Bioengineering

9 pages, 761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Efficacy of Er:YAG Laser-Activated Shock Wave-Enhanced Emission Photoacoustic Streaming Compared to Ultrasonically Activated Irrigation and Needle Irrigation in the Removal of Bioceramic Filling Remnants from Oval Root Canals—An Ex Vivo Study

by Gabrijela Kapetanović Petričević, Marko Katić, Valentina Brzović Rajić, Ivica Anić and Ivona Bago

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120820 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2141

Abstract

The removal of filling material is important for successful root canal retreatment. The aim of the study was to compare the efficiency of two activated irrigation techniques, the shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS) mode of the Er:YAG laser and ultrasonically activated irrigation [...] Read more.

The removal of filling material is important for successful root canal retreatment. The aim of the study was to compare the efficiency of two activated irrigation techniques, the shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS) mode of the Er:YAG laser and ultrasonically activated irrigation (UAI) and a conventional syringe-needle technique (SNI), in the removal of bioceramic sealer/gutta-percha during conventional retreatment in oval root canals. The study sample consisted of distal root canals of 42 extracted human mandibular molars, which were prepared using a ProTaper Next system up to size 40/0.06 and filled with bioceramic sealer using a single-cone obturation technique. The teeth were then re-treated with a Reciproc Blue RB40 file and 3% sodium hypochlorite solution. The prepared teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n = 14 per group) and subjected to one of the three irrigation methods. Micro-CT scans were performed at different stages to assess the amount of filling material after each retreatment phase. The results of the study showed that all the tested irrigation techniques reduced a statistically significant amount of the remnant filling material at retreatment (p < 0.05), and there were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between the three methods. All tested techniques had similar efficacy in the removal of the remaining filling remnants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Laser Therapy in Oral Diseases)

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14 pages, 1875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Novel Lipid-Based Formulations for Water-Soluble Vitamin C versus Fat-Soluble Vitamin D3

by Jie Chen, Leila Dehabadi, Yuan-Chun Ma and Lee D. Wilson

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 819; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120819 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6549

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a facile and novel lipid-based formulation of vitamin C and vitamin D3. Liposomes loaded with vitamin C and D3 were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential measurements for evaluating morphology, particle size [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to develop a facile and novel lipid-based formulation of vitamin C and vitamin D3. Liposomes loaded with vitamin C and D3 were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential measurements for evaluating morphology, particle size and physical stability. HPLC was employed to quantify the content of vitamin C and vitamin D3 in their liposomal forms. The UHPLC analysis of the lipid-based vitamin formulation is an easy and rapid method for the characterization as well as the quantification of all components. In addition, encapsulation efficiency, vitamin loading and stability analysis were performed by the UHPLC method, in order to evaluate the reliability of the optimized lipid-based formulation. The TEM results provided key support for the core type of liposome structure in the formulations, whereas the HPLC results indicated that the liposomal vitamin C and D3 systems were homogeneous, and did not undergo phase separation. Taken together, the results demonstrate that liposomal encapsulated vitamins (vitamin C and D3) possess a unilamellar vesicle morphology with uniform particle size, despite differences in the hydrophile–lipophile profiles of the vitamins. The highly efficient encapsulation properties of such liposomal constructs are proposed to contribute to enhanced vitamin bioavailability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Formulations in Agri-Food-Pharma: Source and Applications, Volume II)

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15 pages, 3587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Nanoliposomes Loaded with Rosemary Oleoresin and Their Oxidative Stability Application in Dried Oysters

by Xiaoyu Cheng, Mingwu Zang, Shouwei Wang, Xin Zhao, Guozhen Zhai, Le Wang, Xiang Li, Yan Zhao and Yijing Yue

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120818 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2103

Abstract

Lipid and protein oxidation is a main problem related to the preservation of dried aquatic products. Rosemary oleoresin is widely used as an antioxidant, but its application is limited due to its instability and easy degradation. Nanoliposome encapsulation is a promising and rapidly [...] Read more.

