No description available.

No description available.

This study develops a computer-based interactive content design framework to guide the design of metacognitive scaffolds in ill-structured problem-solving instruction. It adopts Type II design and development research approach to create a comprehensive and generalizable instructional design framework. The framework was composed by synthesizing research and practical literature, and then evaluated by experts in related fields. The completed framework includes metacognitive strategies, instructional design strategies, interactive media types, question prompts, and feedback. Instructional designers, instructors, and other key stakeholders could follow the guidelines proposed in this framework to create metacognitive-based ill-structured problem-solving instruction using e-Learning authoring tools. On one hand, this study bridges the gap between theory and practice; on the other hand, it adds to literature in media research with focusing on utilizing various media types to create effective learning materials. / Doctor of Philosophy / This study aims to develop an interactive content design framework to guide the design of metacognitive scaffolds in ill-structured problem-solving instruction. It applies the Type II design and development research method. The framework was proposed by synthesizing pertinent literature, and then evaluated by experts in related fields. The completed framework includes metacognitive strategies, instructional design strategies, interactive media types, question prompts, and feedback. Instructional designers, instructors, and other key stakeholders could follow the guidelines to create computer-mediated instruction using e-Learning authoring tools. On one hand, this study bridges the gap between theory and practice; on the other hand, it adds to literature in media research with implementing various media types to create effective learning materials.

Poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a thermoresponsive polymer with a wide range of biological applications, including drug delivery, biosensing, and tissue engineering. The tunability of the structural and mechanical properties of PNIPAM makes it particularly at- tractive in emulating cell environments and dynamic cytoskeletal deformations. This thesis discusses PNIPAM's properties and applications in different forms i.e., solution, brushes, hydrogels, and surface patterned hydrogels, with specific focus on lithographically patterned substrates coated with PNIPAM films. The scaffolds are investigated for structural and me- chanical responses to thermally driven changes in the PNIPAM hydration states using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM measurements on our lithographically patterned substrates show that the substrate pattern and coating method enable the fabrication of scaffolds with different topographic and mechanical properties across a wide thermal range. Importantly, these scaffolds exhibit variations in both lateral topography and Young's modulus, rendering them well suited for investigations of differential mechanical stresses experienced by cells and cell membranes. / Master of Science / Poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a polymer which can change its water absorption depending on the temperature of its aqueous environment. It transitions from a swollen state at room temperature to a collapsed state at around 32 °C. These thermally tunable properties make PNIPAM an attractive candidate in a variery of applications, including biomedical and biophysical applications. In this thesis, PNIPAM is coated on lithographically patterned substrates to emulate the cellular cytoskeleton. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements are performed to measure the topography and mechanical properties of the fabricated scaffolds. The results show that the coating method and the features of the used substrate allow the fabrication of different surface topographies with biologically relevant mechanics.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential to improve clinical outcomes for many inflammatory and degenerative diseases through delivery of exogenous MSCs via injection or cell-laden scaffolds and through mobilization and migration of endogenous MSCs to injury sites. MSC fate and function is determined by microenvironmental cues, specifically dimensionality, topography, and cell-cell interactions. MSC responses of migration and differentiation are the focus of this dissertation. Cell migration occurs in several physiological and pathological processes; migration mode and cell signaling are determined by the environment and type of confinement in three-dimensional (3D) models. Tendon injury is a common musculoskeletal disorder that occurs through cumulative damage to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Studies combining nanofibrous scaffolds and MSCs to determine an optimal topographical environment have promoted tenogenic differentiation under various conditions. We investigated cellular response of MSCs on specifically designed nanofiber matrices fabricated using a novel spinneret-based tunable engineered