Associations between environmental exposures and serum concentrations of Clara cell protein among elderly men in Oslo, Norway.

Cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality is associated with several environmental exposures. Mechanistically, pathophysiological changes in the cardiopulmonary system may lead to the induction of inflammatory responses. In the present study we explored associations between environmental exposures and serum concentrations of lung Clara cell protein 16kDa, a biomarker that has recently been used to assess the integrity of the lung epithelium.

Encapsulating chondrocytes in degrading PEG hydrogels with high modulus: engineering gel structural changes to facilitate cartilaginous tissue production.

A major challenge when designing cell scaffolds for chondrocyte delivery in vivo is creating scaffolds with sufficient mechanical properties to restore initial function while simultaneously controlling temporal changes in the gel structure to facilitate tissue formation. To address this design challenge, degradable photocrosslinked hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol) were investigated. To alter the gel's initial mechanical properties, hydrogels were fabricated by varying the initial macromer concentration from 10% to 15% to 20%.

Manipulations in hydrogel chemistry control photoencapsulated chondrocyte behavior and their extracellular matrix production.

In engineering a cell-carrier to support cartilage growth, hydrogels provide a unique, largely aqueous environment for 3-dimensional chondrocyte culture that facilitates nutrient transport yet provides an elastic framework dictating tissue shape and supporting external loads. Although the gel environment is often >90% water, we demonstrate that slight variations in hydrogel chemistry control gel degradation, evolving macroscopic properties, and ultimately the secretion and distribution of extracellular matrix molecules. Specifically, biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(lactic acid) hydrogels were fabricated via photopolymerization.