不同孔径CPC 材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响

目的:评价不同大小孔径的磷酸钙骨水泥(Calcium phosphate cement,CPC)材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(Bone mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)增殖能力的影响。方法:用盐析法制备三种不同孔径的(200-300μm、300-450μm、450-600μm)CPC材料,利用Micro-CT测量三种材料的平均孔径、孔隙率。无菌条件下取新生大鼠BMSCs原代培养并传代;将三组材料分别放置于24孔板内,每个材料接种5×104个细胞后,37℃、饱和湿度环境下静置培养。于接种后第1、4、7、14、21天用picogreen试剂盒测定细胞增值率;并在第14天、21天戊二醛固定材料并干燥喷金,扫描电镜观察材料表面细胞生长情况。结果:micro-CT测量结果显示:三种CPC材料孔径间相互连通,孔隙率均大于68%,平均孔径分别为235μm、422μm、505μm。细胞在三组材料上均呈对数增长趋势,在第14天到达平台期,在第1天三组细胞数量无明显差异,第4天450-600μm组细胞数量明显高于其余两组(P<0.05),在第7天细胞数量随孔径的增加而增加,3组间均有统计学差异(P<0.05),第14天和第21天200-300μm组细胞数量明显少于其余两组(P<0.05),300-450μm组和450-600μm组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:孔径大小可影响大鼠BMSCs在多孔CPC材料上的增殖能力,随着孔径增大,细胞增殖力增高。本研究为进一步研究孔径结构对细胞的影响提供了实验依据。     

神经干细胞三维空间壳聚糖生物材料中培养

目的:体外培养神经干细胞,并将其种植在三维空间壳聚糖材料中,体外培养一段时间,使壳聚糖材料内尽量分布足够多的细胞.方法:将NSCs种植在4不同孔径直径16通道壳聚糖材料中,分别培养7d和14d.DAPI标记细胞.荧光镜下观察细胞在不同孔径直径材料中的分布.MTT法检测不同孔径直径壳聚糖材料内细胞的活性.结果:DAPI荧光显示,培养7d时.细胞仍然成团贴附在材料的通道内,少有细胞迁移至壳聚糖材料内,而培养14d可见细胞较均匀的分布在材料内,同时观察到,孔径直径为0-75μm和75-125μ m两种壳聚糖材料,容纳细胞数较孔径直径为125-200μ m和200-300μm少.MTT结果显示,200-300μ m孔径直径的壳聚糖材料内细胞活性为各组最高,间接提示其内所含细胞数最多,而培养7d和14d两种培养方式对同种孔径直径材料内所含细胞教并无影响.结论:壳聚糖可降解生物材料能显示出良好生物相容性;体外培养NSCs于孔径为200-300μm的壳聚糖材料内14d,其存活细胞多且分布较均匀.     

BMSCs在PLGA-[ASP-PEG]基质材料表面粘附及增殖的研究

目的：探讨大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞BMSCs在聚丙交酯/乙交酯/天冬氨酸-聚乙二醇三嵌段多元共聚物 PLGA-[ASP-PEG]表面粘附、增殖的情况,为组织工程学体外诱导种子细胞生长提供新的生物材料。方法：在PLGA支架材料中引入聚乙二醇（PEG）和含有多个功能位点的天冬氨酸（ASP）,制成PLGA-[ASP-PEG]高分子支架材料。 将PLGA-[ASP-PEG]支架材料与BMSCs复合培养,以未改性的PLGA支架材料作对照,通过沉淀法、MTT法和考马斯亮蓝法分别检测BMSCs的粘附和增殖变化;扫描电镜观察黏附细胞的形态。结果 BMSCs在PLGA-[ASP-PEG]材料表面帖壁生长,细胞数目明显多于单纯PLGA组。细胞粘附率检测显示：改性后的PLGA-[ASP-PEG]表面BMSCs的粘附性能和增殖能力明显高于对照组,P＜0.05。MTT比色试验,BMSCs在三嵌段材料上培养20d后,吸光值A=1.336,约为对照组0.780的两倍。细胞内蛋白总量间接反映细胞黏附及增殖情况。培养12d时,在PLGA-[ASP-PEG]材料组细胞的蛋白含量为66.44μg/孔,单纯PLGA组为41.23μg/孔,间接说明了三嵌段材料生物相容性好,细胞黏附力强的特点。结论PLGA-[ASP-PEG]能促进组织工程种子细胞在骨基质材料表面的黏附、增殖并能较好地保持细胞的形态。     

