Decellularization of porcine esophageal tissue at three diameters and the bioscaffold modification with EETs-ECM gel.

Damaged complex modular organs repair is a current clinical challenge in which one of the primary goals is to keep their biological response. An interesting case of study it is the porcine esophagus since it is a tubular muscular tissue selected as raw material for tissue engineering. The design of esophageal constructs can draw on properties of the processed homologous extracellular matrix (ECM).

Bioreduction of precious and heavy metals by Candida species under oxidative stress conditions.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate whether Candida species can reduce both precious and toxic pure metals from the respective molecular ions. From these results, the nanoparticles formed were studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation. Our results showed that the metal ions were reduced to their corresponding metallic nanoconglomerate or nanoparticles by Candida species.

Effect of varying the crosslinking degree of a pericardial implant with oligourethane on the repair of a rat full-thickness abdominal wall defect.

The stability and bioactivity of biologic implants rely mainly on the control of the crosslinking process of collagen. However, the most common methods have no control on the crosslinking degree producing it excessively. This study outlines the role of crosslinking of collagen-based implants with oligourethane on the host response following reconstruction of a rat full-thickness abdominal wall defect.

Moonlighting proteins induce protection in a mouse model against Candida species.

In recent years, C. albicans and C. glabrata have been identified as the main cause of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients.

The component leaching from decellularized pericardial bioscaffolds and its implication in the macrophage response.

The extracellular matrix molecules remaining in bioscaffolds derived from decellularized xenogeneic tissues appear to be important for inducing cell functions conducting tissue regeneration. Here, we studied whether decellularization methods, that is, detergent Triton X-100 (TX) alone and TX combined with reversible alkaline swelling (STX), applied to bovine pericardial tissue, could affect the bioscaffold components. The in vitro macrophage response, subdermal biodegradation, and cell infiltration were also studied.

Changes in GDPase/UDPase enzymatic activity in response to oxidative stress in four Candida species.

The terminal processing of proteins and lipids occurs in the Golgi apparatus and involves the transport of sugar nucleotides into the Golgi lumen by specific carriers and the accumulation of nucleoside diphosphates (NDPs) as a result of oligosaccharide-protein glycosyltransferase activity. NDPs are converted into the corresponding nucleoside monophosphates (NMPs) by nucleoside diphosphatases (NDPases), thus relieving inhibition of sugar transferases. In addition, NMPs are then exchanged for equimolecular amounts of cytosolic sugar nucleotides by antiport transport systems.

Influence of culture media on biofilm formation by Candida species and response of sessile cells to antifungals and oxidative stress.

The aims of the study were to evaluate the influence of culture media on biofilm formation by C. albicans, C. glabrata, C.

Complete Genome of Bacillus megaterium Podophage Pascal.

Podophage Pascal infects Bacillus megaterium, a commonly used model organism in biochemical research and an important industrial-scale protein production system. Here, we report the sequenced and annotated genome of Pascal and describe its prominent features. Bacteriophages such as Pascal may be valuable tools for research and industry.

Acetaldehyde removal using an atmospheric non-thermal plasma combined with a packed bed: role of the adsorption process.

This work is an attempt in order to help towards understanding the influence of the adsorption process on the removal of a VOC (acetaldehyde, CH3CHO) using cyclic non thermal plasma (NTP) combined with a packed-bed of a catalyst support, α-Al2O3. In the first part, the results obtained by placing the saturated alumina pellets inside the plasma discharge zone are discussed, in terms of acetaldehyde removal, CO and CO2 production. In the second part, adsorption of CH3CHO, CO, CO2 and O3 was carried out, from single and multicomponent mixtures of the different compounds.

Synthesis and characterization of protected oligourethanes as crosslinkers of collagen-based scaffolds.

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of water-soluble urethane oligomers bearing protected isocyanate groups. It also points out its ability to crosslink decellularized pericardium, as a model collagen scaffold, and to adjust their structural characteristics. A library of oligourethanes was synthesized by varying the molecular weight (M 400, 600, 1000 or 2000 g mol) of the poly(ethylene glycol) and the type of aliphatic diisocyanate (isophorone diisocyanate/IPDI or hexamethylene diisocyanate/HDI).

Litter size determines circadian periodicity of nursing in rabbits.

Nursing in rabbits occurs inside the nest with circadian periodicity. To determine the contribution of suckling stimulation in regulating such periodicity, we varied the size of the litters provided (1, 2, 4, or 6-8 pups). Nursing does, kept under a 14:10 (L:D) photoperiod, were continuously videotaped from parturition into lactation day 15.

Stability and mechanical evaluation of bovine pericardium cross-linked with polyurethane prepolymer in aqueous medium.

The present study investigates the potential use of non-catalyzed water-soluble blocked polyurethane prepolymer (PUP) as a bifunctional cross-linker for collagenous scaffolds. The effect of concentration (5, 10, 15 and 20%), time (4, 6, 12 and 24 h), medium volume (50, 100, 200 and 300%) and pH (7.4, 8.

The effect of biomaterials and antifungals on biofilm formation by Candida species: a review.

Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C.

Development of a patient simulator for teaching and evaluation of the basic cardio-pulmonary reanimation protocol.

Providing appropriate cardio-pulmonary reanimation after cardio-pulmonary arrest is paramount for survival. An effective and low-cost approach to learn and practice the cardio-pulmonary reanimation is through a computerized life-size patient simulator. The present work describes the development of a patient simulator for the Centre of Education and Certification of Medical Aptitudes (CECAM) from the UNAM's Faculty of Medicine.

