Development of Electrospun Composite Fibers in Multiscale Structure and Investigating the Performance on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of ADSCs

Electrospun composite membranes in multiscale structures are developed for bone tissue engineering. Aligned polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers entrapping CA‐HAp microparticles (containing CaCO₃, hydroxyapatite, and casein in a hierarchical organization) are electrospun to find whether synergistic effects of fiber alignment and CA‐HAp microparticles on improving osteogenic differentiation can be obtained. CA‐HAp microparticles are in a spherical morphology of 1.42 ± 0.26 µm. Their presence increases fiber diameter and does not significantly affect fiber alignment. On all membranes, adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) from humans spread very well. On a random group, cells distribute randomly and the presence of CA‐HAp microparticles facilitates cell proliferation, especially for the one at CA‐HAp/PCL 50 wt%; the one at CA‐HAp/PCL 20 wt% shows significantly much higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (112.0% higher) than the pure PCL membrane. On aligned samples, cells align along fibers and expression of ALP is enhanced. However, at the same composition (CA‐HAp/PCL 20 wt%), the random sample has much higher ALP activity than the aligned sample. The expressions of osteogenic marker genes are also evaluated. Combining the results and the applicability of membranes together, the random membrane at CA‐HAp/PCL 20 wt% is the best candidate for bone tissue engineering.     

Fabrication of dense Ce0.9Mg0.1P2O7-PmOn composites by microwave heating for application as electrolyte in intermediate-temperature fuel cells

In the present work, we report a method of fabrication of dense 10 mol% Mg²⁺-doped cerium pyrophosphate-phosphate (Ce_0.9Mg_0.1P₂O₇-P_mO_n; CMP-P) composites by microwave heat-treatment of the preformed Ce_0.9Mg_0.1P₂O₇ substrates in the presence of phosphoric acid. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The microwave heating at 375 °C for 5 min resulted in the formation of dense CMP-P composites which retained most of the pyrophosphate phase. The electrical conductivity was extracted from the EIS data and for the CMP-P composite prepared by H₃PO₄ loading for 10 h and microwave heat-treatment for 5 min it was found to be >10^?2 S m^?1 in 100–250 °C range with a maximum of 0.062 S cm^?1 at 190 °C, which was significant for its application as electrolyte in intermediate temperature fuel cells.     

Structures and electrical conductivities of Gd3+ and Fe3+ co-doped cerium oxide electrolytes sintered at low temperature for ILT-SOFCs

Gd³⁺ and Fe³⁺ co-doped cerium oxide electrolytes, Ce_0.9Gd_0.1‐xFe_xO_2-δ (x?=?0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.10), were prepared by co-precipitation for ultrafine precursor powders and sintering for densified ceramic pellets. The crystal and microscopic structures were characterized by XRD, FESEM and Raman spectroscopy and their electrical properties were studied by AC impedance spectroscopy and the measurement of single cell's outputs. In comparison with Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95, the ceramic pellets of Ce_0.9Gd_0.1‐xFe_xO_2-δ with a relative density of 95% can be obtained after sintered at 1000?°C for 5?h, showing a remarkably enhanced sintering performance with a sintering temperature reduction of 500?°C, which might be ascribed to the highly activated migration of constituent species in the cerium oxide lattice doped with Gd³⁺ and Fe³⁺ions. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of Ce_0.9Gd_0.1‐xFe_xO_2-δ can be significantly enhanced depending on the mole fraction x, with Ce_0.9Gd_0.07Fe_0.03O_1.95 exhibiting the highest electrical conductivity of 38 mS/cm at 800?°C, about 36% higher than that of Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 electrolyte sintered at 1500?°C for 5?h. So, The Gd³⁺ and Fe³⁺ co-doped cerium oxide would be an excellent candidate electrolyte for ILT SOFCs due to its prominent sintering performance and enhanced electrical conductivity.     

