Preclinical assessment on neuronal regeneration in the injury-related microenvironment of graphene-based scaffolds

AbstractAs the application of graphene nanomaterials gets increasingly attractive in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the long-term evaluation is necessary and urgent as to their biocompatibility and regenerative capacity in different tissue injuries, such as nerve, bone, and heart. However, it still remains controversial about the potential biological effects of graphene on neuronal activity, especially after severe nerve injuries. In this study, we establish a lengthy peripheral nerve defect rat model and investigate the potential toxicity of layered graphene-loaded polycaprolactone scaffold after implantation during 18 months in vivo. In addition, we further identify possible biologically regenerative effects of this scaffold on myelination, axonal outgrowth, and locomotor function recovery. It is confirmed that graphene-based nanomaterials exert negligible toxicity and repair large nerve defects by dual regulation of Schwann cells and astroglia in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The findings enlighten the future of graphene nanomaterial as a key type of biomaterials for clinical translation in neuronal regeneration.

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Development of a cellulose-based prosthetic mesh for pelvic organ prolapse treatment: In vivo long-term evaluation in an ewe vagina model

Materials Today Bio ◽

10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100172 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100172

Author(s):

Chen Lai ◽

Shu-Jiang Zhang ◽

Xuan-Chen Chen ◽

Li-Yuan Sheng ◽

Tian-Wei Qi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pelvic Organ Prolapse ◽

Pelvic Organ ◽

Prosthetic Mesh ◽

Term Evaluation

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Development and long-term evaluation of a new 68Ge/68Ga generator based on nano-SnO2 for PET imaging

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-69659-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eduardo Romero ◽

Alfonso Martínez ◽

Marta Oteo ◽

Marta Ibañez ◽

Mirentxu Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Pet Imaging ◽

Research Reactor ◽

On Demand ◽

Term Evaluation ◽

Investigation Period ◽

Direct Use

AbstractRadionuclide generator systems can routinely provide radionuclides on demand such as 68Ga produced by a 68Ge/68Ga generator without the availability of an on-site accelerator or a research reactor. Thus, in this work nano-SnO2 was used to develop a new 68Ge/68Ga generator which was evaluated over a period of 17 months and 305 elution cycles. The elution yield was 91.1 ± 1.8% in the first 7 mL (1 M HCl as eluent) when the generator was new and then it decreased with time and use to 73.8 ± 1.9%. Around 80% of the elutable 68Ga activity was obtained in 1 mL and the 68Ge content in the eluate did not exceed 1 × 10–4% over the investigation period when it was eluted regularly. The described generator provided adequate results for radiolabelling of DOTA-TOC with direct use of eluate. In addition, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC was tested satisfactorily for in vivo tumor detection by microPET/CT imaging in a lung cancer mouse model.

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Flavored e-liquids increase cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels in airway epithelia

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.00123.2019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 318 (2) ◽

pp. L226-L241 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Temperance R. Rowell ◽

James E. Keating ◽

Bryan T. Zorn ◽

Gary L. Glish ◽

Stephen B. Shears ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Growth ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Potential Toxicity ◽

Airway Epithelia ◽

Unknown Mechanism ◽

Kinase C ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Cellular Ca ◽

Affect Cell Growth

E-cigarettes are noncombustible, electronic nicotine-delivery devices that aerosolize an e-liquid, i.e., nicotine, in a propylene glycol-vegetable glycerin vehicle that also contains flavors. While the effects of nicotine are relatively well understood, more information regarding the potential biological effects of the other e-liquid constituents is needed. This is a serious concern, because e-liquids are available in >7,000 distinct flavors. We previously demonstrated that many e-liquids affect cell growth/viability through an unknown mechanism. Since Ca2+ is a ubiquitous second messenger that regulates cell growth, we characterized the effects of e-liquids on cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. To better understand the extent of this effect, we screened e-liquids for their ability to alter cytosolic Ca2+ levels and found that 42 of 100 flavored e-liquids elicited a cellular Ca2+ response. Banana Pudding (BP) e-liquid, a representative e-liquid from this group, caused phospholipase C activation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release, store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), and protein kinase C (PKCα) phosphorylation. However, longer exposures to BP e-liquid depleted ER Ca2+ stores and inhibited SOCE, suggesting that this e-liquid may alter Ca2+ homeostasis by short- and long-term mechanisms. Since dysregulation of Ca2+ signaling can cause chronic inflammation, ER stress, and abnormal cell growth, flavored e-cigarette products that can elicit cell Ca2+ responses should be further screened for potential toxicity.

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