-
Nature Communications Feb 2020Most mono- and co-culture bioprocess applications rely on large-scale suspension fermentation technologies that are not easily portable, reusable, or suitable for...
Most mono- and co-culture bioprocess applications rely on large-scale suspension fermentation technologies that are not easily portable, reusable, or suitable for on-demand production. Here, we describe a hydrogel system for harnessing the bioactivity of embedded microbes for on-demand small molecule and peptide production in microbial mono-culture and consortia. This platform bypasses the challenges of engineering a multi-organism consortia by utilizing a temperature-responsive, shear-thinning hydrogel to compartmentalize organisms into polymeric hydrogels that control the final consortium composition and dynamics without the need for synthetic control of mutualism. We demonstrate that these hydrogels provide protection from preservation techniques (including lyophilization) and can sustain metabolic function for over 1 year of repeated use. This approach was utilized for the production of four chemical compounds, a peptide antibiotic, and carbohydrate catabolism by using either mono-cultures or co-cultures. The printed microbe-laden hydrogel constructs' efficiency in repeated production phases, both pre- and post-preservation, outperforms liquid culture.
Topics: Coculture Techniques; Escherichia coli; Hydrogels; Preservation, Biological; Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PubMed: 32019917
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14371-4 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Mar 2022Over the last century, several reproductive biotechnologies beyond the artificial incubation of eggs were developed to improve poultry breeding stocks and conserve their... (Review)
Review
Over the last century, several reproductive biotechnologies beyond the artificial incubation of eggs were developed to improve poultry breeding stocks and conserve their genetic diversity. These include artificial insemination (AI), semen storage, diploid primordial germ cell (PGC) methodologies, and gonad tissue storage and transplantation. Currently, AI is widely used for selection purposes in the poultry industry, in the breeding of turkeys and guinea fowl, and to solve fertility problems in duck interspecies crosses for the production of mule ducklings. The decline in some wild game species has also raised interest in reproductive technologies as a means of increasing the production of fertile eggs, and ultimately the number of birds that can be raised. AI requires viable sperm to be preserved in vitro for either short (fresh) or longer periods (chilling or freezing). Since spermatozoa are the most easily accessed sex cells, they are the cell type most commonly preserved by genetic resource banks. However, the cryopreservation of sperm only preserves half of the genome, and it cannot preserve the W chromosome. For avian species, the problem of preserving oocytes and zygotes may be solved via the cryopreservation and transplantation of PGCs and gonad tissue. The present review describes all these procedures and discusses how combining these different technologies allows poultry populations to be conserved and even rapidly reconstituted.
Topics: Animals; Cryopreservation; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Ovum; Plant Breeding; Poultry; Semen Preservation; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35220173
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100475 -
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) Jun 1991
Review
Topics: Adenosine; Allopurinol; Free Radicals; Glutathione; Humans; Insulin; Liver; Liver Circulation; Organ Preservation Solutions; Oxygen; Preservation, Biological; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Raffinose; Reperfusion Injury; Solutions; Specimen Handling; Tissue Preservation
PubMed: 2050338
DOI: No ID Found -
Communications Biology Aug 2022The Frankfurt specimen of the early-branching ceratopsian dinosaur Psittacosaurus is remarkable for the exquisite preservation of squamous (scaly) skin and other soft... (Review)
Review
The Frankfurt specimen of the early-branching ceratopsian dinosaur Psittacosaurus is remarkable for the exquisite preservation of squamous (scaly) skin and other soft tissues that cover almost its entire body. New observations under Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence (LSF) reveal the complexity of the squamous skin of Psittacosaurus, including several unique features and details of newly detected and previously-described integumentary structures. Variations in the scaly skin are found to be strongly regionalized in Psittacosaurus. For example, feature scales consist of truncated cone-shaped scales on the shoulder, but form a longitudinal row of quadrangular scales on the tail. Re-examined through LSF, the cloaca of Psittacosaurus has a longitudinal opening, or vent; a condition that it shares only with crocodylians. This implies that the cloaca may have had crocodylian-like internal anatomy, including a single, ventrally-positioned copulatory organ. Combined with these new integumentary data, a comprehensive review of integument in ceratopsian dinosaurs reveals that scalation was generally conservative in ceratopsians and typically consisted of large subcircular-to-polygonal feature scales surrounded by a network of smaller non-overlapping polygonal basement scales. This study highlights the importance of combining exceptional specimens with modern imaging techniques, which are helping to redefine the perceived complexity of squamation in ceratopsians and other dinosaurs.
Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Dinosaurs; Fossils; Preservation, Biological; Skin
PubMed: 35962036
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03749-3 -
Lancet (London, England) Jul 2019
Topics: Animals; Museums; Physicians; Preservation, Biological; Zoology
PubMed: 31327361
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31569-7 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... May 2019The term "cryopreservation" refers to the process of cooling cells and tissues and storing them at subzero temperatures in order to stop all biological activity and... (Review)
Review
The term "cryopreservation" refers to the process of cooling cells and tissues and storing them at subzero temperatures in order to stop all biological activity and preserve their viability and physiological competences for future use. Cooling to subzero temperatures is not a physiological condition for human cells; this is probably due to the high content of water in the living matter, whose conversion to ice crystals may be associated with severe and irreversible damage. Among reproductive cells and tissues, metaphase II oocytes are notably vulnerable to cryopreservation, mainly because of their large size, low surface area to volume ratio, relatively high water content and presence of the meiotic spindle. As human biological systems lack efficient internal defense mechanisms against chilling injuries, it is of the utmost importance to supply adequate external support, in terms of cryoprotectant additives, appropriate cooling/warming rates, and suitable long-term storage. Over the years, scientists have proposed different cryopreservation strategies in the effort to achieve an optimized recipe ensuring cell survival and, at the same time, maintenance of the physiological functions and abilities necessary to continue life. However, despite the first success obtained in the 1980s with frozen oocytes, it was not until recently that notable improvements in the cryopreservation technique, thanks to the advent of vitrification, allowed a breakthrough of this fine procedure.
Topics: Cell Survival; Cryopreservation; Female; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Oocytes; Vitrification
PubMed: 30739329
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13569 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Telomeres play pivotal roles in processes closely related to somatic senescence and aging, making them a compelling target for interventions aimed at combating aging and...
Telomeres play pivotal roles in processes closely related to somatic senescence and aging, making them a compelling target for interventions aimed at combating aging and age-related pathologies. Ginsenoside, a natural compound, has emerged as a potential remedy for promoting healthy aging, yet how it protects telomeres remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that treatment of F1 can effectively restore the level of TRF2, thereby preserving telomere integrity. This restoration leads to inhibition of the DNA damage response and improvements in mitochondrial function and, ultimately, delays in cellular senescence. Conversely, depletion of TRF2 causes mitochondrial dysfunction, accompanied by increased oxidative stress, autophagy inhibition, insufficient energy metabolism, and the onset of cellular senescence. These observations underscore the critical role of TRF2 in maintaining telomere integrity and direct association with the initiation of cellular senescence. We conduct a further analysis, suggesting F1 could bind in proximity to the TRF2 heterodimer interface, potentially enhancing dimerization stability. These findings suggest that F1 may be a promising natural remedy for anti-aging, and restoring TRF2 could potentially prevent telomere-dependent diseases commonly associated with the aging process.
Topics: Humans; Ginsenosides; Cellular Senescence; Preservation, Biological; Syndrome
PubMed: 37762556
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814241 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Unlike chemical drugs with a single or a few kinds of active compounds, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)uses herbal formulas composed of numerous kinds of chemical...
BACKGROUND
Unlike chemical drugs with a single or a few kinds of active compounds, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)uses herbal formulas composed of numerous kinds of chemical constituents. Therefore, TCM clinical trials require unique and stricter standards for collecting, preserving, and transporting fecal samples than those used for chemical drugs. Unfortunately, there are no special standards for processing fecal samples in TCM clinical trials.
