A composite scaffold was fabricated with a method involving both electrospinning and 3D printing to give microscale pores and good mechanical properties. Biocompatibility and cell infiltration on the scaffold was evaluated by an in vitro study.

In the study of hollow nerve guidance conduit (NGC), the dispersion of regenerated axons always confused researchers. To address this problem, filler-containing NGC was prepared, which showed better effect in the application of nerve tissue engineering. In this study, nanofiber sponges with abundant macropores, high porosity, and superior compressive strength were fabricated by electrospinning and freeze-drying. Poly(l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone)/silk fibroin (PLCL/SF) nanofiber sponges were used as filler to prepare three-dimensional nanofiber sponges-containing (NS-containing) NGC. In order to study the effect of fillers for nerve regeneration, hollow NGC was set as control. In vitro cell viability studies indicated that the NS-containing NGC could enhance the proliferation of Schwann cells (SCs) due to the macroporous structure. The results of hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunofluorescence staining confirmed that SCs infiltrated into the nanofiber sponges. Subsequently, the NS-containing NGC was implanted in a rat sciatic nerve defect model to evaluate the effect in vivo. NS-containing NGC group performed better in nerve function recovery than hollow NGC group. In consideration of the walking track and triceps weight analysis, NS-containing NGC was close to the autograft group. In addition, histological and morphological analyses with HE and toluidine blue (TB) staining, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were conducted. Better nerve regeneration was observed on NS-containing NGC group both quantitatively and qualitatively. Furthermore, the results of three indexes' immuno-histochemistry and two indexes' immunofluorescence all indicated good nerve regeneration of NS-containing NGC as well, compared with hollow NGC. The results demonstrated NS-containing NGC had great potential in the application of peripheral nerve repair.

No abstract

No abstract

Genes related to immune response, inflammatory response and homeostasis presumably have critical roles in RA pathogenesis. Sanguinarine and papaverine have a potential therapeutic effect against RA.

IV.

Four glutarimide-derived compounds including a new 3-[2-[2-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl-5-(hydroxymethyl)]-2-oxoethyl] glutarimide (1) and three known 3-[2-(2-hyroxy-3,5- dimethylphenyl)-2-oxoethyl] glutarimide (2, actiphenol), 3-hydroxy-3-[2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-oxoethyl] glutarimide (3) and 3-[2-[2-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methylphenyl]-2-oxoethyl] glutarimide (4), along with a known indole alkaloid 3-(hydroxyacetyl) indole (5), were isolated from ethyl acetate extract of the fermentation broth of the marine sponge-derived Streptomyces anulatus S71. Their structures were deduced by extensive studies of NMR and mass spectra.

Peripheral nerve injury has seriously affected patient’s health and life. Schwann cells play an important role in peripheral nerve regeneration. However, the effect of the current tissue engineered scaffolds for promoting Schwann cells growth is still not as good as that of autologous graft. In this study, new developed three-dimensional gellan gum/starch (GG/ST) scaffolds with various printing gap for Schwann cells growth were prepared by 3D printing technology. Various physiochemical characterizations of the printed scaffolds were performed including morphology, rheological behavior, swelling ratio, and degradation behavior. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were evaluated using L929 fibroblasts and RSC96 Schwann cells, respectively. The results displayed that the GG/ST scaffold exhibited a porous network structure. The cross-sectional pore density of the hydrogel had a tendency to increase with the ascending printing gap. The swelling rate and degradation rate of the hydrogel gradually increased and eventually reached an equilibrium state. The rheological test results showed that the scaffolds had good printability. MTT cytotoxicity test and CCK-8 cell proliferation test displayed that the scaffold was nontoxic, and Schwann cells could grow well on the scaffold after 5 days of culture, whereas the number of cells on the scaffold with the printing gap of 3 mm was the largest. These results indicated that the GG/ST scaffold prepared by 3D printing technology may have a potential application in peripheral nerve regeneration.