Lipid and protein oxidation is a main problem related to the preservation of dried aquatic products. Rosemary oleoresin is widely used as an antioxidant, but its application is limited due to its instability and easy degradation. Nanoliposome encapsulation is a promising and rapidly emerging technology in which antioxidants are incorporated into the liposomes to provide the food high quality, safety and long shelf life. The objectives of this study were to prepare nanoliposome coatings of rosemary oleoresin to enhance the antioxidant stability, and to evaluate their potential application in inhibiting protein and lipid oxidation in dried oysters during storage. The nanoliposomes encapsulating rosemary oleoresin were applied with a thin-film evaporation method, and the optimal amount of encapsulated rosemary oleoresin was chosen based on changes in the dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of the nanoliposomes. The Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy of rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes showed no new characteristic peaks formed after rosemary oleoresin encapsulation, and the particle size of rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes was 100–200 nm in transmission electron microscopy. The differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the nanoliposomes coated with rosemary oleoresin had better thermal stability. Rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes presented good antioxidant stability, and still maintained 48% DPPH radical-scavenging activity and 45% ABTS radical-scavenging activity after 28 d of storage, which was 3.7 times and 2.8 times higher than that of empty nanoliposomes, respectively. Compared with the control, the dried oysters coated with rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes showed significantly lower values of carbonyl, sulfhydryl content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, Peroxide value, and 4-Hydroxynonenal contents during 28 d of storage. The results provide a theoretical basis for developing an efficient and long-term antioxidant approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Food and By-Products Processing)

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9 pages, 2218 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Platelet-Rich Plasma Gel Matrix (PRP-GM): Description of a New Technique

by Thales Thiago Ferreira Godoi, Bruno Lima Rodrigues, Stephany Cares Huber, Maria Helena Andrade Santana, Lucas Furtado da Fonseca, Gabriel Silva Santos, Gabriel Ohana Marques Azzini, Tomas Mosaner, Chris Paulus-Romero and José Fábio Santos Duarte Lana

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120817 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6037

Abstract

Several musculoskeletal conditions are triggered by inflammatory processes that occur along with imbalances between anabolic and catabolic events. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous product derived from peripheral blood with inherent immunomodulatory and anabolic properties. The clinical efficacy of PRP has been evaluated [...] Read more.

Several musculoskeletal conditions are triggered by inflammatory processes that occur along with imbalances between anabolic and catabolic events. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous product derived from peripheral blood with inherent immunomodulatory and anabolic properties. The clinical efficacy of PRP has been evaluated in several musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, and osteonecrosis. When used in combination with hyaluronic acid (HA), a common treatment alternative, the regenerative properties of PRP are significantly enhanced and may provide additional benefits in terms of clinical outcomes. Recently, a new PRP-derived product has been reported in the literature and is being referred to as “plasma gel”. Plasma gels are obtained by polymerizing plasmatic proteins, which form solid thermal aggregates cross-linked with fibrin networks. Plasma gels are considered to be a rich source of growth factors and provide chemotactic, migratory, and proliferative properties. Additionally, clot formation and the associated fibrinolytic reactions play an additional role in tissue repair. There are only a few scientific articles focusing on plasma gels. Historically, they have been utilized in the fields of aesthetics and dentistry. Given that the combination of three products (PRP, HA, and plasma gel) could enhance tissue repair and wound healing, in this technical note, we propose a novel regenerative approach, named “PRP–HA cellular gel matrix” (PRP-GM), in which leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP) is mixed with a plasma gel (obtained by heating the plasma up) and HA in one syringe using a three-way stopcock. The final product contains a fibrin–albumin network entangled with HA’s polymers, in which the cells and biomolecules derived from PRP are attached and released gradually as fibrinolytic reactions and hyaluronic acid degradation occur. The presence of leukocytes, especially monocytes and macrophages, promotes tissue regeneration, as type 2 macrophages (M2) possess an anti-inflammatory feature. In addition, HA promotes the viscosuplementation of the joint and induces an anti-inflammatory response, resulting in pain relief. This unique combination of biological molecules may contribute to the optimization of regenerative protocols suitable for the treatment of degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Biomaterials)

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21 pages, 1854 KiB

Open AccessReview

Polymeric Materials as Indispensable Tools to Fight RNA Viruses: SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A

by Ariana C. F. Santos, Fátima Martel, Carmen S. R. Freire and Bárbara J. M. L. Ferreira

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120816 - 18 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1817

Abstract

Towards the end of 2019 in Wuhan, suspicions of a new dangerous virus circulating in the air began to arise. It was the start of the world pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then, considerable research data and review papers about this virus [...] Read more.

