DACIT: Device for Axon - Cancer cell Interaction Testing in 2D and 3D.

In this protocol, we describe steps to design, fabricate and use the Device for Axon and Cancer cell Interaction Testing (DACIT) in 2D and in 3D. In the first section, we detail steps to generate the mask, the master and the smooth-on mold. Next, we describe the step-by-step protocol for fabricating the DACIT, loading sensory neurons and cancer cells in 2D or 3D. We compare axonogenesis using PC-12 cell line and primary embryonic or adult sensory neurons, demonstrating the superior neurite growth in primary cells. We demonstrate DACIT can be used to compartmentalize neuronal soma and axons and expose them to different conditions, or to form a temporary gradient of neurotransmitter. Finally, we show that DACIT can be used to measure spheroid invasion in 3D in the presence of axons.

Muscle thickness and pennation angle in overweight persons with moderate haemophilia A after resistance and combined training: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Muscular atrophy and overweightness develop arthropathy in persons with haemophilia (PWH), and exercise increases their muscle strength and decreases their body weight. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography may be a non-invasive, safe, valid, and reliable tool to investigate muscle thickness (MT) and pennation angle (PA) after exercise training. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 6 weeks of resistance training (RT) and combined resistance and aerobic training (CT) on MT and PA in overweight persons with moderate haemophilia A. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two persons with moderate haemophilia A with a mean age of 35-55 years and a BMI of 25-30 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to three groups of 14, namely RT, CT, and control. The RT group performed 40 minutes of RT, and the CT group performed 20 min of RT and 20 min of aerobic training. The PA and MT of the biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) were measured before and after the intervention using B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: Significant increases were observed in the MT of VM, VL, MG, BB, and TB and PA of VM, VL, and MG in the RT and CT groups compared to the control group (p < .001). No significant differences were observed between the intervention groups. CONCLUSION: Both RT and CT were effective in enhancing MT and PA in overweight persons with moderate haemophilia A.

Enhancement of schizophyllan production in Schizophyllum commune using microparticles in medium.

Schizophyllum commune is a wood-rotting filamentous fungus that secrets a homopolysaccharide called as schizophyllan. Schizophyllan has several applications such as enhanced oil recovery, pharmaceutical materials and an anti-cancer drug carrier. Biomass growth and schizophyllan production increase the viscosity of the cultivation medium, thus resulting in mass transfer limitation for the substrate. In this study, adding talc and aluminium oxide microparticles into the cultivation medium was studied to improve the fungal growth and morphology. The response surface methodology and one factor at a time were applied to find the effects of microparticles with different sizes and concentrations on the schizophyllan production. The optimum concentration and size of aluminium oxide microparticles were obtained as 20 g L-1 and < 30 µm, respectively. Aluminium oxide microparticles in shake flask culture caused to increase the schizophyllan production from 10 to 15 g L-1 and decrease the cultivation time from 10 to 7 days. The production yield also increased from 0.11 to 0.30 g of schizophyllan/g glucose. Bioreactor cultivation showed a twofold increase in schizophyllan production from 1.5 to 3 g L-1. The results of this study suggested a significant increase in the production of schizophyllan using a low-cost "microparticle-enhanced cultivation" without any further optimization of the culture medium.

A novel double-network antibacterial hydrogel based on aminated bacterial cellulose and schizophyllan.

In this study, a novel hydrogel composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) and schizophyllan (SPG) biopolymers with improved mechanical, swelling and antibacterial properties was developed. BC was firstly functionalized using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) to provide better interaction with SPG. A diffraction peak at 5.7° in the XRD pattern of amine-grafted BC/SPG membrane revealed the intercalation of SPG into BC network. SEM images of amine-grafted BC/SPG showed that the fibrillar network of BC was totally covered with schizophyllan. Two distinct stages of weight loss in TGA thermo-gram of amine grafted BC/SPG verified the successful entrance of SPG into BC fibrils. Tensile strength of the amine-grafted BC/SPG considerably increased to 42.19 ±â€¯7.16 MPa as compared to neat BC (4.41 ± 0.38 MPa) and amine-grafted BC (7.90 ±â€¯0.71 MPa). It also showed the highest swelling degree (800 ±â€¯80%). Amine-grafted BC/SPG exhibited moderate antibacterial activity. MTT assay showed that amine-grafted BC/SPG stimulated the proliferation of normal human fibroblast cells.

In-vitro comparison of the effect of different bonding strategies on the micro-shear bond strength of a silorane-based composite resin to dentin.

BACKGROUND: The current study evaluated the micro-shear bond strengths of a new low-shrinkage composite resin to dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in-vitro study, 70 extracted premolars were assigned to one of seven groups (n = 10): Group 1: OptiBond Solo Plus (Opt; Kerr); Group 2: SE Bond (SE; Kuraray); Group 3: Silorane System Adhesive (SSA; 3M ESPE); Group 4: OptiBond Solo Plus + LS Bond (Opt LS); Group 5: SE Bond + LS Bond (SE LS); Group 6: OptiBond Solo Plus (Opt Po); and Group 7: SE Bond (SE Po). Occlusal dentin was exposed and restored with Filtek LS (3M ESPE) in groups 1 to 5 and Point 4 (Kerr) in groups 6 and 7. After thermocycling (1000 cycles at 5/55΀C), micro-shear bond test was carried out to measure the bond strengths. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and post hoc Tukeytests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA showed no significant differences between the two types of composite resin (P = 0.187), between bonding agents (P = 0.06) and between composite resin and bonding agents (P = 0.894). Because P value of bonding agents was near the significance level, one-way ANOVA was used separately between the two composite groups. This analysis showed significant differences between silorane composite resin groups (P = 0.045) and Tukey test showed a significant difference between Groups 4 and 5 (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The application of total-etch and self-etch methacrylate-based adhesives with and without use of a hydrophobic resin coating resulted in acceptable bond strengths.

A comparison to facilitate insertion of the laryngeal mask: term of recovery and postoperative nausea and vomiting after anesthesia with propofol- atracurium and thiopental-atracurium.

Laryngeal mask is a supraglothic instrument for ventilation of patients who are under anesthesia. Insertion of laryngeal mask requires maintaining sufficient depth of anesthesia to avoid airway reflex (gagging, coughing and spasms). The present study investigated two techniques of anesthesia with propofol-atracurium and thiopental-atracurium to facilitate insertion of the laryngeal mask, term of recovery and postoperative nausea and vomiting. In this prospective, randomized and double-blinded clinical trial, 224 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic class ASA one and two were studied.  Patients were divided into two groups of 112 patients - one group with propofol anesthetic and thiopental-atracurium. Then after the induction of anesthesia neuromuscular hemodynamic changes, airway reflex (gagging, coughing and spasms), the ease of insertion of laryngeal mask and the frequency of patient movements' were recorded. The data were analyzed by SPSS V.18. Results indicated that anesthetic technique with propofol-atracurium provides better and more comfortable condition for insertion of laryngeal mask significantly (P<0.05). Hemodynamic changes during induction of anesthesia and five minutes after insertion of the laryngeal mask in first group was more than second one (P<0.05),  and nausea and vomiting during recovery in propofol group was significantly lower than  thiopental group (P<0.05). Using techniques of anesthesia with propofol - atracurium in inserting laryngeal mask airway in patients who have an indication for the use of this technique is better than anesthesia with thiopental -atracurium.