Journal Description
Bioengineering
Bioengineering
is an international, scientific, peer-reviewed, open access journal on the science and technology of bioengineering, published monthly online by MDPI. The Society for Regenerative Medicine (Russian Federation) (RPO) is affiliated with Bioengineering and its members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, CAPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Engineering, Biomedical)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
4.6 (2022)
Latest Articles
The Impact of Defect Size on Bone Healing in Critical-Size Bone Defects Investigated on a Rat Femur Defect Model Comparing Two Treatment Methods
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030287 (registering DOI) - 19 Mar 2024
Abstract
Critical-size bone defects up to 25 cm can be treated successfully using the induced membrane technique established by Masquelet. To shorten this procedure, human acellular dermis (HAD) has had success in replacing this membrane in rat models. The aim of this study was
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Critical-size bone defects up to 25 cm can be treated successfully using the induced membrane technique established by Masquelet. To shorten this procedure, human acellular dermis (HAD) has had success in replacing this membrane in rat models. The aim of this study was to compare bone healing for smaller and larger defects using an induced membrane and HAD in a rat model. Using our established femoral defect model in rats, the animals were placed into four groups and defects of 5 mm or 10 mm size were set, either filling them with autologous spongiosa and surrounding the defect with HAD or waiting for the induced membrane to form around a cement spacer and filling this cavity in a second operation with a cancellous bone graft. Healing was assessed eight weeks after the operation using µ-CT, histological staining, and an assessment of the progress of bone formation using an established bone healing score. The α-smooth muscle actin used as a signal of blood vessel formation was stained and counted. The 5 mm defects showed significantly better bone union and a higher bone healing score than the 10 mm defects. HAD being used for the smaller defects resulted in a significantly higher bone healing score even than for the induced membrane and significantly higher blood vessel formation, corroborating the good results achieved by using HAD in previous studies. In comparison, same-sized groups showed significant differences in bone healing as well as blood vessel formation, suggesting that 5 mm defects are large enough to show different results in healing depending on treatment; therefore, 5 mm is a viable size for further studies on bone healing.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Bone Repair and Regeneration)
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Open AccessArticle
Comparison of Immediate Neuromodulatory Effects between Focal Vibratory and Electrical Sensory Stimulations after Stroke
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Legeng Lin, Wanyi Qing, Yanhuan Huang, Fuqiang Ye, Wei Rong, Waiming Li, Jiao Jiao and Xiaoling Hu
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030286 - 17 Mar 2024
Abstract
Focal vibratory stimulation (FVS) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are promising technologies for sensory rehabilitation after stroke. However, the differences between these techniques in immediate neuromodulatory effects on the poststroke cortex are not yet fully understood. In this research, cortical responses in persons
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Focal vibratory stimulation (FVS) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are promising technologies for sensory rehabilitation after stroke. However, the differences between these techniques in immediate neuromodulatory effects on the poststroke cortex are not yet fully understood. In this research, cortical responses in persons with chronic stroke (n = 15) and unimpaired controls (n = 15) were measured by whole-brain electroencephalography (EEG) when FVS and NMES at different intensities were applied transcutaneously to the forearm muscles. Both FVS and sensory-level NMES induced alpha and beta oscillations in the sensorimotor cortex after stroke, significantly exceeding baseline levels (p < 0.05). These oscillations exhibited bilateral sensory deficiency, early adaptation, and contralesional compensation compared to the control group. FVS resulted in a significantly faster P300 response (p < 0.05) and higher theta oscillation (p < 0.05) compared to NMES. The beta desynchronization over the contralesional frontal–parietal area remained during NMES (p > 0.05), but it was significantly weakened during FVS (p < 0.05) after stroke. The results indicated that both FVS and NMES effectively activated the sensorimotor cortex after stroke. However, FVS was particularly effective in eliciting transient involuntary attention, while NMES primarily fostered the cortical responses of the targeted muscles in the contralesional motor cortex.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biosignal Processing)
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Open AccessArticle
Application of Multivariate Regression and Artificial Neural Network Modelling for Prediction of Physicochemical Properties of Grape-Skin Compost
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Tea Sokač Cvetnić, Korina Krog, Davor Valinger, Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić, Maja Benković, Tamara Jurina, Tamara Jakovljević, Ivana Radojčić Redovniković and Ana Jurinjak Tušek
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030285 - 16 Mar 2024
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The reusability of by-products in the food industry is consistent with sustainable and greener production; therefore, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the applicability of multiple linear regression (MLR), piecewise linear regression (PLR) and artificial neural network models (ANN) to the
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The reusability of by-products in the food industry is consistent with sustainable and greener production; therefore, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the applicability of multiple linear regression (MLR), piecewise linear regression (PLR) and artificial neural network models (ANN) to the prediction of grape-skin compost’s physicochemical properties (moisture, dry matter, organic matter, ash content, carbon content, nitrogen content, C/N ratio, total colour change of compost samples, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids and total colour change of compost extract samples) during in-vessel composting based on the initial composting conditions (air-flow rate, moisture content and day of sampling). Based on the coefficient of determination for prediction, the adjusted coefficient of determination for calibration, the root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), the standard error of prediction (SEP), the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) and the ratio of the error range (RER), it can be concluded that all developed MLR and PLR models are acceptable for process screening. Furthermore, the ANN model developed for predicting moisture and dry-matter content can be used for quality control (RER >11). The obtained results show the great potential of multivariate modelling for analysis of the physicochemical properties of compost during composting, confirming the high applicability of modelling in greener production processes.
