Reporting of sex as a variable in cardiovascular studies using cultured cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chromosomal complement, including that provided by the sex chromosomes, influences expression of proteins and molecular signaling in every cell. However, less than 50% of the scientific studies published in 2009 using experimental animals reported sex as a biological variable. Because every cell has a sex, we conducted a literature review to determine the extent to which sex is reported as a variable in cardiovascular studies on cultured cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Articles from 10 cardiovascular journals with high impact factors (<it>Circulation</it>, <it>J Am Coll Cardiol</it>, <it>Eur Heart J</it>, <it>Circ Res</it>, <it>Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol</it>, <it>Cardiovasc Res</it>, <it>J Mol Cell Cardiol</it>, <it>Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol</it>, <it>J Heart Lung Transplant and J Cardiovasc Pharmacol</it>) and published in 2010 were searched using terms 'cultured' and 'cells' in any order to determine if the sex of those cells was reported. Studies using established cell lines were excluded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using two separate search strategies, we found that only 25 of 90 articles (28%) and 20 of 101 articles (19.8%) reported the sex of cells. Of those reporting the sex of cells, most (68.9%; n = 31) used only male cells and none used exclusively female cells. In studies reporting the sex of cells of cardiovascular origin, 40% used vascular smooth-muscle cells, and 30% used stem/progenitor cells. In studies using cells of human origin, 35% did not report the sex of those cells. None of the studies using neonatal cardiac myocytes reported the sex of those cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The complement of sex chromosomes in cells studied in culture has the potential to affect expression of proteins and 'mechanistic' signaling pathways. Therefore, consistent with scientific excellence, editorial policies should require reporting sex of cells used in <it>in vitro </it>experiments.</p

Stimulation of 3D osteogenesis by mesenchymal stem cells using a nanovibrational bioreactor

Bone grafts are one of the most commonly transplanted tissues. However, autologous grafts are in short supply, and can be associated with pain and donor-site morbidity. The creation of tissue-engineered bone grafts could help to fulfil clinical demand and provide a crucial resource for drug screening. Here, we show that vibrations of nanoscale amplitude provided by a newly developed bioreactor can differentiate a potential autologous cell source, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), into mineralized tissue in 3D. We demonstrate that nanoscale mechanotransduction can stimulate osteogenesis independently of other environmental factors, such as matrix rigidity. We show this by generating mineralized matrix from MSCs seeded in collagen gels with stiffness an order of magnitude below the stiffness of gels needed to induce bone formation in vitro. Our approach is scalable and can be compatible with 3D scaffolds

Zonificación, identificación de áreas de interés para la conservación y propuesta de criterios para el establecimiento de límites funcionales en el complejo ventana piloto de humedales Paz de Ariporo- Hato Corozal.

Este documento es resultado de la ejecución del Contrato 14-13-014-237PS entre el Instituto Humboldt y la Fundación Omacha, firmado en el marco del Convenio 005 (13-014) entre el Instituto Humboldt y el Fondo Adaptación. Contiene la propuesta para la identificación del límite funcional de la ventana piloto de humedales Paz de Ariporo- Hato Corozal, el cual consistió en un ejercicio de zonación de los humedales, identificación de los hábitos de crecimiento y alimentarios, como también en la descripción de otros procesos ecológicos que interactuaban con el paisaje de acuerdo con el gradiente transicional, desde el cuerpo de agua hasta tierra firme.BogotáSubdirección de Servicios Científicos y Proyectos Especiale

Physicochemical and biological functionalisation strategies of the neuroelectrode interface to promote neural integration through the modulation of reactive gliosis