parameters production method (STEP). We designed suspended and aligned nanofiber scaffolds to study cellular morphology, tendon marker gene expression, and matrix deposition as determinants for tendon differentiation. The delivery and maintenance of MSCs at sites of inflammation or injury are major challenges in stem cell therapies. Enhancing stem cell homing could improve their therapeutic effects. Homing is a process that involves cell migration through the vasculature to target organs. This process is defined in leukocyte transendothelial migration (TEM); however, far less is known about MSC homing. We investigated two population subsets of MSCs in a Transwell system mimicking the vasculature; migrated cells that initiated transmigration on the endothelium and nonmigrated cells in the apical chamber that failed to transmigrate. Gene and protein expression changes were observed between these subsets and evidence suggests that multiple signaling pathways regulate TEM. The results of these experiments have demonstrated that microenvironmental cues are critical to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of MSC response, specifically in homing and differentiation. This knowledge has identified scaffold parameters required to stimulate tenogenesis and signaling pathways controlling MSC homing. These findings will allow us to target key regulatory molecules and cell signaling pathways involved in MSC response towards development of regenerative therapies. / Ph. D. / Stem cell therapy is one way to improve tissue injury and inflammatory conditions, but to optimize such therapy, we need to study how the environment around cells influence turning them into the injured tissue and how to control their movement to these sites in order for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to exert their therapeutic functions. MSCs move through and detect their environment through the material around them, including organization of the fibers they attach to and neighboring cells. Cell migration is an important cell behavior that occurs in normal and diseased processes. MSCs have great potential to improve clinical outcomes for many inflammatory and degenerative diseases whether through delivery of exogenous MSCs or through mobilization and migration of endogenous MSCs to injury sites. Tendon damage can occur slowly over time and optimal treatment for normal function after injury remains unknown. Equine MSCs were harvested from bone marrow and subjected to scaffolds of different fiber orientation to study whether cells develop characteristics of tendon cells. Cellular responses were similar between scaffolds of aligned fiber orientation. Manipulation of equine bone marrow MSCs through the use of specifically designed nanofiber scaffolds aid in understanding the mechanisms by which the cells respond and function in tendon development, injury, and repair. Inflammation is a necessary process after tissue injury; however, it must progress in a controlled manner and be resolved before it leads to tissue damage and dysfunction. MSCs function in regulating the effects of inflammation and immune cells; however, getting them to these sites and keeping them there remains challenging. MSCs adhere to and migrate through capillaries towards these sites, known as stem cell homing. Human bone marrow MSCs were loaded onto human synovial microvascular endothelial cells to study migration towards an inflammatory stimulus. This stimulus acted on the endothelial cells to produce another stimulus that attracted MSCs to the endothelial cells. These actions resulted in complete MSC migration through the endothelial cells and activated intracellular signals that can be used to increase the number of MSCs that reach the inflammatory sites and stimulate tissue-healing effects.

Antibodies have become a well-established tool in the fields of diagnostics and treatments, especially within oncology, immunology, and infectious diseases. Despite their effectiveness, antibodies are limited by their size, high production costs, and immunogenicity, which in the long run can lead to significant challenges in the medical field. Some well-researched options to antibodies are non-antibody proteins and peptide scaffolds. In this report, focus lies on providing an overview of designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins), Ankyrons, Affibodies, Anticalins, Adnectins and bicyclic peptides, all different formats of non-antibody proteins and peptide scaffolds. Ranging from 1-20 kDa, these non-antibodies feature stable structural elements and modifiable regions for highly specific bonds with high affinity. While originating from natural sources, non-antibodies can be produced synthetically at a low cost, while also decreasing immunogenicity. This report presents the structures of the chosen six formats, and also their function in various applications, as well as their potential to overcome the hurdles of regular antibodies. With the increasing risks of emerging diseases and other health-related issues, non-antibody proteins and peptide scaffolds show great potential for replacing or assisting conventional antibodies in healthcare and biomedical research.