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Open AccessArticle
The Nitrogen Content in the Fruiting Body and Mycelium of Pleurotus Ostreatus and Its Utilization as a Medium Component in Thraustochytrid Fermentation
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Lina Schütte, Katharina Hausmann, Christoph Schwarz, Franziska Ersoy and Ralf G. Berger
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030284 - 16 Mar 2024
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Following the idea of a circular bioeconomy, the use of side streams as substitutes for cultivation media (components) in bioprocesses would mean an enormous economic and ecological advantage. Costly compounds in conventional media for the production of the triterpene squalene in thraustochytrids are
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Following the idea of a circular bioeconomy, the use of side streams as substitutes for cultivation media (components) in bioprocesses would mean an enormous economic and ecological advantage. Costly compounds in conventional media for the production of the triterpene squalene in thraustochytrids are the main carbon source and complex nitrogen sources. Among other side streams examined, extracts from the spent mycelium of the basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus were best-suited to acting as alternative nitrogen sources in cultivation media for thraustochytrids. The total nitrogen (3.76 ± 0.01 and 4.24 ± 0.04%, respectively) and protein (16.47 ± 0.06 and 18.57 ± 0.18%, respectively) contents of the fruiting body and mycelium were determined. The fungal cells were hydrolyzed and extracted to generate accessible nitrogen sources. Under preferred conditions, the extracts from the fruiting body and mycelium contained 73.63 ± 1.19 and 89.93 ± 7.54 mM of free amino groups, respectively. Cultivations of Schizochytrium sp. S31 on a medium using a mycelium extract as a complex nitrogen source showed decelerated growth but a similar squalene yield (123.79 ± 14.11 mg/L after 216 h) compared to a conventional medium (111.29 ± 19.96 mg/L, although improvable by additional complex nitrogen source).
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Open AccessArticle
Adaptive Network Model for Assisting People with Disabilities through Crowd Monitoring and Control
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Alicia Falcon-Caro, Evtim Peytchev and Saeid Sanei
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030283 - 16 Mar 2024
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Here, we present an effective application of adaptive cooperative networks, namely assisting disables in navigating in a crowd in a pandemic or emergency situation. To achieve this, we model crowd movement and introduce a cooperative learning approach to enable cooperation and self-organization of
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Here, we present an effective application of adaptive cooperative networks, namely assisting disables in navigating in a crowd in a pandemic or emergency situation. To achieve this, we model crowd movement and introduce a cooperative learning approach to enable cooperation and self-organization of the crowd members with impaired health or on wheelchairs to ensure their safe movement in the crowd. Here, it is assumed that the movement path and the varying locations of the other crowd members can be estimated by each agent. Therefore, the network nodes (agents) should continuously reorganize themselves by varying their speeds and distances from each other, from the surrounding walls, and from obstacles within a predefined limit. It is also demonstrated how the available wireless trackers such as AirTags can be used for this purpose. The model effectiveness is examined with respect to the real-time changes in environmental parameters and its efficacy is verified.
