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Cells Used (cell + used)
Selected AbstractsTreatment of Process Water Containing Heavy Metals with a Two-Stage Electrolysis Procedure in a Membrane Electrolysis CellENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2005R. Fischer Abstract The capability of a two-stage electrochemical treatment for the regeneration of acidic heavy-metal containing process water was examined. The process water came from sediment bioleaching and was characterized by a wide spectrum of dissolved metals, a high sulfate content, and a pH of about 3. In the modular laboratory model cell used, the anode chamber and the cathode chamber were separated by a central chamber fitted with an ion exchanger membrane on either side. The experiments were carried out applying a platinum anode and a graphite cathode at a current density of 0.1,A/cm2. The circulation flow of the process water in the batch process amounted to 35,L/h, the electrolysis duration was 5.5,h at maximum and the total electrolysis current was about 1,A. In the first stage, the acidic process water containing metals passed through the cathode chamber. In the second stage, the cathodically pretreated process water was electrolyzed anodically. In the cathode chamber the main load of dissolved Cu, Zn, Cr and Pb was eliminated. The sulfuric acid surplus of 3,4,g/L decreased to about 1,g/L, the pH rose from initially 3.0 to 4,5, but the desired pH of 9,10 was not achieved. Precipitation in the proximity to the cathode evidently takes place at a higher pH than farther away. The dominant process in the anode chamber was the precipitation of amorphous MnO2 owing to the oxidation of dissolved Mn(II). The further depletion of the remaining heavy metals in the cathodically pretreated process water by subsequent anodic treatment was nearly exhaustive, more than 99,% of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were removed from the leachate. The high depletion of heavy metals might be due to both the sorption on MnO2 precipitates and/or basic ferrous sulfate formed anodically, and the migration of metal ions through the cation exchanger membrane via the middle chamber into the cathode chamber. In the anode chamber, the sulfuric acid content increased to 6,7,g/L and the pH sank to 1.7. All heavy metals contained, with the exception of Zn, were removed to levels below the German limits for discharging industrial wastewaters into the receiving water. Moreover, the metal-depleted and acid-enriched process waters could be returned to the leaching process, hence reducing the output of wastewater. The results indicated that heavy metals could be removed from acidic process waters by two-stage electrochemical treatment to a large extent. However, to improve the efficiency of metal removal and to establish the electrochemical treatment in practice, further work is necessary to optimize the operation of the process with respect to current density, energy consumption, discharging of metal precipitates deposited in the electrode chambers and preventing membrane clogging. [source] Cover Picture: J. Basic Microbiol.JOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 20101/2010 This issue gives excellent examples for basic mycology, both from mushroom forming basidioymcetes and ascomycetes, including yeasts. The composite title photo shows two fungi, one basidiomycete and a yeast. A mitotic spindle of the mushroom forming basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune, stained for tubulin by immunofl uorescence and for DNA using DAPI (photo: Elke-Martina Jung, Jena) is shown, as well as a fruitbody forming in culture (insert on the left, photo: Nicole Knabe, Jena). Endocytosis of fl uorescein labelled, linear DNA is shown in a second insert (green stain) which is accompanied by a phase-contrast picture of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells used (see article by Lang et al. in this issue). (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Red cell exchange transfusion for babesiosis in Rhode IslandJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 3 2009Joshua Spaete Abstract We report four cases of clinically severe tick borne babesiosis treated with chemotherapy and adjunctive red cell exchange (RCE) at two Rhode Island hospitals from 2004 to 2007. All RCE procedures were performed using a Cobe Spectra device and were well tolerated without complications. The volume of allogeneic red cells used in the exchange was determined using the algorithm in the apheresis device with the input variables of preprocedure hematocrit, weight, height, an assumed allogeneic red cell hematocrit of 55 and a desired post procedure hematocrit of 27. The preprocedure level of parasitemia varied between 2.4% and 24% and the postprocedure level of parasitemia between 0.4 and 5.5% with an average overall percent reduction in parasitemia of 74%. Retrospectively, application of a new formula to calculate red cell mass appeared to correlate better with the percent reduction in parasitemia. Previous reports of RCE in babesiosis were reviewed. The reported reduction in parasitemia varied from 50% to >90%. Although a preprocedure level of parasitemia of 10% is sometimes used as a threshold for RCE in clinically severe babesiosis, this threshold does not have a firm empirical basis. No postprocedure desired level of parasitemia is indicated nor the mass of allogeneic red cells needed to achieve such a level. We conclude that current estimates of the dose of allogeneic red cells used in RCE are probably inaccurate, advocate a new formula to estimate this dose and suggest that a 90% reduction in parasitemia should be the minimally desired target of RCE in babesiosis. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Use in Food Packaging FilmsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Renata De Lima Abstract:, The use of nanoparticles in food packaging has been proposed on the basis that it could improve protection of foods by, for example, reducing permeation of gases, minimizing odor loss, and increasing mechanical strength and thermal stability. Consequently, the impacts of such nanoparticles on organisms and on the environment need to be investigated to ensure their safe use. In an earlier study, Moura and others (2008a) described the effect of addition of chitosan (CS) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties, water vapor, and oxygen permeability of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films used in food packaging. Here, the genotoxicity of different polymeric CS/PMAA nanoparticles (size 60, 82, and 111 nm) was evaluated at different concentration levels, using the,Allium cepa,chromosome damage test as well as cytogenetic tests employing human lymphocyte cultures. Test substrates were exposed to solutions containing nanoparticles at polymer mass concentrations of 1.8, 18, and 180 mg/L. Results showed no evidence of DNA damage caused by the nanoparticles (no significant numerical or structural changes were observed), however the 82 and 111 nm nanoparticles reduced mitotic index values at the highest concentration tested (180 mg/L), indicating that the nanoparticles were toxic to the cells used at this concentration. In the case of the 60 nm CS/PMAA nanoparticles, no significant changes in the mitotic index were observed at the concentration levels tested, indicating that these particles were not toxic. The techniques used show promising potential for application in tests of nanoparticle safety envisaging the future use of these materials in food packaging. [source] Several basic and practical aspects related to electrochemical deionization of waterAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Yaniv Bouhadana Abstract We examine water desalination processes based on the electrosorption of ions onto activated carbon electrodes (capacitive deionization, CDI). A flow-by operation mode was used (solutions flows within channels in the separator, parallel to the electrodes) in both continuous and stopped flow experiments. The different response of solutions containing more than 5000 ppm NaCl and dilute solutions (e.g., 1000 ppm NaCl) to the applied potential is discussed. The electrical current transients on potential steps were faster by two orders of magnitude than the resulting concentration transients due to the dynamics of these deionization processes and the properties of the cells used herein. Guidelines for the practical development of capacitive water deionization processes are discussed herein. It is assumed that for brackish water containing several thousands ppms of NaCl, CDI may be advantageous over competitive methods (e.g., reverse osmosis). © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Age-dependent vascular endothelial growth factor expression and angiogenic capability of bladder smooth muscle cells: implications for cell-seeded technology in bladder tissue engineeringJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 8 2009Joseph Azzarello Abstract Cell seeding technology is commonly used in the field of tissue engineering to enhance the performance of bioscaffolds and promote tissue regeneration. The age of cells used for ex vivo seeding to achieve maximal tissue regeneration has not been defined. Since rapid angiogenesis is the most critical step for tissue graft survival and success, we evaluated passage-dependent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) obtained from urinary bladder and endothelial cell response to bladder SMCs. Levels of various VEGF isoforms mRNA expression and total VEGF secretion were determined by a semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis, respectively. In vitro endothelial cell migration in Transwell® and capillary-like tube formation in MatrigelÔ were used to predict the ability of bladder SMCs to promote angiogenesis. VEGF produced by cultured bladder SMCs increased from passages 4 to 7, and decreased from passages 7 to 12 at both mRNA and protein levels. Endothelial cell migration as well as capillary-like tube formation correlated with levels of VEGF expression by bladder SMCs. Pre-incubation of endothelial cells with a VEGF receptor 1/2 inhibitor, SU5416, significantly reduced the number of capillary-like tubes in SMC-endothelial cell MatrigelÔ co-culture, and confirmed the involvement of VEGF in endothelial cell tube formation. Our results demonstrate that cell passage number is related to levels of VEGF production, which may translate to angiogenesis in engineered tissues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparison of traceable calibration methods for primary photovoltaic reference cellsPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 8 2005Harald Müllejans Abstract The calibration of photovoltaic reference cells used as primary laboratory standards for the calibration of photovoltaic devices needs to be traceable to international radiometric standards and SI units. As a contribution to the development of an international standard this paper describes three methods for the calibration of primary photovoltaic reference cells, establishing two independent traceability chains. The solar simulator method is traceable via a standard lamp to the international irradiance scale whereas the global sunlight method and the modified global sunlight method are traceable to the world radiometric reference. The calibration values obtained by the three methods agree with each other within their respective uncertainties and with the world photovoltaic scale within ±,0·8%. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Cell-Surface CD200 May Predict Efficacy of Paternal Mononuclear Leukocyte Immunotherapy in Treatment of Human Recurrent Pregnancy LossAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009David A. Clark Problem, The allogeneic leukocytes in transfused blood can modulate the recipient's immune system so as to induce TGF-,-producing suppressor cells, and the cell-surface CD200 tolerance-signaling molecule on mononuclear dendritic cells is required for this effect. A subset of couples with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss appears to benefit from transfusion of allogeneic paternal blood leukocytes (LIT), and considerable effort has been devoted to characterizing those who may benefit. Some data has been accumulated for LIT as sole therapy in patients with classical spontaneous abortions with respect to dose,response, duration of protection, need for boosting, excluding patients with autoimmunity, and inefficacy of paternal mononuclear cells stored at 4°C overnight before use which causes loss of cell-surface CD200. Recent data emphasize an important role of expression of the CD200 tolerance-signaling molecule on cells used to prevent abortions both in mice and humans. Method of study, An observational study of outcome as a function of the number of CD200+ paternal mononuclear cells was performed. Fourteen patients constituted the pilot group. Patients with autoimmunity who had failed inspite of treatment with IVIG + Heparin + Aspirin ± Prednisone were allowed to have paternal mononuclear cells added to their therapy. CD200 on purified paternal blood mononuclear cells was measured by flow cytometry. Results, The number of CD200+ cells administered was significantly greater in women achieving pregnancy (39.2 × 106 versus 20.8 × 106, P < 0.025) and in those who achieved a live birth (50.2 × 106 versus 20.8 × 106, P < 0.005) compared to those who did not achieve pregnancy, and % of paternal cells that were CD200+ was greater (11,12.5% versus 5.6%, P < 0.01). Amongst those achieving pregnancy which failed, the CD200+ cell dose was not significantly different from the non-pregnant group (30.5 × 106 versus 20.8 × 106). Conclusion, The number of CD200+ paternal mononuclear leukocytes may be an important determinant of subsequent reproductive outcome in a subset of patients. A lower % CD200+ cell number may also reflect hitherto unappreciated paternal factors bearing on reproductive success. It is feasible to recruit women to enter observational studies and to obtain useful data as a foundation for further studies. More complete patient characterization in a larger study is needed. [source] Survival and length of stay following blood transfusion in octogenarians following cardiac surgeryANAESTHESIA, Issue 4 2010T. Veenith Summary Our aim was to assess if peri-operative blood transfusion is an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity in the elderly. We report the results of a cohort study of all patients aged 80 or more on the day of their emergency or elective cardiac surgery (n = 874), using routinely collected data from January 2003 to November 2007. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality in hospital. The secondary outcomes were duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and overall hospital stay. Confounding variables were used to build up a risk model using a multivariable logistic regression analysis, and blood transfusion was added to assess whether it had additional predictive value for hospital mortality. Patients were divided into three groups: (i) transfusion of 0,2 units of red blood cells; (ii) transfusion of > 2 units of red blood cells and (iii) transfusion of red blood cells plus other clotting products. The strongest independent predictors of hospital death were logistic EuroSCORE and body mass index. After inclusion of these two variables, the odds ratio for transfusion remained significant. Relative to 0,2 units, the odds ratio for > 2 units was 6.80 (95% CI 2.46,18.8), and for other additional blood products was 14.4 (95% CI 5.34,37.3), with a p value of < 0.001. Duration of stay in the ICU was significantly associated with the amount of blood products administered (median (IQR [range]) ICU stay 1 (1-2 [0-15]) day if transfused 0,2 units of red blood cells, 2 (1-6 [0-128]) days if transfused > 2 units of red blood cells and 3 (1-76 [0-114]) days if other clotting products were used; p value < 0.001). Hospital stay was also associated with the amount of red cells used (p < 0.001). [source] Spongy Polyethersulfone Membrane for Hepatocyte Cultivation: Studies on Human Hepatoma C3A CellsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 9 2008Andrzej Kinasiewicz Abstract:, There are different types of membranes used for hepatocyte cultivation. In our studies, spongy polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were examined as a support for hepatic cell cultivation in vitro. The extended surface of the membranes allows to introduce a high cell number especially in three-dimensional gel structure. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that C3A cells used in our experiments grew well on PES membranes forming microvilli characteristic for normal hepatocytes. Analysis of cell viability proved that spongy PES membrane is well tolerated by J774 macrophages and did not stimulate nitric oxide synthesis. Bile canalicular structures were observed in fluorescence microscopy after F-actin staining with tetramethyl rhodamine iso-thiocyanate (TRITC)-phalloidin. The C3A cells showed high affinity to the PES membranes and adhered to almost 90% during the initial 24 h of incubation. Albumin production increased during static culture from the value of 805.2 ± 284.4 (ng/24 h/initial 106 cells) during the first days, to 2017.6 ± 505.9 (ng/24 h/initial 106 cells) after 10 days of culture. In conclusion, the spongy PES membranes can be used as scaffold for hepatocyte cultivation, especially for the creation of three-dimensional environments. [source] Reactive azo dye reduction by Shewanella strain J18 143BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2006Carolyn I. Pearce Abstract A bacterial isolate designated strain J18 143, originally isolated from soil contaminated with textile wastewater, was shown to reduce intensely coloured solutions of the reactive azo dye, Remazol Black B to colourless solutions. Phylogenetic placement based on 16S rRNA gene sequence homology identified the bacterium as a Shewanella species. Based on results from analyses of the end products of dye decoloration of Remazol Black B and the simpler molecule, Acid Orange 7, using capillary electrophoresis, UV,visible spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we suggest that colour removal by this organism was a result of microbially mediated reduction of the chromophore in the dye molecules. Anaerobic dye reduction by Shewanella strain J18 143 was 30 times more efficient than the reduction carried out by aerated cultures. Whole cells used a range of electron donors for dye reduction, including acetate, formate, lactate, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), with formate being the optimal electron donor. The impact of a range of process variables was assessed (including nitrate, pH, temperature, substrate concentration, presence of an extracellular mediator) and results suggest that whole cells of Shewanella J18 143 offer several advantages over other biocatalysts with the potential to treat azo dyes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Differentiation of anti-tumour cytotoxic T lymphocytes from autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes in non-Hodgkin's lymphomasBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Laurence Chaperot Summary. We have previously reported that specific anti-tumour cytotoxic T cells (CTL) can be differentiated from tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We found that the combination of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2 and IL-12 was very efficient for expansion of CD8+ T-cell receptor (TCR),,+ T cells and for development of their ability to specifically lyse tumour cells. In this study, we investigated whether anti-tumour T cells could be generated from the peripheral blood of patients using the culture protocol developed for TIL. Autologous T cells and tumour B cells from five patients were included in this study. It was found that polyclonal anti-tumour cytotoxic effector cells were generated when cultured in the presence of IL-1,, IL-2 and IL-12. Interestingly, tumour cells were lysed by perforin/granzyme-mediated cytolysis and not by CD95-mediated apoptosis. By performing inhibition experiments, it was observed that both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were responsible for the cytotoxic effect and that they were able to recognize malignant B cells by either a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted or MHC-non-restricted mechanism. Intriguingly, in addition to interferon-, and tumour necrosis factor-,, IL-10 was secreted continuously during culture. The source of patient T cells used for the generation of anti-tumour CTL should be based on the results obtained with peripheral blood lymphocytes and TIL. [source] Respiratory syncytial virus and neutrophil activationCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2005E. L. Bataki Summary Respiratory syncytial virus infects almost all children by 2 years of age. Neutrophils are the predominant airway leucocytes in RSV bronchiolitis and they are activated in the presence of infection. However it is not clear whether RSV can directly signal to activate neutrophil cytotoxic function. To investigate this we have used a preparation of RSV washed using a new centrifugal diafiltration method to rapidly remove inflammatory molecules produced by the epithelial cells used to propagate the RSV stock. Human neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood and activated with either the unwashed crude RSV preparations or the purified intact RSV. Neutrophils were also challenged with purified RSV G-glycoprotein. The effect of challenging human neutrophils with these preparations of intact RSV, or the RSV G-glycoprotein, was assessed by measuring the cell surface expression of CD11b and CD18b, the phagocytic oxidative burst, and intracellular release of calcium pools. Neutrophils challenged with the washed RSV exhibited significantly lower activation of surface marker expression (P < 0·001) and oxidative burst (P < 0·001) than those challenged with unwashed virus or with virus free supernatant. There was no increase in intracellular calcium release on exposure to the washed RSV. Purified G glycoprotein did not stimulate neutrophils, whilst the use of a blocking antibody to the F protein did not prevent unwashed RSV from activating cytotoxic responses. These results suggest that neutrophils have no innate signalling system that recognizes RSV but they are activated at sites of RSV infection as a result of the cytokines and inflammatory molecules released by virally infected cells. [source] | ||||||||||||||||