恒磁场增强心肌梗死大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞移植后心脏功能改善

目的：研究恒磁场对心肌梗死大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs）移植后心脏功能的影响。方法：取180g,9-12周龄雄性SD大鼠骨髓,以密度梯度离心分离出单个核细胞（MNCs）,于体外培养并传代培养出骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）。制作大鼠心肌梗死模型,将1.5×106BMSCs注射入梗死梗死区周围,分为磁场照射＋BMSCs植入组、BMSCs植入组及空白对照组。4周后处死动物,每组5只大鼠。磁场照射组用0.4 T恒磁场置于心前区30 min,每日1次,共7天。用颈动脉插管法测定心脏功能,Masson三色染色测定梗死面积,VWF VIII染色计算血管密度。结果：与对照组相比BMSCs组以及磁场组均可以显著提高左心室收缩压（LVSP）,dp/dtmax以及-dp/dtmax,减少LVEDP（P〈0.05）。但是,磁场组与BMSCs组相比LVSP,左心室内压最大上升速率（dp/dtmax）以及左心室内压最大下降速率（-dp/dtmax）增高,左心室舒张末压（LVEDP）减少（P〈0.05）。与对照组相比BMSCs组以及磁场组均可以显著提高减少心梗面积（P〈0.05）。磁场组与BMSCs组相比心梗面积减少（P〈0.05）。与对照组相比BMSCs组以及磁场组均可以显著提高增加血管密度（P〈0.05）。磁场组与BMSCs组相比血管密度增加（P〈0.05）。结论：恒磁场具有加强移植BMSCs改善心脏功能的作用。     

移植BMSCs对乳腺炎大鼠血清中自由基和抗氧化酶水平变化影响的研究

目的：探讨乳房基底部移植大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）对实验性乳腺炎大鼠血清中自由基和抗氧化酶水平变化的影响。方法：将70只SD雌性大鼠,其中的60只随机分为3组：对照组、抗生素组和移植BMSCs组,每组20只。通过乳头管灌注内毒素的方法建立实验性大鼠乳腺炎模型,对照组基底部注射生理盐水;抗生素组基底部注射抗生素（5000 U/侧）;移植BMSCs组乳房基底部移植BMSC 50μL（1×106个）,试验0 d时灌注内毒素,1 d时注射BMSCs、抗生素及生理盐水,-1、0、3、5、7 d分别采血样,制备血清,检测血清中丙二醛（MDA）、一氧化氮（NO）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽氧化还原酶（GSH-Px）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）水平。结果：移植BMSC组能显著降低乳腺炎大鼠血清中7 d时MDA、NO水平（P〈0.05）,且MDA水平显著低于抗生素组（P〈0.05）;移植BMSCs组7 d时血清中GSH-Px水平和1、3、5 d时CAT水平显著高于对照组和抗生素组（P〈0.05）。结论：BMSC能显著降低乳腺炎大鼠血清中后期NO和MDA水平,提高血清中前期CAT和后期GSH-PX,从而提高机体清除自由基的能力。     