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Open AccessArticle
Biohydrogen Production from Waste Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa) Extract Liquid
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Nesrin Dursun and Hakki Gülşen
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030282 - 16 Mar 2024
Abstract
Hydrogen creates water during combustion. Therefore, it is expected to be the most promising environmentally friendly energy alternative in the coming years. This study used extract liquid obtained from the waste nigella sativa generated by the black cumin oil industry. The performance of
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Hydrogen creates water during combustion. Therefore, it is expected to be the most promising environmentally friendly energy alternative in the coming years. This study used extract liquid obtained from the waste nigella sativa generated by the black cumin oil industry. The performance of biological hydrogen manufacturing via dark fermentation was investigated in the fluidized bed reactor (FBR) and completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) under the operation conditions of pH 5.0, 4.0, and 6.0 and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 36 and 24 h. The performance of hydrogen manufacturing was determined to be good under an organic loading ratio (OLR) of 6.66 g.nigella sativa extract/L and pH 4.0. According to these conditions, the maximum amount of hydrogen in CSTR and FBR was found to be 20.8 and 7.6 mL H2/day, respectively. The operating process of the reactors displayed that a reduction in HRT augmented biohydrogen manufacturing. The work that used mixed culture found that the dominant microbial population at pH 4.0 involved Hydrogenimonas thermophila, Sulfurospirillum carboxydovorans, Sulfurospirillum cavolei, Sulfurospirillum alkalitolerans, and Thiofractor thiocaminus. No research on waste black cumin extract was found in biohydrogen studies, and it was determined that this substrate source is applicable for biological hydrogen manufacturing.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Bioengineering: Biochemical Engineering)
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Open AccessReview
Advances in Biological Wastewater Treatment Processes: Focus on Low-Carbon Energy and Resource Recovery in Biorefinery Context
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J. Shanthi Sravan, Leonidas Matsakas and Omprakash Sarkar
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030281 - 16 Mar 2024
Abstract
Advancements in biological wastewater treatment with sustainable and circularity approaches have a wide scope of application. Biological wastewater treatment is widely used to remove/recover organic pollutants and nutrients from a diverse wastewater spectrum. However, conventional biological processes face challenges, such as low efficiency,
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Advancements in biological wastewater treatment with sustainable and circularity approaches have a wide scope of application. Biological wastewater treatment is widely used to remove/recover organic pollutants and nutrients from a diverse wastewater spectrum. However, conventional biological processes face challenges, such as low efficiency, high energy consumption, and the generation of excess sludge. To overcome these limitations, integrated strategies that combine biological treatment with other physical, chemical, or biological methods have been developed and applied in recent years. This review emphasizes the recent advances in integrated strategies for biological wastewater treatment, focusing on their mechanisms, benefits, challenges, and prospects. The review also discusses the potential applications of integrated strategies for diverse wastewater treatment towards green energy and resource recovery, along with low-carbon fuel production. Biological treatment methods, viz., bioremediation, electro-coagulation, electro-flocculation, electro-Fenton, advanced oxidation, electro-oxidation, bioelectrochemical systems, and photo-remediation, are summarized with respect to non-genetically modified metabolic reactions. Different conducting materials (CMs) play a significant role in mass/charge transfer metabolic processes and aid in enhancing fermentation rates. Carbon, metal, and nano-based CMs hybridization in different processes provide favorable conditions to the fermentative biocatalyst and trigger their activity towards overcoming the limitations of the conventional process. The emerging field of nanotechnology provides novel additional opportunities to surmount the constraints of conventional process for enhanced waste remediation and resource valorization. Holistically, integrated strategies are promising alternatives for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of biological wastewater treatment while also contributing to the circular economy and environmental protection.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery)
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Open AccessArticle
The Effect of a New Generation of Ankle Foot Orthoses on Sloped Walking in Children with Hemiplegia Using the Gait Real Time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL)
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Federica Camuncoli, Giorgia Malerba, Emilia Biffi, Eleonora Diella, Eugenio Di Stanislao, Guerrino Rosellini, Daniele Panzeri, Luigi Piccinini and Manuela Galli
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030280 - 16 Mar 2024
Abstract
Cerebral palsy poses challenges in walking, necessitating ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for stability. Gait analysis, particularly on slopes, is crucial for effective AFO assessment. The study aimed to compare the performance of commercially available AFOs with a new sports-specific AFO in children with
