Age-related changes in meningeal lymphatic function are closely associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression.

Meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) have crucial roles in removing metabolic waste and toxic proteins from the brain and transporting them to the periphery. Aged mice show impaired meningeal lymphatic function. Nevertheless, as the disease progresses, and significant pathological changes manifest in the brain, treating the condition becomes increasingly challenging. Therefore, investigating the alterations in the structure and function of MLVs in the early stages of aging is critical for preventing age-related central nervous system degenerative diseases. We detected the structure and function of MLVs in young, middle-aged, and aged mice. Middle-aged mice, compared with young and aged mice, showed enhanced meningeal lymphatic function along with MLV expansion and performed better in the Y maze test. Moreover, age-related changes in meningeal lymphatic function were closely associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in the brain cortex. Our data suggested that the cerebral cortex may serve as a target for VEGF-C supplementation to ameliorate meningeal lymphatic dysfunction, thus providing a new strategy for preventing age-related central nervous system diseases.

Efficacy of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on human epidermal stem cell transplantation seeded in collagen sponge scaffolds for wound healing in a murine model.

To explore the possible efficacy of electromagnetic fields (EMF) for skin tissue engineering, effects of EMF exposure on epidermal stem cells (ESC) seeded in collagen sponge scaffolds for wound healing in a murine model were investigated. The wound models of a full-thickness defect established with 36 7 ∼ 8-week-old nude mice were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, an ESC-only group, and an ESC with EMF exposure group (frequency of 50 Hz, magnetic induction of 5 mT, 60 min per day for 20 days). ESC were separated from human foreskin and cultured in vitro, and then transplanted with collagen sponge scaffolds as a delivery vehicle to wounds of the ESC-only group, and ESC with EMF exposure group was exposed to EMF after ESC transplantation. Effects of EMF on morphological changes and expression of ß1 integrin in regenerated skins were observed. Wound healing rates and healing times were collected to evaluate the efficacy of repairment. Results showed that human ESC were successfully transplanted to nude mice, which facilitated the formation of intact skin on nude mice. In contrast to other groups, the wound healing of ESC with EMF exposure group was the fastest (P < 0.05), the structure of regenerated skins was more mature, and it contained more continuity in the number of viable cell layers and rich hair follicles' structure. These results suggest that the use of 50 Hz EMF as a non-invasive treatment can accelerate wound healing of ESC transplantation, and restore structural integrity of regenerated skin. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:204-212,2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Removal of Cu²âº from aqueous solutions by the novel modified bagasse pulp cellulose: Kinetics, isotherm and mechanism.

This study designed and synthesized a novel cellulose-based heavy metal adsorption material. One kind of bagasse pulp cellulose was pretreated under microwave 200 W for 3 min before the epoxidation, amination and ultrasonic enhancement sulfonation reaction. Heavy metal adsorption groups N and S were grafted onto the bagasse pulp cellulose. Furthermore, the effects of solution pH, adsorption temperature, adsorbent dosage, Cu(2+) concentration, and adsorbent recycling on adsorption capacity were investigated. Under the optimum condition, the adsorption amount of Cu(2+) was 35.2mg/g adsorbent. Compared with other cellulose-based adsorbents, this kind of adsorbent could be easily prepared and effectively recycled. Except for the normal fitting of adsorption process with the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model, Freundlich isotherm adsorption model and secondary adsorption kinetics model, the solid-liquid phase adsorption mechanism was also introduced to explain the Cu(2+) adsorption process. Three consecutive stages were deeply discussed and verified, where the surface diffusion and particle internal diffusion process were the primary along with a quick adsorption of the adsorbate onto the in-hole surface of the cellulose-based adsorbent.

Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on human epidermal stem cells cultured on collagen sponge scaffolds.

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on proliferation of epidermal stem cells (ESC), which could present a viable clinical option for skin tissue engineering. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ESC obtained from human foreskin were grafted into type-I three-dimensional collagen sponge scaffolds, and then were exposed with EMF (frequency 50 Hz, intensity 5 mT) for 14 d (30 min per d). Meanwhile, the control group was set under the same conditions without EMF. The effects of EMF on growth and proliferation of ESC were analyzed with staining of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) under microscope or scanning electron microscope. The data of DAPI staining for 2 d, 7 d, 10 d and 14 d were collected respectively to investigate the cells proliferation. RESULTS: ESC cultured in collagen sponge scaffolds could be steady grown and EMF could promote ESC proliferation compared with control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EMF could significantly promote proliferation of ESC, which leads to a promising clinical option for skin tissue engineering.

[Advances in the research of lipoxygenase inhibitors].

Lipoxygenase is a protein with non-heme iron atom, which has been discovered in many animals and plants. Lipoxygenase which has a close relationship with human tumors, inflammatory diseases, asthma, arteriosclerosis, and toxic action of chemicals could not only di-oxygenate endogenous polyunsaturated fatty acid to yield bioactive factors such as leukotrienes(LTs), but also has co-oxidation activity to activate xenobiotics. Lipoxygenase inhibitors include hydroxamic acid derivatives, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, flavonoids, FLAP inhibitors and so on. All of them can effectively restrain the catalytic action of lipoxygenase. Literatures demonstrate that the inhibitors can block the formation of relevant bioactive factors and toxic products of xenobiotics clinically which are used to prevent and cure the relevant diseases to keep people healthy.