Delivery of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by 3D Biocompatible Polymeric Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering and Neuronal Regeneration

Biopolymers are increasingly employed for neuroscience applications as scaffolds to drive and promote neural regrowth, thanks to their ability to mediate the upload and subsequent release of active molecules and drugs. Synthetic degradable polymers are characterized by different responses ranging from tunable distension or shrinkage to total dissolution, depending on the function they are designed for. In this paper we present a biocompatible microfabricated poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold for primary neuron growth and maturation that has been optimized for the in vitro controlled release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We demonstrate that the designed morphology confers to these devices an enhanced drug delivery capability with respect to monolithic unstructured supports. After incubation with BDNF, micropillared PCL devices progressively release the neurotrophin over 21 days in vitro. Moreover, the bioactivity of released BDNF is confirmed using primary neuronal cultures, where it mediates a consistent activation of BDNF signaling cascades, increased synaptic density, and neuronal survival. These results provide the proof-of-principle on the fabrication process of micropatterned PCL devices, which represent a promising therapeutic option to enhance neuronal regeneration after lesion and for neural tissue engineering and prosthetics.     

Tendinopathy diagnosis and treatment monitoring using attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Tendinopathy, an important sports injury afflicting athletes and general public, is associated with huge economic losses. The currently used diagnostic tests are subjective, show moderate sensitivity and specificity; while treatment failures persist despite advances in therapy. This highlights the need for tendinopathy diagnostic and treatment monitoring tools. This study investigates tendon injury, natural healing and effect of treatment using ATR‐FTIR complemented with histopathology. Control (C), injured (I) and treated (T) rat tendons were extracted 3, 7, 14 and 28 days post‐injury/treatment, representing phases of healing; and subjected to hematoxylin & eosin staining as well as spectroscopy. While C showed no change, I‐ and T‐related histological changes could be clearly observed in stained sections. ATR‐FTIR spectra highlighted the biochemical changes within groups. Multivariate analysis could classify C, I and T with 75%; different days between groups with 84%; and different days within group with 65% efficiency. Results suggest that such analysis can not only identify C, I or T but also different phases of healing. Difference between I and T at different time points also suggest change in rate of healing. Further studies may help develop this technique for clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring in future.      

A marker chromosome number 14 with double satellite observed in two generations: An unbalanced chromosome constitution associated with normal phenotype

Summary 2 phenotypically normal subjects, both carriers of a double satellite on the short arm of a D-group chromosome, have been studied. The marker chromosome has been identified as a number 14 by means of autoradiography. All D-and G-group chromosomes show satellites in both subjects. Two of the possible mechanisms of formation of a double satellite are described. The variability in the expression of satellites and the frequency of satellite association of the single D-group chromosomes have also been studied. It has to be stressed that these individuals, though being carriers of a partial trisomy, are both phenotypically normal.

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Zusammenfassung 2 phänotypisch normale Personen, die beide Träger von doppelten Satelliten eines kurzen Arms der D-Gruppe sind, wurden untersucht. Das Markierungschromosom wurde autoradiographisch als Nr. 14 identifiziert. Alle D-und G-Chromosomen zeigen bei beiden Personen Satelliten. Zwei mögliche Mechanismen der Bildung von doppelten Satelliten werden beschrieben. Die Variabilität des Vorkommens von Satelliten und die Häufigkeit der Satellitenassoziation von einzelnen D-Chromosomen wurden untersucht. Es wird darauf hingewiesen, daß diese Personen als Träger einer partiellen Trisomie beide phänotypisch normal sind.

     

Hominoid chromosomal rearrangements on 17q map to complex regions of segmental duplication

Background  

Chromosomal rearrangements, such as translocations and inversions, are recurrent phenomena during evolution, and both of them are involved in reproductive isolation and speciation. To better understand the molecular basis of chromosome rearrangements and their part in karyotype evolution, we have investigated the history of human chromosome 17 by comparative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and sequence analysis.