In Vitro Characterizations of PLLA/β-TCP Porous Matrix Materials and RMSC-PLLA-β-TCP Composite Scaffolds

To develop a novel degradable poly (L-lactic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLLA/β-TCP) bioactive materials for bone tissue engineering, β-TCP powder was produced by a new wet process. Porous scaffolds were prepared by three steps, I.e. Solvent casting, compression molding and leaching stage. Factors influencing the compressive strength and the degradation behavior of the porous scaffold, e.g. Weight fraction of pore forming agent-sodium chloride (NaCl), weight ratio of PLLA: β-TCP, the particle size ofβ-TCP and the porosity, were discussed in details. Rat marrow stromal cells (RMSC) were incorporated into the composite by tissue engineering approach. Biological and osteogenesis potential of the composite scaffold were determined with MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone osteocalcin (OCN) content evaluation. Results show that PLLA/β-TCP bioactive porous scaffold has good mechanical and pore structure with adjustable compressive strength needed for surgery. RMSCs seeding on porous PLLA/β-TCP composite behaves good seeding efficacy, biocompatibility and osteoinductive potential. Osteoprogenitor cells could well penetrate into the material matrix and begin cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Osseous matrix could be formed on the surface of the composite after culturing in vitro. It is expected that the PLLA/β-TCP porous composites are promising scaffolds for bone tissue engineering in prosthesis surgery.     

Effects of Lanthanum on Formation and Bone-Resorbing Activity of Osteoclast-Like Cells

The effect of La3 on formation of osteoclast-like cells in rabbit bone marrow cells induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and their bone-resorbing activity was evaluated by counting the number of tartrate resistant-acid phosphatase-positive ［TRAP( )］ multi-nucleated cells and measuring the number and surface area of bone resorption pits with photomicrography and image analysis. The formation and morphological characteristics of osteoclast-like cells and bone resorption pits were observed under a phase contrast inverted microscope. La3 promotes the formation of osteoclast-like cells at the concentration of 1.00×10-8mol·L-1 compared with the control group(P<0.01), whereas no significant change in cell number is observed at higher concentrations(1.00×10-5, 1.00×10-6 and 1.00×10-7 mol·L-1)(P>0.05). La3 at the concentration of 1.00×10-8mol·L-1 also increases the number and surface area of the resorption pits(P<0.01), but inhibits the bone-resorbing activity dose-dependently(P<0.01)at higher concentrations(1.00×10-5, 1.00×10-6 and 1.00×10-7 mol·L-1). These findings suggest that La3 may promote or inhibit the formation and bone-resorbing activity of osteoclast-like cells depending on its concentration.     

Influence of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Tween 20 on Fungal Growth and Toluene Degradation in a Vapor-Phase Bioreactor

Biofiltration, a process in which contaminated air is passed through a biologically active bed, can be used to remove volatile organic pollutants from air streams. While most biofilters rely on bacteria to degrade organic pollutants, biofilters utilizing a fungal biofilm have the potential to be an efficient and robust treatment alternative. In this study, two surfactants were evaluated for their ability to activate the spores of the fungus Exophiala lecanii-corni and reduce the start-up period typically observed in fungal vapor-phase bioreactors. Sodium dodecyl sulfate, an anionic surfactant, was found to inhibit growth of E. lecanii-corni. Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), a nonionic surfactant, stimulated bud formation and enhanced toluene degradation in E. lecanii-corni cultures. Tween 20 was also found to enhance inoculum development by shortening the lag period during culture growth. However, when bioreactors were presoaked in medium containing Tween 20, washout of the fungal cells occurred during inoculation, inhibiting the initial fungal biofilm development. After a seven-day start-up period, no detrimental effects on reactor performance due to residual Tween 20 were observed, and toluene elimination capacities of up to 150?g/m3?h were achieved.     

Lanthanum Containing Polymer''s Modification to PP

Polypropylene (PP)'s low impact strength limits its usages. Adding some a rare earth polymer can enhance PP's tensile strength and impact strength. Acrylic lanthanum was prepared by the reaction between lanthanum oxide and acrylic acid. The IR spectrum prove that and optimum reacting conditions are that the bulk ratio of La(AA) 3 and MMA is not less than one and temperature is about 80 ℃. Lanthanum containing Polymer were added into PP. When percent of addition only was 3%, strength were enhanced 10% , and impact strength 40%. SEM shows the compatibility of rare earth polymer and PP; lanthanum containing polymer can form physical crosslinking between PP's molecules, then every particle's surface connect with several PP molecules and the PP mechanical property were enhanced.     

