P. S. Timashev

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in 3-D Zr-Si organic-inorganic scaffolds produced by two-photon polymerization technique.

Two-photon polymerization (2PP) is applied for the fabrication of 3-D Zr-Si scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Zr-Si scaffolds with 150, 200, and 250 μm pore sizes are seeded with human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) and human adipose tissue derived stem cells (hASCs) and cultured in osteoinductive and control media for three weeks. Osteogenic differentiation of hASCs and hBMSCs and formation of bone matrix is comparatively analyzed via alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), calcium quantification, osteocalcin staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is observed that the 150 μm pore size Zr-Si scaffolds support the strongest matrix mineralization, as confirmed by calcium deposition. Analysis of ALP activity, osteocalcin staining and SEM observations of matrix mineralization reveal that mesenchymal stem cells cultured on 3-D scaffolds without osteogenic stimulation spontaneously differentiate towards osteogenic lineage. Nanoindentation measurements show that aging of the 2PP-produced Zr-Si scaffolds in aqueous or alcohol media results in an increase in the scaffold Young’s modulus and hardness. Moreover, accelerated formation of bone matrix by hASCs is noted, when cultured on the scaffolds with lower Young’s moduli and hardness values (non aged scaffolds) compared to the cells cultured on scaffolds with higher Young’s modulus and hardness values (aged scaffolds). Presented results support the potential application of Zr-Si scaffolds for autologous bone tissue engineering.

SERS substrates formed by gold nanorods deposited on colloidal silica films

We describe a new approach to the fabrication of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates using gold nanorod (GNR) nanopowders to prepare concentrated GNR sols, followed by their deposition on an opal-like photonic crystal (OPC) film formed on a silicon wafer. For comparative experiments, we also prepared GNR assemblies on plain silicon wafers. GNR-OPC substrates combine the increased specific surface, owing to the multilayer silicon nanosphere structure, and various spatial GNR configurations, including those with possible plasmonic hot spots. We demonstrate here the existence of the optimal OPC thickness and GNR deposition density for the maximal SERS effect. All other things being equal, the analytical integral SERS enhancement of the GNR-OPC substrates is higher than that of the thick, randomly oriented GNR assemblies on plain silicon wafers. Several ways to further optimize the strategy suggested are discussed.

Synthesis of polyacrylonitrile copolymers as potential carbon fibre precursors in CO2

Binary and ternary acrylonitrile (AN) copolymers with methyl acrylate (MA) and either itaconic acid (IA, 1) or IA derivatives (monomethyl itaconate (2), monoethyl itaconate (3), IA monoamide (4), IA mono-n-octylamide (5)) were prepared in CO2. The obtained copolymers have good morphological and molecular weight characteristics. They demonstrate broad heat evolution during thermal cyclisation according to DSC measurements; therefore, they may be used to produce carbon fibres. The polymer yield per reaction volume is 2 to 3 times higher relative to that produced in solution (in DMSO or DMF) or an aqueous suspension.

Synthesis of silver nanocomposites by SCF impregnation of matrices of synthetic opal and Vycor glass by the Ag(hfac)COD precursor

Silver-containing nanocomposites were prepared by impregnating Vycor glass (a pore diameter of 4 nm) and synthesized opal matrices (an interstitial void size of 40 nm) with cyclooctadiene complex of silver hexafluoroacetylacetonate (Ag(hfac)COD), a silver precursor, dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide and were examined by optical absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and electron spin-resonance spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that the absorption spectra of Vycor glass and opal matrices impregnated with Ag(hfac)COD molecules and subjected to thermal treatment in air at temperatures above 50°C exhibit plasmon resonances characteristic of Ag nanoparticles at 420–430 nm. The peculiarities of the plasmon resonance band for both types of samples were attributed to the morphology of the pore space in which silver particles are formed. Paramagnetic Cu(hfac)2 molecules (copper hexafluoroacetylacetonate) were used as a spectroscopic probe for estimating the distribution of the precursor in the pores of Vycor glass and opal matrices during supercritical fluid impregnation.