Towards the end of 2019 in Wuhan, suspicions of a new dangerous virus circulating in the air began to arise. It was the start of the world pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then, considerable research data and review papers about this virus have been published. Hundreds of researchers have shared their work in order to achieve a better comprehension of this disease, all with the common goal of overcoming this pandemic. The coronavirus is structurally similar to influenza A. Both are RNA viruses and normally associated with comparable infection symptoms. In this review, different case studies targeting polymeric materials were appraised to highlight them as an indispensable tool to fight these RNA viruses. In particular, the main focus was how polymeric materials, and their versatile features could be applied in different stages of viral disease, i.e., in protection, detection and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery: Present and Future Trends)

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16 pages, 4456 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Carrier-Free Paclitaxel–Curcumin Nanoparticles: The Role of Curcuminoids

by Sena Karaosmanoglu, Yunsen Zhang, Wenli Zhou, Defang Ouyang and Xianfeng Chen

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120815 - 18 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2588

Abstract

The systemic administration of paclitaxel (PTX)-based combinatorial therapies is significantly restricted due to the multidrug resistance. Curcumin (CUR) not only inhibits cancer-cell proliferation but also reverses the PTX resistance. However, achieving codelivery of these two drugs is a challenge due to their poor [...] Read more.

The systemic administration of paclitaxel (PTX)-based combinatorial therapies is significantly restricted due to the multidrug resistance. Curcumin (CUR) not only inhibits cancer-cell proliferation but also reverses the PTX resistance. However, achieving codelivery of these two drugs is a challenge due to their poor water solubility. Herein, we synthesized carrier-free PTX NPs by a facile nanoprecipitation method with the help of CUR and other curcuminoids present in turmeric extract. The prepared NPs demonstrated spherical morphologies with high conformational stability. Experimental studies showed that the presence of both bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin is essential for the successful formation of spherical and monodisperse NPs. Computational studies revealed that the presence of the more sterically available curcuminoids BMC and DMC makes the self-assembly procedure more adaptable with a higher number of potential conformations that could give rise to more monodisperse PTX-CUR NPs. Compared with PTX alone, PTX-CUR NPs have shown comparable therapeutic efficiency in vitro and demonstrated a higher cellular internalization, highlighting their potential for in vivo applications. The successful formation of PTX-CUR NPs and the understanding of how multiple drugs behave at the molecular level also provide guidance for developing formulations for the synthesis of high-quality and effective carrier-free nanosystems for biomedical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Delivery Systems, What's New?)

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4 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advances in Multivariate and Multiscale Physiological Signal Analysis

by Antonio Lanata and Mimma Nardelli

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120814 - 16 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1492

Abstract

Physiological systems are characterized by complex dynamics and nonlinear behaviors due to their intricate structural organization and regulatory mechanisms [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multivariate Physiological Signal Analysis)

3 pages, 191 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Niches

by Tiago G. Fernandes

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120813 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1367

Abstract

The term “cellular microenvironment” is a generic expression used to describe the complex collection of stimuli that contribute to cell and tissue functions [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments)

17 pages, 3727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genomic Insight into Shimazuella Soli Sp. Nov. Isolated from Soil and Its Putative Novel Class II Lasso Peptide

by Chun-Zhi Jin, Jong Min Lee, Chang-Jin Kim, Hyung-Gwan Lee and Kee-Sun Shin

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 812; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120812 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

The strain designated as AN120528^T was isolated from farmland soil in South Korea. This strain grows well on R2A medium at 28 °C. The cells are an off-white colour and have no hyphae. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain is a [...] Read more.

The strain designated as AN120528^T was isolated from farmland soil in South Korea. This strain grows well on R2A medium at 28 °C. The cells are an off-white colour and have no hyphae. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain is a member of the genus Shimazuella with a 98.11% similarity to Shimazuella alba KC615^T and a 97.05% similarity to S. kribbensis KCTC 9933^T, respectively. The strain AN120528^T shares common chemotaxonomic features with the other two type strains in the genus. It has MK-9 (H₄) and MK-10 (H₄) as its predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acids are iso-C_14:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. Diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), lipids (L), and aminolipids (AL) were identified as the major cellular polar lipids. Analysis of the peptidoglycan showed the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the genome of the strain is approximately 3.3 Mbp in size. The strain showed a 77.5% average nucleotide identity (ANI) with S. alba KC615^T. The genomic DNA (gDNA) G + C content is 39.0%. Based on polyphasic taxonomy analysis, it is proposed that this strain, AN120528^T, represents a novel species in the genus Shimazuella, designated as Shimazuella soli sp. nov. The type stain is AN120528^T (=KCTC 39810^T = DSM 103571^T). Furthermore, shimazuellin I, a new 15-amino-acid peptide, was discovered in the AN120528^T through genome mining; it has the features of a lasso peptide, containing eight amino acids (-G-Q-G-G-S-N-N-D-) that form a macrolactam ring and seven amino acids (-D-G-W-Y-H-S-K-) that form a tail. Full article

