A textile platform using mechanically reinforced hydrogel fibres towards engineering tendon niche

INTRODUCTION: Tendon injuries can result from tendon overuse or trauma, resulting in substantial pain and disability. Given that natural or surgical repair of tendons lead to a poor outcome in terms of mechanical properties and functionality, there is a great need for tissue engineering strategies. Textile platforms enable the generation of biomimetic constructs [1]. Therefore, the main goal of this study is the development of cell-laden hybrid hydrogel fibers reinforced with a mechanically robust core fiber and their assembly into braided constructs towards replicating tendon mechanical properties and architecture. METHODS: To fabricate mechanically reinforced hydrogel fibres, a commercially available suture was coated using a cell-hydrogel mixture of methacryloyl gelatine (GelMA) and alginate. Composite fibres (CFs) were obtained by ionic crosslinking of alginate followed by photocrosslinking of GelMA. CFs were assembled using braiding technique and the mechanical properties of single fibres and braided constructs were evaluated. Different cells were encapsulated in the hydrogel layer, including MC-3T3, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human tendon-derived cells (TDCs). Cell viability and metabolic activity were evaluated by LIVE/DEAD staining and presto blue assay of metabolic activity. The expression of tendon-related markers and matrix deposition were also investigated. RESULTS: CFs were fabricated with a GelMA:alginate hydrogel layer and using multifilament twisted cotton or biodegradable suturing threads. The biocompatibility of this system was evaluated on encapsulated cells (Fig.1a). Cells (MC-3T3, MSCs and TDCs) were homogeneously distributed along the hydrogel layer, being viable up to 14 days in culture. In addition, TDCs were spreading inside the hydrogel after less than 48 h. Moreover, to further improve the mechanical properties of CFs, braided constructs were generated (Fig. 1b). Braiding CFs together enhanced their tensile strength and the process did not affect the viability of encapsulated cells.DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: CFs were generated with a load bearing core and a hydrogel layer towards mimicking both mechanical properties and the matrix-rich microenvironment of tendon tissue. Accordingly, cell behaviour can be further modulated by modifying the hydrogel composition or, ultimately, through the addition of bioactive cues. Finally, braiding CFs together allows tuning the mechanical properties of developed constructs to match those of native tendon tissues.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of FCT-POPH-FSE, the PhD grant SFRH/BD/96593/2013 of R.C-

Magnetism and its microscopic origin in iron-based high-temperature superconductors

High-temperature superconductivity in the iron-based materials emerges from, or sometimes coexists with, their metallic or insulating parent compound states. This is surprising since these undoped states display dramatically different antiferromagnetic (AF) spin arrangements and N$\rm \acute{e}$el temperatures. Although there is general consensus that magnetic interactions are important for superconductivity, much is still unknown concerning the microscopic origin of the magnetic states. In this review, progress in this area is summarized, focusing on recent experimental and theoretical results and discussing their microscopic implications. It is concluded that the parent compounds are in a state that is more complex than implied by a simple Fermi surface nesting scenario, and a dual description including both itinerant and localized degrees of freedom is needed to properly describe these fascinating materials.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, Review article, accepted for publication in Nature Physic

Future therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent joint inflammation. Without adequate treatment, patients with RA will develop joint deformity and progressive functional impairment. With the implementation of treat-to-target strategies and availability of biologic therapies, the outcomes for patients with RA have significantly improved. However, the unmet need in the treatment of RA remains high as some patients do not respond sufficiently to the currently available agents, remission is not always achieved and refractory disease is not uncommon. With better understanding of the pathophysiology of RA, new therapeutic approaches are emerging. Apart from more selective Janus kinase inhibition, there is a great interest in the granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor pathway, Bruton's tyrosine kinase pathway, phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathway, neural stimulation and dendritic cell-based therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the therapeutic potential of these novel approaches

Behaviour Oriented Optimisation Strategies for Energy Efficiency in the Residential Sector

