A 3D Cell-Free Bone Model Shows Collagen Mineralization is Driven and Controlled by the Matrix

Osteons, the main organizational components of human compact bone, are cylindrical structures composed of layers of mineralized collagen fibrils, called lamellae. These lamellae have different orientations, different degrees of organization, and different degrees of mineralization where the intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar minerals are intergrown into one continuous network of oriented crystals. While cellular activity is clearly the source of the organic matrix, recent in vitro studies call into question whether the cells are also involved in matrix mineralization and suggest that this process could be simply driven by the interactions of the mineral with extracellular matrix. Through the remineralization of demineralized bone matrix, the complete multiscale reconstruction of the 3D structure and composition of the osteon without cellular involvement are demonstrated. Then, this cell-free in vitro system is explored as a realistic, functional model for the in situ investigation of matrix-controlled mineralization processes. Combined Raman and electron microscopy indicate that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play a more prominent role than generally assumed in the matrix–mineral interactions. The experiments also show that the organization of the collagen is in part a result of its interaction with the developing mineral.     

Theoretical design for 120 GHz semiconductor junction circulators: effects of different numbers of terms in the Green's function

A theoretical analysis of the predicted performance and field distributions for semiconductor junction circulators is based on Bosma's Green's function approach which involves a summation of infinite series in the mathematical derivation. The effects are considered of taking a different number of terms in the series, looking at three different circulators centred at 120 GHz. The narrowband semiconductor circulators show a similar effect to the ferrite junction circulator because the field distributions inside the semiconductor discs can be approximated by only considering the dominant modes. However, there is no dominant mode in the broadband circulator and the higher order modes play an important role in the operation of this circulator. In order to obtain a precise representation of the circulation effects inside both narrowband and broadband circulators, at least up to the 6th term, or 18 terms in all, are required to be added in the summation of Green's functions.     

An Organoid for Woven Bone

Bone formation (osteogenesis) is a complex process in which cellular differentiation and the generation of a mineralized organic matrix are synchronized to produce a hybrid hierarchical architecture. To study the mechanisms of osteogenesis in health and disease, there is a great need for functional model systems that capture in parallel, both cellular and matrix formation processes. Stem cell-based organoids are promising as functional, self-organizing 3D in vitro models for studying the physiology and pathology of various tissues. However, for human bone, no such functional model system is yet available. This study reports the in vitro differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells into a functional 3D self-organizing co-culture of osteoblasts and osteocytes, creating an organoid for early stage bone (woven bone) formation. It demonstrates the formation of an organoid where osteocytes are embedded within the collagen matrix that is produced by the osteoblasts and mineralized under biological control. Alike in in vivo osteocytes, the embedded osteocytes show network formation and communication via expression of sclerostin. The current system forms the most complete 3D living in vitro model system to investigate osteogenesis, both in physiological and pathological situations, as well as under the influence of external triggers (mechanical stimulation, drug administration).     

Unraveling the Reasons for Efficiency Loss in Perovskite Solar Cells

The effect of the presence of unreacted PbI₂ on the perovskite solar cells efficiency is reported. N,N‐Dimethylformamide vapor treatment is introduced to study the influence of complete conversion to a power conversion efficiency of the device. It is discovered that the optimized morphology of the PbI₂ under layer is essential to form a dense perovskite layer preventing recombination by direct contact between TiO₂ and a hole transporting layer, and to increase the charge collection efficiency. The present findings provide an insight into the morphology and growth mechanism of perovskite layer, the correlation between the device performance, and the film deposition process.     

Application de la voltampérométrie convolutionnele à la détermination du coefficient de diffusion des ions TiF 6 3− dans l'eutectique LiF−NaF−KF de 600°C a 900°C

Résumé Les coefficients de diffusion des ions TiF ₆ ^3– dans l'eutectique LiF–NaF–KF ont été déterminés de 600 à 900° C à l'aide de la semi-intégration des voltampérogrammes de réduction sur électrode de fer et d'oxydation sur électrode d'argent. Les interférences de la réduction de l'eutectique et d'un ménisque à la surface du bain ont été éliminées. Le coefficient de diffusion des ions TiF ₆ ^3– obéit à la loi d'Arrhénius selon:D=1.4×10^–2 exp (–6154/T) cm² s^–1.     

Neurophysiological Model of the Normal and Abnormal Human Pupil

A model of the pathways controlling the size of the human pupil is presented. Computer simulation of this model demonstrates the role played by each of the elements in the pupil pathways. Simulations of the effects of drugs and a few common abnormalities in the system also help to illustrate the workings of the internal processes. Computer models of this type can be used as teaching aids or as tools for testing of hypotheses regarding the system.     

