Direct 3D printed biocompatible microfluidics: assessment of human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and cytotoxic drug screening in a dynamic culture system

BACKGROUND

In vivo-mimicking conditions are critical in in vitro cell analysis to obtain clinically relevant results. The required conditions, comparable to those prevalent in nature, can be provided by microfluidic dynamic cell cultures. Microfluidics can be used to fabricate and test the functionality and biocompatibility of newly developed nanosystems or to apply micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems embedded in a microfluidic system. However, the use of microfluidic systems is often hampered by their accessibility, acquisition cost, or customization, especially for scientists whose primary research focus is not microfluidics.

RESULTS

Here we present a method for 3D printing that can be applied without special prior knowledge and sophisticated equipment to produce various ready-to-use microfluidic components with a size of 100 µm. Compared to other available methods, 3D printing using fused deposition modeling (FDM) offers several advantages, such as time-reduction and avoidance of sophisticated equipment (e.g., photolithography), as well as excellent biocompatibility and avoidance of toxic, leaching chemicals or post-processing (e.g., stereolithography). We further demonstrate the ease of use of the method for two relevant applications: a cytotoxicity screening system and an osteoblastic differentiation assay. To our knowledge, this is the first time an application including treatment, long-term cell culture and analysis on one chip has been demonstrated in a directly 3D-printed microfluidic chip.

CONCLUSION

The direct 3D printing method is tested and validated for various microfluidic components that can be combined on a chip depending on the specific requirements of the experiment. The ease of use and production opens up the potential of microfluidics to a wide range of users, especially in biomedical research. Our demonstration of its use as a cytotoxicity screening system and as an assay for osteoblastic differentiation shows the methods potential in the development of novel biomedical applications. With the presented method, we aim to disseminate microfluidics as a standard method in biomedical research, thus improving the reproducibility and transferability of results to clinical applications.

Customizing biohybrid cryogels to serve as ready-to-use delivery systems of signaling proteins

Macroporous cryogels have recently gained increasing interest for the controlled administration of signaling proteins in tissue engineering due to an advantageous combination of material properties. However, most of the previously reported cryogel systems did not allow for tunable, sustained protein release. We therefore designed a set of ready-to-use multi-armed polyethylene glycol (starPEG)-heparin cryogel systems containing different amounts of the protein-affine glycosaminoglycan component heparin to enable systematically tunable long-term delivery of different signaling proteins without affecting other cell-instructive properties. Experimental data and mathematical modeling indicate that the macroporous structure causes local differences in the concentration of proteins released into the pores and in the surrounding of the cryogels. As a proof-of-concept for their ready-to-use potential, cryogels pre-functionalized with signaling proteins and cell adhesion-peptides were demonstrated to induce the neuronal differentiation of colonizing pheochromocytoma cells. The elaborated approach opens up new perspectives for cryogels as easily storable and applicable systems for the precision delivery of signaling proteins.

Cryopreservation of a cell-based biosensor chip modified with elastic polymer fibers enabling ready-to-use on-site applications

An efficient preservation of a cell-based biosensor chip to achieve a ready-to-use on-site system is still very challenging as the chip contains a living component such as adherent mammalian cells. Herein, we propose a strategy called on-sensor cryopreservation (OSC), which enables the adherent cells to be preserved by freezing (-80 °C) on a biosensor surface, such as the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). Adherent cells on rigid surfaces are prone to cryo-injury; thus, the surface was modified to enhance the cell recovery for OSC. It relies on i) the integration of elastic electrospun fibers composed of polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), which has a high thermal expansion coefficient and low glass-transition temperature, and ii) the treatment with O₂ plasma. The modified sensor is integrated into a microfluidic chip system not only to decrease the thermal mass, which is critical for fast thawing, but also to provide a precisely controlled micro-environment. This novel cryo-chip system is effective for keeping cells viable during OSC. As a proof-of-concept for the applicability of a ready-to-use format, the extracellular acidification of cancer cells (CHO-K1) was evaluated by differential LAPS measurements after thawing. Results show, for the first time, that the OSC strategy using the cryo-chip allows label-free and quantitative measurements directly after thawing, which eliminates additional post-thaw culturing steps. The freezing of the chips containing cells at the manufacturing stage and sending them via a cold-chain transport could open up a new possibility for a ready-to-use on-site system.