Tailoring the electron-blocking layer by addition of YSZ to Ba-containing anode for improvement of ceria-based solid oxide fuel cell

The in-situ fabrication of an electron-blocking layer between the Ba-containing anode and the ceria-based electrolyte is an effective approach in suppressing the internal electronic leakage in ceria-based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). To improve the thickness of the electron-blocking layer and to research the effect of the layer thickness on the improvement of SOFC, a Ba-containing compound (0.6NiO-0.4BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3-δ) modified by Y stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was employed as a composite anode in this research. SEM analyses demonstrated that the thickness of the interlayer can be simply controlled by regulating the proportion of YSZ at anode. The in-situ formed interlayer in the cell with the anode modified by 20?mol% YSZ possesses a thickness of 0.9?µm which is more suitable for the cell achieving an enhanced performance.     

Ionic conductivities and high resolution microscopic evaluation of grain and grain boundaries of cerium-based codoped solid electrolytes

Doped CeGdO and codoped CeGdOSmO compositions were synthesized, giving rise to nanoparticulate powders. Ionic conductivities at bulk and grain boundaries of the sintered samples were determined, exhibiting increased conductivity in the samaria-codoped samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a significant reduction in the grain size of samaria-codoped electrolytes. This reduced grain size of the codoped samples caused a reduction in Schottky barrier height, increasing oxygen vacancy concentration in the space-charge layer of the grain boundary and culminating in greater ionic conductivity in the boundary region. For the gadolinium doped samples, high resolution transmission electron microscopy images at grains showed the presence of large cluster of defects (nanodomains), hindering the movement of charge carriers and reducing ionic conductivity. However, the samaria-codoped system displayed better homogeneity at atomic level, resulting in reduced oxygen vacancy ordering and, consequently, smaller nanodomains and higher bulk (grain) conductivity. The reduced grain sizes and smaller nanodomains caused by codoping favor the ionic conductivity of ceria-based ceramics, doped with gadolinia and codoped with samaria.     

Calcium phosphate substrates with emulsion-derived roughness: Processing,characterisation and interaction with human mesenchymal stem cells

Calcium phosphates (CaP) have been the subject of several studies that often lack a systematic approach to understanding how their properties affect biological response. CaP particles functionalised with a pH-responsive polymer (BCS) were used to prepare microporous substrates (porosity between 70 and 75% and pore sizes of 5–20 μm) through the aggregation of oil-in-water emulsions by controlling solid loading, emulsification energy, pH, drying and sintering conditions. The combined effect of surface roughness (roughness amplitude, R_a between 0.9–1.7 μm) and chemistry (varying Hydroxyapatite/β-Tricalcium phosphate ratio) on human mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated. HA substrates stimulated higher cell adhesion and proliferation (especially with lower R_a), but cell area increased with β-TCP content. The effect of surface roughness depended of chemistry: HA promoted higher mineralising activity when R_a ～ 1.5 μm, whereas β-TCP substrates stimulated a more osteogenic profile when R_a ～ 1.7 μm. A novel templating method to fabricate microporous CaP substrates was developed, opening possibilities for bone substitutes with controlled features.     

Solid‐state single‐ion conducting comb‐like siloxane copolymer electrolyte with improved conductivity and electrochemical window for lithium batteries

Achievement of high conductivity and electrochemical window at ambient temperature for an all‐solid polymer electrolyte used in lithium ion batteries is a challenge. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel solid‐state single‐ion electrolytes based on comb‐like siloxane copolymer with pendant lithium 4‐styrenesulfonyl (perfluorobutylsulfonyl) imide and poly(ethylene glycol). The highly delocalized anionic charges of ? SO₂? N^(–)? C₄F₉ have a weak association with lithium ions, resulting in the increase of mobile lithium ions number. The designed polymer electrolytes possess ultra‐low glass transition temperature in the range from ?73 to ?54 °C due to the special flexible polysiloxane. Promising electrochemical properties have been obtained, including a remarkably high conductivity of 3.7 × 10^?5 S/cm and electrochemical window of 5.2 V (vs. Li⁺/Li) at room temperature. A high lithium ion transference number of 0.80, and good compatibility with anode were also observed. These prominent characteristics endow the polymer electrolyte a potential for the application in high safety lithium ion batteries. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45848.     