Grafenoxid (GO) ar en lovande kandidat som nano-tillsats i medicinska byggnadsstallningar for benregenerering. GO kan forbattra den biologiska kompatibiliteten och osteogena prestandan hos polymerbaserade byggstallningar, och ocksa vasentligt bidra till forbattringen av materialets mekaniska egenskaper. I detta arbete ympades nano-grafenoxid (nGO) kovalent pa ytan av poly (e-kaprolakton) (PCL) genom att fdrst modifiera polymerytan via aminolys. Med anvandning av 1,6-hexandiamin / isopropanol infordes fria amingrupper framgangsrikt pa PCL-ytan for efterfoljande immobilisering av nGO. En optimerad ympningsprocess utvecklades via en losningsmedelsassisterad metod med vatten som losningsmedel for att kovalent binda nGO pa ytan av PCL byggnadsstallningar. De initiala nGO koncentrationerna var 0,5 och 1 mg / ml. fourier-transform infrarodspektroskopi (FTIR) och termogravimetrisk analys (TGA) verifierade bindningen mellan de funktionella gruppema pa nGO och de fria aminema. Svepelektronmikroskopi (SEM) visade en homogen fordelning av nGO pa ytan av de porosa byggnadsstallningarna. De mekaniska testema som utfordes demonstrerade · en 50 och 21 % okning av kompressionsstyrkan :for byggnadsstallningarna ympade med de initiala nGO-koncentrationema pa 0,5 och 1 mg / ml. In vitro-mineraliseringstester visade bildandet av mineralfallningar pa ytan av byggnadsstallningama som okade i storlek med hogre nGO-halt. A ven nGO: s potential som nano-barare av ett antibiotikum studerades i detta arbete. Pa grund av sitt overflod av kemiska funktionaliteter kan nGO effektivt adsorbera foreningar genom olika sekundara interaktioner. I denna studie optimerades dessa sekundara interaktioner genom att reglera losningens pH for maximal adsorption av ciprofloxacin, ett bredspektrum antibiotikum som anvands vid behandling av osteomyelit. Ciprofloxacin befanns kunna adsorberas starkast i sin katjonform vid pH 5, dar 1t-1t elektron­donatoracceptor (EDA) -interaktioner dominerar. Sammanfattningsvis bekraftar de resultat som presenteras i detta arbete potentialen hos nGO som egenskapsforbattrare och lakemedelsbarare i applikationer inom vavnadsregenerering. / Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising candidate as nano-filler material in scaffolds for bone regeneration. It has been demonstrated to enhance the biological compatibility and osteogenic performance of polymer-based scaffolds, aside from its substantial contribution to the improvement of the material's mechanical properties. In this work, nano-graphene oxide (nGO) was covalently grafted to the surface of poly( e-caprolactone) (PCL) by first modifying the polymer surface via aminolysis. Using 1,6-hexanediamine/isopropanol, free amine groups were successfully introduced to the PCL surface for the subsequent immobilization of nGO. An optimized grafting pathway, which implements the solvent-assisted method and uses water as a solvent, was developed to covalently attach nGO using initial concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg/mL. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) both verified the successful attachment of nGO through the free amines. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) depicts a homogeneous dispersion of nGO over the polymer matrix. Mechanical tests were performed and demonstrate a 50 and 21 % increase in compressive strength for the scaffolds grafted using initial nGO concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mglmL. In vitro mineralization tests showed the formation of mineral precipitates on the surface of the scaffolds that increased in size with higher nGO content. The potential of nGO as a nano-carrier of an antibiotic drug was also explored in this work. As it comprises of an abundance of chemical functionalities, nGO is able to efficiently adsorb compounds through various secondary interactions. In this study, these secondary interactions were optimized by controlling the solution pH for the maximum adsorption of ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of osteomyelitis. Ciprofloxacin was found to be adsorbed most strongly in its cationic form at pH 5, in which 1t-1t electron-donor acceptor (EDA) interactions predominate. Overall, the results presented in this work validate the potential of nGO as nano-enhancer and drug carrier in tissue engineering scaffold applications.