Specific and sensitive, ready-to-use universal fungi detection by visual color using ITS1 loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined hydroxynaphthol blue

Being ubiquitous, fungi are common opportunistic pathogens to humans that can lead to invasive and life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Eukaryote-resembling cell membrane and filamentous branches make the fungal diagnosis difficult. This study therefore developed a ready-to-use ITS1 loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with hydroxynaphthol blue (LAMP-HNB) for rapid, sensitive and specific colorimetric detection of universal fungi in all phyla. The ITS1 LAMP-HNB could identify every evolutionary phylum of fungi according to sequence analyses. We tested a total of 30 clinically relevant fungal isolates (representing three major human pathogenic phyla of fungi, namely Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) and 21 non-fungal isolates, and the ITS1 LAMP-HNB properly identified all isolates, with a detection limit of as low as 4.6 ag (9.6 copies), which was identical to ITS1 and 18S rDNA PCR. The assays were also validated on the feasibility of point-of-care diagnostic with real food (dry peanuts, chili and garlics) and blood samples. Furthermore, the shelf life of our ready-to-use ITS1 LAMP activity (≥50%) was more than 40 days at 30 °C with 3-5% polyvinyl alcohol or glycerol additive. The results supported the ready-to-use ITS1 LAMP-HNB for simple detection of fungi contamination with high sensitivity in local and resource-constrained areas to prevent opportunistic fungal species infections.

Preferences of healthcare professionals regarding hexavalent pediatric vaccines in Italy: a survey of attitudes and expectations

Introduction

In Italy, three hexavalent pediatric vaccines are available: two are ready-to-use (RTU) as pre-filled syringes, while the third must be reconstituted (need-for-reconstitution [NFR]). The formulation is related to the vaccination timing, safety of preparation and administration, and possible errors in immunization. We surveyed Italian healthcare professionals (HCPs) experienced with RTU and NFR vaccines in order to investigate their opinions on key aspects of the vaccines.

Methods

In Q1 2018, a qualitative study, ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews were performed in public vaccination settings of three Italian Regions. Data on how the vaccination process was managed and perceptions about the value of the RTU formulation were collected. In Q2 2018, face-to-face interviews were carried out to explore the attitude and preferences of Italian HCPs from nine Regions, assessing advantages and disadvantages of the two formulations from a quantitative point of view. In Q3-Q4 data analysis was carried out, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Results

The first phase demonstrated the following advantages of the RTU versus the NFR formulation: time-saving, lower probability of needle contamination and needle stick incidents, better handling, simpler procedure, easier disposal of waste. For the survey, 149 HCPs were interviewed; 80% and 40%, respectively, were very satisfied with the RTU and NFR vaccine.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that HCPs prefer the RTU formulation, as it simplifies vaccinations, reduces preparation time and minimizes the risk of errors. This formulation also saves time that can be spent on more in-depth counseling.

Comparison of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and porcine circovirus 2 commercial vaccines efficacy when applied separate or combined under experimental conditions

Background

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) and Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) are two of the most significant infectious agents causing economic losses in the weaning to slaughter period. Due to their similar vaccination age, the objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of two already existing Mhyo (Hyogen®) and PCV-2 (Circovac®) vaccines when administered separately or combined (RTM) by means of Mhyo or PCV-2 experimental challenges.

Results

Seven groups of animals were included in the study, being three of them challenged with PCV-2, three with Mhyo and one composed of non-challenged, non-vaccinated pigs. Within each experimental challenge, non-vaccinated (NV) groups were compared with double vaccinated groups using the commercial products separated (VS) or combined (VC). Both vaccinated groups showed significant differences for most parameters measured regarding PCV-2 (serology, percentage of infected animals and viral load in tissues) and Mhyo (serology and gross lesions) when compared to NV groups. VS and VC offered similar results, being only significantly different the PCV-2 antibody values at different time points (higher in the VS group) of the study, although not at the termination day (21 days post-PCV-2 inoculation).

Conclusion

The present study expands the knowledge on the possibility of using two separate Mhyo and PCV-2 commercial vaccines as a RTM product, which offered equivalent virological, immunological and pathological outcomes as compared to these vaccines when used by separate.

