Quantitative analysis of cell distribution in injection molded microcellular foam

Anthracyclines are mainstay chemotherapeutic agents proven effective at reducing disease recurrence and mortality in breast cancer patients. However, these drugs also have harmful side effects that include skeletal muscle wasting. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of bi‐weekly doxorubicin (DOX) administration on the satellite cell population and capillary density in multiple skeletal muscles. We hypothesized that DOX treatment would reduce fiber size, along with the satellite cell population and capillary density of the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. Eight‐week old ovariectomized female Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomized to one of two treatments: DOX and vehicle (Veh). DOX (4 mg/kg) or Veh (saline) intraperitoneal injections were performed bi‐weekly for a total of 3 injections (cumulative dose 12 mg/kg). Animals were euthanized 5d following the last injection, during which the SOL and EDL were dissected and prepared for immunohistochemical analysis. Relative to Veh, cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the SOL and EDL muscle fibers were 30% and 45% smaller, respectively, in DOX (p<0.05 vs. Veh). The satellite cell population and capillary density were 40% and 35% lower, respectively, in the SOL of DOX‐treated versus Veh‐treated rats (p<0.05), whereas the satellite cell population and capillary density in the EDL were unchanged by DOX (p>0.05). Chronic doxorubicin administration is associated with reduced fiber size in multiple skeletal muscles, however doxorubicin appears to impact the satellite cell population and capillary density in a muscle‐specific manner.Support or Funding InformationIntramural funds from Arizona State University.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Cell growth in normal and synchronously dividing mass cultures of Tetrahymena pyriformis

Flow-induced crystallization has long been an important subject in polymer processing. Varying processing conditions can produce different morphologies, which lead to different properties. Recent studies have indicated that the final morphology is, in fact, dictated by the formation of crystallization structures under flow. This study deals with the influence of processing parameters on the polymorphism and crystallization orientation of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) in microinjection molding. Crystallinity and polymorphism were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and one-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction (1D-WAXD). Crystalline orientation was characterized by two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction (2D-WAXD). Herman's orientation functions determined from the flat-plate wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns were used to evaluate the orientation level of microparts. It was found that the effect of processing parameters on the crystallinity was not obvious, but these processing parameters had a great influence on the β-modification content of microparts. When the mold temperature was 150°C, β-modification still formed in microparts because the thermal stability of the β-modification was enhanced with increasing the mold temperature; The β-modification content of microparts decreased obviously when the injection time was 1 s compared to the longer injection time. However, the β-modification content of microparts increased with increasing the injection pressure. In addition, the γ-modification existed in the microparts at the mold temperatures of 150 and 160°C. From Herman's orientation functions, we know that the influence of processing parameters on α-crystalline orientation in microparts was small. But the processing parameters can affect the degree of the β-modification orientation. A shish-kebab structure was observed in some regions throughout the longitudinal sections of all the microparts by the SEM analysis.

The processing-structure-properties relationships in laser beam powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) additive manufacturing (AM) are complex with multiple aspects of the processing impacting the microstructure and mechanical properties. Though, the influences of process parameters on strengthening mechanisms are less clear. In this work, laser power, scanning velocity, and hatch spacing were varied to promote PBF-LB 316L microstructures with distinctive thermal histories to vary microstructures and tensile properties. Tensile data were collected for over 100 different processing parameters on a single PBF-LB platform. Across the process parameter matrix yield strength, work hardening behavior, and ductility varied considerably. In this work, the effect of process parameters on initial dislocation density was studied. By quantifying the dislocation density with X-ray diffraction and line profile analysis, a relationship between processing parameters and initial dislocation densities was established. The contribution of dislocation density and other strengthening mechanisms to the yield strength is discussed.

The effect of talc on the cell morphology of polypropylene (PP) foams has been investigated. A branched high-melt-strength PP was used in this study to reduce the bubble coalescence phenomenon during the foam processing in extrusion with isopentane or CO2 as a blowing agent. When isopentane was processed with PP, the bubble nucleation in the extruded foams was dominated by the talc concentration, and the isopentane content did not strongly affect the cell-population density. However, when CO2 was used as the blowing agent, both the talc concentration and the CO2 concentrations played an important role in determining the cell-population density. Although previous studies on the foam processing with CO2 alone indicated that the cell-population density was a strong function of the processing pressure and the pressure-drop rate, neither of these processing parameters significantly influenced the cell morphology of the extruded PP foams when talc was employed as a nucleating agent.

