Spatiotemporal proliferation of human stromal cells adjusts to nutrient availability and leads to stanniocalcin-1 expression in vitro and in vivo

Cells and tissues are intrinsically adapted to molecular gradients and use them to maintain or change their activity. The effect of such gradients is particularly important for cell populations that have an intrinsic capacity to differentiate into multiple cell lineages, such as bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Our results showed that nutrient gradients prompt the spatiotemporal organization of MSCs in 3D culture. Cells adapted to their 3D environment without significant cell death or cell differentiation. Kinetics data and whole-genome gene expression analysis suggest that a low proliferation activity phenotype predominates in stromal cells cultured in 3D, likely due to increasing nutrient limitation. These differences implied that despite similar surface areas available for cell attachment, higher cell concentrations in 3D reduced MSCs proliferation, while activating hypoxia related-pathways. To further understand the in vivo effects of both proliferation and cell concentrations, we increased cell concentrations in small (1.8 μl) implantable wells. We found that MSCs accumulation and conditioning by nutrient competition in small volumes leads to an ideal threshold of cell-concentration for the induction of blood vessel formation, possibly signaled by the hypoxia-related stanniocalcin-1 gene.

Dissolution kinetics of iron-, manganese-, and copper-containing synthetic hydroxyapatites

Micronutrient-substituted synthetic hydroxyapatite (SHA) is being evaluated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program for crop production on long-duration human missions to the International Space Station or for future Lunar or Martian outposts. The stirred-flow technique was utilized to characterize Ca, P, Fe, Mn, and Cu release characteristics from Fe-, Mn-, and Cu-containing SHA in deionized (DI) water, citric acid, and diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA). Initially, Ca and P release rates decreased rapidly with time and were controlled by a non-SHA calcium phosphate phase(s) with low Ca/P solution molar ratios (0.91-1.51) relative to solid SHA ratios (1.56-1.64). At later times, Ca/P solution molar ratios (1.47-1.79) were near solid SHA ratios and release rates decreased slowly indicating that SHA controlled Ca and P release. Substituted SHA materials had faster dissolution rates relative to unsubstituted SHA. The initial metal release rate order was Mn >> Cu > Fe which followed metal-oxide/phosphate solubility suggesting that poorly crystalline metal-oxides/phosphates were dominating metal release. Similar metal release rates for all substituted SHA (approximately 0.01 cmol kg-1 min-1) at the end of the DTPA experiment indicated that SHA dissolution was supplying the metals into solution and that poorly crystalline metal-oxide/phosphates were not controlling metal release. Results indicate that non-SHA Ca-phosphate phases and poorly crystalline metal-oxide/phosphates will contribute Ca, P, and metals. After these phases have dissolved, substituted SHA will be the source of Ca, P, and metals for plants.

Multiple forms of microbial enzymes

Multiple forms of one enzyme occur in a wide variety of microorganisms. Their synthesis is often dependent on culture characteristics such as medium composition, physico-chemical parameters, culture age and the presence of inducing or inhibiting agents. Multiform enzymes increase the capability of the producing organism to adapt to and cope with a wide variety of environmental changes, such that the physiological advantages outweigh the apparent wasteful hyperproduction of multiple forms of one enzyme.

Sonobioreactors: using ultrasound for enhanced microbial productivity

Enhanced metabolic productivity of microbial, plant and animal cells in bioreactors can greatly improve the economics of biotechnology processes. Ultrasound is one method of intensifying the performance of live biocatalysts. Ultrasonication is generally associated with damage to cells but evidence is emerging for beneficial effects of controlled sonication on conversions catalyzed by live cells. This review focuses on the productivity enhancing effects of ultrasound on live biological systems and the design considerations for sonobioreactors required for ultrasound-enhanced biocatalysis.

Minimal reaction sets for Escherichia coli metabolism under different growth requirements and uptake environments

A computational procedure for identifying the minimal set of metabolic reactions capable of supporting various growth rates on different substrates is introduced and applied to a flux balance model of the Escherichia coli metabolic network. This task is posed mathematically as a generalized network optimization problem. The minimal reaction sets capable of supporting specified growth rates are determined for two different uptake conditions: (i) limiting the uptake of organic material to a single organic component (e.g., glucose or acetate) and (ii) allowing the importation of any metabolite with available cellular transport reactions. We find that minimal reaction network sets are highly dependent on the uptake environment and the growth requirements imposed on the network. Specifically, we predict that the E. coli network, as described by the flux balance model, requires 224 metabolic reactions to support growth on a glucose-only medium and 229 for an acetate-only medium, while only 122 reactions enable growth on a specially engineered growth medium.

