Histomorphologic Characterization of Noncarious and Caries-Affected Dentin/Adhesive Interfaces

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the dentin/adhesive interfacial characteristics when bonding to noncarious as well as caries-affected dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven extracted, unerupted, third molars were sectioned into halves. Artificial caries was created on one-half of each tooth, leaving the other half as a control. Dentin surfaces were treated with UNO adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions for the wet-bonding technique and under environmental conditions present in the oral cavity. Dentin/adhesive interface sections of each half-tooth were stained with Goldner's trichrome, a classic bone stain, and examined using light microscopy. The width of exposed collagen was measured directly from photomicrographs, and adhesive penetration was analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: The degree and extent to which the adhesive encapsulated the demineralized dentin matrix were reflected in the color difference in the stained sections with the noncarious dentin sections showing a degree of collagen encapsulation superior to that of the caries-affected dentin sections. The overall mean widths of exposed collagen were significantly (p < or = .05) greater at the caries-affected dentin/adhesive interface, 8.6 (1.7) microm, as compared with those at the noncarious dentin/adhesive interface, 6.0 (1.5) microm. CONCLUSIONS: The morphologic characteristics of the caries-affected dentin/interface suggest an increase in the exposed collagen zone and a decrease in the quality of the adhesive infiltration when compared with noncarious dentin. The evidence suggests that dentin substrate characteristics have a significant effect on the dentin/adhesive interface structure.     

Mixed Hyperbranched/Triblock Copolymer Micelle Assemblies: Physicochemical Properties and Potential for Drug Encapsulation

Mixed micelles have numerous advantages while requiring little to no effort in preparation. This study aims to produce mixed micelle nanostructures from a linear triblock copolymer and a hyperbranched random copolymer, and is able to be loaded with the weakly water-soluble drugs curcumin and indomethacin. Different preparation techniques are employed to produce mixed micelles comprised of Pluronic F127 block copolymer, and hyperbranched poly[(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-co-lauryl methacrylate], H-[P(OEGMA-co-LMA)], copolymer. Few studies have dabbled in these types of coassemblies, which provides insight into how structural differences of each copolymer can affect the formation of micelles. To determine the properties of the emerging nanostructures in aqueous environments, including their size, homogeneity, and surface charge, different physicochemical techniques are used, such as light scattering and spectroscopic methods. The results reveal that the copolymers combine, and spontaneously self-assemble into mixed micelle-like nanostructures in aqueous environments, whereas both systems of neat and drug-loaded nanostructures exhibit desirable properties such as small average micelle hydrodynamic radii and low size polydispersity indices. The nanostructures that result from the effective encapsulation of curcumin exhibit outstanding stability over 169 days. The fluorescent qualities of curcumin persist after encapsulation, making the novel nanostructures excellent candidates for bioimaging applications.     

甲氨碟呤脂质体的几种制备方法比较

目的探讨脂质体的制备方法 ,以便在具体工作中根据不同的目的选择适当的制备方法。方法采用逆相蒸发法、注射法、薄膜法和超声法制备包裹了甲氨喋呤和环胞苷的脂质体。对各种方法的关键步骤进行了讨论。结果被包物质如不稳定 ,采用薄膜法轻轻振摇超过 10h ,包封率可比短时间或震荡激烈提高。被包物质如经过短时间的超声和有机溶剂处理 ,采用逆相蒸发法 ,可获得较高包封率。结论根据被包物质的性质及具体工作不同 ,选择适当的脂质体制备方法 ,会得到较高的包封率和工作效率     

主动载药法制备盐酸去氢骆驼蓬碱脂质体

目的制备高包封率的盐酸去氢骆驼蓬碱脂质体。方法处方前研究测定了药物在不同pH值缓冲液中的溶解度和表观油水分配系数;采用pH梯度进行主动载药。超滤法分离脂质体与游离药物,测定包封率,考察了外水相pH值、孵育温度、药脂比对包封率的影响。结果随pH值的增大,盐酸去氢骆驼蓬碱的溶解度降低,表观油水分配系数增大;采用主动载药法,包封率随脂质体内外相pH梯度的减少而降低,受孵育温度的影响不大,在药脂比小于1∶5时脂质体包封率达到80%以上。结论主动载药法可制得包封率较高的去氢骆驼蓬碱脂质体。     

