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► Calcium carbonate biodeposition method contributed to decrease in water absorption of recycled concrete aggregate. ► Better efficiency was obtained for finer aggregate fraction and ...in the case of aggregate of lower quality. ► Efficiency of calcium chloride and whey as culture media was confirmed. ► Observations under SEM showed covering aggregate grains with calcium carbonate.
A growing demand for raw materials leads to danger of premature depletion of the natural sources. An alternative is to use by-products, provided their quality is improved. The paper presents surface modification of recycled aggregate concrete using biodeposition involving a method employing Sporosarcina pasteurii (Bacillus pasteurii) bacteria. It was possible to obtain reduction in water absorption of aggregate, the effect was more visible in case of finer fractions and for aggregates originating from inferior quality concrete. Calcium chloride was used for precipitation of calcium carbonate, while culture medium consisting of beef extract, peptone and urea was used for cultivation of microorganisms. In addition, whey, ecologically dangerous by-product from dairy industry was found to be effective as a culture medium. Presence of calcium carbonate crystals covering aggregate grains was confirmed by observations under scanning electron microscope. In the perspective, the proposed method, upon appropriate improvements, seems worthwhile due to ecological and technological reasons.
The laboratory experiments tested the influence of selected pesticides on the symbiotic efficiency and nitrogenase activity of Rhizobium leguminosarumin bv. trifolii KGL, Sinorhizobiuni melilotii Bp ...and Badyrhizobium sp. Ornithopus B bacteria entering into symbiosis with clover, lucerne and serradella, respectively. The results obtained indicate that the pesticides used in the experiments (Funaben T seed dressing and Pivot 100SL herbicide) caused reduced nitrogenase activity in active strains tested. In addition, a toxic effect of the applied pesticides on the nodulation and root growth of the tested plants was observed.
The nonviable allogeneic human skin grafts might be considered as the most suitable skin substitutes in the treatment of extensive and deep burns. However, in accordance to biological security such ...grafts require the final sterilization prior to clinical application. The aim of the study was to verify the influence of electron beam irradiation of three selected doses: 18, 25, and 35 kGy on the extracellular matrix of human skin. Prior to sterilization, the microbiological tests were conducted and revealed contamination in all examined cases. Individual groups were subjected to single electron beam radiation sterilization at proposed doses and then subjected to microbiological tests again. The results of microbiological testing performed for all irradiation doses used were negative. Only in the control group was a growth of microorganisms observed. The FTIR spectrometry tests were conducted followed by the histological evaluation and mechanical tests. In addition, cost analysis of radiation sterilization of individual doses was performed. The results of spectroscopic analysis, mechanical tests, and histological staining showed no significant changes in composition and characteristics of tested tissues after their irradiation, in comparison to control samples. The cost analysis has shown that irradiation with 18 kGy is the most cost‐effective and 35 kGy is the least favorable. However, according to biological risk reduction, the recommended sterilization dose is 35 kGy, despite the higher price compared to the other doses tested.
Patients with extensive and deep burns who do not have enough donor sites for autologous skin grafts require alternative treatment methods. Tissue engineering is a useful tool to solve this problem. ...The aim of this study was to find the optimal method for the production of a biovital skin substitute based on acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and in vitro cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes. In this work, nine methods of ADM production were assessed. The proposed methods are based on the use of the following enzymes: Dispase II, collagenase I/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), collagenase II/EDTA, and mechanical perforation using DermaRoller and mesh dermatome. The obtained ADMs were examined (both on the side of the basement membrane and on the “cut‐off” side) by means of scanning electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry tests and strength tests. ADM was revitalized with human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The ability of in‐depth revitalization of cultured fibroblasts and their ability to secrete collagen IV was examined. The obtained results indicate that the optimal method of production of live skin substitutes is the colonization of autologous fibroblasts and keratinocytes on the scaffold obtained using two‐step incubation method: Trypsin/EDTA and dispase II.
Although new therapeutic approaches for burn treatment have made progress, there is still need for efficient coverage of donor fields. Promising dressing for skin graft donor site should be ...biocompatible, attach easily to the wound bed, remain in place until donor site has renewed, and decrease morbidity at the site. Porcine skin may be applied as a dressing for severe burns. Therefore pig skin xenografts can be used also as donor field coverage. In the Burn Treatment Centre, we used gauze soaked in Vaseline to secure donor fields. The aim of the study was to check if transgenic porcine skin is better than standard in donor site coverage used in our center. We showed that dressing reduces pain experienced by patients. The dressing leads to a reduction of hospitalization time by an average of 8 days. The dressing is as safe as the gold standard. Securing the donor field reduces the risk of colonization of the wound in the second smear after application by 60%. The disadvantage of the dressing is the inability to absorb blood; the use of hemostatic ointments in combination with the skin of transgenic pigs should be considered in the future.
There are several causes leading to the loss of cellular material earmarked for transplantation. This paper aims to evaluate the number of lost donors and lost cells in the culture by means of ...verifying both the results of the qualification tests and the presence of microorganisms in the cellular material.
The analysis involved 86 donors hospitalized for thermal burns, from whom cells were harvested for keratinocyte and fibroblast cultures in the years 2011 to 2015. All potential donors underwent qualification tests: Anti-HIV-1,2; HBsAg; Anti-HCV-Ab; HBc, and a specific test for syphilis. In the case of skin fragments collected for culturing, the microbiological tests included the carrying fluid, the medium after 1 change, and the medium during culturing and before transplantation. Skin donors for cell cultures were assigned to the groups based on if the skin was collected up to 7 days following the burn or later.
On average, 12% of the disqualifications were reported among donors for cell culturing. The most frequent cause of donor disqualification (54% of all disqualifications) was a positive HBc(+). The occurrence of fungal infections detected in the cellular material was over 30%. Establishing the culture after day 7 following the injury immediately increases the risk of infection by 25% in comparison to those cultures established before or on day 7 following the injury.
Proper disinfection of donor place is crucial, but sometimes insufficient for maintenance sterility in cell culture. The risk of infection increases 25% after 7 following the injury.
In cell or tissue engineering, it is essential to develop a support for cell-to-cell adhesion, which leads to the generation of cell sheets connected by extracellular matrix. Such supports must be ...hydrophobic and should result in a detachable cell sheet. A thermoresponsive support that enables the cultured cell sheet to detach using only a change in temperature could be an interesting alternative in regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate plates covered with thermoresponsive polymers as supports for the formation of fibroblast sheets and to develop a damage-free procedure for cell sheet transfer with the use of membranes as transfer tools. Human skin fibroblasts were seeded on supports coated with a thermoresponsive polymer: commercial UpCell™ dishes (NUNC™) coated with thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and dishes coated with thermoresponsive poly(tri(ethylene glycol) monoethyl ether methacrylate) (P(TEGMA-EE)). Confluent fibroblast sheets were effectively cultured and harvested from both commercial PNIPAM-coated dishes and laboratory P(TEGMA-EE)-coated dishes. To transfer a detached cell sheet, two membranes, Immobilon-P
®
and SUPRATHEL
®
, were examined. The use of SUPRATHEL for relocating the cell sheets opens a new possibility for the clinical treatment of wounds. This study established the background for implementing thermoresponsive supports for transplanting in vitro cultured fibroblasts.