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Cerebral palsy poses challenges in walking, necessitating ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for stability. Gait analysis, particularly on slopes, is crucial for effective AFO assessment. The study aimed to compare the performance of commercially available AFOs with a new sports-specific AFO in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and to assess the effects of varying slopes on gait. Eighteen participants, aged 6–11, with hemiplegia, underwent gait analysis using GRAIL technology. Two AFO types were tested on slopes (uphill +10 deg, downhill −5 deg, level-ground). Kinematic, kinetic, and spatiotemporal parameters were analyzed. The new AFO contributed to significant changes in ankle dorsi-plantar-flexion, foot progression, and trunk and hip rotation during downhill walking. Additionally, the new AFO had varied effects on spatiotemporal gait parameters, with an increased stride length during downhill walking. Slope variations significantly influenced the kinematics and kinetics. This study provides valuable insights into AFO effectiveness and the impact of slopes on gait in hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The findings underscore the need for personalized interventions, considering environmental factors, and enhancing clinical and research approaches for improving mobility in cerebral palsy.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Motor Disabilities)
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Open AccessArticle
Off-Label Use of an External Hand Fixator for Craniomaxillofacial Fractures—An Anatomical Feasibility Study
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Florian Wichlas, Marco Necchi, Teresa Gruber, Valeska Hofmann, Susanne Deininger, Sebastian Hubertus Markus Deininger, Amelie Deluca, Eva Steidle-Kloc, Jan Pruszak, Jörn Wittig and Christian Deininger
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030279 - 15 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: The lack of resources limits the treatment of craniomaxillofacial fractures (CMF) in low-income countries (LIC). Therefore, Barton bandages and/or interdental wiring are considered in these regions. Fracture reduction is maintained by permanent occlusion for 6 weeks, which often leads to limited compliance
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Background: The lack of resources limits the treatment of craniomaxillofacial fractures (CMF) in low-income countries (LIC). Therefore, Barton bandages and/or interdental wiring are considered in these regions. Fracture reduction is maintained by permanent occlusion for 6 weeks, which often leads to limited compliance and dissatisfying results. The aim of this cadaver-based study is to evaluate the feasibility of the use of an external face fixator (EFF) for the treatment of CMF, its biomechanical values and to define the optimal pin insertion points and angles. Materials and Methods: An AO hand fixator was used. CMF of types Le Fort 1–3 with split fractures of the hard palate were treated with EFF on 13 anatomical specimens. Fractures were created using a chisel, and pins were placed in specific anatomical regions. The maximal pull-out force [N] of pins was analysed by a tensile force gauge, and Fmax of the mandibular pins was evaluated. Computer tomography scans were performed on the healthy, fractured and EFF-treated skulls. Results: The pull-out forces for the single pins were mandibular pins (n = 15, median 488.0 N), supraorbital pins (n = 15, median 455.0 N), zygomatic pins (n = 14, median 269.1 N), medial hard palate pins (n = 12, median 208.4 N) and lateral hard palate pins (n = 8, median 49.6 N). Conclusions: The results indicate that the operation technique is feasible, and the stability of the EFF is sufficient for maintaining the reduction. The required pins can safely be inserted into the described areas with good reduction results. Using EFF offers a feasible alternative to the non-surgical treatment of CMF in LIC.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Treatment of Maxillofacial Trauma)
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Open AccessArticle
Dense Multi-Scale Graph Convolutional Network for Knee Joint Cartilage Segmentation
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Christos Chadoulos, Dimitrios Tsaopoulos, Andreas Symeonidis, Serafeim Moustakidis and John Theocharis
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030278 - 14 Mar 2024
Abstract
In this paper, we propose a dense multi-scale adaptive graph convolutional network (DMA-GCN) method for automatic segmentation of the knee joint cartilage from MR images. Under the multi-atlas setting, the suggested approach exhibits several novelties, as described in the following. First,
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In this paper, we propose a dense multi-scale adaptive graph convolutional network (DMA-GCN) method for automatic segmentation of the knee joint cartilage from MR images. Under the multi-atlas setting, the suggested approach exhibits several novelties, as described in the following. First, our models integrate both local-level and global-level learning simultaneously. The local learning task aggregates spatial contextual information from aligned spatial neighborhoods of nodes, at multiple scales, while global learning explores pairwise affinities between nodes, located globally at different positions in the image. We propose two different structures of building models, whereby the local and global convolutional units are combined by following an alternating or a sequential manner. Secondly, based on the previous models, we develop the DMA-GCN network, by utilizing a densely connected architecture with residual skip connections. This is a deeper GCN structure, expanded over different block layers, thus being capable of providing more expressive node feature representations. Third, all units pertaining to the overall network are equipped with their individual adaptive graph learning mechanism, which allows the graph structures to be automatically learned during training. The proposed cartilage segmentation method is evaluated on the entire publicly available Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) cohort. To this end, we have devised a thorough experimental setup, with the goal of investigating the effect of several factors of our approach on the classification rates. Furthermore, we present exhaustive comparative results, considering traditional existing methods, six deep learning segmentation methods, and seven graph-based convolution methods, including the currently most representative models from this field. The obtained results demonstrate that the DMA-GCN outperforms all competing methods across all evaluation measures, providing and for the segmentation of femoral and tibial cartilage, respectively.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning Technology in Biomedical Engineering)
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Open AccessBrief Report
Evaluating Cognitive-Motor Interference in Multiple Sclerosis: A Technology-Based Approach
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Jessica Podda, Ludovico Pedullà, Giampaolo Brichetto and Andrea Tacchino
