Three-dimensional cell culture and tissue engineering in a T-CUP (tissue culture under perfusion)

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simple and compact bioreactor system for perfusion cell seeding and culture through 3-dimensional porous scaffolds. The developed Tissue Culture Under Perfusion (T-CUP) bioreactor is based on the concept of controlled and confined alternating motion of scaffolds through a cell suspension or culture medium, as opposed to pumping of the fluid through the scaffolds. Via the T-CUP, articular chondrocytes and bone marrow stromal cells could be seeded into porous scaffolds of different compositions and architectures (chronOS, Hyaff-11, and Polyactive) at high efficiency (greater than 75%), uniformity (cells were well distributed throughout the scaffold pores), and viability (greater than 97%). Culture of articular chondrocytes seeded into 4-mm thick Polyactive scaffolds for 2 weeks in the T-CUP resulted in uniform deposition of cartilaginous matrix. Cultivation of freshly isolated human bone marrow nucleated cells seeded into ENGipore ceramic scaffolds for 19 days in the T-CUP resulted in stromal cell-populated constructs capable of inducing ectopic bone formation in nude mice. The T-CUP bioreactor represents an innovative approach to simple, efficient, and reliable 3D cell culture, and could be used either as a model to investigate mechanisms of tissue development or as a graft manufacturing system in the context of regenerative medicine

CONCERNS ABOUT THE SCHOLARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE NURSING PROFESSION AND THE ACADEMIC NURSING PIPELINE

Editoria

A novel device to assess hip strength: Concurrent validity and normative values in male athletes

Objectives To assess concurrent validity of the new, novel externally-fixed dynamometer (GroinBar) with hand-held dynamometry (HHD); to provide normative GroinBar scores for elite Australian rules football (AFL) and football (Soccer) players; and to evaluate preliminary predictive validity of the GroinBar and HHD in this population by comparing strength results with patient-reported outcome scores. Design Cross-sectional and reliability study Participants Total of 67 athletes, 36 AFL players and 31 football (Soccer) players Setting Elite AFL and football (Soccer) teams Main Outcome Measures The GroinBar system, HHD, The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) Questionnaire. Results Moderate to good correlations were identified between the GroinBar and HHD strength tests for hip adduction and abduction in the long lever position (rs 0.53 – 0.71). Normative values of the GroinBar and HHD for both AFL and football (Soccer) players were obtained. Neither the GroinBar or HHD strength measures differed between players with groin problems and those without. Conclusion This externally fixed strength testing device, the GroinBar, may provide a robust method of athlete monitoring and screening that does not rely on tester experience and strength. Normative values are documented for hip adduction and abduction strength in elite male athletes

Growth Phase Proteomics of the Heterotrophic Marine Bacterium \u3ci\u3eRuegeria pomeroyi\u3c/i\u3e

The heterotrophic marine bacterium, Ruegeria pomeroyi, was experimentally cultured under environmentally realistic carbon conditions and with a tracer-level addition of 13C-labeled leucine to track bacterial protein biosynthesis through growth phases. A combination of methods allowed observation of real-time bacterial protein production to understand metabolic priorities through the different growth phases. Over 2000 proteins were identified in each experimental culture from exponential and stationary growth phases. Within two hours of the 13C-labeled leucine addition, R. pomeroyi significantly assimilated the newly encountered substrate into new proteins. This dataset provides a fundamental baseline for understanding growth phase differences in molecular physiology of a cosmopolitan marine bacterium