设施栽培条件下土壤养分及有机质组成变化趋势的研究

以黄泛平原壤质潮土不同年限的设施栽培土壤为研究对象,探讨了设施栽培条件对土壤养分及土壤有机质组成的影响。结果表明,设施栽培土壤碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、盐分含量均明显高于大田,其含量主要取决于施用化学肥料的种类和数量,随栽培年限的增加而增加;土壤有机质、腐殖酸、胡敏酸含量随种植年限有升高趋势;HA/FA与栽培年限显著相关,表示设施栽培条件下,土壤熟化程度随有机肥料的逐年施用而有所提高,但HA/FA变化幅度不大,这可能与设施栽培形成的高温高湿条件及施用有机肥料中难分解物质的含量有关。     

A note on productivity gains in flexible robotic cells

Flexible robotic cells combine the capabilities of robotic flow shops with those of flexible manufacturing systems. In an m-machine flexible cell, each part visits each machine in the same order. However, the m operations can be performed in any order, and each machine can be configured to perform any operation. We derive the maximum percentage increase in throughput that can be achieved by changing the assignment of operations to machines and then keeping that assignment constant throughout a lot's processing. We find that no increase can be gained in two-machine cells, and that the gain in three- and four-machine cells each is at most 14 %.     

A fast method to study the secretory activity of neuroendocrine cells at the ultrastructural level

Cryo field emission scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FE-SEM) is a versatile technique that allows the investigation of the three-dimensional organization of cells at the ultrastructural level over a wide range of magnifications. Unfortunately, cryopreparation of the specimens for this technique remains cumbersome, in particular because ice crystal formation must be prevented during freezing. Here we report that a light prefixation with glutaraldehyde and incubation in glycerol as cryoprotectant or a high-pressure freezing approach are both excellent procedures for cryopreparation of animal cells to be used in combination with cryo-FE-SEM. Using the proopiomelanocortin-producing intermediate pituitary melanotrope cells of Xenopus laevis as a physiologically inducible neuroendocrine system, we compared the ultrastructural characteristics of inactive and hyperactive neuroendocrine cells. The overall quality of the ultrastructural images was comparable for the two cryopreparation procedures, although some fine structures were better conserved using high-pressure freezing. Melanotrope cells in a secretory inactive state contained numerous storage granules and a poorly developed endoplasmic reticulum (ER), while large amounts of rough ER were present in hyperactive cells. Thus, the cryo-FE-SEM approach described here allows a fast ultrastructural study on the secretory activity of neuroendocrine cells.     

Cryofixation of epithelial cells grown on sapphire coverslips by impact freezing

Rapid cryofixation of cells cultured on coverslips without the use of chemical fixatives has proved advantageous for the immunolocalization of antigens by electron microscopy. Here, we demonstrate the application of sapphire‐attached tissue culture cells (PtK2 epithelial cells and mouse myoblasts) to metal‐mirror impact freezing. The potential of the Leica EM‐CPC cryoworkstation for routine freezing and for safe transfer of the cryofrozen samples into a sapphire disc magazine for freeze‐substitution (SD‐FS unit) has been exploited. Subsequently, the SD‐FS unit has been tested for its use in methanol freeze‐substitution and low temperature embedding for immunoelectron microscopy. The structural preservation of Lowicryl HM20‐embedded cells has been assessed as being free of damage by large ice crystals.     

Quantitative detection of gold nanoparticles on individual, unstained cancer cells by scanning electron microscopy

Gold nanoparticles are rapidly emerging for use in biomedical applications. Characterization of the interaction and delivery of nanoparticles to cells through microscopy is important. Scanning electron microscopes have the intrinsic resolution to visualize gold nanoparticles on cells. A novel sample preparation protocol was developed to enable imaging of cells and gold nanoparticles with a conventional below lens scanning electron microscopes. The negative influence of 'charging' on the quality of scanning electron microscopes' images could be limited by deposition of biological cells on a conductive (gold) surface. The novel protocol enabled high-resolution scanning electron microscopes' imaging of small clusters and individual gold nanoparticles on uncoated cell surfaces. Gold nanoparticles could be counted on cancer cells with automated routines.