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15 pages, 3661 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Deep Learning Model for Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Urolithiasis Detection from Kidney–Ureter–Bladder Images

by Yi-Yang Liu, Zih-Hao Huang and Ko-Wei Huang

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120811 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4149

Abstract

Kidney–ureter–bladder (KUB) imaging is a radiological examination with a low cost, low radiation, and convenience. Although emergency room clinicians can arrange KUB images easily as a first-line examination for patients with suspicious urolithiasis, interpreting the KUB images correctly is difficult for inexperienced clinicians. [...] Read more.

Kidney–ureter–bladder (KUB) imaging is a radiological examination with a low cost, low radiation, and convenience. Although emergency room clinicians can arrange KUB images easily as a first-line examination for patients with suspicious urolithiasis, interpreting the KUB images correctly is difficult for inexperienced clinicians. Obtaining a formal radiology report immediately after a KUB imaging examination can also be challenging. Recently, artificial-intelligence-based computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have been developed to help clinicians who are not experts make correct diagnoses for further treatment more effectively. Therefore, in this study, we proposed a CAD system for KUB imaging based on a deep learning model designed to help first-line emergency room clinicians diagnose urolithiasis accurately. A total of 355 KUB images were retrospectively collected from 104 patients who were diagnosed with urolithiasis at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Then, we trained a deep learning model with a ResNet architecture to classify KUB images in terms of the presence or absence of kidney stones with this dataset of pre-processed images. Finally, we tuned the parameters and tested the model experimentally. The results show that the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-measure of the model were 0.977, 0.953, 1, and 0.976 on the validation set and 0.982, 0.964, 1, and 0.982 on the testing set, respectively. Moreover, the results demonstrate that the proposed model performed well compared to the existing CNN-based methods and was able to detect urolithiasis in KUB images successfully. We expect the proposed approach to help emergency room clinicians make accurate diagnoses and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT) scans, along with the associated medical costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Biomedical Signal Processing)

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16 pages, 3863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Osteogenic Potential of Falciform Ligament-Derived Stromal Cells—A Comparative Analysis between Two Osteogenic Induction Programs

by Carla Ferreira-Baptista, André Queirós, Rita Ferreira, Maria Helena Fernandes, Bruno Colaço and Pedro Sousa Gomes

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120810 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1891

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have gained special relevance in bone tissue regenerative applications. MSCs have been isolated from different depots, with adipose tissue being acknowledged as one of the most convenient sources, given the wide availability, high cellular yield, and obtainability. Recently, the [...] Read more.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have gained special relevance in bone tissue regenerative applications. MSCs have been isolated from different depots, with adipose tissue being acknowledged as one of the most convenient sources, given the wide availability, high cellular yield, and obtainability. Recently, the falciform ligament (FL) has been regarded as a potential depot for adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (FL-ADSCs) isolation. Nonetheless, the osteogenic capability of FL-ADSCs has not been previously characterized. Thus, the present study aimed the detailed characterization of FL-ADSCs’ functionality upon osteogenic induction through a classic (dexamethasone-based-DEX) or an innovative strategy with retinoic acid (RA) in a comparative approach with ADSCs from a control visceral region. Cultures were characterized for cell proliferation, metabolic activity, cellular morphology, fluorescent cytoskeletal and mitochondrial organization, and osteogenic activity–gene expression analysis and cytochemical staining. FL-derived populations expressed significantly higher levels of osteogenic genes and cytochemical markers, particularly with DEX induction, as compared to control ADSCs that were more responsive to RA. FL-ADSCs were identified as a potential source for bone regenerative applications, given the heightened osteogenic functionality. Furthermore, data highlighted the importance of the selection of the most adequate osteogenic-inducing program concerning the specificities of the basal cell population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine)

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21 pages, 2437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reference Values for 3D Spinal Posture Based on Videorasterstereographic Analyses of Healthy Adults

by Janine Huthwelker, Jürgen Konradi, Claudia Wolf, Ruben Westphal, Irene Schmidtmann, Philipp Drees and Ulrich Betz

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120809 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2092

Abstract

Visual examinations are commonly used to analyze spinal posture. Even though they are simple and fast, their interrater reliability is poor. Suitable alternatives should be objective, non-invasive, valid and reliable. Videorasterstereography (VRS) is a corresponding method that is increasingly becoming established. However, there [...] Read more.