应用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测BMSCs诱导大鼠肝星状细胞中DR5mRNA表达

目的应用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）对大鼠肝星状细胞（HSCs）的死亡受体5（DR5）mRNA表达的影响,探讨BMSCs诱导HSCs凋亡及其机制。方法采用贴壁筛选法培养、纯化SD大鼠BMSCs,传至第4代使用;大鼠原代HSCs细胞及肝纤维原细胞系冻融后传代使用。应用6孔塑料培养板,建立上下双层细胞共培养体系,常规培养。实验分为3组：（1）实验组：BMSCs与HSCs共培养;（2）空白对照组：HSCs单独培养;（3）阴性对照组：大鼠肝纤维原细胞与HSCs共培养。以上培养体系动态观察24、48、72h,应用流式细胞仪检测HSCs细胞凋亡率,采用SYBRGreenI荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测,以β-actin基因作为内参,计算各组DR5mRNA的相对表达量。结果在共培养组中,BMSCs促进了HSCs凋亡,与其他两组比较差异有显著统计学意义（P〈O．01）,空白对照组与阴性对照组比较无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。实验组BMSCs能明显上调HSCs中DR5mRNA的表达,与空白对照组和阴性对照组比较差异有显著统计学意义（P〈O．01）;空白对照组与阴性对照组DR5mRNA的表达比较无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。结论利用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测BMSCs诱导大鼠肝星状细胞中DR5mRNA表达,为进一步研究BMSCs通过死亡受体途径调控HSCs凋亡以及为BMSCs用于治疗肝纤维化的机制研究提供了理论基础。     

慢性应激所致抑郁大鼠Treg细胞和Th17细胞表达水平的变化

目的：了解慢性应激所致抑郁大鼠外周血Treg细胞和Th17细胞比例的变化。方法：筛选16只同质性均一的健康成年雄性SD大鼠,按照随机数字表法分为正常对照组和模型组（n=8）。正常对照组不给予任何干预处理,模型组采用慢性不可预知温和刺激（CUMS）和孤养法来制备抑郁模型。在造模的第7天、14天、21天运用蔗糖水偏好实验、旷场实验和体重变化率进行行为学评估,采用流式细胞术（FCM）检测两组大鼠外周血Treg细胞与Th17细胞比例的变化。结果：与正常组相比,应激第7天,抑郁组体重变化率及旷场评估结果无明显差异,应激第14天、21天,抑郁组体重变化率及旷场各项结果明显低于正常组（P<0.05,P<0.01）。应激第7天、14天,抑郁组蔗糖水偏好指数较正常组无明显差异;应激第21天,抑郁组蔗糖水偏好指数明显低于正常组（P<0.01）。应激第7天、14天,抑郁组Treg细胞水平与正常组比较无明显差异,应激第21天,抑郁组Treg细胞水平显著低于正常组（P <0.01）。应激第7天、14天、21天两组Th17细胞水平无显著差异。结论：慢性应激所致抑郁大鼠的Treg细胞水平降低,可能影响机体的免疫功能。     

阿糖胞苷对大鼠海马神经元原代培养的影响

目的：探讨在大鼠海马神经元原代培养过程中,阿糖胞苷对培养神经元的影响。方法：将新生24 h大鼠,分离出海马组织,进行原代海马神经元培养,再将细胞分为阿糖胞苷组和对照组,阿糖胞苷组加入1μmol/L阿糖胞苷,通过检测神经元特异性标志物微管相关蛋白-2（Map-2）计算培养神经元的数量,通过台盼蓝染色法观察细胞的存活率。结果：培养第7天,阿糖胞苷组神经元数量为（11±3）个,对照组为（10±4）个,两组无明显差异;阿糖胞苷组神经元细胞在培养第14天时存活率为74%,培养第21天时存活率为49%,而对照组神经元14天时存活率为96%,21天存活率为88%,两组神经元存活率差异明显。结论：原代培养海马神经元时,阿糖胞苷对神经元产量及形态影响不明显,但是由于阿糖胞苷的毒性作用,明显缩短神经元的存活时间,影响长期培养神经元的存活率。     