Product evaluation of Hollister's Onli™ ready-to-use hydrophilic intermittent catheter and adherence to a treatment plan using this catheter

The primary objective of this product evaluation involved obtaining assessments from patients following the use of the Onli™ intermittent catheter(IC) 17cm and 40cm; and opinions from clinicians on its use for catheterization based on its design features.The inability to access the right catheter is often why patients discontinue intermittent self-catheterization(1). Design factors play an important role in the like lihood of using and remaining compliant to an IC device.The secondary objective of this product evaluation was to assess if the ease-of-learning and ease-of-use of Onli intermittent catheter, would support patient adherence to a catheterization treatment plan. METHODS: A multi-center, unblinded evaluation was executed in 10 different SCI Units across Spain. Rehabilitation physicians and nurses recruited patients with neurogenic bladder disorder and used IC's. The patient sused 30 catheters in according to their standard of care.A total of 100 subjects were enrolled into the study (78 male and 22 female). RESULTS: 90% of clinicians agreed that the "ease-oflearning"and "ease-of-use" of the Onli intermittent catheter has the potential to support patient adherence to a catheterization plan. 80% of patients found learning curve for catheter usage easy, and 69% found it easier than their current catheter. A total of 89% of patients reported insertion of the catheter as easy or very easy;with 91% reporting removal easy or very easy. CONCLUSION: Results of the current evaluation support increased adherence to a self-cath treatment plan.The IC was described as easy to teach and learn; with77% of patients indicating that if the IC was available they would be likely or very likely to use it. Other designat tributes of the IC were found to lend to the preference for the selection of the product.

A ready-to-use acidic, brushite-forming calcium phosphate cement

Premixed calcium phosphate cements have been developed to simplify the usage of traditional calcium phosphate cements and reduce the influence of the setting reaction on the delivery process. However, difficulties in achieving a good cohesion, adequate shelf life and sufficient mechanical properties have so far impeded their use in clinical applications, especially for the more degradable acidic calcium phosphate cements. In this study, a brushite cement was developed from a series of ready-to-use calcium phosphate pastes. The brushite cement paste was formed via mixing of a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) paste and a β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) paste with good injectability and adequate shelf life. The MCPM paste was based on a water-immiscible liquid with two surfactants and the β-TCP paste on a sodium hyaluronate aqueous solution. The effect of citric acid as a retardant was assessed. Formulations with suitable amounts of citric acid showed good cohesion and mechanical performance with potential for future clinical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Acidic calcium phosphate cements have attracted extensive attention as bone substitute materials due to their ability to resorb faster than basic calcium phosphate cements in vivo. However, traditionally, short working times and low mechanical strength have limited their clinical application. Premixed cements could simplify the clinical use as well as improve property reproducibility, but short shelf lives, low cohesion and low mechanical properties have restricted the development. In this study, an injectable ready-to-use two-phase system consisting of an MCPM paste and a β-TCP paste was developed based on acidic cement. It shows good cohesion, compressive strength and adequate shelf life, which has the potential to be used in a dual chamber system for simplified and fast filling of bone defects in a minimally invasive manner. This will reduce surgery time, decrease the risk of contamination and ensure repeatable results.

Freeze-drying as suitable method to achieve ready-to-use yeast biosensors for androgenic and estrogenic compounds

Recombinant yeast assays (RYAs) have been proved to be a suitable tool for the fast screening of compounds with endocrine disrupting activities. However, ready-to-use versions more accessible to less equipped laboratories and field studies are scarce and far from optimal throughputs. Here, we have applied freeze-drying technology to optimize RYA for the fast assessment of environmental compounds with estrogenic and androgenic potencies. The effects of different cryoprotectants, initial optical density and long-term storage were evaluated. The study included detailed characterization of sensitivity, robustness and reproducibility of the new ready-to-use versions, as well as comparison with the standard assays. Freeze-dried RYAs showed similar dose-responses curves to their homolog standard assays, with Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) and Median effective Concentration (EC50) of 1 nM and 7.5 nM for testosterone, and 0.05 nM and 0.5 nM for 17β-estradiol, respectively. Freeze-dried cells stored at 4 °C retained maximum sensitivity up to 2 months, while cells stored at -18 °C showed no decrease in sensitivity throughout the study (10 months). This ready-to-use RYA is easily accessible and may be potentially used for on-site applications.