Visual examinations are commonly used to analyze spinal posture. Even though they are simple and fast, their interrater reliability is poor. Suitable alternatives should be objective, non-invasive, valid and reliable. Videorasterstereography (VRS) is a corresponding method that is increasingly becoming established. However, there is a lack of reference data based on adequate numbers of participants and structured subgroup analyses according to sex and age. We used VRS to capture the spinal posture of 201 healthy participants (aged 18–70 years) divided into three age cohorts. Three-dimensional reference data are presented for the global spine parameters and for every vertebral body individually (C7-L4) (here called the specific spine parameters). The vertebral column was found to be systematically asymmetric in the transverse and the coronal planes. Graphical presentations of the vertebral body posture revealed systematic differences between the subgroups; however, large standard deviations meant that these differences were not significant. In contrast, several global parameters (e.g., thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis) indicated differences between the analyzed subgroups. The findings confirm the importance of presenting reference data not only according to sex but also according to age in order to map physiological posture changes over the life span. The question also arises as to whether therapeutic approximations to an almost symmetrical spine are biomechanically desirable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics-Based Motion Analysis)

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11 pages, 622 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in the Development of Bioreactors for Manufacturing of Adoptive Cell Immunotherapies

by Irina Ganeeva, Ekaterina Zmievskaya, Aygul Valiullina, Anna Kudriaeva, Regina Miftakhova, Alexey Rybalov and Emil Bulatov

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120808 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7008

Abstract

Harnessing the human immune system as a foundation for therapeutic technologies capable of recognizing and killing tumor cells has been the central objective of anti-cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in improving the effectiveness and accessibility of this [...] Read more.

Harnessing the human immune system as a foundation for therapeutic technologies capable of recognizing and killing tumor cells has been the central objective of anti-cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in improving the effectiveness and accessibility of this technology to make it widely applicable for adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and many other. Automated, scalable, cost-effective, and GMP-compliant bioreactors for production of ACTs are urgently needed. The primary efforts in the field of GMP bioreactors development are focused on closed and fully automated point-of-care (POC) systems. However, their clinical and industrial application has not yet reached full potential, as there are numerous obstacles associated with delicate balancing of the complex and often unpredictable cell biology with the need for precision and full process control. Here we provide a brief overview of the existing and most advanced systems for ACT manufacturing, including cell culture bags, G-Rex flasks, and bioreactors (rocking motion, stirred-flask, stirred-tank, hollow-fiber), as well as semi- and fully-automated closed bioreactor systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Design and Manufacturing)

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13 pages, 1937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional Bioprinting with Alginate by Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels with Tunable Physical Properties and Cell Proliferation

by Yuanjia Zhu, Charles J. Stark, Sarah Madira, Sidarth Ethiraj, Akshay Venkatesh, Shreya Anilkumar, Jinsuh Jung, Seunghyun Lee, Catherine A. Wu, Sabrina K. Walsh, Gabriel A. Stankovich and Yi-Ping Joseph Woo

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120807 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3670

Abstract

Extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an emerging technology that allows for rapid bio-fabrication of scaffolds with live cells. Alginate is a soft biomaterial that has been studied extensively as a bio-ink to support cell growth in 3D constructs. However, native alginate is a [...] Read more.

Extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an emerging technology that allows for rapid bio-fabrication of scaffolds with live cells. Alginate is a soft biomaterial that has been studied extensively as a bio-ink to support cell growth in 3D constructs. However, native alginate is a bio-inert material that requires modifications to allow for cell adhesion and cell growth. Cells grown in modified alginates with the RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate) motif, a naturally existing tripeptide sequence that is crucial to cell adhesion and proliferation, demonstrate enhanced cell adhesion, spreading, and differentiation. Recently, the bioprinting technique using freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH) has revolutionized 3D bioprinting, enabling the use of soft bio-inks that would otherwise collapse in air. However, the printability of RGD-modified alginates using the FRESH technique has not been evaluated. The associated physical properties and bioactivity of 3D bio-printed alginates after RGD modification remains unclear. In this study, we characterized the physical properties, printability, and cellular proliferation of native and RGD-modified alginate after extrusion-based 3D bioprinting in FRESH. We demonstrated tunable physical properties of native and RGD-modified alginates after FRESH 3D bioprinting. Sodium alginate with RGD modification, especially at a high concentration, was associated with greatly improved cell viability and integrin clustering, which further enhanced cell proliferation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cell-ECM Interactions for Tissue Engineering and Tissue Regeneration)