Escafoldes em alumina foram fabricados e em suas superfícies impregnou-se biovidro e hidroxiapatita; realizou-se análise das propriedades mecânica e de interação célula-escafolde in vitro. Estruturas porosas denominadas escafoldes são utilizadas como suportes para crescimento de tecidos, devem apresentar poros abertos interconectados, com morfologia, distribuição e quantidade de poros que confiram resistência mecânica e induzam o crescimento ósseo. Os escafoldes simulam a matriz extracelular e são a chave para a engenharia de tecidos que está conceituada na cultura prévia de células com proteínas morfogenéticas, oferecendo suporte para o crescimento celular na formação do tecido maduro. Neste trabalho desenvolveu-se técnica de manufatura onde foram conformados escafoldes como corpos-de-prova em alumina, em hidroxiapatita e em alumina infiltrada com biovidro e hidroxiapatita. Os escafoldes foram submetidos a ensaios mecânicos de compressão e sofreram análise de interação com células in vitro. A morfologia e a concentração da porosidade dos escafoldes foram analisadas por microscopia de varredura eletrônica e apresentaram porosidade volumétrica de aproximadamente 70% e diâmetro médio de poros em torno de 190 µm. Observou-se interação das células mais vigorosas e com pronunciada mitose nos escafoldes infiltrados relativamente aos escafoldes de alumina e hidroxiapatita. Os resultados indicaram resistência mecânica para os corpos infiltrados de 43,27 MPa, valor inferior ao observado nos escafolde de alumina 52,27 MPa e muito superior aos de hidroxiapatita 0,28 MPa. Conclui-se que os escafoldes de alumina infiltrados com biovidro e hidroxiapatita apresentaram uma combinação promissora nas características mecânicas e biológicas in vitro com viabilidade econômica. / Alumina scaffolds were manufactured and surface impregnated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite; the mechanical properties and the in vitro bone-cell and scaffold interaction were analyzed. Porous matrices are usually denominated as scaffolds in tissue engineering and they are used as supports for the tissue growing; they may have open and interconnected pores, with known porous geometry and distribution and with good mechanical strength and be able to induce the tissue cells growing. Scaffolds can work as extra cell matrices, mimic the desired tissue and are considered as the key for the tissue engineering, offering support for the cellular growing in the formation of mature tissue. In this work, manufacture techniques were developed where scaffolds were conformed in alumina, in hydroxyapatite and in alumina infiltrated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite, as test bodies. The scaffolds were submitted to mechanical compression tests and to the interaction with bone cells in vitro. The morphology and the concentration of the scaffold porosity were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and they presented porosity concentration near 70,0 vol% and medium diameter of pores around 190,0 µm. The cells interaction strongest and more vigorous bone cell interaction with pronounced mitosis was observed in the alumina scaffolds infiltrated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite when compared with the alumina scaffolds and hydroxyapatite scaffolds. The results obtained shown lower values of the mechanical strength for the infiltrated scaffolds (43,27 MPa), higher values for non infiltrated alumina scaffold (52,27 MPa) and very low values for the hydroxyapatite scaffolds (0,28 MPa). As observed, final results shown that alumina scaffolds infiltrated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite presented a promising combination in the mechanical and biological in vitro characteristics with economic viability.

Escafoldes em alumina foram fabricados e em suas superfícies impregnou-se biovidro e hidroxiapatita; realizou-se análise das propriedades mecânica e de interação célula-escafolde in vitro. Estruturas porosas denominadas escafoldes são utilizadas como suportes para crescimento de tecidos, devem apresentar poros abertos interconectados, com morfologia, distribuição e quantidade de poros que confiram resistência mecânica e induzam o crescimento ósseo. Os escafoldes simulam a matriz extracelular e são a chave para a engenharia de tecidos que está conceituada na cultura prévia de células com proteínas morfogenéticas, oferecendo suporte para o crescimento celular na formação do tecido maduro. Neste trabalho desenvolveu-se técnica de manufatura onde foram conformados escafoldes como corpos-de-prova em alumina, em hidroxiapatita e em alumina infiltrada com biovidro e hidroxiapatita. Os escafoldes foram submetidos a ensaios mecânicos de compressão e sofreram análise de interação com células in vitro. A morfologia e a concentração da porosidade dos escafoldes foram analisadas por microscopia de varredura eletrônica e apresentaram porosidade volumétrica de aproximadamente 70% e diâmetro médio de poros em torno de 190 µm. Observou-se interação das células mais vigorosas e com pronunciada mitose nos escafoldes infiltrados relativamente aos escafoldes de alumina e hidroxiapatita. Os resultados indicaram resistência mecânica para os corpos infiltrados de 43,27 MPa, valor inferior ao observado nos escafolde de alumina 52,27 MPa e muito superior aos de hidroxiapatita 0,28 MPa. Conclui-se que os