New miniaturized hollow-fiber bioreactor for in vivo like cell culture, cell expansion, and production of cell-derived products

We have developed a miniaturized hollow-fiber bioreactor system for mammalian cell culture with a volume of 1 mL. Cell and medium compartments of the bioreactor are separated by a semipermeable membrane, and oxygenation of the cell compartment is accomplished using an oxygenation membrane. As a result of the geometry of the transparent housing, cells can be observed by microscopy during culture. The leukemic cell lines CCRF-CEM, HL-60, and REH were cultivated up to densities of 3.5 x 10(7)/mL without medium change or manipulation of the cells. As shown using CCRF-CEM cells, growth in the bioreactor was strongly influenced and could be controlled by the medium flow rate. As a consequence, consumption of glucose and generation of lactate varied with flow rate. Depending on the molecular size cutoff of the membranes used, added growth factors such as GM-CSF, as well as factors secreted from the cells, are retained in the cell compartment for up to 1 week. This new miniaturized hollow-fiber bioreactor offers advantages in tissue engineering by continuous nutrient supply for cells in high density, retention of added or autocrine produced factors, and undisturbed long-term culture in a closed system.

Physical-chemical treatment of wastes: a way to close turnover of elements in LSS

"Man-plants-physical-chemical unit" system designed for space stations or terrestrial ecohabitats to close steady-state mineral, water and gas exchange is proposed. The physical-chemical unit is to mineralize all inedible plant wastes and physiological human wastes (feces, urine, gray water) by electromagnetically activated hydrogen peroxide in an oxidation reactor. The final product is a mineralized solution containing all elements balanced for plants' requirements. The solution has been successfully used in experiments to grow wheat, beans and radish. The solution was reusable: the evaporated moisture was replenished by the phytotron condensate. Sodium salination of plants was precluded by evaporating reactor-mineralized urine to sodium saturation concentration to crystallize out NaCl which can be used as food for the crew. The remaining mineralized product was brought back for nutrition of plants. The gas composition of the reactor comprises O2, N2, CO2, NH3, H2. At the reactor's output hydrogen and oxygen were catalyzed into water, NH3 was converted in a water trap into NH4 and used for nutrition of plants. A special accessory at the reactor's output may produce hydrogen peroxide from intrasystem water and gas which makes possible to close gas loops between LSS components.

Wheat response to differences in water and nutritional status between zeoponic and hydroponic growth systems

Hydroponic culture has traditionally been used for controlled environment life support systems (CELSS) because the optimal environment for roots supports high growth rates. Recent developments in zeoponic substrate and microporous tube irrigation (ZPT) also offer high control of the root environment. This study compared the effect of differences in water and nutrient status of ZPT or hydroponic culture on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. USU-Apogee). In a side-by-side test in a controlled environment, wheat was grown in ZPT and recirculating hydroponics to maturity. Water use by plants grown in both culture systems peaked at 15 to 20 L m-2 d-1 up to Day 40, after which it declined more rapidly for plants grown in ZPT culture due to earlier senescence of leaves. No consistent differences in water status were noted between plants grown in the two culture systems. Although yield was similar, harvest index was 28% lower for plants grown in ZPT than in hydroponic culture. Sterile green tillers made up 12 and 0% of the biomass of plants grown in ZPT and hydroponic culture, respectively. Differences in biomass partitioning were attributed primarily to NH4-N nutrition of plants grown in ZPT compared with NO3-N in hydroponic nutrient solution. It is probable that NH4-N-induced Ca deficiency produced excess tillering and lower harvest index for plants grown in ZPT culture. These results suggest that further refinements in zeoponic substrate would make ZPT culture a viable alternative for achieving high productivity in a CELSS.

[The effect of the nutritional sources on the synthesis of exopolysaccharides and amino acids by Bacillus subtilis strains]

Dynamics of cell biomass accumulation and secretion to the medium extracellular polysaccharides and amino acids has been studied in Bacillus subtilis cultures No No 39 and 51 used to produce healing biopreparations--probiotics. The investigation data indicate to certain relation between these processes. EPS secretion in the studied cultures proceeded parallel with their growth and started in the logarithmic phase. Maximum EPS yield was observed by the beginning of the stationary phase after 10-12 h of growth. A successible change in the amino acid content in the medium was observed in the growth process of the studied bacteria: the bacteria first consumed amino acids of the initial medium and then excreted amino acids synthesized into the medium. Under the active production of EPS the content of extracellular amino acids in the medium was inconsiderable. The content of EPS was lower during accumulations of high concentrations of extracellular amino acids. Role of the medium components in regulation of the studied processes has been shown. The ratio C:N in the medium was of essential significance. The C:N ratio 2.0-3.0:1.0 was optimal both for the growth and secretion of EPS by the studied cultures while that of 1.0-1.5:1.0 was optimal for production of the extracellular amino acids. The increase of C:N ratio resulted in the decrease of metabolites secretion by the cultures.

Iodate and iodide effects on iodine uptake and partitioning in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in solution culture

In the Xinjiang province of western China, conventional methods of iodine (I) supplementation (i.e, goiter pills and iodinated salt) used to mitigate I deficiencies were ineffectual. However, the recent addition of KIO3 to irrigation waters has proven effective. This study was conducted to determine the effects of I form and concentration on rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth, I partitioning within the plant, and ultimately to assist in establishing guidelines for incorporating I into the human food chain. We compared IO3- vs. I- in order to determine how these chemical species differ in their biological effects. Rice was grown in 48 L aerated tubs containing nutrient solution and IO3- or I- at 0, 1, 10, or 100 micromoles concentrations (approximately 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg kg-1 I). The IO3- at 1 and 10 micromoles had no effect on biomass yields, and the 100 micromole treatment had a small negative effect. The I- at 10 and 100 micromoles was detrimental to biomass yields. The IO3- treatments had more I partitioning to the roots (56%) on average than did the I- treatments (36%), suggesting differences in uptake or translocation between I forms. The data support the theory that IO3- is electrochemically or biologically reduced to I- prior to plant uptake. None of the treatments provided sufficient I in the seed to meet human dietary requirements. The I concentration found in straw at 100 micromoles IO3- was several times greater than seed, and could provide an indirect source of dietary I via livestock feeding on the straw.