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030277 - 14 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) frequently present both cognitive and motor impairments, so it is reasonable to assume they may have difficulties in executing dual-tasks (DT). The aim of the present study is to identify novel technology-based parameters to assess cognitive-motor interference
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Background: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) frequently present both cognitive and motor impairments, so it is reasonable to assume they may have difficulties in executing dual-tasks (DT). The aim of the present study is to identify novel technology-based parameters to assess cognitive-motor interference (CMI) in PwMS. In particular, we focused on the definition of dual-task cost (DTC) measures using wearable and portable tools such as insoles and mobile apps. Methods: All participants underwent a verbal fluency task (cognitive single-task, ST), a motor ST of walking, and a combination of these tasks (DT). Number of words uttered in the cognitive ST and steps recorded by insoles were used to calculate the motor and cognitive DTC. Results: The number of steps strongly correlated with the walked meters for both single- (r = 0.88, p < 0.05) and dual- (r = 0.91, p < 0.05) tasks. Motor but not cognitive performances significantly worsened during DT. Over the cognitive ST and DT, the number of pronounced words progressively decreased, probably due to the activation of different cognitive processes. Cognitive efforts could be the cause of cognitive task prioritization. Conclusions: Our findings promote the use of low-cost devices to assess CMI easily in the clinical context and to detect ecologically valid DT impairments.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis)
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Open AccessArticle
Active Claw-Shaped Dry Electrodes for EEG Measurement in Hair Areas
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Zaihao Wang, Yuhao Ding, Wei Yuan, Hongyu Chen, Wei Chen and Chen Chen
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030276 - 13 Mar 2024
Abstract
EEG, which can provide brain alteration information via recording the electrical activity of neurons in the cerebral cortex, has been widely used in neurophysiology. However, conventional wet electrodes in EEG monitoring typically suffer from inherent limitations, including the requirement of skin pretreatment, the
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EEG, which can provide brain alteration information via recording the electrical activity of neurons in the cerebral cortex, has been widely used in neurophysiology. However, conventional wet electrodes in EEG monitoring typically suffer from inherent limitations, including the requirement of skin pretreatment, the risk of superficial skin infections, and signal performance deterioration that may occur over time due to the air drying of the conductive gel. Although the emergence of dry electrodes has overcome these shortcomings, their electrode–skin contact impedance is significantly high and unstable, especially in hair-covered areas. To address the above problems, an active claw-shaped dry electrode is designed, moving from electrode morphological design, slurry preparation, and coating to active electrode circuit design. The active claw-shaped dry electrode, which consists of a claw-shaped electrode and active electrode circuit, is dedicated to offering a flexible solution for elevating electrode fittings on the scalp in hair-covered areas, reducing electrode–skin contact impedance and thus improving the quality of the acquired EEG signal. The performance of the proposed electrodes was verified by impedance, active electrode circuit, eyes open-closed, steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP), and anti-interference tests, based on EEG signal acquisition. Experimental results show that the proposed claw-shaped electrodes (without active circuit) can offer a better fit between the scalp and electrodes, with a low electrode–skin contact impedance (18.62 KΩ@1 Hz in the hairless region and 122.15 KΩ@1 Hz in the hair-covered region). In addition, with the active circuit, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the acquiring EEG signal was improved and power frequency interference was restrained, therefore, the proposed electrodes can yield an EEG signal quality comparable to wet electrodes.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biosignal Processing)
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Open AccessArticle
Gait Recognition and Assistance Parameter Prediction Determination Based on Kinematic Information Measured by Inertial Measurement Units
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Qian Xiang, Jiaxin Wang, Yong Liu, Shijie Guo and Lei Liu
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030275 - 13 Mar 2024
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The gait recognition of exoskeletons includes motion recognition and gait phase recognition under various road conditions. The recognition of gait phase is a prerequisite for predicting exoskeleton assistance time. The estimation of real-time assistance time is crucial for the safety and accurate control
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The gait recognition of exoskeletons includes motion recognition and gait phase recognition under various road conditions. The recognition of gait phase is a prerequisite for predicting exoskeleton assistance time. The estimation of real-time assistance time is crucial for the safety and accurate control of lower-limb exoskeletons. To solve the problem of predicting exoskeleton assistance time, this paper proposes a gait recognition model based on inertial measurement units that combines the real-time motion state recognition of support vector machines and phase recognition of long short-term memory networks. A recognition validation experiment was conducted on 30 subjects to determine the reliability of the gait recognition model. The results showed that the accuracy of motion state and gait phase were 99.98% and 98.26%, respectively. Based on the proposed SVM-LSTM gait model, exoskeleton assistance time was predicted. A test was conducted on 10 subjects, and the results showed that using assistive therapy based on exercise status and gait stage can significantly improve gait movement and reduce metabolic costs by an average of more than 10%.
