Heparinized hydroxyapatite/collagen three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering

Currently, in bone tissue engineering research, the development of appropriate biomaterials for the regeneration of bony tissues is a major concern. Bone tissue is composed of a structural protein, collagen type I, on which calcium phosphate crystals are enclosed. For tissue engineering, one of the most applied strategies consists on the development and application of three dimensional porous scaffolds with similar composition to the bone. In this way, they can provide a physical support for cell attachment, proliferation, nutrient transport and new bone tissue infiltration. Hydroxyapatite is a calcium phosphate with a similar composition of bone and widely applied in several medical/dentistry fields. Therefore, in this study, hydroxyapatite three dimensional porous scaffolds were produced using the polymer replication method. Next, the porous scaffolds were homogeneously coated with a film of collagen type I by applying vacuum force. Yet, due to collagen degradability properties, it was necessary to perform an adequate crosslinking method. As a result, N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) was employed as an efficient and non-toxic crosslinking method in this research. The composites were characterized by means of SEM, DSC and TNBS. Furthermore, heparin was incorporated in order to accomplish sustained delivery of a growth factor of interest namely, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2). BMP-2 binding and release of non-heparinized and heparinized scaffolds was evaluated at specific time points. The incorporation of heparin leads to a reduced initial burst phase when compared to the non heparinized materials. The results show a beneficial effect with the incorporation of heparin and its potential as a localized drug delivery system for the sustained release of growth factors.     

Developmental expression of pIgR gene in sheep mammary gland and hormonal regulation

Secretory IgA found in external secretions are constituted by polymeric IgA (pIgA) bound to the extra-cellular part of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). The receptor mediates transcytosis of pIgA across epithelial cells. The aim of the present study was to analyse the evolution of pIgR expression in the sheep mammary gland during the development of the mammary gland and to analyse its hormonal regulation. Gene expression of the pIgR was analysed in sheep mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. By Northern Blot analysis, we observed that low levels of pIgR mRNA are expressed until day 70 of pregnancy. Accumulation of pIgR mRNA started during the third part of pregnancy and intensified 3 d after parturition to reach highest levels during established lactation (day 70). In situ hybridization analysis was used to confirm the increase in pIgR gene expression per mammary epithelial cell. In order to examine the hormonal regulation of the pIgR expression, virgin ewes were hormonally treated. Treatment with oestradiol and progesterone increased pIgR mRNA levels slightly. Subsequent addition of gluocotricoids induced a significant accumulation of pIgR mRNA in the mammary gland of the treated animals. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to verify that the increase of pIgR mRNA level was associated with enhancement of the pIgR protein in mammary cells. No increase of pIgR mRNA levels were observed if PRL secretion was blocked by bromocryptine injections throughout the hormonal procedure. In conclusion, the present experiments suggest that the enhancement of pIgR levels during lactation result from combined effects of both prolactin and glucocorticoids.     

Effects of perennial ryegrass cultivars on intake, digestibility, and milk yield in dairy cows

The effects of 8 diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars on dry matter (DM) intake, DM digestibility, and milk yield (MY) of dairy cows were evaluated in the summer of 2000 and 2001. Each summer, herbage was harvested daily and stall-fed to 12 dairy cows during six 2-wk periods. Six cultivars were fed in 3 periods (1, 3, and 5) according to a double 3 × 3 Latin square design. In the other periods (2, 4, and 6), 2 cultivars were fed in a repeated measurement design. Herbage mass and leaf blades in the sward canopy varied among cultivars, but differences were not consistent between years. The largest differences in herbage composition were found in water-soluble carbohydrate content, followed by crude protein content. only small differences were found in the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. A higher water-soluble carbohydrate content was found in 2 cultivars in both years, whereas ranking of cultivars in crude protein and NDF content was not consistent with years. Dry matter intake and MY were not affected by cultivar. In both years, DM digestiblity was high (>77%), with very small differences among cultivars in 2000 (<0.5%) and larger differences in 2001 (up to 4%). This was associated with a delayed heading date in 2001, resulting in larger differences in leaf blades and NDF content among cultivars. It may be concluded that the 8 cultivars used in our experiments do not provide grass breeders with encouraging evidence to include selection criteria for an increased DM intake, DM digestibility, and MY in their grass breeding schemes.     

