scholarly journals Assessing effectiveness of Komagataeibacter strains for producing surface-microstructured cellulose via guided assembly-based biolithography

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Brugnoli ◽  
Francesco Robotti ◽  
Salvatore La China ◽  
Kavitha Anguluri ◽  
Hossein Haghighi ◽  
...  

AbstractIn this study, a medical device made of surface microstructured bacterial cellulose was produced using cellulose-producing acetic acid bacteria wild-type strains in combination with guided assembly-based biolithography. The medical device aims at interfering with the cell's focal adhesion establishment and maturation around implantable devices placed in soft tissues by the symmetrical array on its surface. A total of 25 Komagataeibacter strains was evaluated over a three-step selection. In the first step, the ability of strains to produce a suitable bacterial cellulose layer with high production yield was examined, then nine strains, with a uniform and smooth layer of bacterial cellulose, were cultured in a custom-made silicone bioreactor and finally the characteristics of the symmetrical array of topographic features on the surface were analysed. Selected strains showed high inter and intra species variability in bacterial cellulose production. The devices obtained by K2G30, K1G4, DSM 46590 (Komagataeibacter xylinus), K2A8 (Komagataeibacter sp.) and DSM 15973T (Komagataeibacter sucrofermentas) strains were pouched-formed with hexagonal surface pattern required for reducing the formation of fibrotic tissue around devices, once they are implanted in soft tissues. Our findings revealed the effectiveness of the selected Komagataeibacter wild-type strains in producing surface microstructured bacterial cellulose pouches for making biomedical devices.

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 1253-1259
Author(s):  
Minghui Wang ◽  
Hongliu Yu

Clamping devices with constant force or pressure are desired in medical device, such as hemostatic forceps and the artificial sphincter, to prevent soft tissues from injures due to overloading. It is easily obtained by stretching an SMA wire. However, studies with SMA bending round bar have seldom been reported before. This paper studied constant force characteristic of C-shaped round bar with shape memory alloys. Optimization designs of the components were carried out with computational simulation. Numerical results show that the phenomenon of constant force strongly depends on contour curve shape and geometric dimensions of the C-shaped round bar of SMA component.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-88
Author(s):  
James I. J. Green

A custom-made device (CMD) is a medical device intended for the sole use of a particular patient. In a dental setting, CMDs include prosthodontic devices, orthodontic appliances, bruxism splints, speech prostheses and devices for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea, trauma prevention and orthognathic surgery facilitation (arch bars and interocclusal wafers). Since 1993, the production and provision of CMDs have been subject to European Union (EU) Directive 93/42/EEC (Medical Device Directive, MDD) given effect in the UK by The Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (Statutory Instrument 2002/618), and its subsequent amendments. Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (Medical Device Regulation, EU MDR) replaces the MDD and the other EU Directive pertaining to Medical Devices, Council Directive 90/385/EEC (Active Implantable Medical Device Directive, AIMDD). The EU MDR was published on 5 April 2017, came into force on 25 May 2017 and, following a three-year transition period was due to be fully implemented and repeal the MDD on 26 May 2020, but was deferred until 26 May 2021 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the UK, in preparation for the country’s planned departure from the EU, the EU MDR, with necessary amendments, was transposed into UK law (Medical Devices (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, UK MDR). The UK left the Union on 31 January 2020 and entered a transition period that ended on 31 December 2020, meaning that, from 1 January 2021, dental professionals in Great Britain who prescribe and manufacture CMDs are mandated to do so in accordance with the new legislation while Northern Ireland remains in line with the EU legislation and implementation date. This paper sets out the requirements that relate to the production and provision of CMDs in a UK dental setting.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 815
Author(s):  
Janja Trček ◽  
Iztok Dogsa ◽  
Tomaž Accetto ◽  
David Stopar

Bacteria produce a variety of multifunctional polysaccharides, including structural, intracellular, and extracellular polysaccharides. They are attractive for the industrial sector due to their natural origin, sustainability, biodegradability, low toxicity, stability, unique viscoelastic properties, stable cost, and supply. When incorporated into different matrices, they may control emulsification, stabilization, crystallization, water release, and encapsulation. Acetan is an important extracellular water-soluble polysaccharide produced mainly by bacterial species of the genera Komagataeibacter and Acetobacter. Since its original description in Komagataeibacter xylinus, acetan-like polysaccharides have also been described in other species of acetic acid bacteria. Our knowledge on chemical composition of different acetan-like polysaccharides, their viscoelasticity, and the genetic basis for their production has expanded during the last years. Here, we review data on acetan biosynthesis, its molecular structure, genetic organization, and mechanical properties. In addition, we have performed an extended bioinformatic analysis on acetan-like polysaccharide genetic clusters in the genomes of Komagataeibacter and Acetobacter species. The analysis revealed for the first time a second acetan-like polysaccharide genetic cluster, that is widespread in both genera. All species of the Komagataeibacter possess at least one acetan genetic cluster, while it is present in only one third of the Acetobacter species surveyed.


Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 162 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qijun Xiang ◽  
N Louise Glass

AbstractA non-self-recognition system called vegetative incompatibility is ubiquitous in filamentous fungi and is genetically regulated by het loci. Different fungal individuals are unable to form viable heterokaryons if they differ in allelic specificity at a het locus. To identify components of vegetative incompatibility mediated by allelic differences at the het-c locus of Neurospora crassa, we isolated mutants that suppressed phenotypic aspects of het-c vegetative incompatibility. Three deletion mutants were identified; the deletions overlapped each other in an ORF named vib-1 (vegetative incompatibility blocked). Mutations in vib-1 fully relieved growth inhibition and repression of conidiation conferred by het-c vegetative incompatibility and significantly reduced hyphal compartmentation and death rates. The vib-1 mutants displayed a profuse conidiation pattern, suggesting that VIB-1 is a regulator of conidiation. VIB-1 shares a region of similarity to PHOG, a possible phosphate nonrepressible acid phosphatase in Aspergillus nidulans. Native gel analysis of wild-type strains and vib-1 mutants indicated that vib-1 is not the structural gene for nonrepressible acid phosphatase, but rather may regulate nonrepressible acid phosphatase activity.


Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-81
Author(s):  
Eric Espagne ◽  
Pascale Balhadère ◽  
Marie-Louise Penin ◽  
Christian Barreau ◽  
Béatrice Turcq

Abstract Vegetative incompatibility, which is very common in filamentous fungi, prevents a viable heterokaryotic cell from being formed by the fusion of filaments from two different wild-type strains. Such incompatibility is always the consequence of at least one genetic difference in specific genes (het genes). In Podospora anserina, alleles of the het-e and het-d loci control heterokaryon viability through genetic interactions with alleles of the unlinked het-c locus. The het-d2Y gene was isolated and shown to have strong similarity with the previously described het-e1A gene. Like the HET-E protein, the HET-D putative protein displayed a GTP-binding domain and seemed to require a minimal number of 11 WD40 repeats to be active in incompatibility. Apart from incompatibility specificity, no other function could be identified by disrupting the het-d gene. Sequence comparison of different het-e alleles suggested that het-e specificity is determined by the sequence of the WD40 repeat domain. In particular, the amino acids present on the upper face of the predicted β-propeller structure defined by this domain may confer the incompatible interaction specificity.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3827-3833 ◽  
Author(s):  
T H Adams ◽  
W A Hide ◽  
L N Yager ◽  
B N Lee

In contrast to many other cases in microbial development, Aspergillus nidulans conidiophore production initiates primarily as a programmed part of the life cycle rather than as a response to nutrient deprivation. Mutations in the acoD locus result in "fluffy" colonies that appear to grow faster than the wild type and proliferate as undifferentiated masses of vegetative cells. We show that unlike wild-type strains, acoD deletion mutants are unable to make conidiophores under optimal growth conditions but can be induced to conidiate when growth is nutritionally limited. The requirement for acoD in conidiophore development occurs prior to activation of brlA, a primary regulator of development. The acoD transcript is present both in vegetative hyphae prior to developmental induction and in developing cultures. However, the effects of acoD mutations are detectable only after developmental induction. We propose that acoD activity is primarily controlled at the posttranscriptional level and that it is required to direct developmentally specific changes that bring about growth inhibition and activation of brlA expression to result in conidiophore development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2176
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Dowgierd ◽  
Rafal Pokrowiecki ◽  
Maciej Borowiec ◽  
Marcin Kozakiewicz ◽  
Dominika Smyczek ◽  
...  

Extended postoperative mandibular reconstructions due to orofacial disease involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in immature patients remain a challenge as a result of ongoing growth, which is usually affected by the disease and treatment. Current reconstructive techniques based fully on alloplastic total joint replacement fail to meet fully the anatomical and functional requirements for the masticatory system and speech development. Fourteen children aged 12.6 ± 2.6 with tumors or congenital deformities affecting the mandible and TMJ were included in the study. Radical surgical treatment according to our own protocol was performed through microvascular anastomotic flap reconstruction of the soft tissues and bones, together with total TMJ custom replacements. Follow-up lasted 2–6 years. During the follow-up, increases in the mandible body (13% growth) and ramus (12% growth) were observed, both of which were related (p < 0.001). This is the first report concerning the immediate reconstruction of the mandible with ramus and total TMJ in children and adolescents that combines a free vascularized graft and total individual prosthesis of the TMJ. The presented technique enabled optimal function of the TMJ, growth of the mandible, and further rehabilitation of the patients. The technique was demonstrated to be safe, reliable, and provide good functional and cosmetic outcomes.


Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 761-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori A Rinckel ◽  
David J Garfinkel

Abstract In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the target site specificity of the retrotransposon Ty1 appears to involve the Ty integration complex recognizing chromatin structures. To determine whether changes in chromatin structure affect Ty1 and Ty2 target site preference, we analyzed Ty transposition at the CAN1 locus in mutants containing altered levels of histone proteins. A Δhta1-htb1 mutant with decreased levels of H2A and H2B histone proteins showed a pattern of Ty1 and Ty2 insertions at CAN1 that was significantly different from that of both the wild-type and a Δhta2-htb2 mutant, which does not have altered histone protein levels. Altered levels of H2A and H2B proteins disrupted a dramatic orientation bias in the CAN1 promoter region. In the wild-type strains, few Ty1 and Ty2 insertions in the promoter region were oriented opposite to the direction of CAN1 transcription. In the Δhta1-htb1 background, however, numerous Ty1 and Ty2 insertions were in the opposite orientation clustered within the TATA region. This altered insertion pattern does not appear to be due to a bias caused by selecting canavanine resistant isolates in the different HTA1-HTB1 backgrounds. Our results suggest that reduced levels of histone proteins alter Ty target site preference and disrupt an asymmetric Ty insertion pattern.


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