Resolvin D2 and Resolvin D1 Differentially Activate Protein Kinases to Counter-Regulate Histamine-Induced [Ca2+]i Increase and Mucin Secretion in Conjunctival Goblet Cells

Resolvin (Rv) D2 and RvD1 are biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and promote resolution of inflammation in multiple organs and tissues, including the conjunctiva. Histamine is a mediator produced by mast cells in the conjunctiva during the allergic response. We determined the interaction of RvD2 with histamine and its receptor subtypes in cultured conjunctival goblet cells and compared them with RvD1 by measuring intracellular [Ca²⁺] and mucous secretion. Treatment with RvD2 significantly blocked the histamine-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase as well as secretion. RvD2 and RvD1 counter-regulate different histamine receptor subtypes. RvD2 inhibited the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by the activation of H1, H3, or H4 receptors, whereas RvD1 inhibited H1 and H3 receptors. RvD2 and RvD1 also activate distinct receptor-specific protein kinases to counter-regulate the histamine receptors, probably by phosphorylation. Thus, our data suggest that the counter-regulation of H receptor subtypes by RvD2 and RvD1 to inhibit mucin secretion are separately regulated.     

Effect of fish oil on the fatty acid composition of human milk and maternal and infant erythrocytes

To examine the effect of fish oil supplementation on the fatty acid (FA) composition of human milk and maternal and infant erythrocytes, five lactating women were supplemented with 6 g of fish oil daily for 21d. Usual maternal diets contained 1,147 mg of total n−3 FA, with 120 mg from very long-chain (>C₁₈) n−3 FA. Supplementation increased dietary levels to 3,092 mg of total n−3 FA and 2,006 mg of very long-chain n−3 FA. Milk samples were collected daily, prior to fish oil ingestion, and at 4-h intervals on days 1, 7, 14 and 21. Milk n−3 FA content increased within 8 h and reached steady state levels within one week. The n−6 fatty acid content decreased. Erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid content increased from 0.24% to 1.4% (P<0.01) in mothers and from 0.11% to 0.70% (P<0.05) in infants. Docosapentaenoic acid increased from 1.4% to 2.2% (P<0.05) in mothers and from 0.30% to 0.78% (P<0.01) in infants. There was no significant change in docosahexaenoic acid or n−6 fatty acid content. Maternal platelet aggregation responses were variable. No differences in milk or plasma tocopherol levels were noted. Based on a paper presented at the Symposium on Milk Lipids held at the AOCS Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, April 1990.     

Feeding stimulatory and inhibitory chemicals from an acceptable nonhost plant forManduca sexta: Improved detection by larvae deprived of selected chemosensory organs

The chemical basis of feeding responses to the acceptable nonhost plantVigna sinensis (cowpea) by larvae ofManduca sexta was investigated using chemical isolation techniques directed by a novel chemosensory-based bioassay. The presence of feeding stimulatory and inhibitory compounds in leaves or leaf extracts was determined in a two-choice preference test using leaf disks or glass fiber filter paper disks laced with leaf extract as test substrate and filter paper disks laced with water as control. Larvae strongly prefer the control disks over leaf disks, indicating the presence of feeding inhibitory compounds in the leaf. An ethanol extract of both fresh and dried leaves neither stimulated nor inhibited feeding. The cause of this inactivity was examined by using larvae that respond strongly to either feeding stimulatory or inhibitory compounds due to selective chemosensory deprivation. Larvae having chemosensory organs remaining only on the maxillary palps are stimulated to feed by whole leaf disks and by the ethanol extracts. In contrast, larvae having only the medial and lateral maxillary sensilla styloconica and the epipharyngeal sensilla remaining are strongly inhibited by whole leaf disks and the ethanol extract of fresh leaves. Thus, the ethanol extract contains both feeding stimulatory and inhibitory compounds, which elicit opposite behavioral effects in unoperated larvae, therefore nullifying any stimulatory and inhibitory activity. These compounds can only be demonstrated by using discrimination-enhanced larvae in the choice tests. Further isolation of the feeding stimulatory principle inV. sinensis yielded two separate fractions of neutral compounds, suggesting at least two different chemicals belonging to two different classes: nonpolar and polar lipids. Feeding inhibitory chemicals have apparently polar properties because strong activity was found in the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of dried leaves. The role of feeding stimulatory and inhibitory compounds in food selection ofM. sexta larvae is discussed.