Improved photoenergy properties of low-emissivity coatings deposited by sputtering with an ion gun treatment

This work studies the effect of ion treatment on low-emissivity (low-e) coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering. Specifically, we have investigated the application of an ion treatment in the dielectric layer before deposition of a layer of silver. This reduces layer roughness which means the silver layer can be deposited with enhanced characteristics. We have also evaluated the etching rate on the SnOx layer due to the ion treatment on already deposit coatings of equal thicknesses. Subsequently, we studied the effects on the coating's photoenergy properties. For equivalent coatings, we found that those treated with ions were more transparent in the visible region, more reflective, and had a lower emissivity, which are essential requirements for low-e coatings applied in architectural glass

Cardiac tissue engineering for myocardial infarction treatment

Myocardial infarction is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current treatments can relieve the symptoms of myocardial ischemia but cannot repair the necrotic myocardial tissue. Novel therapeutic strategies based on cellular therapy, extracellular vesicles, non-coding RNAs and growth factors have been designed to restore cardiac function while inducing cardiomyocyte cycle re-entry, ensuring angiogenesis and cardioprotection, and preventing ventricular remodeling. However, they face low stability, cell engraftment issues or enzymatic degradation in vivo, and it is thus essential to combine them with biomaterial-based delivery systems. Microcarriers, nanocarriers, cardiac patches and injectable hydrogels have yielded promising results in preclinical studies, some of which are currently being tested in clinical trials. In this review, we cover the recent advances made in cellular and acellular therapies used for cardiac repair after MI. We present current trends in cardiac tissue engineering related to the use of microcarriers, nanocarriers, cardiac patches and injectable hydrogels as biomaterial-based delivery systems for biologics. Finally, we discuss some of the most crucial aspects that should be addressed in order to advance towards the clinical translation of cardiac tissue engineering approaches

EF1α and RPL13a represent normalization genes suitable for RT-qPCR analysis of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>RT-qPCR analysis is a widely used method for the analysis of mRNA expression throughout the field of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) research. Comparison between MSC studies, both <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>, are challenging due to the varied methods of RT-qPCR data normalization and analysis. Therefore, this study focuses on putative housekeeping genes for the normalization of RT-qPCR data between heterogeneous commercially available human MSC, compared with more homogeneous populations of MSC such as MIAMI and RS-1 cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eight genes including; <it>ACTB, B2M, EF1α, GAPDH, RPL13a, YWHAZ, UBC </it>and <it>HPRT1 </it>were tested as possible housekeeping genes based on their expression level and variability. <it>EF1α </it>and <it>RPL13a </it>were validated for RT-qPCR analysis of MIAMI cells during expansion in varied oxygen tensions, endothelial differentiation, neural precursor enrichment, and during the comparison with RS-1 cells and commercially available MSC. <it>RPL13a </it>and <it>YWHAZ </it>were validated as normalization genes for the cross-species analysis of MIAMI cells in an animal model of focal ischemia. <it>GAPDH</it>, which is one of the most common housekeeping genes used for the normalization of RT-qPCR data in the field of MSC research, was found to have the highest variability and deemed not suitable for normalization of RT-qPCR data.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In order to make comparisons between heterogeneous MSC populations, as well as adult stem cell like MSC which are used in different laboratories throughout the world, it is important to have a standardized, reproducible set of housekeeping genes for RT-qPCR analysis. In this study we demonstrate that <it>EF1α</it>, <it>RPL13a </it>and <it>YWHAZ </it>are suitable genes for the RT-qPCR analysis and comparison of several sources of human MSC during <it>in vitro </it>characterization and differentiation as well as in an <it>ex vivo</it> animal model of global cerebral ischemia. This will allow for the comparative RT-qPCR analysis of multiple MSC populations with the goal of future use in animal models of disease as well as tissue repair.</p

Metodología de investigación de Rocas Ornamentales: Granitos.

Durante la realización del proyecto del IGME ·Potencial Básico de Granitos y Neises Ornamentales en Castilla y León se desarrolló una metodología sistemática de investigación de granitos para uso ornamental que, por su versatilidad, puede hacerse extensible, en sus aspectos más generales, a otros tipos de rocas ornamentales e, incluso, rocas industriales en general. Para ello, se desarrollan una serle de fases de trabajo que comprenden: recogida de información, exploración de campo a escalas 1 :50.000, 1 :25.000 y 1: 10.000, valoración de áreas y elección de puntos canterables, todo ello mediante la cuantificación de todos los parámetros y valores que han de tenerse en cuenta en la investigación de rocas ornamentales, que nos permiten dar un tratamiento objetivo a todas las áreas estudiadas

Adipose-derived stem cells combined with Neuregulin-1 delivery systems for heart tissue engineering

