Development of biodegradable scaffolds based on patient-specific arterial configuration

Biodegradable scaffolds are of great value in tissue engineering. We have developed a method for fabricating patient-specific vascular scaffolds from a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, poly(L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone). This method's usefulness is due to flexibility in the choice of materials and vascular configurations. Here, we present a way to fabricate scaffolds of human carotid artery by combining processes of rapid prototyping, lost wax, dip coating, selective dissolution, and salt leaching. The result was the successful development of porous biodegradable scaffolds, with mechanical strength covering the range of human blood vessels (1-3 MPa). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were also cultured on the scaffolds and their biocompatibility was confirmed by cell growth. The Young's modulus of scaffolds could be controlled by changing polymer concentration and porosity. The wall thickness of the tubular scaffold was also controllable by adjusting polymer concentration and pull-up velocity during dip coating. We believe that this fabrication technique can be applied to patient-specific regeneration of blood vessels.     

1株植物乳杆菌生物学特性的研究

研究1株植物乳杆菌(N3)的生物学特性,实验结果表明该菌能耐受80~85℃的高温和0.20kg/cm2蒸汽压力;直接分解玉米淀粉的乳酸产率为7.05%(36 h)和8.19%(48 h);能耐受pH为4.5的酸性环境;在人工胃液中的活菌数为4.1×106CFU/g;对金霉素、土霉素、痢特灵和氟哌酸等抗生素的敏感性强,而对防霉剂和脱霉素不敏感。植物乳杆菌(N3)是1株优良的益生素生产菌。     

灵管蓟马亚科系统发育关系研究——基于形态和生物学数据

基于对国家动物博物馆、澳大利亚联邦科工组织国家昆虫标本馆、英国自然历史博物馆、德国森根堡博物馆、日本东京农业大学、台湾农业试验所的所有灵管蓟马亚科物种玻片标本的检视,本研究选取了88个形态特征和1个生物学特征,以蓟马科的花蓟马Franklinnell aintonsa,以及管蓟马科Phlaeothripidae管蓟马亚科Phlaeothripinae的波密滑管蓟马Liothrips bomiensis和黄角滑管蓟马L.citricornis为外群,灵管蓟马亚科Idolothripinae 27属29种作为内群,建立了形态特征矩阵,依据最大简约法,利用TNT v1.1软件重建了灵管蓟马亚科属间的系统发育树,结果中灵管蓟马族的单系性得到了支持,与Mound and Palmer(1983)的结论一致;但臀管蓟马族Pygothripini并非单系,该结果与Buckman等(2013)基于分子数据的研究结果相似。     

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.     

Development of a Bacillus sphaericus tablet formulation and its evaluation as a larvicide in the biological control of Culex quinquefasciatus

This study aimed to analyze the final fermentation culture of Bacillus sphaericus 2362, standardize it and develop an active tablet formulation for use in urban mosquito breeding sites. It was performed in three phases: analysis and standardization of a B. sphaericus fermented culture; physical, chemical, and biological analysis of the active powder (solubility, residual humidity, particle size, resting angle, flowing off time, compacted density, and biological activity against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae); and the development of fast-disintegrating tablets. Five formulations with differing compositions were developed and a UV protector was added to the selected formulation. The formulation products with or without UV protector, as well as the active powder caused 100% larval mortality from 1 day to 2 months after a single treatment under simulated field conditions. These results show that the UV protector does not affect the initial larvicide activity of B. sphaericus, nor its persistence over a period of two months.     

Microbiological characteristics of anevato: a traditional greek cheese

Nine batches of Anevato, raw goat milk cheese, were examined throughout a 60 day storage time at three different periods within the lactation season of the goat. High mean log counts per gram of cheese for aerobic bacteria (7·92–9·56), lactic acid bacteria (7·78–9·32), Gram-negative organisms 5·64–9·67), psychrotrophs (7·90–11·79) and proteolytic bacteria (7·57–9·36) were found. Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and yeasts were considerably lower. Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms in the curd of cheese made in May were lower by approximately 3·0 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹ than counts in curd made in January, and were lower by about 2·5 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹ than those in cheese made in March. This coincided with lower pH and higher counts of lactic acid bacteria in cheese made in March and May. Yeast populations were affected by the season and were higher in May than March and/or January. Lactococci dominated in the cheese until 15 days, but lactobacilli became predominant after 30 days. Lactococcus lactis was the most abundant species of lactic acid bacteria found in Anevato cheese. Results suggest the need for improving milk quality and/or using heat-treated milk to produce Anevato cheese; the use of L. lactis as a starter would possibly eliminate or suppress the growth of undesirable organisms.     