METHODS
We invited interdisciplinary experts within TCM clinical trials and gut microbiome research to help formulate this standard. After more than a year's in-depth discussion and amendments, we achieved a standard expert interviews, literature research, questionnaire surveys, and public opinion solicitation. This standard has been reviewed and approved by the Standards Office of China of the Association of Chinese medicine.
RESULTS
We established a sample information processing method prior to TCM clinical sample collection, which is adapted to the unique features of TCM. The method formulates detailed processing requirements for TCM information in addition to the factors that may disturb the gut microbiome. We also constructed a set of methods for collecting, preserving, and transporting fecal samples that meet the characteristics of TCM. These methods formulate detailed operating specifications on the collection approaches, storage conditions, transportation requirements, and management of fecal samples.
CONCLUSIONS
This standard guides the information processing prior to sample collection and the standard operating procedures for the collection, preservation, and transportation of fecal samples in TCM clinical trials, which also can be used as a reference by clinicians and researchers in modern medicines.
Topics: China; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Feces; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Preservation, Biological
PubMed: 35521221
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.783682 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... May 2024Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is currently the exclusive choice for preserving fertility in both young girls before reaching puberty and young women who require... (Review)
Review
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is currently the exclusive choice for preserving fertility in both young girls before reaching puberty and young women who require immediate chemotherapy. Ovarian tissue transplantation has proven to be effective in restoring hormonal cycles and fertility. However, in certain cancer cases, there is a potential risk of inadvertently reintroducing malignant cells when transplanting cryopreserved ovarian tissue. Therefore, the use of an artificial ovary as an innovative and complementary approach allows for the development of isolated follicles, facilitates oocyte maturation and ovulation, and can partially restore endocrine function. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of techniques used to preserve fertility in natural ovarian tissues, including slow freezing, vitrification and hydrogel encapsulation methods. Additionally, it reviews fertility preservation techniques for artificial ovarian tissues, such as strategies involving hydrogel-encapsulated follicle, scaffolding for constructing ovarian microtissues, and 3D printing engineering. Lastly, this article explores current challenges and difficulties encountered in preserving ovarian tissue fertility, while also anticipating future trends in development, making it a valuable reference for the implementation of ovarian tissue fertility preservation.
Topics: Female; Fertility Preservation; Ovary; Humans; Cryopreservation; Hydrogels; Vitrification; Artificial Organs; Ovarian Follicle; Oocytes; Printing, Three-Dimensional
PubMed: 38783809
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230657 -
Romanian Journal of Morphology and... 2012A sequence of technically reproducible procedures is mandatory to guarantee a proper preservation of tissues and to build up the basis for sound diagnoses. However,... (Review)
Review
A sequence of technically reproducible procedures is mandatory to guarantee a proper preservation of tissues and to build up the basis for sound diagnoses. However, while the goal of these procedures was, until recently, to assure only structural (histological and cytological) preservation, an appropriate preservation of antigenic properties and of nucleic acid integrity is now additionally requested, in order to permit pathologists to provide the biological information necessary for the adoption of personalized therapies. The present review analyses the sequence of technical steps open to critical variations. Passages such as dehydration, paraffin embedding, sectioning and staining are relatively well standardized and allow adoption of dedicated (automatic) apparatuses, while other pre-analytical steps, i.e. time and modalities of transfer of surgical specimens from the surgical theatre to the pathology laboratory (s.c. "ischemia time") and the type and length of fixation are not standardized and are a potential cause of discrepancies in diagnostic results. Our group is involved in European-funded projects tackling these problems with the concrete objective of implementing a model of effective tumors investigations by high performance genetic and molecular methodologies. The problem of the discrepant quality level of histopathological and cytological preparations involved five European countries and exploiting the potential of "virtual slide technology". Concrete issues, techniques and pitfalls, as well as proposed guidelines for processing the tissues are shown in this presentation.
Topics: Histological Techniques; Humans; Preservation, Biological; Tissue Fixation
PubMed: 22732791
DOI: No ID Found