Fundamental open questions in signal transduction remain concerning the sequence and distribution of molecular signaling events among individual cells. In this work, we have characterized the intercellular variability of transforming growth factor β-induced Smad interactions, providing essential information about TGF-β signaling and its dependence on the density of cell populations and the cell cycle phase. By employing the recently developed in situ proximity ligation assay, we investigated the dynamics of interactions and modifications of Smad proteins and their partners under native and physiological conditions. We analyzed the kinetics of assembly of Smad complexes and the influence of cellular environment and relation to mitosis. We report rapid kinetics of formation of Smad complexes, including native Smad2-Smad3-Smad4 trimeric complexes, in a manner influenced by the rate of proteasomal degradation of these proteins, and we found a striking cell to cell variation of signaling complexes. The single-cell analysis of TGF-β signaling in genetically unmodified cells revealed previously unknown aspects of regulation of this pathway, and it provided a basis for analysis of these signaling events to diagnose pathological perturbations in patient samples and to evaluate their susceptibility to drug treatment.

Lowered extracellular [Ca2+] cause low growth rates and low stationary cell densities in 3T3 cell cultures as compared to physiological [Ca2%]. Under otherwise constant conditions the extracellular [Ca2+] determines a stable stationary cell density, which can be reached by increase of net cell number or decrease of net cell number, depending on cell density at the time of [Ca2+] adjustment. SV40-3T3 cells do not show this [Ca2+] dependency. At 39 degrees C 3T3 and SV40-3T3 cell populations show an increased growth rate at low cell densities as compared to cell populations at 35 degrees C. Approaching the stationary density the growth rate of both cell sorts is reduced faster at 39 degrees C than at 35 degrees C, leading to lower stationary cell densities at 39 degrees C than at 35 degrees C. A temperature change from 39 degrees C to 35 degrees C or in the opposite direction can affect the stationary cell density of 3T3 cell populations only if applied before reduction of growth rate by density-dependent growth-inhibiting principles has taken place.

In this study, the effects of formulation, processing and storage parameters on perflubron (perfluorooctyl bromide; PFOB) emulsions were investigated. Emulsions with varying concentrations of perflubron and egg yolk phospholipid (EYP) were prepared with different processing parameters and placed at different storage temperatures. Their characteristics and stability were compared. The emulsion droplet growth rate was nearly proportional to the perflubron percentage in the range of 15-110% w/v. The initial droplet size of perflubron emulsions was inversely proportional to the concentration of EYP until a certain lower limit of droplet size was reached. The initial droplet size and droplet growth rate of perflubron emulsion were strongly dependent upon the processing parameters. The logarithmic value of the droplet growth rate decreased linearly with l/T in the range of 5-40 degrees C. The formulation and processing parameters are the key variables to be optimized to achieve better emulsion characteristics and stability.

This paper extends the volume filling chemotaxis model [18, 26] by taking into account the cell population interactions. The extended chemotaxis models have nonlinear diffusion and chemotactic sensitivity depending on cell population density, which is a modification of the classical Keller-Segel model in which the diffusion and chemotactic sensitivity are constants (linear). The existence and boundedness of global solutions of these models are discussed and the numerical pattern formations are shown. The further improvement is proposed in the end.

Stress-induced immune disregulation is a risk factor of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, but, so far, the mechanisms for this effect are not fully known. Expression levels of specific mRNAs were assessed in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) from Wistar rats subjected to chronic social stress (CSS). Gene expression was evaluated for NR3C1, Adrβ2, as well as IL-1β, IL-17α pro-inflammatory cytokines, and Nlrp, an inflammasome gene. Under the CSS conditions, we have shown altered distribution of RORγt +, FoxP3+, LMP2+, XBP1+ lymphocytes in GALT.The experiments were carried out with female Wistar rats aged 5–6 months. Specific mRNA expression for the target genes was determined by means of real-time PCR performed in a CFX96™ thermocycler («BioRadLaboratories, Inc»,USA). Relative levels of a target gene expression were quantified by the ΔΔCt method, being compared with rat GAPDH reference gene expression. Statistical analysis was performed with available «BioRad СFX Manager 3.1» software. Specific monoclonal rat antibodes were used for detection of immunopositive lymphocytes by means of indirect immunofluorescence technique.CSS development leads to decreased levels of mRNA expression for Nr3c1 and Adrβ2-genes in the GALT cells, being accompanied with unidirectional changes, i.e., increased transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNAs (IL-1β, IL-17α) and Nlrp3-inflammasome genes. These changes are accompanied by decreased FoxP3+/RORγt + cell ratio and predominant Th17 differentiation accompanied by suppressor failure. In addition, CSS development was characterized by unidirectional tendency for increasing total number of LMP2+ lymphocytes and reduced ХВР1+ cell population density in lymphoid structures of rat ileum.The events observed in GALT cell populations under CSS conditions are opposing classical paradigm of the stress response. The CSS-associated effects do not promote immunosuppression, however, are able to cause activation of immune system and inflammatory process.