The aim of this paper is to combine the approaches of engineering and sociology in the assessment of behavioural influences on the energy demand of residential buildings and to define a common language and strategy for their description. For this purpose the calculation methods of the German Energy Conservation Regulations (EnEV 2007) further defined in the DIN 4108-6: 2003-06 will be evaluated to illustrate the relevant linkages to behavioural approaches. So far, there are few attempts to differentiate the large influence of individual behaviour (see Richter 2003, Loga 2003). The assessment of these values and their behavioural implications require a sociological approach towards energy relevant practices. Based on the calculation of the building’s energy balance an analytical framework will be suggested to link the heat demand with the lifestyles of consumers

HOME-BASED PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDREN WITH AND CHILDREN WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN TÜRKIYE

This study examines home-based parental involvement in children with and children without intellectual disabilities, with a particular focus on the factors influencing parental involvement in the activities and play of children. The data were collected from 223 mothers using the Parent Interview Form. The findings reveal that both parents engaged significantly more in activities with children who had intellectual disabilities than with children who did not. Mothers reported that, in general, they were more involved than the fathers were in their children’s activities and play. Family income, mothers’ education level, and the number of children at home were shown to be crucial factors in parental involvement. The results may guide interventionists as to which activities and types of play parents should be encouraged to participate in more with their children, especially those with intellectual disabilities. Key points are: (a) parents of children with intellectual disabilities demonstrated greater involvement than did parents of children without disabilities; (b) the most common activity among parents of children with intellectual disabilities was going out with their children while reading aloud was the least common; (c) physical play was preferred by parents of children with intellectual disabilities and by fathers of children without disabilities; and (d) a noteworthy correlation exists between the frequency of parental involvement with children with intellectual disabilities and two key factors: the number of children in the family and the mother’s education level

Database for CO2 separation performances of MOFs based on computational materials screening

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are potential adsorbents for CO2 capture. Because thousands of MOFs exist, computational studies become very useful in identifying the top performing materials for target applications in a time-effective manner. In this study, molecular simulations were performed to screen the MOF database to identify the best materials for CO2 separation from flue gas (CO2/N-2) and landfill gas (CO2/CH4) under realistic operating conditions. We validated the accuracy of our computational approach by comparing the simulation results for the CO2 uptakes, CO2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 selectivities of various types of MOFs with the available experimental data. Binary CO2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 mixture adsorption data were then calculated for the entire MOF database. These data were then used to predict selectivity, working capacity, regenerability, and separation potential of MOFs. The top performing MOF adsorbents that can separate CO2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 with high performance were identified. Molecular simulations for the adsorption of a ternary CO2/N-2/CH4 mixture were performed for these top materials to provide a more realistic performance assessment of MOF adsorbents. The structure-performance analysis showed that MOFs with Delta Q(st)(0) > 30 kJ/mol, 3.8 angstrom 1 g/cm(3) are the best candidates for selective separation of CO2 from flue gas and landfill gas. This information will be very useful to design novel MOFs exhibiting high CO2 separation potentials. Finally, an online, freely accessible database https://cosmoserc.ku.edu.tr was established, for the first time in the literature, which reports all of the computed adsorbent metrics of 3816 MOFs for CO2/N-2, CO2/CH4, and CO2/N-2/CH4 separations in addition to various structural properties of MOFs.European Research Counci

Group B Streptococcus vaccine development: present status and future considerations, with emphasis on perspectives for low and middle income countries.

Globally, group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in young infants, with its greatest burden in the first 90 days of life. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for women at risk of transmitting GBS to their newborns has been effective in reducing, but not eliminating, the young infant GBS disease burden in many high income countries. However, identification of women at risk and administration of IAP is very difficult in many low and middle income country (LMIC) settings, and is not possible for home deliveries. Immunization of pregnant women with a GBS vaccine represents an alternate pathway to protecting newborns from GBS disease, through the transplacental antibody transfer to the fetus in utero. This approach to prevent GBS disease in young infants is currently under development, and is approaching late stage clinical evaluation. This manuscript includes a review of the natural history of the disease, global disease burden estimates, diagnosis and existing control options in different settings, the biological rationale for a vaccine including previous supportive studies, analysis of current candidates in development, possible correlates of protection and current status of immunogenicity assays. Future potential vaccine development pathways to licensure and use in LMICs, trial design and implementation options are discussed, with the objective to provide a basis for reflection, rather than recommendations