Cytocompatibility of Graphene Monolayer and Its Impact on Focal Cell Adhesion, Mitochondrial Morphology and Activity in BALB/3T3 Fibroblasts

This study investigates the effect of graphene scaffold on morphology, viability, cytoskeleton, focal contacts, mitochondrial network morphology and activity in BALB/3T3 fibroblasts and provides new data on biocompatibility of the “graphene-family nanomaterials”. We used graphene monolayer applied onto glass cover slide by electrochemical delamination method and regular glass cover slide, as a reference. The morphology of fibroblasts growing on graphene was unaltered, and the cell viability was 95% compared to control cells on non-coated glass slide. There was no significant difference in the cell size (spreading) between both groups studied. Graphene platform significantly increased BALB/3T3 cell mitochondrial activity (WST-8 test) compared to glass substrate. To demonstrate the variability in focal contacts pattern, the effect of graphene on vinculin was examined, which revealed a significant increase in focal contact size comparing to control-glass slide. There was no disruption in mitochondrial network morphology, which was branched and well connected in relation to the control group. Evaluation of the JC-1 red/green fluorescence intensity ratio revealed similar levels of mitochondrial membrane potential in cells growing on graphene-coated and uncoated slides. These results indicate that graphene monolayer scaffold is cytocompatible with connective tissue cells examined and could be beneficial for tissue engineering therapy

Bioavailability of Macro- and Microelements in Rats Fed Hypercholesterolemic Diets Containing Actinidia arguta Fruits

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of different cultivars of Actinidia arguta (kiwiberry) on the bioavailability of mineral elements and to examine the mineral profile of rats fed atherogenic diets enriched with kiwiberries. The following cultivars of Actinidia arguta were used: Bingo, M1, Anna, Weiki, Jumbo, and Geneva. Kiwiberry has recently become popular in the market. It is a precious source of biologically active components, vitamins, and minerals. The livers, spleens, and kidneys were examined for mineral contents using the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy method. The bioavailability of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu was evaluated. The addition of kiwiberries in atherogenic diets increased the contents of Fe in the rat liver. The bioavailability of Mn, Zn, and Cu, calculated on the basis of the contents in the livers, was significantly decreased in rats fed diets with 5% additional kiwiberries. We supposed that the effect of kiwiberry on the bioavailability of the studied minerals may be related to the diet components of bioactive substances present in fruits (polyphenols, vitamins, dietary fiber, and tannins)

Cytocompatibility of Graphene Monolayer and Its Impact on Focal Cell Adhesion, Mitochondrial Morphology and Activity in BALB/3T3 Fibroblasts

This study investigates the effect of graphene scaffold on morphology, viability, cytoskeleton, focal contacts, mitochondrial network morphology and activity in BALB/3T3 fibroblasts and provides new data on biocompatibility of the “graphene-family nanomaterials”. We used graphene monolayer applied onto glass cover slide by electrochemical delamination method and regular glass cover slide, as a reference. The morphology of fibroblasts growing on graphene was unaltered, and the cell viability was 95% compared to control cells on non-coated glass slide. There was no significant difference in the cell size (spreading) between both groups studied. Graphene platform significantly increased BALB/3T3 cell mitochondrial activity (WST-8 test) compared to glass substrate. To demonstrate the variability in focal contacts pattern, the effect of graphene on vinculin was examined, which revealed a significant increase in focal contact size comparing to control-glass slide. There was no disruption in mitochondrial network morphology, which was branched and well connected in relation to the control group. Evaluation of the JC-1 red/green fluorescence intensity ratio revealed similar levels of mitochondrial membrane potential in cells growing on graphene-coated and uncoated slides. These results indicate that graphene monolayer scaffold is cytocompatible with connective tissue cells examined and could be beneficial for tissue engineering therapy

Graphene monolayer as an appropriate substrate for mesenchymal stem cells support in regenerative medicine