三七总皂苷对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡的抑制作用北大核心CSCD

本文旨在研究三七总皂苷(total saponins of Panax notoginseng,t PNS)对二氯化钴(CoCl_2)诱导的大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,r BMSCs)凋亡的抑制作用及机制。采用密度梯度离心法分离SD大鼠BMSCs。不同浓度t PNS(1、10和100μg/m L)处理r BMSCs 48 h后,行流式细胞术检测细胞增殖(Ed U法)和细胞周期。300μmol CoCl_2孵育细胞24 h诱导凋亡,在CoCl_2处理的同时加入不同浓度t PNS(1、10和100μg/m L)。Annexin V-FITC/PI染色后,用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率;罗丹明123染色后,在荧光显微镜下观察线粒体膜电位改变;q RT-PCR检测细胞Bcl-2家族的基因表达。结果显示,t PNS各浓度组细胞增殖率均较对照组升高,100μg/m L t PNS组G2+S期细胞百分比较对照组升高。与对照组相比,CoCl_2组细胞凋亡率增加14.2%,而t PNS三个浓度组细胞凋亡率分别较CoCl_2组减少14.4%、12.8%和13.9%(均P<0.01)。与对照组相比,CoCl_2组线粒体膜电位明显降低,而t PNS各浓度组膜电位降低程度明显低于CoCl_2组。t PNS各浓度组的Bcl-2和Bcl-xl m RNA表达均高于CoCl_2组(均P<0.05);10和100μg/m L t PNS组的Bax/Bcl-2比值较CoCl_2组显著降低。以上结果提示,t PNS对CoCl_2诱导的r BMSCs凋亡有抑制作用,其机制是通过提高细胞线粒体膜电位,上调抗凋亡基因Bcl-2和Bcl-xl的表达,降低Bax/Bcl-2比值而实现的。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对急性肝功能衰竭大鼠肝组织miRNA-155和TNF-α表达的影响

目的探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）移植对急性肝功能衰竭（ALF）大鼠肝组织中miRNA-155和TNF-α表达的影响,以及与BMSCs疗效间的关系。方法将SD大鼠随机分为健康对照组、ALF组、BMSCs治疗组和BMSCs预防组,其中ALF组予以900 mg/kg D-GalN＋10μg/kg脂多糖腹腔注射建立模型;BMSCs治疗组在900 mg/kg D-GalN＋10μg/kg脂多糖腹腔注射后2 h,予以尾静脉注射BMSCs 5.0×10^6;BMSCs预防组在900 mg/kg D-GalN＋10μg/kg脂多糖腹腔注射前予以尾静脉注射BMSCs 5.0×10^6;健康对照组予以0.9﹪氯化钠溶液1 ml腹腔注射。给药7 h后每组处死大鼠,检测大鼠血清ALT和AST,ELISA法检测TNF-α水平,实时定量PCR检测肝组织miRNA-155、TNF-αmRNA。各组间肝功指标差异采用方差分析,同时观察每组大鼠的24 h生存率,并用卡方检验比较各组生存率的差异。结果 D-GalN/脂多糖诱导7 h后,与ALF组相比,BMSCs预防和BMSCs治疗组大鼠ALT、AST、TNF-α水平均有所降低（P〈0.01）;同时两组肝组织TNF-αmRNA和miRNA-155表达水平均有下调（P〈0.01）;但两组间相比较差异无统计学意义。ALF组大鼠肝组织miRNA-155上调和TNF-αmRNA诱导呈正相关（r=0.734,P=0.001）。BMSCs预防组和BMSCs治疗组miRNA-155和TNF-αmRNA的部分逆转亦呈正相关（r值分别为0.687和0.590,P值分别为0.004和0.006）。给药后24 h,健康对照组、ALF组、BMSCs治疗组和BMSCs预防组大鼠死亡率组间比较差异有统计学意义（c2=19.078,P〈0.01）。结论在BMSCs干预大鼠ALF发病过程中,可以部分逆转上调的肝组织miRNA-155和TNF-α,且存在协同性,提示BMSCs治疗ALF可能通过对肝组织miRNA-155和TNF-α的调控发生作用。     