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Open AccessArticle
Correlation between Malocclusion and Mandibular Fractures: An Experimental Study Comparing Dynamic Finite Element Models and Clinical Case Studies
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Giorgio Novelli, Andrea Filippi, Andrea Cartocci, Sergio Mirabella, Marco Talarico, Elena De Ponti, Maria Costanza Meazzini, Davide Sozzi, Gabriele Canzi and Marco Anghileri
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030274 - 12 Mar 2024
Abstract
Mandibular fractures are very common in maxillofacial trauma surgery. While previous studies have focused on possible risk factors related to post-operative complications, none have tried to identify pre-existing conditions that may increase the risk of mandibular fractures. We hypothesized, through clinical observation, that
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Mandibular fractures are very common in maxillofacial trauma surgery. While previous studies have focused on possible risk factors related to post-operative complications, none have tried to identify pre-existing conditions that may increase the risk of mandibular fractures. We hypothesized, through clinical observation, that anatomical conditions involving poor dental contacts, such as malocclusions, may increase the risk of mandibular fractures. This work was subdivided into two parts. In the first part, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data of four healthy patients characterized by different dentoskeletal occlusions (class I, class II, class III, and anterior open bite) have been used to develop four finite element models (FEMs) that accurately reproduce human bone structure. A vertical and lateral impact have been simulated at increasing speed on each model, analyzing the force distribution within the mandibular bone. Both vertical and lateral impact showed higher level of stress at the impact point and in the condylar area in models characterized by malocclusion. Specifically, the class III and the open bite models, at the same speed of impact, had higher values for a longer period, reaching critical stress levels that are correlated with mandibular fracture, while normal occlusion seems to be a protective condition. In the second part of this study, the engineering results were validated through the comparison with a sample of patients previously treated for mandibular fracture. Data from 223 mandibular fractures, due to low-energy injuries, were retrospectively collected to evaluate a possible correlation between pre-existing malocclusion and fracture patterns, considering grade of displacement, numbers of foci, and associated CFI score. Patients were classified, according to their occlusion, into Class I, Class II, Class III, and anterior open bite or poor occlusal contact (POC). Class I patients showed lower frequencies of fracture than class II, III, and open bite or POC patients. Class I was associated with displaced fractures in 16.1% of cases, class II in 47.1%, class III in 48.8% and open bite/POC in 65.2% of cases (p-value < 0.0001). In class I patients we observed a single non-displaced fracture in 51.6% of cases, compared to 12.9% of Class II, 19.5% of Class III and 22.7% of the open bite/POC group. Our analysis shows that class I appears to better dissipate forces applied on the mandible in low-energy injuries. A higher number of dental contacts showed a lower rate of multifocal and displaced fractures, mitigating the effect of direct forces onto the bone. The correlation between clinical data and virtual simulation on FEM models seems to point out that virtual simulation successfully predicts fracture patterns and risk of association with different type of occlusion. Better knowledge of biomechanics and force dissipation on the human body may lead to the development of more effective safety devices, and help select patients to plan medical, orthodontic/dental, and/or surgical intervention to prevent injuries.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer-Assisted Maxillofacial Surgery)
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Open AccessArticle
Development of the AI Pipeline for Corneal Opacity Detection
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Kenji Yoshitsugu, Eisuke Shimizu, Hiroki Nishimura, Rohan Khemlani, Shintaro Nakayama and Tadamasa Takemura
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030273 - 12 Mar 2024
Abstract
Ophthalmological services face global inadequacies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, which are marked by a shortage of practitioners and equipment. This study employed a portable slit lamp microscope with video capabilities and cloud storage for more equitable global diagnostic resource distribution. To
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Ophthalmological services face global inadequacies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, which are marked by a shortage of practitioners and equipment. This study employed a portable slit lamp microscope with video capabilities and cloud storage for more equitable global diagnostic resource distribution. To enhance accessibility and quality of care, this study targets corneal opacity, which is a global cause of blindness. This study has two purposes. The first is to detect corneal opacity from videos in which the anterior segment of the eye is captured. The other is to develop an AI pipeline to detect corneal opacities. First, we extracted image frames from videos and processed them using a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Second, we manually annotated the images to extract only the corneal margins, adjusted the contrast with CLAHE, and processed them using the CNN model. Finally, we performed semantic segmentation of the cornea using annotated data. The results showed an accuracy of 0.8 for image frames and 0.96 for corneal margins. Dice and IoU achieved a score of 0.94 for semantic segmentation of the corneal margins. Although corneal opacity detection from video frames seemed challenging in the early stages of this study, manual annotation, corneal extraction, and CLAHE contrast adjustment significantly improved accuracy. The incorporation of manual annotation into the AI pipeline, through semantic segmentation, facilitated high accuracy in detecting corneal opacity.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Medical Image Processing and Segmentation, 2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
