FMC (Norway)

Dry alginate foams intended for antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) of infected wounds were prepared. aPDT is a treatment modality involving light of appropriate wavelength, oxygen and a photosensitizer (PS) to produce radicals that attack biological targets (e.g. bacteria). The hydrophobic 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) was chosen as a model PS and loaded into the foams. The foams contained a poloxamer (Pluronic F127) and/or β-cyclodextrin (βCD)-derivatives, i.e. methylβCD (MβCD), heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-βCD (HkβCD) or hydroxypropylβCD (HPβCD).The physical characteristics of the various foams prepared and the THPP load, release and photostability were evaluated. All the foams were thin and flexible and could easily be handled and cut to fit a potential wound. Fast disintegration were observed for dry foams in water or phosphate buffered saline, while in Hanks’ balanced salt solution the foams absorbed liquid without losing their integrity. All the foams had a similar THPP load of 0.12–0.13% w/w. The presence of βCD-derivatives improved THPP release, however, no differences were observed between the different types of βCD-derivatives evaluated. THPP loaded into the foams was photolabile, which induced a color change combined with fading. Alginate foams formulated with PF127, βCD-derivatives and THPP demonstrated applicability as delivery vehicles for PSs in aPDT of wounds.

Abstract NovaMatrix-3D is an alginate-based cell culture system comprising an alginate foam matrix and an alginate immobilizing solution. Cells are first suspended in a solution of sodium alginate that is then applied to the foam. As the foam absorbs the cell suspension, gelation occurs in situ as calcium ions are donated from the foam which effectively cross-links the added alginate. A hydrogel forms in the pores of the foam entrapping the cells throughout the foam. Cell immobilization occurs at room temperature and physiological pH. Cell localization and multi-cellular structures formed within the transparent gel can be visualized using confocal microscopy after vital staining of cells within the gel. A unique aspect of using an alginate-based foam matrix for 3D cell growth is that cells and intact multi-cellular structures can be retrieved for further analysis by adding calcium chelating agents such as citrate that dissolve the gel. While the retrieval of intact 3D structures is a simple one-step process, it is of interest to evaluate if imaging of cellular receptors can be performed on cells within the 3D hydrogel. Results show that two cell receptors, CD44 and ErbB2, which are upregulated in SKOV-3 cells, can be detected and imaged on multicellular spheroids within the 3D alginate matrix. First, the receptor status of CD44 and ErbB2 were established for SKOV-3 cells growing as a traditional 2D cell culture using flow cytometry. SKOV-3 cells were then immobilized in NovaMatrix-3D using 150 μM RGD-alginate. The presence of RGD has previously been shown to accelerate cell proliferation and 3D cell growth of SKOV-3. After 12 days of growth, multicellular spheroids formed. The alginate hydrogel disks where then treated with FITC-anti-CD44, Pacific Blue-anti-CD44, or an FITC-conjugated Affibody directed against ErbB2. Hydrogel discs were also treated with relevant isotypic controls. Confocal microscopy was used to detect and image cellular receptors. The results show that the CD44 hyaluronan receptor could be detected and imaged using two different antibodies. Furthermore, another cell receptor, ErbB2, was visualized using an Affibody. Therefore, it may not be necessary to retrieve multi-cellular structures from NovaMatrix-3D in order to visualize and image cellular receptors. Traditionally immobilization of cells within an alginate hydrogel has been used to provide immune-protection to cells used in forming an artificial organ, for example pancreatic islets. However, the alginate hydrogel formed in NovaMatrix-3D is comprised of a lower alginate concentration, has a lower, non-saturating concentration of calcium as a cross-linking ion, and has a more open pore structure. These attributes facilitate influx of antibodies which allows in situ immuno-staining and imaging of cellular receptors. The ability to stain cellular receptors on 3D cell structures within an alginate hydrogel make NovaMatrix-3D an even more versatile cell culture system. Citation Format: John Michael Dornish, Therese Andersen. Determination of cell surface receptors CD44 and ErbB2 in NovaMatrix-3D - a 3D cell culture system. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 307. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-307

The ideal of the gentleman has been globally reborn in PSY’s colossal YouTube hit “Gentleman M V”. This video thematizes the concept of the gentleman, but it is also a reformulation of gentlemanly behaviour. The article analyses the ideal of the gentleman in the light of its gender aspects and its class connotations. The hypothesis of the article is that the insecure status of masculine identity in an age of post-second-generation feminism demands the seemingly parodic treatment of the concept of the gentleman, as in this video. Yet this hypothesis is also a research question. Why is there this strong element of parody in the video? The answer to the question may depend on a consideration of contemporary male identities. It may also be based on a reading of how the music video incorporates these types. Three such types are described in the article: the new man, the metrosexual male and the new lad. It is the conclusion of the article that “Gentleman M V” incorporates the last two of these.

Nowadays, systems are becoming increasingly complex and large and the process of developing such large-scale systems is becoming complicated with high cost and enormous effort required. Such a complicated process has a prominent challenge to ensure the quality of delivered artifacts. Therefore there is clearly a need to facilitate reuse of developed artifacts (e.g., requirements, architecture, tests) and enable automated analyses such as risk analyses, prioritizing test cases, change impact analysis, with the objective to reduce cost, effort and improve quality. Model-based engineering provides a promising mechanism to facilitate reuse and enable automation. The key idea is to use models as the backbone of structuring repositories that contain reusable artifacts (e.g., test cases, requirements). Such a backbone model is subse-quently used to enable various types of automation such as model-based testing and automated rule verification. In this paper, we report 12 industrial projects from five different industry domains that all require the construction of model-based repositories to enable various types of automation. We believe using models as the backbone to structure repositories for the purpose of enabling different types of automation in different contexts is a new and non-conventional model-based development research approach. This exploratory paper will serve the basis for future research to derive a generic model-based repository.