Understanding the effect of mean pore size on cell activity in collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds

Mean pore size is an essential aspect of scaffolds for tissue-engineering. If pores are too small cells cannot migrate in towards the center of the construct limiting the diffusion of nutrients and removal of waste products. Conversely, if pores are too large there is a decrease in specific surface area available limiting cell attachment. However the relationship between scaffold pore size and cell activity is poorly understood and as a result there are conflicting reports within the literature on the optimal pore size required for successful tissue-engineering. Previous studies in bone tissue-engineering have indicated a range of mean pore sizes (96–150 µm) to facilitate optimal attachment. Other studies have shown a need for large pores (300–800 µm) for successful bone growth in scaffolds. These conflicting results indicate that a balance must be established between obtaining optimal cell attachment and facilitating bone growth. In this commentary we discuss our recent investigations into the effect of mean pore size in collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds with pore sizes ranging from 85–325 μm and how it has provided an insight into the divergence within the literature.     

The biocompatibility of calcium phosphate cements containing alendronate-loaded PLGA microparticles in?vitro

The composite of poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and calcium phosphate cements (CPC) are currently widely used in bone tissue engineering. However, the properties and biocompatibility of the alendronate-loaded PLGA/CPC (APC) porous scaffolds have not been characterized. APC scaffolds were prepared by a solid/oil/water emulsion solvent evaporation method. The morphology, porosity, and mechanical strength of the scaffolds were characterized. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from rabbit were cultured, expanded and seeded on the scaffolds, and the cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, cell cycle and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs were determined. The results showed that the APC scaffolds had a porosity of 67.43 ± 4.2% and pore size of 213 ± 95 µm. The compressive strength for APC was 5.79 ± 1.21 MPa, which was close to human cancellous bone. The scanning electron microscopy, cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry and ALP activity revealed that the APC scaffolds had osteogenic potential on the BMSCs in vitro and exhibited excellent biocompatibility with engineered bone tissue. APC scaffolds exhibited excellent biocompatibility and osteogenesis potential and can potentially be used for bone tissue engineering.     

Freeze-gelled silk fibroin protein scaffolds for potential applications in soft tissue engineering

Recently tissue engineering has escalated much interest in biomedical and biotechnological applications. In this regard, exploration of new and suitable biomaterials is needed. Silk fibroin protein is used as one of the most preferable biomaterials for fabrication of scaffolds and several new techniques are being adopted to fabricate silk scaffolds with greater ease, efficiency and perfection. In this study, a freeze gelation technique is used for fabrication of silk fibroin protein 3D scaffolds, which is both time and energy efficient as compared to the conventional freeze drying technique. The fabricated silk fibroin freeze-gelled scaffolds are evaluated micro structurally for morphology with scanning electron microscopy which reveals relatively homogeneous pore structure and good interconnectivity. The pore sizes and porosity of these scaffolds ranges between 60-110 μm and 90-95%, respectively. Mechanical test shows that the compressive strength of the scaffolds is in the range of 20-40 kPa. The applicability to cell culture of the freeze gelled scaffolds has been examined with human keratinocytes HaCat cells which show the good cell viability and proliferation of cells after 5 days of culture suggesting the cytocompatibility. The freeze-gelled 3D scaffolds show comparable results with the conventionally prepared freeze dried 3D scaffolds. Thus, this technique may be used as an alternative method for 3D scaffolds preparation and may also be utilized for tissue engineering applications.     