A One-Year Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Three Types of Narrow-Diameter Implants for Fixed Partial Implant-Supported Prosthesis in the Mandibular Incisor Area
by
Ji-Ho Ahn, Young-Jun Lim, Jungwon Lee, Yeon-Wha Baek, Myung-Joo Kim and Ho-Beom Kwon
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030272 - 12 Mar 2024
Abstract
Narrow-diameter implants (NDI) serve as a solution for treating limited bone volume in the anterior mandible. This study aimed to evaluate the one-year clinical outcomes of various NDIs in the mandibular incisor area after immediate loading in partially edentulous patients. This single-center, prospective,
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Narrow-diameter implants (NDI) serve as a solution for treating limited bone volume in the anterior mandible. This study aimed to evaluate the one-year clinical outcomes of various NDIs in the mandibular incisor area after immediate loading in partially edentulous patients. This single-center, prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial study included 21 patients, with 7 patients in each of the following groups: control (BLT NC SLActive®; Straumann), experimental group 1 (CMI IS-III Active® S-Narrow; Neobiotech), and experimental group 2 (CMI IS-III Active® Narrow; Neobiotech). Using full digital flow, two fixtures were placed in each patient and immediately provisionalized on the day of surgery. Evaluations encompassed periapical radiographs, implant stability quotient (ISQ), implant stability test (IST) readings, per-implant soft tissue health, patient satisfaction surveys, and esthetic score assessments. Definitive prostheses were delivered twelve weeks post-surgery (CRiS, number: KCT0007300). Following exclusions due to low stability values (n = 2), fixture failure (n = 5), and voluntary withdrawal (n = 1), the implant success rate for patients completing all clinical protocols stood at 100%. The resulting patient failure rates in the control, experimental group 1, and experimental group 2 were 50.0%, 42.9%, and 14.3%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of marginal bone loss, soft tissue health, patient satisfaction, and esthetic scores. Narrow implants showed superior clinical outcomes, followed by S-Narrow and Straumann implants. Calculated one-year survival rates at the implant level were 66.7% for the control group, 85.7% for experimental group 1, and 100% for experimental group 2. All three types of NDIs showed acceptable clinical and radiographic results during the year-long observation period.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Implant Reconstruction and Biomechanical Evaluation)
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Open AccessReview
Applications of Imaging Technologies in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: A Narrative Literature Review
by
Sang Beom Han, Yu-Chi Liu, Chang Liu and Jodhbir S. Mehta
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030271 - 11 Mar 2024
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by the slow and progressive degeneration of corneal endothelial cells. Thus, it may result in corneal endothelial decompensation and irreversible corneal edema. Moreover, FECD is associated with alterations in all corneal layers,
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Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by the slow and progressive degeneration of corneal endothelial cells. Thus, it may result in corneal endothelial decompensation and irreversible corneal edema. Moreover, FECD is associated with alterations in all corneal layers, such as thickening of the Descemet membrane, stromal scarring, subepithelial fibrosis, and the formation of epithelial bullae. Hence, anterior segment imaging devices that enable precise measurement of functional and anatomical changes in the cornea are essential for the management of FECD. In this review, the authors will introduce studies on the application of various imaging modalities, such as anterior segment optical coherence tomography, Scheimpflug corneal tomography, specular microscopy, in vitro confocal microscopy, and retroillumination photography, in the diagnosis and monitoring of FECD and discuss the results of these studies. The application of novel technologies, including image processing technology and artificial intelligence, that are expected to further enhance the accuracy, precision, and speed of the imaging technologies will also be discussed.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Clinical Applications of Anterior Segment Imaging Techniques)
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Open AccessArticle
Enhancing Diagnostic Images to Improve the Performance of the Segment Anything Model in Medical Image Segmentation
by
Luoyi Kong, Mohan Huang, Lingfeng Zhang and Lawrence Wing Chi Chan
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030270 - 09 Mar 2024
Abstract
Medical imaging serves as a crucial tool in current cancer diagnosis. However, the quality of medical images is often compromised to minimize the potential risks associated with patient image acquisition. Computer-aided diagnosis systems have made significant advancements in recent years. These systems utilize