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15 pages, 9187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Citrate- and Gold-Stabilized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Head and Neck Tumor Cell Lines during Combination Therapy with Ionizing Radiation

by Christoph Schreiber, Tim Franzen, Laura Hildebrand, René Stein, Bernhard Friedrich, Rainer Tietze, Rainer Fietkau and Luitpold V. Distel

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120806 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2185

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. They are associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV). Therapeutic options include radiochemotherapy, surgery or chemotherapy. Nanoparticles are becoming more and more [...] Read more.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. They are associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV). Therapeutic options include radiochemotherapy, surgery or chemotherapy. Nanoparticles are becoming more and more important in medicine. They can be used diagnostically, but also therapeutically. In order to provide therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of HNSCC, the effect of citrate-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Citrate-SPIONs) and gold-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Au-SPIONs) in combination with ionizing irradiation (IR) on two HPV positive and two HPV negative HNSCC and healthy fibroblasts and keratinocytes cell lines were tested. Effects on apoptosis and necrosis were analyzed by using flow cytometry. Cell survival studies were performed with a colony formation assay. To better understand where the SPIONs interact, light microscopy images and immunofluorescence studies were performed. The HNSCC and healthy cell lines showed different responses to the investigated SPIONs. The cytotoxic effects of SPIONs, in combination with IR, are dependent on the type of SPIONs, the dose administered and the cell type treated. They are independent of HPV status. Reasons for the different cytotoxic effect are probably the different compositions of the SPIONs and the related different interaction of the SPIONs intracellularly and paramembranously, which lead to different strong formations of double strand breaks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery: Present and Future Trends)

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23 pages, 7494 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hypothermic Preservation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Viable Solution for the Storage and Distribution of Cell Therapy Products

by André Branco, Ana L. Tiago, Paula Laranjeira, Maria C. Carreira, João C. Milhano, Francisco dos Santos, Joaquim M. S. Cabral, Artur Paiva, Cláudia L. da Silva and Ana Fernandes-Platzgummer

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120805 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3024

Abstract

Cell and gene therapies (CGT) have reached new therapeutic targets but have noticeably high prices. Solutions to reduce production costs might be found in CGT storage and transportation since they typically involve cryopreservation, which is a heavily burdened process. Encapsulation at hypothermic temperatures [...] Read more.

Cell and gene therapies (CGT) have reached new therapeutic targets but have noticeably high prices. Solutions to reduce production costs might be found in CGT storage and transportation since they typically involve cryopreservation, which is a heavily burdened process. Encapsulation at hypothermic temperatures (e.g., 2–8 °C) could be a feasible alternative. Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC(AT)) expanded using fetal bovine serum (FBS)- (MSC-FBS) or human platelet lysate (HPL)-supplemented mediums (MSC-HPL) were encapsulated in alginate beads for 30 min, 5 days, and 12 days. After bead release, cell recovery and viability were determined to assess encapsulation performance. MSC identity was verified by flow cytometry, and a set of assays was performed to evaluate functionality. MSC(AT) were able to survive encapsulated for a standard transportation period of 5 days, with recovery values of 56 ± 5% for MSC-FBS and 77 ± 6% for MSC-HPL (which is a negligible drop compared to earlier timepoints). Importantly, MSC function did not suffer from encapsulation, with recovered cells showing robust differentiation potential, expression of immunomodulatory molecules, and hematopoietic support capacity. MSC(AT) encapsulation was proven possible for a remarkable 12 day period. There is currently no solution to completely replace cryopreservation in CGT logistics and supply chain, although encapsulation has shown potential to act as a serious competitor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine)

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17 pages, 3852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Image-Based Pain Intensity Estimation Using Parallel CNNs with Regional Attention

by Xinting Ye, Xiaokun Liang, Jiani Hu and Yaoqin Xie

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120804 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2051

Abstract

Automatic pain estimation plays an important role in the field of medicine and health. In the previous studies, most of the entire image frame was directly imported into the model. This operation can allow background differences to negatively affect the experimental results. To [...] Read more.