Process and formulation variables in the preparation of injectable and biodegradable magnetic microspheres

The aim of this study was to prepare biodegradable sustained release magnetite microspheres sized between 1 to 2 μm. The microspheres with or without magnetic materials were prepared by a W/O/W double emulsion solvent evaporation technique using poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as the biodegradable matrix forming polymer. Effects of manufacturing and formulation variables on particle size were investigated with non-magnetic microspheres. Microsphere size could be controlled by modification of homogenization speed, PLGA concentration in the oil phase, oil phase volume, solvent composition, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration in the outer water phase. Most influential were the agitation velocity and all parameters that influence the kinematic viscosity of oil and outer water phase, specifically the type and concentration of the oil phase. The magnetic component yielding homogeneous magnetic microspheres consisted of magnetite nanoparticles of 8 nm diameter stabilized with a polyethylene glycole/polyacrylic acid (PEG/PAA) coating and a saturation magnetization of 47.8 emu/g. Non-magnetic and magnetic microspheres had very similar size, morphology, and size distribution, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. The optimized conditions yielded microspheres with 13.7 weight% of magnetite and an average diameter of 1.37 μm. Such biodegradable magnetic microspheres seem appropriate for vascular administration followed by magnetic drug targeting.     

Development and standardization of cyst based liquid formulation of Azospirillum bioinoculant

Azospirillum bioinoculant is well known for its high nitrogen fixing and plant growth promoting characters. The carrier based bioinoculants generally suffer from shorter shelf life, poor quality, high contamination and low field performance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative new formulation of inoculants where cyst based inoculants can play significant role. The cyst based liquid formulation was developed by inoculating Azospirillum into the cyst inducing minimal salts medium (MSM). One hundred per cent conversion of vegetative cells into cyst cells was noticed in 96 h. The survival of cyst cells in the MSM was observed up to one year and two months and interestingly, the population level of 10(8) was maintained till the final observation. The cyst cells of Azospirillum accumulated poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules and exhibited desiccation tolerance up to 20 days and temperature tolerance up to 40 degrees C. Thus the cyst based liquid formulation has twin advantage of longer shelf life and tolerance to harmful environmental conditions. Regeneration of cyst cells into vegetative cells in different media viz., tap water, sterile water, rice gruel and nutrient broth was studied. The changes started within 3 h and complete return of vegetative cells was observed at 24 h. Although all the media tested favoured regeneration, comparatively quicker regeneration was observed in nutrient broth and followed by rice gruel. Thus, cyst based liquid formulation of Azospirillum has all the survival advantages and can be used as a potential bioinoculant.     

Development of a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method for spectrophotometric determination of barbituric acid in pharmaceutical formulation and biological samples

In this paper, a novel and simple method for the determination of trace amounts of barbituric acid in water and biological samples was developed by using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) techniques combined with spectrophotometric analysis. The procedure is based on color reaction of barbituric acid with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and extraction of the color product using the DLLME technique. Some important parameters such as reaction conditions and the type and volume of extraction and dispersive solvents as well as the extraction time were investigated and optimized in detail. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs were linear over the range of 5.0 to 200 ng ml⁻¹ with limit of detection of 2.0 ng ml⁻¹. Relative standard deviation for five replicate determinations of barbituric acid at 50 ng ml⁻¹ concentration level was calculated to be 1.64%. Average recoveries for spiked samples were determined to be between 94% and 105%. The proposed method was applied for the determination of barbituric acid in pharmaceutical formulation and biological samples.     

1株植物乳杆菌的抑菌作用及其生物学特性的研究

植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）是乳酸杆菌中的一种,常存在于发酵的蔬菜和果汁中。植物乳杆菌作为人体肠道的益生菌群,具有维持肠道菌群平衡、提高机体免疫力和促进营养物质吸收等多种作用。研究从市售腌渍蔬菜中分离筛选获得一株植物乳杆菌,以9种菌作为指示菌,采用牛津杯琼脂扩散法检测筛选菌株的抑菌谱大小。结果表明,该菌株能较强的抑制大肠杆菌、柠檬色葡萄球菌、藤黄微球菌和枯草芽孢杆菌等指示菌。此外,研究了菌株对温度的稳定性,p H值的耐受性及其酶的敏感性等生物学特性,结果显示该株植物乳杆菌菌株具有良好的热稳定性,酸碱稳定性,并且对3种蛋白酶具有很好的敏感性。这为今后深入研究与开发植物乳杆菌奠定了基础。     

3种拟青霉生物学特性的分析研究

通过分析研究3种拟青霉在PDA培养基上的最佳生长曲线、最大产孢量、最佳生长适温和最佳生长pH值等生物学特性,发现3种拟青霉均可在中、低温环境下生长,且在较短时间内成熟产孢。这为春秋两季林间的害虫生物防治奠定了侵染基础,同时分析研究3种拟青霉不同的生境条件,也为林间混菌持续控制害虫和菌种发酵生产提供了参考指导。     