An experimental study of the long-term bioleaching of large sphalerite ore particles in a circulating fluid fixed-bed reactor

Growth-promoting effects of progesterone in a human endometrial cancer cell line (Ishikawa-Var I)

BACKGROUND: Quantitative and morphofunctional characteristics of mast cells can serve as one of the criteria for tissue reactivity in response to radiation exposure, as well as a criteria for compensatory and adaptive processes after ionizing radiation exposure and when using radioprotectors. AIM: to present morphofunctional and quantitative characteristics of mast cells of the spleen of laboratory mice under fractional X-ray irradiation and orally administration of beta-D-glucan. METHODS: An experimental multicenter prospective continuous controlled study was conducted. The object of the study is the spleen of laboratory mice (n=23). The methodology of the work was to quantify the population of mast cells on histological sections of the spleen of laboratory mice stained by Romanovsky-Giemse. The animals were divided into five groups: 1 – intact animals (n=3); 2 – irradiated animals with a total absorbed dose of 7 Gy (n=5); 3 – irradiated animals with a total absorbed dose of 7 Gy, which were orally injected with a soluble form of beta-D-glucan 15 min before irradiation (n=5); 4 – irradiated animals with an absorbed dose of 18 Gy (n=5); 5 – irradiated animals with an absorbed dose of 18 Gy, which were orally injected with a soluble form of beta-D-glucan 15 min before irradiation (n=5). The material was taken on the 14th and 30th days after the experimental exposure. After fixation in 10% formalin solution, the material was dehydrated in alcohols, poured into paraffin. Sections were stained by Romanovsky-Giemse. Morphology was assessed in each section and the number of mast cells was calculated. The obtained data were subjected to statistical processing. RESULTS: The density of the mast cell population in the spleen of laboratory mice at a total (absorbed) dose of 7 Gy changed slightly compared with intact animals. A significant increase in the population density and functional activity of mast cells was observed at the absorbed dose of 18 Gy. The administration of beta-D-glucan at a total dose of 7 Gy reduced the number of mast cells by 2,5 times, at a total dose of 18 Gy – by 1,25 times compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: the location density of mast cells depends on the absorbed dose of X-ray radiation. The introduction of beta-D-glucan 15 min before irradiation reduces the location density of the mast cells in the spleen, which can probably be considered as a positive radioprotective effect. Keywords: X-ray radiation; laboratory mice; spleen; mast cells; location density; reactivity

<p>Fig. S6. Cell densities of different cell populations in WTC and non-WTC patient tissues samples. A, Immunoreactive cells for individual antibodies tested in WTC and non-WTC IMC analysis (WTC, n=8 patient samples and non-WTC, n=12 patient samples). Graphs were generated based on the analysis of tSNE plots shown in Fig. S7. B, Cell numbers used for IMC analysis for non-WTC and WTC analysis</p>

In this paper, a virus infection model with saturated chemotaxis is formulated and analyzed, where the chemotactic sensitivity for chemotactic movements of the cells is described. This model contains three state variables namely the population density of uninfected cells, the population density of infected cells and the concentration of virus particles, respectively. By virtue of regularized approximation technique and fixed point theorem, the local solvability of the regularized system corresponding to the original system is established. Then by extracting a suitable sequence along which the respective approximate solutions approach a limit in convenient topologies, with addition of Gagliardo-Nirenberg interpolation inequality as well as Lp-estimate techniques, we show that the original system describing the virus infection model exists at least one global weak solution. To illustrate the application of our theoretical results, an optimal control problem of the epidemic system is considered, where the admissible control domain is assumed to be a bounded closed convex subset. With the help of Aubin compactness theorem and lower semicontinuous of the cost functional, the existence of the optimal pair is proved. Our results generalize and improve partial previously known ones, and moreover, we first prove that the optimal control problem has at least one optimal pair.