2/18/2011
Effects of mechanical stimulation in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on aligned nanofibrous scaffolds
(56-70) Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers 26 #1 (2011)
Abstract
Ngiam et al of the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, China, the Imperial College London, United Kingdom and King Saud University, Saudi Arabia  showed that strain stimulation significantly attenuated the proliferation at week one but significantly enhanced proliferation  at week 4 for both types of substrates. Strain application played a greater influence on osteocalcin expression for the cast films than the nanofibers at week 4. Clearly, the cellular response to strain induction was highly dependent on the surface—cell adhesion, which itself was greatly influenced by the surface texture of the substrate.  (RDC 2/19/2011)

2/4/2011
P-15 functionalized porous microspheres as biomimetic habitats for bone tissue engineering applications
(190–198)Polymers for Advanced Technologies 22 #1 (2011)
Garkhal of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, India prepared Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL, 75/25) solid and porous microspheres (MS) were prepared using solvent evaporation and gas foaming.  Porous MS were modified by P-15 peptide using carbodiimide coupling.   In vitro cell culture studies of P-15 functionalized porous MS exhibited enhanced cell viability, increased formation of actin filament bundles and collagen type I expression as compared to solid MS and 2D (polystyrene 24 well plate), and maintained the mineralization potential of MG-63 cells. The results suggests P-15-modified porous PLCL MS were able to grow the cells with proper cell functionality and hold potential to be used as an injectable cell carrier for bone tissue engineering applications.  (RDC 2/4/2011)