BME education program and research activities at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Biomedical engineering at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM - National Autonomous University of Mexico) has been developing slowly compared to other local universities. A BME-closing module was established as an elective one for the bachelors of electronic and computer engineering degrees and it has been offered recently. This approach enables the students to apply the principles of physics and engineering in a biomedical context.

Vasopressinergic network abnormalities potentiate conditioned anxious state of rats subjected to maternal hyperthyroidism.

We have previously reported that a mild maternal hyperthyroidism in rats impairs stress coping of adult offspring. To assess anxiogenesis in this rat model of stress over-reactivity, we used two behavioural tests for unconditional and conditional anxious states: elevated plus maze test (EPM) and Vogel conflict test (VCT). In the latter one, arginine vasopressin (AVP) release was enhanced due to osmotic stress.

Astrogliosis is temporally correlated with enhanced neurogenesis in adult rat hippocampus following a glucoprivic insult.

2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) administration causes transient depletion of glucose derivates and ATP. Hence, it can be used in a model system to study the effects of a mild glycoprivic brain insult mimicking transient hypoglycemia, which often occurs when insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents are administered for diabetes control. In the present study, the effect of a single 2-DG application (500mg/kg, a clinically applicable dose) on glial reactivity and neurogenesis in adult rat hippocampus was examined, as well as a possible temporal correlation between these two phenomena.

Dietary tryptophan restriction in rats triggers astrocyte cytoskeletal hypertrophy in hippocampus and amygdala.

We have previously reported that dietary tryptophan (TRP) restriction in a rat crucial postnatal developmental stage induces depression-like behavior and alters dendritic spine density in CA1 pyramidal neurons and granule cells of the hippocampus. Due to astrocyte involvement in critical brain mechanisms, it seems worth to investigate possible adaptive changes in the glial population with TRP restriction. Experimental rats were fed with low TRP diet (20% of TRP level of the laboratory rat chow) from postnatal days 30-60.

Composite fibrous biomaterials for tissue engineering obtained using a supercritical CO2 antisolvent process.

Several techniques have been proposed for producing porous structures or scaffolds for tissue engineering but, as yet, with no optimal solution. With regard to this topic, this paper focuses on the preparation of biocompatible nanometric filler-polymer composites organized in a network of fibers. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) or hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanopowders as the guest particles and poly(lactic acid) (L-PLA) or the blend poly(methylmethacrylate)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PMMA/PCL) as the polymer carrier were selected as model systems for this purpose.

Impregnation of an intraocular lens for ophthalmic drug delivery.

In this work the possibility of impregnating P(MMA-EHA-EGDMA) with flurbiprofen using a clean and environmentally friendly technology, namely supercritical fluid technology was evaluated. P(MMA-EHA-EGDMA) has been proposed as a promising matrix to be used for intraocular delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs used in eye surgery and flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Fundamental studies like, the solubility of the drug in carbon dioxide, as well as the sorption degree of this polymeric matrix in the presence of carbon dioxide have been previously carried out.

Maternal hyperthyroidism in rats impairs stress coping of adult offspring.

Given the evidence that maternal hyperthyroidism (MH) compromises expression of neuronal cytoskeletal proteins in the late fetal brain by accelerated neuronal differentiation, we investigated possible consequences of MH for the emotional and cognitive functions of adult offspring during acute and subchronic stress coping. Experimental groups consisted of male rat offspring from mothers implanted with osmotic minipumps infusing either thyroxine (MH) or vehicle (Ctrl) during pregnancy. Body weight and T4 level were monitored during the first 3 postnatal months, and no differences were found with the controls.

Continuous monitoring of upper-limb activity in a free-living environment: a validation study.

Monitoring upper-limb activity in a free-living environment is important for the evaluation of rehabilitation. This study is a validation of the Strathclyde Upper-Limb Activity Monitor (SULAM) which records the vertical movement and position of each wrist, and assesses bimanual movement. Agreement between the SULAM and two independent video observers was assessed using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method.

Theophylline formulation by supercritical antisolvents.

Supercritical antisolvent precipitation has been used to produce theophylline particles as pure crystals or as a solid formulation with poly lactic acid (PLA). Experiments were carried out as batch or semi-continuous process and with carbon dioxide (CO2) or trifluoromethane (CHF3) as antisolvent. Both modes led to micronized theophylline, but the semi-continuous produced smaller particles than the batch.

Measuring continuous real-world upper-limb activity.

The Strathclyde Upper-Limb Activity Monitor (SULAM) was used to assess real-world upper-limb activity. The SULAM consists of an electro-hydraulic activity-sensor which measures the vertical displacement of the wrist in relation to the shoulder. The aims of this study were to obtain a profile of upper-limb activity in two different populations (able-bodied participants and stroke patients) Ten able-bodied volunteers and ten stroke patients-wore the SULAM while performing their everyday activities.

Preparation of acetazolamide composite microparticles by supercritical anti-solvent techniques.

The possibility of preparation of ophthalmic drug delivery systems using compressed anti-solvent technology was evaluated. Eudragit RS 100 and RL 100 were used as drug carriers, acetazolamide was the model drug processed. Compressed anti-solvent experiments were carried out as a semi-continuous or a batch operation from a liquid solution of polymer(s)+solute dissolved in acetone.