Implanted neuroprosthetics and neuroelectrode systems have been under investigation for a number of decades and have been proven to be safe and efficacious as treatments for several neurological disorders including paralysis, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease as well as for biosensor systems. Neuroelectrode technologies are typically fabricated from metallic conductors such as platinum, iridium and its oxides, materials that while chemically inert and excellent electrical conductors, are often not intrinsically cytocompatible and do not promote integration with neural tissue. The performance of the electrode-tissue interface ultimately rests on the optimisation of the material substrate, to enable chronic functionality. Thus, neural electrodes should present a degree of biomimicry and provide electrical, chemical and physicomechanical properties analogous to neural tissues, with an ultimate goal of mitigating electrode deterioration via reactive host cell response and glial scarinduced encapsulation, which drives neural loss and increases signal impedance, compromising the efficiency of implanted neuromodulation systems. Over several decades of research, studies with conducting polymers as electrode coatings have shown enhanced tissue integration and electrode performance in situ through physichomechanical and biochemical functionalisation. In this thesis, findings on novel topographical and biological functionalisation strategies of conducting polymers, are provided in the context of neurospecific biomaterials, shedding light on the valuable impact of multi-functionalised strategies for biomedical applications. Further, new functionalisation approaches employing an anodisation process of indium-tin oxide (ITO) are outlined as potential electrode materials. At first, a bench-top electrochemical process to formulate anodised ITO films with altered roughness, electrochemical properties and bioactivity was explored. The systematic study shows that anodisation of magnetron sputtered ITO with a current density of 0.4 mA cm-2 results in a well distributed surface morphology, relatively low impedance, electrochemical stability and supported cell viability and neural network activity. Using this current density of 0.4 mA cm-2, PEDOT:PTS neural coating(s) were then electrodeposited for topographical functionalisation via microimprint lithography. The topographical functionalised electrodes reduced adhesion of reactive astrocytes in vitro, as is evident from morphological changes in cell area, focal adhesion formation and the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokine factors. This work describes the role of micro-topographically modified neural interfaces in the development of stable microelectrode interfaces and reduced gliosis response. Further in the search for biomimicry of the properties analogous to neural tissues, and with an ultimate goal of mitigating electrode deterioration via reactive host cell response and glial scar formation, PEDOT:PTS neural coating were functionalised with the heparan mimetic called F6, first use as a biological dopant in neural coatings. The bio-functionalised PEDOT:PTS:F6 coating show promise as functional neural electrodes and open up opportunities for the use of other glycanic signatures towards the attenuation of inflammation and gliosis with neural trophic characteristics. The biomaterial-tissue interface is not a simple description of a boundary but rather a dynamic interface involving both the localised reaction of the surrounding tissue to the materials, and the material adaptations within the physiological environment. Current research has focused on both the foreign body reaction and the long-term performance of biomaterials in a combined effort to drive the functionalisation of next generation implantable devices. As a result, the improved functionalisation of electrode systems is expected to prompt advancements in the design and development of implantable neural prosthetic devices and medical therapies for neurological disorders.2021-12-0

Diseño y elaboración de un prototipo de ortesis de cráneo para el tratamiento de pacientes con plagiocefalia occipital posicional

95 páginasEste proyecto contiene el desarrollo de un prototipo de un dispositivo ortésico para cráneo de pacientes con plagiocefalia occipital posicional, que permite la rehabilitación de infantes entre los cuatro meses a un año de edad con el uso medicado del dispositivo. Se encuentra elaborado con materiales obtenidos en el mercado colombiano. Adicionalmente se le da continuidad a la ortesis en su creciente de desarrollo tecnológico con la implementación de un sensor de presión, que busca cada vez más el contacto de paciente - médico de manera eficaz y cómoda, como además de la estandarización del tratamiento.ABSTRACT: This project contains the development of a prototype orthesis device which is for the cranium of patients with positional occipital plagiocephaly. This device will allow the rehabilitation of the infants between four months old and one year old and it is made with materials from the colombian market. Another note is that to get continuous technological improvement an implementation of pressure was done, to get more contact between patient and doctor as with this to get the standardization of the treatment.PregradoIngeniero(a) Biomédico(a

Síntesis y caracterización de hidrogeles de alcohol polivinílico por la técnica de congelamiento/descongelamiento para aplicaciones médicas.

Usando diferentes ciclos de congelamiento/descongelamiento se prepararon hidrogeles de alcohol polivinílico semicristalino 7,5 % y 12 % en concentración. La cinética y el grado de hinchamiento, los estados del agua y la resistencia a la tracción se evaluaron por gravimetría, calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC) y pruebas de tracción, respectivamente. Los resultados indican que los hidrogeles de menor concentración y con menor número de ciclos presentan cinética y grado de hinchamiento mejores y menor resistencia a la tracción. Las DSC permitieron determinar la presencia de agua libre y de agua vinculada congelable. Las características de estos hidrogeles permiten clasificarlos para diferentes aplicaciones médicas.Usando diferentes ciclos de congelamento/descongelamento se prepararam hidrogéis de álcool polivinílico semicristalino 7,5 % e 12 % em concentração. A cinética e o grau de inchamento, os estados da água e a resistência à tração se avaliaram por gravimetria, calorimetria diferencial de varrido (DSC) e provas de tração, respectivamente. Os resultados indicam que os hidrogeis de menor concentração e com menor número de ciclos apresentam cinética e grau de inchamento melhores e menor resistência à tração. As DSC permitiram determinar a presença de água livre e de agua ligada congelável. As características destes hidrogeis permitem classificá-los para diferentes aplicações médicas.Using different cycles of freeze-thawing, semicrystalline polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels were synthesized in concentrations of 7.5 % and 12 %. The kinetic and grade of swelling, states of water and the tensile strength were calculated by gravimetry, by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, and the tensile tests respectively. The results show that hydrogels with less concentration and cycles have better grade and kinetic of swelling, while the tensile strength is lower. The DSC results allow us to determine the free and freezable bound waters in our hydrogels. The characteristics obtained from these hydrogels lead their classification for different medical applications