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death worldwide and extensive research has therefore been performed to find a cure. Neuregulin-1 (NRG) is a growth factor involved in cardiac repair after MI. We previously described how biocompatible and biodegradable microparticles, which are able to release NRG in a sustained manner, represent a valuable approach to avoid problems related to the short half-life after systemic administration of proteins. The effectiveness of this strategy could be improved by combining NRG with several cytokines involved in cardiac regeneration. The present study investigates the potential feasibility of using NRG-releasing particle scaffold combined with adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) as a multiple growth factor delivery-based tissue engineering strategy for implantation in the infarcted myocardium. NRG-releasing particle scaffolds with a suitable size for intramyocardial implantation were prepared by TROMS. Next, ADSC were adhered to particle scaffolds and their potential for heart administration was assessed in a MI rat model. NRG was successfully encapsulated reaching encapsulation efficiencies of 92.58 ± 3.84 %. NRG maintained its biological activity after the microencapsulation process. ADSC cells adhered efficiently to particle scaffolds within a few hours. The ADSC-cytokine delivery system developed proved to be compatible with intramyocardial administration in terms of injectability through a 23-gauge needle and tissue response. Interestingly, ADSC-scaffolds were present in the peri-infarted tissue two weeks after implantation. This proof of concept study provides important evidence required for future effectiveness studies and for the translation of this approach

Time-Expanded F-OTDR based on binary sequences

In this paper, the capabilities of time-expanded phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (TE F-OTDR) using binary sequences are demonstrated. We present a highly flexible and integrable TE F-OTDR approach that allows a customized distributed optical fiber sensor (range, spatial resolution, and acoustic sampling) by simply changing the length of the binary sequence and the reference clock frequencies of the binary sequence generators. The here presented architecture eliminates the need for the cumbersome arbitrary signal generators used to date to create the dual-comb spectra for interrogating the fiber. In this approach, the use of large binary sequences allows us to obtain dual combs in a simple and cost-effective way. Spatial resolution of ~1 cm is achieved, attaining ~15, 000 independent measurements points along the interrogated fiber, with a capability of sensing ~30, 000 measurements points

Heart regeneration after miocardial infarction using synthetic biomaterials

Myocardial infarction causes almost 7.3 million deaths each year worldwide. However, current treatments are more palliative than curative. Presently, cell and protein therapies are considered the most promising alternative treatments. Clinical trials performed until now have demonstrated that these therapies are limited by protein short half‐life and by low transplanted cell survival rate, prompting the development of novel cell and protein delivery systems able to overcome such limitations. In this review we discuss the advances made in the last 10 years in the emerging field of cardiac repair using biomaterial‐based delivery systems with focus on the progress made on preclinical in vivo studies. Then, we focus in cardiac tissue engineering approaches, and how the incorporation of both cells and proteins together into biomaterials has opened new horizons in the myocardial infarction treatment. Finally, the ongoing challenges and the perspectives for future work in cardiac tissue engineering will also be discussed

Biodegradation and heart retention of polymeric microparticles in a rat model of myocardial ischemia

Poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microparticles emerged as one of the most promising strategies to achieve site-specific drug delivery. Although these microparticles have been demonstrated to be effective in several wound healing models, their potential in cardiac regeneration has not yet been fully assessed. The present work sought to explore PLGA microparticles as cardiac drug delivery systems. PLGA microparticles were prepared by Total Recirculation One-Machine System (TROMS) after the formation of a multiple emulsion. Microparticles of different size were prepared and characterized to select the most suitable size for intramyocardial administration. Next, the potential of PLGA microparticles for administration in the heart was assessed in a MI rat model. Particle biodegradation over time and myocardial tissue reaction were studied by routine staining and confocal microscopy. Results showed that microparticles with a diameter of 5 μm were the most compatible with intramyocardial administration in terms of injectability through a 29-gauge needle and tissue response. Particles were present in the heart tissue for up to three months post-implantation and no particle migration towards other solid organs was observed, demonstrating good myocardial retention. CD68 immunolabeling revealed 31%, 47% and below 4% microparticle uptake by macrophages one week, one month and three months after injection, respectively (P<0.001). Taken together, these findings support the feasibility of the developed PLGA microparticles as vehicles for delivering growth factors in the infarcted myocardium

"I won't be staying here for long": a qualitative study on the retention of migrant nurses in Ireland

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although international nurse recruitment campaigns have succeeded in attracting large numbers of migrant nurses to countries such as Ireland, where domestic supply has not kept pace with demand, the long-term success of such initiatives from a workforce planning perspective will depend on the extent to which these nurses can be retained in destination countries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This paper draws on qualitative, in-depth interviews undertaken with 21 migrant nurses in Ireland, focusing specifically on their future migration intentions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our findings indicate that more than half of the respondents are considering migration onwards, for the most part because the destination country has failed to provide them with sufficient stability, particularly in terms of citizenship and family reunification. In considering onward migration, factors outside the health system were of most concern to those interviewed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This demonstrates the need for destination countries to take a broader and more long-term approach to international nurse recruitment, rather than regarding it as an inexpensive way to fill gaps within the health care system.</p