红色毛癣菌的生物学特性研究

目的 观察红色毛癣菌在不同温度、不同培养基上的生长和产孢情况,并对其进行分子生物学鉴定.方法 ①大培养:采用沙堡葡萄糖琼脂(SDA)和马铃薯葡萄糖琼脂(PDA)平皿,27℃、35℃黑暗培养,测量菌落直径,绘成生长曲线.②小培养(钢圈法):采用SDA、PDA、溴甲酚紫乳固体葡萄糖琼脂(BCP-MSG)、乳蜜琼脂(M)和复合维生素B(VitB)培养基,27℃、30℃黑暗培养,观察镜下菌丝生长、孢子产生情况.③进行rDNA 18S和ITS序列测定.结果 在SDA,PDA上,27℃条件下菌落生长速度较35℃快;在5种培养基上,SDA、PDA产孢较快较多,复合维生素B培养基产孢较慢,但产生大分生孢子较多.30℃产孢更丰富.对部分菌株rDNA ITS、18S PCR扩增产物纯化后直接测序,结果在GenBank中比对、分析,相似度为98%～100%,均鉴定为红色毛癣菌.结论 SDA、PDA均为鉴定和分离红色毛癣菌的合适培养基.5种培养基均可用来刺激红色毛癣菌产孢,其中SDA、PDA产孢较早、较丰富.红色毛癣菌rDNA 18S和ITS序列测定是一种快速准确的红色毛癣菌分子生物学鉴定方法.     

Exhibition of soft and tenacious characteristics based on liquid crystal formation by introduction of cholesterol groups on biodegradable lactide copolymer

Cholesterol side-functionalized poly(depsipeptide- co- dl-lactide) (PGD- dl-LA-(cholesterol) n ) and poly(depsipeptide) (PGD-(cholesterol) n) were prepared as novel biodegradable liquid crystalline (LC) polymers. These polymer films exhibited different LC phases depending on the cholesterol unit content in the polymers. The thermodynamic stability of these LC phases was quite high, and PGD-(cholesterol) n film exhibited continuous LC phases up to 202 degrees C. The resulting cholesterol LC phases were indicated to act as physical cross-linking points to form noncovalent network structures among the polymer chains. Therefore, PGD- dl-LA-(cholesterol) n film exhibited a rubbery and stretchy nature at 37 degrees C due to physical cross-linking points based on cholesterol LC phase well-dispersed in the film. The cholesterol side-group effects leading to rubbery character and hydrolytic resistance reported herein are rather unique. The biodegradable LC material exhibiting a soft and tenacious nature is a promising candidate for a new class of implant biomaterials used with dynamic organs of the body such as the heart and blood vessels.     

Development of web based database on biochemical characteristics of rapeseed-mustard

Rapeseed-mustard oil is an essential dietary component, in India. The modification of rapeseed- mustard for fatty acid composition of seed oil to develop new genotypes having alternative oil and meal characteristics has been an important objective in quality breeding. Moreover, Breeding efforts in India are in progress to develop double low varieties to meet the internationally acceptable standards of oil and seed meal. So, information on the nutritional and anti-nutritional make-up of rapeseed-mustard oil and seed meal of the existing germplasm would be quite useful for the researchers especially breeders involved in the quality improvement programmes. In the present study database on biochemical characteristics of rapeseed-mustard has been developed using open source technology LAMP. The database provides the information on 14 important biochemical characters such as oil, saturated fatty acids, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosenoic, erucic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), ω6/ω3 ratio, protein, glucosinolate, phenol, and fiber content. It offers web interface to submit and search data in the database. The database presently comprises biochemical characteristics of germplasm accessions, advance breeding lines and notified varieties of rapeseed-mustard. The database developed will be useful to the breeders in the selection of desired genotype with specific traits.     

Basulin,a long-acting formulation of human insulin based on medusa nanoparticles

Conclusion • Basulin? is the only once-a-day human insulin with a proof of efficacy in human clinical trials. • Basulin has demonstrated a good safety and tolerability and confirmed the 24 hours efficacy in Phase IIa during 14 days with 20 patients. • Basulin maintains the full activity of human insulin as a human growth hormone essential to reduce long-term complications associated with the lack of insulin (retinopathy, heart attack, amputation, etc...) compare to other strategies of insulin analogues (insulin glargine, insulin determir). • Basulin? offers all the advantages of the present systems of injection (pen, syringe with 31tw gauge needle). • The insulin market continues to grow significantly. • Basulin? could reach the market in 2009 and is protected by patents until 2024. • Basulin? is available for licensing worldwide.     