Role of endotoxin in tumor necrosis factor alpha expression from alveolar macrophages treated with urban air particles

The effects of urban air and diesel particles on inflammatory cytokine gene expression, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in particular, were studied in rat alveolar macrophages. TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 gene expression and TNF-alpha secretion were increased in cells treated with 50 to 200 micrograms/mL of urban air particles in a concentration-related manner. There was no cytokine induction by diesel particles at any of the concentrations tested. Cytokine expression was not related to reactive oxygen species since antioxidants, such as catalase, TMTU, or DMSO, had no effect on TNF-alpha secretion. However, cytokine induction by urban air particles was completely prevented by polymyxin B, an antibiotic capable of neutralizing bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activities. Furthermore, LPS was detected on the urban air particles, but not on diesel particle. These results suggest that activation of cytokine gene expression and secretion in rat alveolar macrophages by urban air particles is due to the presence of endotoxin on the particles.

[The effect of physicochemical factors on the growth of Pseudomonas putida BS-2 on a medium with diethylene glycol]

The physicochemical factors of medium have been studied for their effect on the physiological indices of growth of Pseudomonas putida BS-2 culture utilizing diethylenglycol as the only source of carbon. Action of the supraoptimal temperature on the growth process of P. putida BS-2 is accompanied by a decrease (more than twice) in economic coefficient of substrate and specific growth rate as compared with their maximal values. Dependences of specific growth rate of P. putida BS-2 in the medium with diethylenglycol on the presence of NaCl in it within the range of its concentrations from 0 to 4% and methanol in the concentration range of 0-20 g/l follow the noncompetitive inhibition equation. When NaCl concentration in the medium is more than 4%, complete separation of constructive and energy metabolism processes is observed.

[The selection of the composition of the medium for optimizing the amine-synthetic activity of aerobic bacilli]

Nutrient medium chosen as a basic one after preliminary test of several media known from literature has been optimized to intensify biosynthesis and amine nitrogen production by three strains of aerobic sporulating bacteria to culture liquid. The method of mathematical planning used in the experiments has permitted obtaining the components ratio for the medium on which production of amine nitrogen to the environment increased 2.3-3.2 times. The best variants of the optimized medium promoted an increase of the aminosynthetic activity of the studied bacteria by more than 320%. The obtained nutrient medium is appropriate for a wide screening of aerobic bacilli for their ability to synthesize amino compounds.

Lipid interactions with in vitro development of mammalian zygotes

Rabbit zygotes were tested for their ability to sequester radiolabeled acetate, oleate, and arachidonate in intracellular lipid. Radiolabeled arachidonic acid was concentrated 170 +/- 28-fold (mean +/- SEM) and oleic acid was concentrated 105 +/- 26-fold in zygotic lipids during 6 hr of culture when compared with the initial concentrations in culture medium. Acetate was not concentrated into lipids by cultured zygotes. Both long chain fatty acids were incorporated mainly as triglyceride. Polydimethylsiloxane fluid, used to cover the microdroplets of medium during culture, demonstrated lipophilic properties. This characteristic was utilized to indirectly transfer lipids to culture medium, permitting examination only of lipoidal properties of test extracts on embryonal development. For rabbit zygotes, blood plasma extract was detrimental and whole blood extract was beneficial for embryonal cleavage rates during the first 24 hr of culture. A higher proportion of mouse zygotes developed to blastocysts when cultured in modified Ham's F-10 medium compared to BMOC medium, and this difference was negated by inclusion of a lipid extract prepared from rabbit oviductal fluid in the culture system. Comparison of fatty acid analyses of the lipid extracts with development rates of zygotes suggests that modified rates of embryo development may be associated with ratios of individual fatty acids presented to the culture medium rather than with the presence of any single fatty acid.

Design of an elemental analysis system for CELSS research

The results of experiments conducted with higher plants in tightly sealed growth chambers provide definite evidence that the physical closure of a chamber has significant effects on many aspects of a plant's biology. One of these effects is seen in the change in rates of uptake, distribution, and re-release of nutrient elements by the plant (mass balance). Experimental data indicates that these rates are different from those recorded for plants grown in open field agriculture, or in open growth chambers. Since higher plants are a crucial component of a CELSS, it is important that the consequences of these rate differences be understood with regard to the growth and yield of the plants. This paper will focus on the description of a system for elemental analysis which can be used to monitor the mass balance of nutrient elements in CELSS experiments. Additionally, data on the uptake of nutrient elements by higher plants grown in a growth chamber will be presented.