No abstract

Natural nerve tissue is composed of nerve bundles with multiple aligned assembles, and matrix electroconductivity is beneficial to the transmission of intercellular electrical signals, or effectively deliver external electrical cues to cells. Herein, aiming at the biomimetic design of the extracellular matrix for neurons, we first synthesized electroconductive polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles with modified hydrophilicity to improve their uniformity in collagen hydrogel. Next, cell-laden collagen−PPy hybrid hydrogel microfibers with highly oriented microstructures were fabricated via a microfluidic chip. The hydrogel microfibers formed a biomimetic three-dimensional microenvironment for neurons, resulting from the native cell adhesion domains, oriented fibrous structures, and conductivity. The oriented fibrous microstructures enhanced neuron-like cells aligning with fibers' axon; the matrix conductivity improved cell extension and upregulated neuralrelated gene expression; moreover, external electrical stimulation further promoted the neuronal functional expression. This mechanism was attributed to the electroconductive matrix and its delivered electrical stimulation to cells synergistically upregulated the expression of an L-type voltage-gated calcium channel, resulting in an increase in the intracellular calcium level, which in turn promoted neurogenesis. This approach has potential in constructing the biomimetic microenvironment for neurogenesis.

The network structure of a three-dimensional hydrogel scaffold dominates its performance such as mechanical strength, mass transport capacity, degradation rate and subsequent cellular behavior. The hydrogels scaffolds with interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) structure have an advantage over the individual component gels and could simulate partly the structure of native extracellular matrix of cartilage tissue. In this study, to develop perfect cartilage tissue engineering scaffolds, IPN hydrogels of collagen/chondroitin sulfate/hyaluronan were prepared via two simultaneous processes of collagen self-assembly and cross linking polymerization of chondroitin sulfate-methacrylate (CSMA) and hyaluronic acid-methacrylate. The degradation rate, swelling performance and compressive modulus of IPN hydrogels could be adjusted by varying the degree of methacrylation of CSMA. The results of proliferation and fluorescence staining of rabbit articular chondrocytes in vitro culture demonstrated that the IPN hydrogels possessed good cytocompatibility. Furthermore, the IPN hydrogels could upregulate cartilage-specific gene expression and promote the chondrocytes secreting glycosaminoglycan and collagen II. These results suggested that IPN hydrogels might serve as promising hydrogel scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Electrical stimulation is regarded pivotal to promote repair of nerve injuries, however, failed to get extensive application in vivo due to the challenges in noninvasive electrical loading accompanying with construction of biomimetic cell niche. Herein, a new concept of magneto responsive electric 3D matrix for remote and wireless electrical stimulation is demonstrated. By the preparation of magnetoelectric core/shell structured Fe3O4@BaTiO3 NPs‐loaded hyaluronan/collagen hydrogels, which recapitulate considerable magneto‐electricity and vital features of native neural extracellular matrix, the enhancement of neurogenesis both in cellular level and spinal cord injury in vivo with external pulsed magnetic field applied is proved. The findings pave the way for a novel class of remote controlling and delivering electricity through extracellular niches‐mimicked hydrogel network, arising prospects not only in neurogenesis but also in human–computer interaction with higher resolution.

To evaluate the effects of manure application on continuous maize seed production, 10-year cattle manure on soil properties, heavy metal in soil and plant were evaluated and investigated in calcareous soil. Results showed that manure application increased soil organic matter, total and available nutrients, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC), and the most massive rate caused the highest increase. Manure application led to an increase in exchangeable fraction and an increase of availability of heavy metal. Residual fraction was dominant among all metals, followed by the fraction bound to Fe and Mn oxides. Manure application involved accumulation of heavy metal on corn, but the accumulation in the stem is higher than that in the seed. Manure application led to a high deficiency of total Zn and high accumulation of total Cd in the soil of corn seed production, which should be a risk for safety seed production in calcareous soil in Northwest China.