Automatic pain estimation plays an important role in the field of medicine and health. In the previous studies, most of the entire image frame was directly imported into the model. This operation can allow background differences to negatively affect the experimental results. To tackle this issue, we propose the parallel CNNs framework with regional attention for automatic pain intensity estimation at the frame level. This modified convolution neural network structure combines BlurPool methods to enhance translation invariance in network learning. The improved networks can focus on learning core regions while supplementing global information, thereby obtaining parallel feature information. The core regions are mainly based on the tradeoff between the weights of the channel attention modules and the spatial attention modules. Meanwhile, the background information of the non-core regions is shielded by the DropBlock algorithm. These steps enable the model to learn facial pain features adaptively, not limited to a single image pattern. The experimental result of our proposed model outperforms many state-of-the-art methods on the RMSE and PCC metrics when evaluated on the diverse pain levels of over 12,000 images provided by the publicly available UNBC dataset. The model accuracy rate has reached 95.11%. The experimental results show that the proposed method is highly efficient at extracting the facial features of pain and predicts pain levels with high accuracy. Full article

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12 pages, 2448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Highly Sensitive Urinary Exosomal miRNAs Biosensor Applied to Evaluation of Prostate Cancer Progression

by Yueh-Er Chiou, Kai-Jie Yu, Sow-Neng Pang, Yan-Lin Yang, See-Tong Pang and Wen-Hui Weng

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120803 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2022

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the male population, carrying a significant disease burden. PSA is a widely available screening tools for this disease. Current screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE)-based biosensors use a two-pronged probe approach to capture urinary miRNA. We were [...] Read more.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the male population, carrying a significant disease burden. PSA is a widely available screening tools for this disease. Current screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE)-based biosensors use a two-pronged probe approach to capture urinary miRNA. We were able to successfully detect specific exosomal miRNAs (exomiRs) in the urine of patients with prostate cancer, including exomiR-451 and exomiR-21, and used electrochemistry for measurement and analysis. Our results significantly reaffirmed the presence of exomiR-451 in urine and that a CV value higher than 220 nA is capable of identifying the presence of disease (p-value = 0.005). Similar results were further proven by a PAS greater than 4 (p-value = 0.001). Moreover, a higher urinary exomiR-21 was observed in the high-T3b stage; this significantly decreased following tumor removal (p-values were 0.016 and 0.907, respectively). According to analysis of the correlation with tumor metastasis, a higher exomiR-21 was associated with lymphatic metastasis (p-value 0.042), and higher exomiR-461 expression was correlated with tumor stage (p-value 0.031), demonstrating that the present exomiR biosensor can usefully predict tumor progression. In conclusion, this biosensor represents an easy-to-use, non-invasive screening tool that is both sensitive and specific. We strongly believe that this can be used in conjunction with PSA for the screening of prostate cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women's Special Issue Series: Biosensors)

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20 pages, 7252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mathematical Model of Blood Circulation with Compression of the Prototype’s Mechanical CPR Waveform

by Xingyuan Xu, Shaoping Wang, Shangyu Wang and Guiling Liu

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120802 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3818

Abstract

The waveform of chest compressions directly affects the blood circulation of patients with cardiac arrest. Currently, few pieces of research have focused on the influence of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device’s mechanical waveform on blood circulation. This study investigates the effect of the [...] Read more.

The waveform of chest compressions directly affects the blood circulation of patients with cardiac arrest. Currently, few pieces of research have focused on the influence of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device’s mechanical waveform on blood circulation. This study investigates the effect of the mechanical waveform from a novel CPR prototype on blood circulation and explores the optimal compression parameters of the mechanical waveform to optimize blood circulation. A novel CPR prototype was designed and built to establish a kinetic model during compressions. The prototype’s mechanical waveforms at various operating conditions were obtained for comparison with manual waveforms and the investigation of the optimal compression parameters. The novel CPR prototype can complete chest compressions quickly and stably. The cardiac output (CO), coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), and cerebral flow (CF) obtained by mechanical waveform compressions (1.22367 ± 0.00942 L/min, 30.95083 ± 0.24039 mmHg, 0.31992 ± 0.00343 L/min, respectively) were significantly better than those obtained by manual waveform compressions (1.10783 ± 0.03601 L/min, 21.39210 ± 1.42771 mmHg, 0.29598 ± 0.01344 L/min, respectively). With the compression of the prototype, the blood circulation can be optimized at the compression depth of 50 mm, approximately 0.6 duty cycle, and approximately 110 press/min, which is of guiding significance for the practical use of CPR devices to rescue patients with cardiac arrest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemical Engineering)