Self-supporting carbon nanotube films as flexible neural interfaces

Advances in neural interface technologies have sought to identify electroactive materials that are able to translate neural depolarisation events into digital signals or modulate neural firing through ionic or electrical stimulation with greater efficiency. An ideal material for neural recording and/or stimulation should possess low electrical impedance coupled with a high cathodic charge storage capacity (CSCC), charge injection capacity (CIC) and electroactive surface area (ESA), as well as optimal mechanical biomimicry. In this study, we present the robustness of self-supporting CNT films as neural interfaces, combining advantageous electrical and mechanical properties with high cytocompatibility. Films were observed to possess a high CSCC (29.95 +/- 0.91 mC cm(-2)), CIC (352 +/- 5 mu CV-1 cm(-2)) and ESA (0.908 +/- 0.053 cm(2)), low impedance (110 Omega at 1 kHz), low resistance (75 +/- 13 Omega) and high capacitance (378 +/- 9 mu F cm(-2)), and outperformed Pt control electrodes. Self-supporting CNT films were also found to facilitate neuron growth and decrease the presence of reactive astrocytes in a mixed neural cell population. Self-standing CNT films were shown to be promising materials for the design of flexible and cytocompatible neural interfaces. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This publication has emanated from research conducted with the financial support of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund under Grant Number 13/RC/2073 and SFI Technology Innovation Development Programme, grant no. 15/TIDA/2992. This project has received funding from National Science Center, Poland (under the Polonez program, grant agreement UMO-2015/19/P/ST5/03799) and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreements No. 713690 and 665778. The authors acknowledge the facilities and scientific and technical assistance of the Center for Microscopy & Imaging at the National University of Ireland Galway, a facility that is funded by NUIG and the Irish Government's Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycles 4 and 5, National Development Plan 2007–2013. D.J. and K.K. would also like to acknowledge the Ministry for Science and Higher Education for the scholarship for outstanding young scientists (0388/E-367/STYP/12/2017 and 649/STYP/12/2017, respectively).peer-reviewed2020-10-2

Diseño y construcción de un prototipo de ortesis para el tratamiento de la plagiocefalia occipital posicional

This paper presents the development of a prototype orthesis device for the cranium of patients with positional occipital plagiocephaly. This device will allow the rehabilitation of infants between four months and twelve months old. The device geometry was obtained from statistical cranium measurements evaluated in children of 6 months old by the American Academy of Pediatrics as well through software called GID 8. The stress and strain results were taken from the device during activity, or while the equipment applied some forces on the head; simulations were made by the software of finite element called ANSYS® 10.0. An implementation of air sensor to the device made it possible to know the levels of pressure in a range of 0mm Hg a 55mm Hg. This implementation was done in order to get the standardization of the treatment. The mathematic results as well as the design specifications (minimum resolution of the pressure measurements, comfort and resistance) showed that the device may be used in rehabilitation.Este artículo presenta el desarrollo de un prototipo de dispositivo ortésico para cráneo de pacientes con plagiocefalia occipital posicional, con el fin de aplicarlo en la rehabilitación de infantes entre los cuatro y doce meses de edad. La geometría del dispositivo se obtuvo a partir de las medidas estadísticas estándar de cráneo para infantes de 6 meses de edad de acuerdo con La Academia Americana de Pediatría y por medio del software GID 8. Los esfuerzos y las deformaciones sufridas por el dispositivo durante su aplicación fueron simuladas por medio de elementos finitos usando el software ANSYS® 10.0. Para estandarizar el tratamiento y conocer la presión aplicada por el dispositivo ortésico en el cráneo del paciente, se elaboró un sensor de presión de aire que trabaja en un intervalo de 0 mm Hg a 55 mm Hg. Los resultados muestran que el dispositivo cumple las especificaciones tanto desde el punto de vista de una validación matemática, como desde las especificaciones del diseño en cuanto a la resolución mínima para las medidas de presión sensadas, confort y resistencia