Intake regulation and grazing behavior of dairy cows under continuous stocking

This experiment aimed at studying the behavioral strategies grazing dairy cows use to satisfy their nutritional needs as the day progresses and the possible role of rumen fill in controlling these behavioral strategies. The day was divided into 3 main periods (0600 to 1200 h, 1200 to 1800 h, and 1800 to 2400 h), where the 3 main grazing bouts (dawn, afternoon, and dusk) of dairy cows usually occur. Four late lactating rumen-cannulated dairy cows were used in a repeated measures design; grazing bout was the within-subjects factor. Cows had access to a 1-ha grass sward under a continuous stocking system. To estimate dry matter intake, bite rate, bite mass (BM), and intake rate at the 3 grazing bouts, cows were rumen-evacuated at 0600, 1200, 1800, and 2330 h, and the jaw recorders were fitted to the cows between these time points. Time spent eating by dairy cows at the dusk grazing bout was much longer than that at the other 2 grazing bouts and composed about 40% of the daily total eating time. Total grazing jaw movement (TGJM) rate was constant during the day at around 75/min. Bite rate, BM, and, hence, intake rate increased, but chewing rate decreased as the day progressed. The increase in BM was mainly due to the increase in dry matter content of the grass at dusk rather than increased bite dimensions. Therefore, it could be concluded that the main behavioral strategies dairy cows use to satisfy their nutritional needs under continuous stocking include manipulating their eating time, biting rate, and chewing rate, with little control over TGJM rate and BM. Dairy cows interrupted the first 2 grazing bouts (dawn and afternoon) long before reaching their maximal rumen capacity, indicating that rumen fill is less likely to play a significant role in signaling the termination of these 2 grazing bouts. However, rumen pool sizes were always maximal at the time when the dusk grazing bout ceased, indicating that rumen fill is more likely to play a major role in signaling the termination of the dusk grazing bout.     

Alcohol consumption in the rural population of Misungwi subdistrict in Mwanza Region, Tanzania

Epiphyseal injury of the lateral condyle of distal humerus is found commonly in children. Complications following such an injury can result in nonunion with late development of angular deformity and ulnar nerve neuritis. Nonunion at this area is extremely troublesome and difficult to treat. Controversy exists as whether late open reduction and fixation can restore the anatomy of the elbow joint and improve the function. We describe a technique of corrective osteotomy to correct the cubitus valgus deformity and repair the nonunion. The patient was treated successfully with 4 years follow-up.     

The Navier-Stokes solution for laminar flow past a semi-infinite flat plate

Summary A numerical solution joining Carrier and Lin's solution near the leading edge to the boundary layer solution at large distance of the leading edge is presented. The solution is valid for any Reynolds number. Results are given for the skin friction, the integrated skin friction, the displacement thickness, the pressure along the plate and the velocity ahead of the plate. The asymptotic value of the integrated skin friction agrees very well with the exact value. The displacement thickness is already different from zero for small distances ahead of the plate.     

Studies on mushroom flavours

Summary The flavour ofAgaricus bisporus was studied by comparing the results obtained in chemical and organoleptic analysis of the same extract. The natural (-)-form of 1-octen-3-ol had a stronger flavour than the (+)-form and was the most important aroma component. Nucleotides, amino-acids and carbohydrates also contributed significantly. Benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, 1-octen-3-one,n-butyric and isovaleric acids as well as low-boiling volatiles contributed less to the flavour. A synergistic effect of nucleotides, carbohydrates and (-)-1-octen-3-ol on the flavour was not observed.

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Studien über Pilzaromastoffe1. Die organoleptische Bedeutung der Bestandteile des Kulturchampignons, Agaricus bisporus

Zusammenfassung Das Aroma vonAgaricus bisporus wurde durch Vergleich der Ergebnisse der chemischen und organoleptischen Analysen desselben Extraktes untersucht. Die natürliche (-)-Form des 1-Octen-3-ols besaß ein stärkeres Aroma als die (+)-Form und war die wichtigste Aromakomponente. Nukleotide, Aminosäuren und Kohlenhydrate hatten auch einen wesentlichen Einfluß. Benzaldehyd, Benzylalkohol, 1-Octen-3-on,n-Butter- und Isovaleriansäure sowie niedrig siedende flüchtige Stoffe waren von geringerer Bedeutung. Ein synergistischer Effekt der Nukleotide, der Kohlenhydrate und des (-)-1-Octen-3-ols auf das Aroma konnte nicht beobachtet werden.

     

A 320 MHz, 1.5 mW@1.35 V CMOS PLL for microprocessor clockgeneration

This paper describes a low-power microprocessor clock generator based upon a phase-locked loop (PLL). This PLL is fully integrated onto a 2.2-million transistors microprocessor in a 0.35-μm triple-metal CMOS process without the need for external components. It operates from a supply voltage down to 1 V at a VCO frequency of 320 MHz. The PLL power consumption is lower than 1.2 mW at 1.35 V for the same frequency. The maximum measured cycle-to-cycle jitter is ±150 ps with a square wave superposed to the supply voltage with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 200 mV and rise/fall time of about 30 ps. The input frequency is 3.68 MHz and the PLL internal frequency ranges from 176 MHz up to 574 MHz, which correspond to a multiplication factor of about 100