Rapid quantification of viable spore used in healing concrete cracks by a simple spectrophotometric method

Jinlong Zhang,Jingkun Lu,Bing Liu,Qiuyue Liu,Fan Jin,Miaojun Zhang,Yerong Liu,Yujun Song,Chenhui Dong,Wanyi Zhang,Ningxu Han,Xu Deng,Feng Xing 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2019 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.20 No.S1

Quantification of viable spores is a time taking task due to the lack of rapid, efficient and accurate methods. This studypresented a simple spectrophotometric method for the detection of viable spores based on spore’s property of losing refractivityduring the germination process. By comparison of the results obtained by both spectrophotometric method and colonycounting method, a good linear correlation (R2 = 0.99) was achieved between viable spore concentration and OD loss underappropriate conditions. To avoid interference from ungerminable spores and vegetative cells, a turbidity complementationstrategy of keeping the initial concentration of spore suspensions at the same and relatively lower level was required. Thecalibration equation developed could be used to predict the viable spore yield produced in a series of fermentation experiments. The experimental results proved that this novel spectrophotometric method was sensitive, rapid, and easy to performcompared to conventional colony counting method.

Alternative Biological Material for Tissue Engineering of the Vagina: Porcine-Derived Acellular Vaginal Matrix

Tian Yanpeng,Liu Yibin,Xiao Yanlai,Li Zhongkang,Zhang Mingle,Chen Liang,Li Zhen,Zhang Wangchao,Zhang Zhiqiang,Kong Desheng,Meng Li,Du Yanfang,Zhang Jingkun,Gao Jingui,Huang Xianghua 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2024 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.21 No.2

Background: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a severe congenital disorder characterized by vaginal hypoplasia caused by dysplasia of the Müllerian duct. Patients with MRKH syndrome often require nonsurgical or surgical treatment to achieve satisfactory vaginal length and sexual outcomes. The extracellular matrix has been successfully used for vaginal reconstruction. Methods: In this study, we developed a new biological material derived from porcine vagina (acellular vaginal matrix, AVM) to reconstruct the vagina in Bama miniature pigs. The histological characteristics and efficacy of acellularization of AVM were evaluated, and AVM was subsequently transplanted into Bama miniature pigs to reconstruct the vaginas. Results: Macroscopic analysis showed that the neovaginas functioned well in all Bama miniature pigs with AVM implants. Histological analysis and electrophysiological evidence indicated that morphological and functional recovery was restored in normal vaginal tissues. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the neovaginas had mucosal folds characteristics of normal vagina. No significant differences were observed in the expression of CK14, HSP47, and α-actin between the neovaginas and normal vaginal tissues. However, the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) was significantly lower in the neovaginas than in normal vaginal tissues. In addition, AVM promoted the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1. These results suggest that AVM might promotes vaginal regeneration by activating the β-catenin/c-Myc/cyclin D1 pathway. Conclusion: This study reveals that porcine-derived AVM has potential application for vaginal regeneration. Background: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a severe congenital disorder characterized by vaginal hypoplasia caused by dysplasia of the Müllerian duct. Patients with MRKH syndrome often require nonsurgical or surgical treatment to achieve satisfactory vaginal length and sexual outcomes. The extracellular matrix has been successfully used for vaginal reconstruction. Methods: In this study, we developed a new biological material derived from porcine vagina (acellular vaginal matrix, AVM) to reconstruct the vagina in Bama miniature pigs. The histological characteristics and efficacy of acellularization of AVM were evaluated, and AVM was subsequently transplanted into Bama miniature pigs to reconstruct the vaginas. Results: Macroscopic analysis showed that the neovaginas functioned well in all Bama miniature pigs with AVM implants. Histological analysis and electrophysiological evidence indicated that morphological and functional recovery was restored in normal vaginal tissues. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the neovaginas had mucosal folds characteristics of normal vagina. No significant differences were observed in the expression of CK14, HSP47, and α-actin between the neovaginas and normal vaginal tissues. However, the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) was significantly lower in the neovaginas than in normal vaginal tissues. In addition, AVM promoted the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1. These results suggest that AVM might promotes vaginal regeneration by activating the β-catenin/c-Myc/cyclin D1 pathway. Conclusion: This study reveals that porcine-derived AVM has potential application for vaginal regeneration.