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Medical imaging serves as a crucial tool in current cancer diagnosis. However, the quality of medical images is often compromised to minimize the potential risks associated with patient image acquisition. Computer-aided diagnosis systems have made significant advancements in recent years. These systems utilize computer algorithms to identify abnormal features in medical images, assisting radiologists in improving diagnostic accuracy and achieving consistency in image and disease interpretation. Importantly, the quality of medical images, as the target data, determines the achievable level of performance by artificial intelligence algorithms. However, the pixel value range of medical images differs from that of the digital images typically processed via artificial intelligence algorithms, and blindly incorporating such data for training can result in suboptimal algorithm performance. In this study, we propose a medical image-enhancement scheme that integrates generic digital image processing and medical image processing modules. This scheme aims to enhance medical image data by endowing them with high-contrast and smooth characteristics. We conducted experimental testing to demonstrate the effectiveness of this scheme in improving the performance of a medical image segmentation algorithm.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence for Computer-Aided Detection in Biomedical Applications)
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Analysis of Intracranial Aneurysm Haemodynamics Altered by Wall Movement
by
Aurèle Goetz, Pablo Jeken-Rico, Yves Chau, Jacques Sédat, Aurélien Larcher and Elie Hachem
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030269 - 09 Mar 2024
Abstract
Computational fluid dynamics is intensively used to deepen our understanding of aneurysm growth and rupture in an attempt to support physicians during therapy planning. Numerous studies assumed fully rigid vessel walls in their simulations, whose sole haemodynamics may fail to provide a satisfactory
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Computational fluid dynamics is intensively used to deepen our understanding of aneurysm growth and rupture in an attempt to support physicians during therapy planning. Numerous studies assumed fully rigid vessel walls in their simulations, whose sole haemodynamics may fail to provide a satisfactory criterion for rupture risk assessment. Moreover, direct in vivo observations of intracranial aneurysm pulsation were recently reported, encouraging the development of fluid–structure interaction for their modelling and for new assessments. In this work, we describe a new fluid–structure interaction functional setting for the careful evaluation of different aneurysm shapes. The configurations consist of three real aneurysm domes positioned on a toroidal channel. All geometric features, employed meshes, flow quantities, comparisons with the rigid wall model and corresponding plots are provided for the sake of reproducibility. The results emphasise the alteration of flow patterns and haemodynamic descriptors when wall deformations were taken into account compared with a standard rigid wall approach, thereby underlining the impact of fluid–structure interaction modelling.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biomechanics and Sports Medicine)
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Seed Train Optimization in Microcarrier-Based Cell Culture Post In Situ Cell Detachment through Scale-Down Hybrid Modeling
by
Atefeh Ebrahimian, Mona Schalk, Mark Dürkop, Michael Maurer, Rudolf Bliem and Harald Kühnel
Bioengineering 2024, 11(3), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11030268 - 09 Mar 2024
Abstract
Microcarrier-based cell culture is a commonly used method to facilitate the growth of anchorage-dependent cells like MA 104 for antigen manufacturing. However, conventionally, static cell culture is employed for cell propagation before seeding the production bioreactor with microcarriers (MCs). This study demonstrates the
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Microcarrier-based cell culture is a commonly used method to facilitate the growth of anchorage-dependent cells like MA 104 for antigen manufacturing. However, conventionally, static cell culture is employed for cell propagation before seeding the production bioreactor with microcarriers (MCs). This study demonstrates the effective replacement of the conventional method by serial subculturing on MCs with in situ cell detachment under optimal conditions in closed culture units. This study proves that MA 104 can be subcultured at least five times on Cytodex 1 MC without the need for separating cells and MC after cell harvest. Process parameters impacting cell growth were studied post in situ cell detachment in a scaled-down model. Optimization, using augmented Design of Experiments (DoE) combined with hybrid modeling, facilitated rapid screening of the design space for critical process parameters (CPPs). Optimized conditions included an inoculation density of >16 cells/bead, 3.5–4.5 g/L of Cytodex 1, and a controlled agitation speed, starting at Njs (minimum agitation speed) for the first day with a maximum increase of 25% thereafter. With these design spaces for CPPs, a cell density of 2.6 ± 0.5 × 106 cells/mL was achieved after five days. This refined bioprocess methodology offers a reliable and efficient approach for seed training in stirred tank reactors, which is particularly beneficial for viral vaccine production.
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(This article belongs to the Section Regenerative Engineering)
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