Fluorinated Vesicles

Abstract

Stable fluorinated vesicles—i.e. vesicles with a hydrophobic and lipophobic fluorinated film within their bilayer membranes—have been obtained from a variety of neutral, zwitterionic or anionic fluorinated amphiphiles, including single chain phosphocholine derivatives, double-chain phospholipids, glycolipids and glycophospholipids, as well as from combinations of standard phospholipids with amphiphilic mixed fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon compounds. The strong hydrophobic interactions developed by perfluoroalkyl chains result in increased membrane stability, as strikingly illustrated by the fact that even short single-chain fluorinated amphiphiles can form stable, heat-sterilizable vesicles without the need for any additive. They also result in increased versatility in the aggregation behavior of fluorinated surfactants, as shown by the formation, depending on molecular structure and experimental conditions, of a range of supramolecular assemblies other than vesicles, including disks, helical tubules and fibers, for example from fluorinated glycolipids. The more impermeable, adjustable fluorinated core within the liposomal membrane confers to liposomes added drug and probe encapsulation stability as compared to their hydrogenated analogs, whether in buffer or in serum. Fluorinated vesicles made from perfluoroalkylated phospholipids were also found to have 3 to 6 times longer circulation half-lives in mice than similarly sized conventional DSPC/cholesterol liposomes. Finally, the incorporation of mixed fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon alkanes or alkenes into standard liposomes may provide an alternative, straightforward and cost efficient approach to fluorinated vesicles.     

Calcium deposition in photocrosslinked poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly) hydrogels encapsulated rat bone marrow stromal cells

Reproducing the features of the extracellular matrix is important for fabricating three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds for tissue regeneration. A collagen‐like polypeptide, poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly), is a promising material for 3D scaffolds because of its excellent physical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. In this paper, we present a novel photocrosslinked poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly) hydrogel as a 3D scaffold for simultaneous rat bone marrow stromal cell (rBMSC) encapsulation. The hydrogels were fabricated using visible‐light photocrosslinking at various concentrations of methacrylated poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly) (20–50 mg/ml) and irradiation times (3 or 5 min). The results show that the rBMSCs encapsulated in the hydrogels survived 7 days of incubation. Calcium deposition on the encapsulated rBMSCs was assessed with scanning electron microscope observation, Alizarin Red S, and von Kossa staining. The most strongly stained area was observed in the hydrogel formed with 30 mg/ml of methacrylated poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly) with 5‐min irradiation. These findings demonstrate that poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly) hydrogels support rBMSC viability and differentiation, as well as demonstrating the feasibility of using poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly) hydrogels as a cytocompatible, biodegradable 3D scaffold for tissue regeneration.     

Homeostasis maintenance of encapsulated cells

Cell niche homeostasis plays a critical role in many bodily functions including tissue functionality, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, wound healing, cancer development and propagation, and many others. Many tissue engineering approaches overlook the importance of engineered constructs homeostasis, in particular for transplantation purposes. Here, we present a study of the effect of encapsulation duration on engineered tissue maturation and provide a protocol for the evaluation of critical conditions for transplantation purposes. In brief, SHSY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were encapsulated in 2% alginate by electrohydrodynamic jetting method for up to 4 weeks. We evaluated extracellular matrix niche formation and tissue maturation in situ through COL1A1 expression. In in vitro conditions, we studied the ability of cells to maintain their critical functions after being released from alginate beads. Cellular viability was evaluated via an apoptosis/necrosis detection kit and AlamarBlue assay, and functionality via immunocytochemistry. We proved the importance of engineered tissue homeostasis stabilization for future cell recovery, in particular, for our system cells encapsulated for 28 days met all critical requirements for successful tissue transplantation. Maturation of engineered tissue constructs could be accelerated by enriching alginate with growth factors or extracellular matrix molecules.     

胰岛β细胞替代治疗研究进展北大核心CSCD

糖尿病可导致包括糖尿病肾病、视网膜病以及心脑血管疾病在内的多种并发症,严重损害患者的生活质量。尽管胰岛素注射能够挽救患者的生命,但这种外源性胰岛素替代手段无法复制胰腺β细胞感应血糖变化而产生的胰岛素动态变化,因此无法降低糖尿病晚期并发症的发生[1],并且由于注射剂量控制不准确,低血糖发作并不少见,甚至会发生危险的医源性低血糖。