人肺癌ILK基因siRNA重组表达质粒的构建及其对A549细胞增殖的影响

目的构建人肺癌整合素连接激酶(Integrin-linked kinase,ILK)基因siRNA重组表达质粒,并检测其对人肺腺癌A549细胞增殖的影响。方法人工合成靶向ILK基因的siRNA干扰序列,克隆至载体pGenesil-1中,构建重组表达质粒pGenesil-1-ILK,利用脂质体转染A549细胞,经G418稳定筛选后,采用RT-PCR和Western blot检测细胞中ILK基因mRNA的转录水平及蛋白的表达水平,MTT法检测细胞的增殖活力。结果重组表达质粒pGenesil-1-ILK经SalⅠ单酶切及测序证明构建正确,其转染A549细胞后,细胞ILK基因mRNA的转录水平和蛋白的表达水平均明显降低(P<0.05),且细胞的增殖能力也显著降低(P<0.05)。结论成功构建了人ILK基因siRNA重组表达质粒,ILK基因沉默可显著抑制A549细胞增殖,为肺癌靶向基因治疗的研究提供了新的思路。     

百日咳黏附素的原核表达及其单克隆抗体的制备

目的原核表达百日咳黏附素(Pertactin,Prn),并制备抗Prn单克隆抗体。方法从无细胞百日咳疫苗生产菌株CS株基因组DNA中克隆Prn基因,插入表达载体pQE-30中,构建重组表达质粒pQE-30-Prn,转化E.coli M15,IPTG诱导表达。表达的重组Prn蛋白经阳、阴离子交换层析纯化后,采用Western blot和ELISA法鉴定重组Prn蛋白的反应原性。以纯化的重组Prn蛋白为免疫原,利用杂交瘤技术制备单克隆抗体,并对制备的单抗进行鉴定。结果重组表达质粒经双酶切和测序鉴定构建正确;表达的重组Prn蛋白相对分子质量约为69 000,主要以包涵体形式表达;纯化的重组Prn蛋白的纯度达95%以上,产量可达25 mg/L,能与不同来源的抗Prn-Ab血清特异性结合。获得2株分泌抗Prn单抗的杂交瘤细胞株,分泌的单抗均为IgG1类,轻链类型均为κ,效价均达1∶105以上,并能特异性识别Prn蛋白,而与百日咳杆菌其他抗原蛋白无交叉反应。结论原核表达、纯化了重组Prn蛋白,并制备了2株效价高、特异性强的单抗,为无细胞百日咳疫苗的质量控制及百日咳杆菌致病机制的研究提供了材料。     

应用7.5 L生物反应器制备Vero细胞乙型脑炎灭活疫苗

目的应用7.5 L生物反应器,培养Vero细胞和乙型脑炎病毒,规模化生产乙型脑炎灭活疫苗。方法应用7.5 L生物反应器,分别以5、10、15、20、25 g/L的微载体密度加装,采用灌流方式培养Vero细胞,分别将P3株乙型脑炎病毒按0.005 00、0.002 50、0.001 60、0.001 25、0.001 00 MOI接种至生物反应器内,收获乙脑病毒液。经浓缩、灭活、纯化等工艺制备疫苗半成品,经疫苗灭活及纯化试验进行工艺验证,合格后分装为疫苗成品,按照《中国药典》三部(2010版)中《冻干乙型脑炎灭活疫苗(Vero细胞)》要求,进行疫苗全项检定。结果当微载体密度为20、25 g/L时,细胞密度可达1.2×107个/ml,病毒滴度平均达8.33～8.52 lgLD50/ml;当病毒接种量为0.001 25 MOI时,病毒最高滴度可达9.02 lgLD50/ml。经超滤浓缩后的病毒原液,使用1∶4 000β-丙内酯灭活72 h,可达到灭活效果;纯化后可去除90%以上杂蛋白。应用7.5 L生物反应器生产的6批乙型脑炎灭活疫苗,经检定各项指标均符合国家要求。结论应用7.5 L生物反应器培养Vero细胞和P3株乙型脑炎病毒,经连续灌流收获,可规模化生产Vero细胞乙型脑炎灭活疫苗。