Combined laser and photodynamic treatment in extensive purulent wounds

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for the treatment of festering wounds and trophic ulcers. An important advantage of PDT is its ability to affect bacterial cultures that are resistant to antibiotics. However the use of PDT alone does not usually guarantee a stable antiseptic effect and cannot prevent an external infection of wounds and burns. In this work attention is focused on the healing of the extensive soft tissues wounds with combined laser therapy (LT) and PDT treatment. At the first stage of this process festering tissues (for example spacious purulent wounds with area more than 100 cm2) were illuminated with high-energy laser beam (with power 20 W) in continues routine. The second stage involves “softer” PDT affect, which along with the completion stages of destruction pathological cells, stimulating the process of wound granulation and epithelization. Also, according to our previous results, photosensitizer (photoditazin) is introduced inside the wound with different amphiphilic polymers for increasing the PDT efficacy.

3D in vitro platform produced by two-photon polymerization for the analysis of neural network formation and function

Zr-Si organic–inorganic scaffolds fabricated by a two-photon polymerization technique were used for the primary culture of mouse embryonic neural cells. We observed that dissociated hippocampal cells adhere to the scaffolds, produce neurites, elongate and differentiate into adult neurons. Neuronal outgrowth and synaptogenesis were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against βIII-Tubulin and synaptophysin. The formation of a functional neural network was assessed by the measurement of spontaneous activity using Ca2+ imaging of dissociated hippocampal cultures grown on Zr-Si scaffolds. The results of this study suggest that two-photon-induced polymerization of organic–inorganic hybrid biomaterials provides a robust model for 3D neuronal tissue engineering studies.

Controllable Laser Reduction of Graphene Oxide Films for Photoelectronic Applications

This article presents a new simple method of creating light-absorbing carbon material for optical devices such as bolometers. A simple method of laser microstructuring of graphene oxide is used in order to create such material. The absorption values of more than 98% in the visible and more than 90% in the infrared range are achieved. Moreover thermal properties of the films, such as temperature dependence and the thermal response of the samples, are studied. The change in resistance with temperature is 13 Ohm K-1, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is 0.3% K-1, and the sensitivity is 0.17 V W-1 at 300 K. Thermal conductivity is rather high at ∼104 W m-1 K-1 at 300 K. The designed bolometer operates at room temperature using incandescent lamp as a light source. This technique suggests a new inexpensive way to create a selective absorption coating and/or active layer for optical devices. Developed GO and rGO films have a large surface area and high conductivity. These properties make carbon coatings a perfect candidate for creating a new type of optoelectronic devices (gas sensors, detectors of biological objects, etc.).

A route to diffusion embedding of CdSe/CdS quantum dots in fluoropolymer microparticles

A green and efficient synthetic approach has been developed using supercritical carbon dioxide as a transport medium for the diffusion embedding of core shell CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QD) into polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) microparticles, leading to matrix immobilisation of QD in PTFE. Transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy probes show that the products are fine dispersive photoluminescent nanocomposites with QD being homogeneously isolated throughout the polymer microparticle volume. Up to 3 × 105 QD can be embedded into a single ∼1 μm PTFE microparticle by this technique without degradation of the microparticulate structure. A further photoluminescence study of thermally heated and laser irradiated CdSe/CdS/PTFE microparticles reveals excellent optical performance and stability over the 20–80 °C temperature range.

Supercritical fluid micronization of risperidone pharmaceutical substance

A comparative study of the supercritical fluid micronization of risperidone pharmaceutical substance with an initial particle size of 50 to 100 μm by the RESS and SAS methods aimed at increasing the bioavailability of risperidone as a drug was performed. Both methods makes it possible to prepare risperidone particle of various forms, 5–20 μm in size. However, the SAS method is preferable, because in contrast to RESS, it does not cause contamination of risperidone with organic solvents used in both processes or any other impurities and also makes it possible to vary the shape and size of particles. It is shown that, during SAS micronization, the polymorphic form of risperidone changes from triclinic to monoclinic.

Comparative Analysis of Proliferation and Viability of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in 3D Scaffolds with Different Architectonics.

3D biodegradable materials (scaffolds) containing bioactive hydroxyapatite molecules fabricated by foaming in supercritical carbon dioxide and by selective laser sintering were used for culturing of mesenchymal stromal cells from the human adipose tissue. Experiments showed that stromal cells from the human adipose tissue adhered and proliferated on all studied types of structures. Addition of hyproxyapatite to the scaffold stimulated proliferation of stromal adipose tissue cells.