escafoldes de alumina infiltrados com biovidro e hidroxiapatita apresentaram uma combinação promissora nas características mecânicas e biológicas in vitro com viabilidade econômica. / Alumina scaffolds were manufactured and surface impregnated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite; the mechanical properties and the in vitro bone-cell and scaffold interaction were analyzed. Porous matrices are usually denominated as scaffolds in tissue engineering and they are used as supports for the tissue growing; they may have open and interconnected pores, with known porous geometry and distribution and with good mechanical strength and be able to induce the tissue cells growing. Scaffolds can work as extra cell matrices, mimic the desired tissue and are considered as the key for the tissue engineering, offering support for the cellular growing in the formation of mature tissue. In this work, manufacture techniques were developed where scaffolds were conformed in alumina, in hydroxyapatite and in alumina infiltrated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite, as test bodies. The scaffolds were submitted to mechanical compression tests and to the interaction with bone cells in vitro. The morphology and the concentration of the scaffold porosity were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and they presented porosity concentration near 70,0 vol% and medium diameter of pores around 190,0 µm. The cells interaction strongest and more vigorous bone cell interaction with pronounced mitosis was observed in the alumina scaffolds infiltrated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite when compared with the alumina scaffolds and hydroxyapatite scaffolds. The results obtained shown lower values of the mechanical strength for the infiltrated scaffolds (43,27 MPa), higher values for non infiltrated alumina scaffold (52,27 MPa) and very low values for the hydroxyapatite scaffolds (0,28 MPa). As observed, final results shown that alumina scaffolds infiltrated with bio-glass and hydroxyapatite presented a promising combination in the mechanical and biological in vitro characteristics with economic viability.

Ce travail de thèse concerne les verres bioactifs purs et dopés pour des applications en tant que biomatériaux en site osseux. Ils sont synthétisés par fusion dans le système SiO₂-CaO-Na₂O-P₂O₅. Quatre éléments métalliques (Zn, Ti, Cu et Ag), présentant des caractéristiques chimiques et physiologiques intéressantes, ont été introduits dans la matrice vitreuse. Leur réactivité chimique et leur cytotoxicité ont été évalués lors de tests in vitro. L'introduction de ces éléments métalliques influe sur les caractéristiques thermiques des verres ainsi que sur la dissolution de la matrice vitreuse, la cinétique et la cristallisation de la couche d'hydroxyapatite. Une bonne prolifération cellulaire a été mise en évidence. En parallèle, une méthode de synthèse d'une vitrocéramique, présentant une microporosité, a été développée par réaction entre TiN et ZnO. Des essais in vitro ont montré un caractère bioactif après 60 jours d'immersion et une absence de cytotoxicité. Ce biomatériau a ensuite été implanté au niveau de la diaphyse fémorale de lapins. Différentes études structurales ont montré la résorption progressive du biomatériau jusqu'à 6 mois d'implantation. Des scaffolds chitosan / verre bioactif ont également été synthétisés et obtenus par lyophilisation. Ils ont été étudiés lors d'essais in vitro. Ils ont servi de support pour la vectorisation de gentamicine. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les teneurs en chitosan et en verre bioactif ont une influence sur la cristallisation de l'hydroxyapatite et le relargage du médicament. Les modèles mathématiques établis montrent que le temps de relaxation des scaffolds dépend de la concentration de départ en gentamicine. / This research work focuses on the pure and doped bioactive glasses for use as bone biomaterial. They are synthesized by the melting method in the system SiO₂-CaO-Na₂O-P₂O₅. Four metallic elements, presenting interesting chemical and physiological properties, have been introduced in the amorphous matrix. Their chemical reactivity and their cytotoxicity have been evaluated during in vitro assays in simulated body fluid and cell culture media. The introduction of these metallic elements influences their thermal characteristics, the glass matrix dissolution, the kinetic and the crystallization of the hydroxyapatite layer. A good cells proliferation have been showed. In parallel, a method of synthesis of a glass-ceramic, having a microporosity, have been developed by reaction between TiN and ZnO. In vitro assays have showed a bioactive character after 60 days of immersion and a non-cytotoxicity. This biomaterial was implanted in the femoral dyaphisis of rabbits. Different structural studies have showed the gradual resorption of the biomaterial up to 6 months of implantation. Finally, scaffolds chitosan/bioactive glass, obtained by freeze-drying, have also been studied during in vitro assays. They were used as support for the vectorization of gentamicin. The obtained results show that the content of chitosan and bioactive glass have an impact on the crystallization of hydroxyapatite et the release of drug. Mathematic models show that the relaxation time depend on the starting concentration of gentamicin.