This paper proposes the combination of two sensorless control algorithms for the secure start-up and the efficient operation of a remotely-controlled PMSM. V / f control is applied during the start-up of the motor and vector control is used for operation at higher speeds. The investigated system consists of a long step-out configuration with a cable and two transformers between the PMSM and its VSD. The system is tested with simulations and with experiments on a lab model. The results demonstrate that V / f control can safely start the PMSM. The effect of the inertia of the rotating assembly, the load torque and the initial rotor position on the start-up performance of the system is investigated and the successful transition from V / f control to vector control is demonstrated.

Abstract The use of 3-dimensional (3D) matrices for cell culture is gaining popularity as a substitute for traditional 2D cell culture as it can enable formation of multi-cellular structures and a more biologically relevant cell-cell contact such as found in tissues, organs and tumors. NovaMatrix®-3D is an alginate-based cell culture system comprising an alginate foam matrix and an alginate immobilizing solution. Cells are entrapped throughout the alginate foam by first suspending them in a solution of sodium alginate that is applied to the foam. As the foam absorbs the suspension, in situ gelation occurs as calcium ions are donated from the foam cross-linking the added alginate forming a hydrogel in the pores of the foam comprising the cells. Cells do not have receptors that recognize alginate molecules and this may stimulate formation of spheroids. However, some cells require signaling molecules and matrix interaction in order to proliferate. This was evaluated by culturing cells in the presence of alginate to which the peptide sequence RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) was covalently attached (RGD-alginate) thereby facilitating a signaling cascade via integrin-RGD interaction. Various cell lines were first cultured in 2D then prepared as a suspension in 0.5 - 1% alginate or RGD-alginate in cell culture medium. An aliquot of each cell suspension was added to γ-sterilized NovaMatrix®-3D foams. NHIK 3025 (human cervix carcinoma), OVCAR-3 (human ovarian adenocarcinoma), SKOV-3 (human ovarian carcinoma), NIH:3T3 (murine fibroblasts), C2C12 (murine myoblasts), V79-379A (hamster lung fibroblast) and MDCK (Madin Darby canine kidney) were used and single cells were immobilized in the alginate foams. Cell localization within the foam was visualized using confocal microscopy to identify fluorescently labeled (CellTrace™ CFSE) cells. Cell proliferation was measured by counting cells after de-gelling the foam using sodium citrate. Cell proliferation and spheroid formation occurred during three weeks of culture in foams with or without RGD-alginate for NHIK 3025, SKOV-3, 3T3 and V79-379A indicating that these cell lines do not require the presence of RGD within the alginate matrix for cell growth. However, during the same period, cell proliferation was only seen in the foams containing RGD-alginate for OVCAR-3, MDCK and C2C12. The proliferation rate was affected by the RGD density. Cells that did not proliferate in pure alginate were still metabolically viable as shown by live-dead staining. This cell culture model enables 3D cell culture, formation of spheroids and isolation of intact cellular structures. Cell-matrix interaction can be controlled by type and concentration of signaling molecules covalently attached to the alginate immobilization solution making NovaMatrix®-3D a versatile cell culture system. Portions of this work have been funded with the support from METOXIA project no.222741 under the 7th Research Framework Programme of the European Union. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5269. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5269

Intestinal perforation is a rare complication of induced abortion but it is not rare in our country. It is most commonly seen in countries in which abortions are performed by people without proper training and with sharp pointed instruments without knowledge of anatomy. Bowel perforation occurs when the posterior vaginal wall or uterus is violated, allowing the instrument to pierce underlying structures. The ileum and sigmoid colon are the most commonly injured portions of bowel due to their anatomic location. Here we discussed a woman who sustained a perforation at anterior rectal wall from abortion and was managed successfully.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i1.10299Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(1): 46-49

We have used a disc-shaped self-gelling alginate hydrogel as a scaffold for in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The comparison of monolayer cells and alginate embedded cells with or without differentiation medium allowed us to perform a detailed kinetic study of the expression of a range of genes and proteins known to be involved in chondrogenesis, using real-time polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence immunohistochemistry, and glycosaminoglycan measurement in the supernatant. mRNA encoding type II collagen (COL2), COL10, aggrecan, and SOX5, 6, and 9 were greatly elevated already at day 7, whereas COL1 and versican mRNA were gradually reduced. COL2 and aggrecan were dispersed throughout the extracellular matrix at day 21, whereas COL10 distribution was mainly intra/pericellular. COL1 seemed to be produced by only some of the cells. SOX proteins were predominantly localized in the nuclei. Then, using microarray analysis, we identified a signature cluster of extracellular matrix and transcription factor genes upregulated during chondrogenesis similar to COL2A1, and clusters of genes involved in immune responses, blood vessel development, and cell adhesion downregulated similar to the chemokine CXCL12. Analysis of the signature chondrogenic clusters, including novel potential marker genes identified here, may provide a better understanding of how the stem cell fate could be directed to produce perfect hyaline cartilage implants.