Development of a liposome formulation for D-cycloserine local delivery

Multilamellar liposomes loaded with D-cycloserine (D-CS) were prepared by a thin layer evaporation technique, followed by freezing and thawing cycles. Charged components and bioadhesive material, such as distearolylphosphatitylethanolamine covalently coupled with methoxypolyethyleneglycol, were used to prepare liposomes with different physico-chemical and technological properties. Negatively charged liposomes showed higher D-CS encapsulation efficiency (about 37%, w/w) than neutral and positively charged liposomes (about 5 and 17%, w/w, respectively). All formulations showed in vitro, after a burst effect, a prolonged release of the encapsulated drug. Lipid vesicles made of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were used as a biomembrane model to evaluate in vitro the interaction of D-CS with biological membranes. Differential scanning calorimetry was used as a simple and noninvasive technique of analysis. D-CS was distributed in the aqueous compartments of liposomes for interaction with the phospholipid polar head-groups (enhancement of Delta H value). However, due to its high diffusibility the drug was also able to freely permeate through DPPC liposomes, altering during this passage the hydrophobic domains of the bilayers. Stability studies were performed at different temperatures and pH values to assay the integrity of the drug during the liposome production steps. D-CS was rapidly degraded at acidic pH, but no significant hydrolysis was observed at pH 7.4 after 7 days.     

Development of a dialysis in vitro release method for biodegradable microspheres

The purpose of this research was to develop a simple and convenient in vitro release method for biodegradable microspheres using a commercially available dialyzer. A 25 KD MWCO Float-a-Lyzer was used to evaluate peptide diffusion at 37°C and 55°C in different buffers and assess the effect of peptide concentration. In vitro release of Leuprolide from PLGA microspheres, having a 1-month duration of action, was assessed using the dialyzer and compared with the commonly used “sample and separate” method with and without agitation. Peptide diffusion through the dialysis membrane was rapid at 37°C and 55°C in all buffers and was independent of peptide concentration. There was no detectable binding to the membrane under the conditions of the study. In vitro release of Leuprolide from PLGA microspheres was tri-phasic and was complete in 28 days with the dialysis technique. With the sample and separate technique, linear release profiles were obtained with complete release occurring under conditions of agitation. Diffusion through the dialysis membrane was sufficiently rapid to qualify the Float-a-Lyzer for an in vitro release system for microparticulate dosage forms. Membrane characteristics render it useful to study drug release under real-time and accelerated conditions. Published: October 6, 2005     

白僵菌超低容量油剂林间应用对生物多样性的影响

2001～2003年在福建省云霄县进行了白僵菌超低容量油剂林间防治马尾松毛虫后对生物多样性的影响研究(包括使用前后的物种丰富度S、个体数N、多样性指数H'、均匀度指数R和优势度指数D等),结果表明,未防治区和白僵菌油剂防治区的物种数分别为473种和392种,而化学防治区的物种数只有266种;白僵菌油剂防治区天敌和害虫个体数与未防治区的比例相近,分别为0．1049：1和0．1051：1．明显高于化学防治区(0．0558：1);化学防治和白僵菌油剂防治均降低了物种的丰富度和多样性。同时也增强了物种的优势度,但化学防治区与未防区的差异显著,白僵菌油剂防治区与未防区的差异不显著,尤其对天敌和非目标昆虫无显著影响。     

Seabed mapping in the southern Irish Sea: predicting benthic biological communities based on sediment characteristics

Marine habitat mapping is necessary to comply with European legislation (92/43/EEC, 79/409/EEC and 2001/60/EEC), with international obligations to organizations such as ICES and with agreements such as the OSPAR Convention. Clearly defined habitats are needed before conservation and management practices can be implemented. The BIOM?R, SWISS and HABMAP projects have used sediment particle size, organic matter, organic carbon and nitrogen along with benthic macrofaunal species and abundance to define habitats in the southern Irish Sea. The sea floor of the southern Irish Sea is predominantly sandy gravel, grading down through sand to mud in the deeper parts of the Celtic Sea and similarly in the shallower northern basin beyond Anglesey. The physical gradient in particle size is correlated with organic content and also with biological communities. Nevertheless, there are marked discrepancies between boundaries defined by the Folk sediment characterization trigon, by the chemical characteristics of the sediments and by biological communities. The validity of using continuous physical and chemical sediment characteristics to more accurately predict categorical biological assemblages was tested with use of stepwise backward elimination Binary Logistic Regression (BLR). This method could be used as a tool to predict biological assemblages where there is a paucity of biological data. It lends support to the idea that benthic habitat mapping will have to take more account of biological structuring and system function. Guest editors: J. Davenport, G. Burnell, T. Cross, M. Emmerson, R. McAllen, R. Ramsay & E. Rogan Challenges to Marine Ecosystems