235-243Synergistic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and graphene monolayer is still a less discussed topic but crucial in the context of creating a graphene skin dressing. Moreover, capturing early changes in the cytoskeleton may prove to be a valuable indicator of cell condition after direct contact with the biomaterial. In this context, here, we investigated the response of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) to graphene monolayer as a scaffold, based on cytoskeleton architecture. Three main components of the cytoskeleton — microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules were characterized as well as analyzed its entire cell morphology (focal adhesions). Based on microscopic analysis and cell area measurements, it can be stated that graphene did not cause a damage or disturbance of any cytoskeleton members and linker proteins (plectin, vinculin) and gap junction protein (connexin 43). hBM-MSCs growing on the graphene monolayer were more spread than cells growing on the glass but without any other significant difference. This suggested that graphene substrate as a monolayer could be a structural reinforcement for MSCs cultivation without affecting their cytoskeleton, which determines cell integrity, connections and migration, all important cell properties in the process of skin wound healing

Usuwanie związków organicznych z wody w procesie biofiltracji – badania w skali technicznej

The research was carried out on the full scale Water Treatment Plant with maximal capacity of 150 000 m3/d. Treated water is characterized by a high content of organic pollutants. In order to eliminate them from water and ensure the biological stability of water in the water supply network, in January 2015 a second stage of water treatment was launched, based on integrated ozonation and filtration through carbon filter beds. Between January and May 2016, samples of water and a filter bed were collected from four carbon filters and then physicochemical and bacteriological analysis were done. The FDA test and biochemical diagnostics were made to prove the microbiological activity of the filter bed. The studies showed a decrease in the content of organic compounds, meassured as TOC and COD (KMnO4), and the biological activity of the analyzed carbon filters. The carbon filter beds were populated by Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Aeromonas salmonicida and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. In none of the analyzed filters were found strains of the Enterobacteriaceae family which may have a potential threat to health of the consumers. The application of carbon filters has reduced the organic matter content in treated water.Badania prowadzono w skali technicznej na Stacji Uzdatniania Wody (SUW) o maksymalnej wydajności 150 000 m3/d. Woda dopływająca do SUW charakteryzuje się zawartością specyficznych zanieczyszczeń organicznych. W celu ich eliminacji z wody oraz zapewnienia biologicznej stabilności wody w sieci wodociągowej, w styczniu 2015 r. uruchomiono drugi stopień oczyszczania wody, oparty o zintegrowane procesy ozonowania i filtracji przez złoże węglowe. Co miesiąc, w okresie od stycznia do maja 2016 r., pobierano próbki wody oraz złoża filtracyjnego z czterech filtrów węglowych. Próbki wody pobierano bezpośrednio znad złoża filtracyjnego oraz na odpływie z filtrów. Próbki złoża filtracyjnego pobierano z jego górnej warstwy, w pięciu punktach każdej komory filtracyjnej. Przeprowadzono analizy fizyczno-chemiczne i bakteriologiczne wody oraz złóż filtracyjnych. W celu wykazania aktywności mikrobiologicznej złóż wykonywano test aktywności esteraz z dwuoctanem fluoresceiny FDA. W próbkach wody i węgla aktywnego w celu zidentyfikowania mikroorganizmów prowadzono diagnostykę biochemiczną z wykorzystaniem zautomatyzowanego systemu Vitek 2 Compact (bioMerieux). Przeprowadzone badania wykazały obniżenie zawartości związków organicznych wyrażonych jako OWO i ChZT (KMnO4) oraz biologiczną aktywność analizowanych filtrów węglowych. Złoża filtrów węglowych zasiedlone były przez Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Aeromonas salmonicida oraz Sphingomonas paucimobilis. W żadnym z analizowanych filtrów nie wyhodowano natomiast szczepów z rodziny Enterobacteriaceae stanowiących potencjalne zagrożenie dla zdrowia konsumentów.Wprowadzenie filtrów węglowych do ciągu technologicznego SUW spowodowało obniżenie zawartości materii organicznej w wodzie uzdatnionej