes such as mixing, extrusion or hot molding. The extrusion trials were performed by using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder, recording torque, temperature and die pressure. Batch mixing was done in a two blade counter-rotating mixer, with continuous recording of torque and product temperature. Proteins were alternatively extruded, mixed or hot molded under a large range of processing conditions. Protein aggregation during each process was estimated from the accumulation of SDS-insoluble protein fraction. Protein aggregation evidences a cross-linking reaction the activation energy of which was dependent on the thermoplastic process used. The increase in network density appears to be induced by the severity of the treatment: temperature and shear strongly affect the structural characteristics of the protein-based bioplastics.     

A Degradable Sustained-Release Drug Delivery System for Bleb-Forming Glaucoma Surgery

Fibrosis of the filtering bleb is one of the main causes of failure after bleb-forming glaucoma surgery. Intraoperative application of mitomycin C (MMC) is the current gold standard to reduce the fibrotic response. However, MMC is cytotoxic and one-time application is often insufficient. A sustained-release drug delivery system (DDS), loaded with MMC, may be less cytotoxic and equally or more effective. Two degradable (polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)) MMC-loaded DDSs are developed. Release kinetics are first assessed in vitro followed by rabbit implants in conjunction with the PRESERFLO MicroShunt. As a control, the MicroShunt is implanted with adjunctive use of a MMC solution. Rabbits are euthanized at postoperative day (POD) 28 and 90. The PLGA and PCL DDSs release (on average) 99% and 75% of MMC, respectively. All groups show functioning blebs until POD 90. Rabbits implanted with a DDS show more inflammation with avascular thin-walled blebs when compared to the control. However, collagen is more loosely arranged. The PLGA DDS shows less inflammation, less foreign body response (FBR), and more complete degradation at POD 90 when compared to the PCL DDS. Further optimization with regard to dosage is required to reduce side effects to the conjunctiva.     

ChemInform Abstract: Tetrayttrium Difluoride Disilicate Orthosilicate,Y4F2[Si2O7][SiO4].

Colorless lath-shaped single crystals of the title compound are obtained from a melt of Y₂O₃, YF₃, and SiO₂ (2:5:3 molar ratio) using CsCl as a flux (evacuated silica tube, 973 K, 9 d, 10 K/h cooling rate).     

Highly Effective and Green Catalytic Approach Toward α,ω‐Dihydroxy‐Telechelic Poly(trimethylenecarbonate)

α,ω‐Dihydroxy‐telechelic poly(trimethylenecarbonate), HO‐PTMC‐OH, is synthesized from the controlled “immortal” ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trimethylene carbonate under mild conditions (bulk, 60 °C), using ZnEt₂ or, more efficiently, [(BDI)Zn(N(SiMe₃)₂)] (BDI = CH(CMeNC₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)₂) as catalyst precursor, in the presence of a diol HO‐R‐OH (R = (CH₂)₂ or CH₂C₆H₄CH₂; 0.5–10 equiv. vs Zn) acting both as co‐initiator and chain transfer agent. Alternatively, HO‐PTMC‐OH is prepared upon hydrogenolysis of HO‐PTMC‐OCH₂Ph, initially prepared from the ROP of TMC using the [(BDI)Zn(N(SiMe₃)₂)]/PhCH₂OH system, under smooth operating conditions using Pd/charcoal. Well‐defined dihydroxy‐functionalized PTMCs of molar mass ranging from = 2 000 to 109 500 g · mol⁻¹ were thus quantitatively obtained and fully characterized by NMR, MALDI‐TOF‐MS and SEC analyses. The versatility of this “immortal” ROP allows the preparation of alike α,ω‐functional polyester such as linear HO‐poly(lactide)‐OH, as well as star polymers such as the glycerol‐based PTM‐OH₃.