Development of biodegradable scaffolds based on magnetically guided assembly of magnetic sugar particles

Biodegradable scaffolds with controlled pore layout and porosity have great significance in tissue engineering for cell penetration, tissue ingrowth, vascularization, and nutrient delivery. Porogen leaching has been commonly used to control pore size, pore structure and porosity in the scaffold. In this paper we focus on the use/development of two magnetically guided porogen assembly methods using magnetic sugar particles (MSPs) for scaffold fabrication. First, a patterning device is utilized to align MSPs following designed templates. Then a magnetic sheet film is fabricated by mixing poly(vinyl alcohol, PVA) and NdFeB powder for steering the MSPs. After poly(l-lactide-co-?-caprolactone) (PLCL) casting and removal of the sugar template, a scaffold with spherical pores is obtained. The surface and the inner structure of the scaffolds are evaluated using light and electron micrographs showing their interconnection of pores, pore wall morphology and porosity. Single layer scaffolds with the size of 8mm in width and 10mm in length were constructed with controllable pore diameters in the ranges of 105-150 μm, 250-300 μm and 425-500 μm.     

Engineering porous scaffolds using gas-based techniques

Scaffolds are used in tissue engineering as a matrix for the seeding and attachment of human cells. The creation of porosity in three-dimensional (3D) structures of scaffolds plays a critical role in cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into the specific tissue while secreting extracellular matrix components. These pores are used to transfer nutrients and oxygen and remove wastes produced from the cells. The lack of oxygen and nutrient supply impedes the cell migration more than 500μm from the surface. The physical properties of scaffolds such as porosity and pore interconnectivity can improve mass transfer and have a great impact on the cell adhesion and penetration into the scaffolds to form a new tissue. Various techniques such as electrospinning, freeze-drying, and solvent casting/salt leaching have been used to create porosity in scaffolds. The major issues in these methods include lack of 3D structure, control on pore size, and pore interconnectivity. In this review, we provide a brief overview of gas-based techniques that have been developed for creating porosity in scaffolds.     

低氧对培养的不同内径的肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的和方法：分离培养三种不同内径的肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）,用^3H－TdR掺入速率和细胞计数作为细胞增殖的指标,观察低氧对其增殖作用的影响。结果：低氧对三种不同内径的PASMCs（内径分别为＞1000μm、500－800μm、300-400μm）增殖促进作用显著不同,其^3H－TdR掺入速率和细胞计数分别增加23.5％和11.1％、60.0％和33.8％、141.4％和52.0％,选择对低氧最敏感的PASMCs（内径为300－400μm）,进一步探讨低氧促PASMCs增殖作用的细胞机制：钙拮抗剂verapail、蛋白激酶C抑制剂staurosporine(Stau)和细胞Na-H交换抑制剂amiloride可显著降低低氧情况下PASMCs^3H－TdR掺入速率和细胞计数。结论：低氧对三种不同内径的PASMCs增殖促进作用显著不同; Ca^2 、蛋白激酶C和Na^2 －H^ 交换的激活,可能是低氧促PASMCs增殖的重要胞内信息转导机制。     

内部结构可控的大体积三维细胞支架制备研究

目的：研究一种可以控制三维细胞支架内部孔隙结构的实验技术,用于制备孔隙结构可控的三维细胞支架,以满足组织工程对支架孔隙结构的要求。方法：均匀混合粘结剂与致孔剂,在离心力作用下去除混合物中多余的粘结剂,应用溶剂浇注/颗粒沥析方法制备三维细胞支架。结果：致孔剂粘结块的结构非常均匀,粘结程度可以通过实验条件控制。例如,直径为100~220μm的致孔剂,在离心力为161g,粘结剂浓度分别为20％和40％时,颗粒间粘结程度分别为33.78±556 (134)μm和42.89±5.87 (132) μm。并且,利用该技术制备的三维多孔支架,其内部孔隙大小取决于致孔剂颗粒大小,孔隙间的通道直径取决于致孔剂的粘结程度,即离心粘结与溶剂浇注/颗粒沥析技术相结合,能够方便地控制三维支架的孔隙结构。例如,当粘结程度为33.78±556 (134) μm时,支架的通道直径为33.34±5.21(12)μm,两者之间无显著差异。 结论：利用离心粘结与溶剂浇注/颗粒沥析技术结合,获得了孔隙呈球形、孔隙间完全连通的、结构均匀的大体积三维细胞支架,并且支架的孔隙以及孔隙间通道大小均可以实现人为控制。     