Fabrication of self-reinforcement of porous mullite ceramic using NH4F as additive from kaolinite

Lei Yuan,Jingkun Yu,Rutao Ye,Shaowei Zhang 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2013 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.14 No.4

Self-reinforcement of porous mullite ceramics containing needle-liked whiskers were fabricated from a powder mixture of kaolinite, Al(OH)3 and starch with NH4F as additive. The effects of the sintering temperature and the content of NH4F on porosity, phase composition, strength and microstructure of ceramics were investigated. The formation mechanism of needleliked mullite whiskers by in situ synthesis in ceramic body was discussed. The results indicated that lots of large aspect ratio needle-liked mullite whiskers, especially in the 15% NH4F additive sample, were observed. An interlocking structure was formed by needle-liked mullite whiskers to enhance the mechanical strength of porous mullite ceramic. And as the content of NH4F increasing, the bending strength increased. Comparing to the samples without NH4F additive, porous ceramic fabricated by adding NH4F showed a higher degree of mullitization. The formation mechanism of the needle-liked mullite in the ceramic was attributed to the reaction among NH4F and raw materials.

Desktop-Stereolithography 3D Printing of a Decellularized Extracellular Matrix/Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosome Bioink for Vaginal Reconstruction

Shi Wenxin,Zheng Jiahua,Zhang Jingkun,Dong Xiaoli,Li Zhongkang,Xiao Yanlai,Li Qian,Huang Xianghua,Du Yanfang 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2024 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.21 No.6

Background 3D-printing is widely used in regenerative medicine and is expected to achieve vaginal morphological restoration and true functional reconstruction. Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exos) were applyed in the regeneration of various tissues. The current study aimed to explore the effctive of MSCs-Exos in vaginal reconstruction. Methods In this work, hydrogel was designed using decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and silk fibroin (SF). The biological scaffolds were constructed using desktop-stereolithography. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated; Some experiments have been conducted to evaluate exosomes’ effect of promotion vaginal reconstruction and to explore the mechanism in this process. Results It was observed that the sustained release property of exosomes in the hydrogel both in vitro and in vitro.The results revealed that 3D scaffold encapsulating exosomes expressed significant effects on the vascularization and musule regeneration of the regenerative vagina tissue. Also, MSCs-Exos strongly promoted vascularization in the vaginal reconstruction of rats, which may through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion The use of exosome-hydrogel composites improved the epithelial regeneration of vaginal tissue, increased angiogenesis, and promoted smooth muscle tissue regeneration. 3D-printed, lumenal scaffold encapsulating exosomes might be used as a cell-free alternative treatment strategy for vaginal reconstruction. Background 3D-printing is widely used in regenerative medicine and is expected to achieve vaginal morphological restoration and true functional reconstruction. Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exos) were applyed in the regeneration of various tissues. The current study aimed to explore the effctive of MSCs-Exos in vaginal reconstruction. Methods In this work, hydrogel was designed using decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and silk fibroin (SF). The biological scaffolds were constructed using desktop-stereolithography. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated; Some experiments have been conducted to evaluate exosomes’ effect of promotion vaginal reconstruction and to explore the mechanism in this process. Results It was observed that the sustained release property of exosomes in the hydrogel both in vitro and in vitro.The results revealed that 3D scaffold encapsulating exosomes expressed significant effects on the vascularization and musule regeneration of the regenerative vagina tissue. Also, MSCs-Exos strongly promoted vascularization in the vaginal reconstruction of rats, which may through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion The use of exosome-hydrogel composites improved the epithelial regeneration of vaginal tissue, increased angiogenesis, and promoted smooth muscle tissue regeneration. 3D-printed, lumenal scaffold encapsulating exosomes might be used as a cell-free alternative treatment strategy for vaginal reconstruction.