Interference of tooth differentiation with interposed filters

The effect of interposed Nuclepore filters on the epithelio-mesenchymal interaction in embryonic mouse tooth was studied. Filters with pore sizes of 0.6 and 0.2 μm allowed differentiation of odontoblasts and ameloblasts in the bell-stage tooth germ. This differentiation progressed more rapidly when the 0.6-μm pore size filter was used. Nuclepore filters with 0.1-μm pores prevented differentiation. Electron microscopic examination revealed penetration of cell processes into the filter pores. Cytoplasmic material could be seen in the 0.6-μm pore-size filter within 3 days of cultivation, whereas, in the 0.2-μm filter pores, penetration was slight. After 6 days of cultivation, cytoplasmic material was found at all levels of the 0.2-μm pore-size filter, but not in the channels of the 0.1-μm pore-size filters, preventing differentiation. It is concluded that the 0.1-μm pore-size filter blocks tooth development at the level of mesenchymal cell differentiation into odontoblasts. It is suggested that this differentiation requires a close association between the interacting mesenchymal and epithelial cells.     

Establishment of a three-dimensional culture and mechanical loading system for skeletal myoblasts

Establishment of a three-dimensional (3-D) culture and mechanical loading system which simulates the in vivo environment is critical in cytomechanical studies. The present article attempts to do this by integrating porous PLGA scaffolds with a four-point bending strain unit. Three types of PLGA scaffolds with three average pore sizes were synthesized, i.e., type I (60-88 μm), type II (88-100 μm) and type III (100-125 μm). To establish the 3-D mechanical loading system, PLGA membrane was integrated with conventional force-loading plates and the third passage skeletal myoblasts from neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were seeded. Small PLGA membranes were put in 24-well plates followed by cell implantation and MTT assay was performed on days 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 to compare biocompatibility of the three types of scaffolds. After 3 days’ culture, many more cells had grown in type II than in type I or type III under fluorescence microscopy. In the MTT assay, OD of type II was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the other two, especially at the early stage. As type II proved to be the best among the three, it was used as the scaffold in the preliminary mechanical loading study and 4000 μstrain cyclic uniaxial strain was imposed. The system worked well and it was found that short to median time of stretching enhances while prolonged time of stretching inhibits cell proliferative activity of the 3-D cultured skeletal myoblasts(P < 0.05). It is concluded that the combination of PLGA scaffolds with a four-point bending strain unit provides a satisfactory 3-D mechanical loading system.     

Determination of Matrix Pore Size Distribution in Fractured Clayey Till and Assessment of Matrix Migration of Dechlorinating Bacteria

The pore structure and pore size distribution (PSD) in the clayey till matrix from three Danish field sites were investigated by image analysis to assess the matrix migration of dechlorinating bacteria in clayey till. Clayey till samples had a wide range of pore sizes, with diameters of 0.1–100 μm, and two typical peaks of pore sizes were observed in all clayey till samples. A large area fraction of the individual pores centered around 2 μm in diameter, and another fraction centered around 20 μm. In general, the typical macropore sizes (1 μm < D < 30 μm) in clayey tills determined by image analysis account for approximately 30–60% of the total porosity (20–26%), which is within the range of those reported for clayey soils and other clayey deposits in the literature. The pore size, PSD, and interconnectivity of pores in clayey till matrix may play an important role in evaluation of the migration of dechlorinating bacteria between fractures and clayey till matrix. Dechlorinating bacteria are small (0.3–1 μm) and may have the ability to morphologically adapt to space constraints. The results in this paper in combination with recent field data indicate that the migration of dechlorinating bacteria in fractures and into the clayey till matrix is likely, which is of significance for natural and stimulated degradation of chlorinated solvents by reductive dechlorination in clayey tills.