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14 pages, 2246 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Hypoxia on Branching Characteristics and Cell Subpopulations during Kidney Organ Culture

by Morgan Hamon, Hsiao-Min Cheng, Ming Johnson, Norimoto Yanagawa and Peter V. Hauser

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120801 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2300

Abstract

During early developmental stages, embryonic kidneys are not fully vascularized and are potentially exposed to hypoxic conditions, which is known to influence cell proliferation and survival, ureteric bud branching, and vascularization of the developing kidney. To optimize the culture conditions of in vitro [...] Read more.

During early developmental stages, embryonic kidneys are not fully vascularized and are potentially exposed to hypoxic conditions, which is known to influence cell proliferation and survival, ureteric bud branching, and vascularization of the developing kidney. To optimize the culture conditions of in vitro cultured kidneys and gain further insight into the effect of hypoxia on kidney development, we exposed mouse embryonic kidneys isolated at E11.5, E12.5, and E13.5 to hypoxic and normal culture conditions and compared ureteric bud branching patterns, the growth of the progenitor subpopulation hoxb7+, and the expression patterns of progenitor and differentiation markers. Branching patterns were quantified using whole organ confocal imaging and gradient-vector-based analysis. In our model, hypoxia causes an earlier expression of UB tip cell markers, and a delay in stalk cell marker gene expression. The metanephric mesenchyme (MM) exhibited a later expression of differentiation marker FGF8, marking a delay in nephron formation. Hypoxia further delayed the expression of stroma cell progenitor markers, a delay in cortical differentiation markers, as well as an earlier expression of medullary and ureteral differentiation markers. We conclude that standard conditions do not apply universally and that tissue engineering strategies need to optimize suitable culture conditions for each application. We also conclude that adapting culture conditions to specific aspects of organ development in tissue engineering can help to improve individual stages of tissue generation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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13 pages, 2756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contribution of Deep Learning in the Investigation of Possible Dual LOX-3 Inhibitors/DPPH Scavengers: The Case of Recently Synthesized Compounds

by Dimitrios Bakalis, George Lambrinidis, Angeliki Kourounakis and George Manis

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120800 - 14 Dec 2022

Viewed by 2223

Abstract

Even though non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective treatment for inflammatory conditions, they have been linked to negative side effects. A promising approach to mitigating potential risks, is the development of new compounds able to combine anti-inflammatory with antioxidant activity to enhance [...] Read more.

Even though non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective treatment for inflammatory conditions, they have been linked to negative side effects. A promising approach to mitigating potential risks, is the development of new compounds able to combine anti-inflammatory with antioxidant activity to enhance activity and reduce toxicity. The implication of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory conditions has been extensively studied, based on the pro-inflammatory properties of generated free radicals. Drugs with dual activity (i.e., inhibiting inflammation related enzymes, e.g., LOX-3 and scavenging free radicals, e.g., DPPH) could find various therapeutic applications, such as in cardiovascular or neurodegenerating disorders. The challenge we embarked on using deep learning was the creation of appropriate classification and regression models to discriminate pharmacological activity and selectivity as well as to discover future compounds with dual activity prior to synthesis. An accurate filter algorithm was established, based on knowledge from compounds already evaluated in vitro, that can separate compounds with low, moderate or high activity. In this study, we constructed a customized highly effective one dimensional convolutional neural network (CONV1D), with accuracy scores up to

95.2 %

, that was able to identify dual active compounds, being LOX-3 inhibitors and DPPH scavengers, as an indication of simultaneous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Additionally, we created a highly accurate regression model that predicted the exact value of effectiveness of a set of recently synthesized compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, scoring a root mean square error value of 0.8. Eventually, we succeeded in observing the manner in which those newly synthesized compounds differentiate from each other, regarding a specific pharmacological target, using deep learning algorithms. Full article

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10 pages, 650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vacuum and Electromagnetic Fields Treatment to Regenerate a Diffuse Mature Facial Scar Caused by Sulfuric Acid Assault

by Sheila Veronese, Bruno Brunetti, Anna Maria Minichino and Andrea Sbarbati

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120799 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2683

Abstract

Acid attacks are on the rise, and they cause extensive and deep burns, especially on the face. The treatments used to improve the aesthetic, functional and social impact of non-acid scars do not always prove useful for acid scars. This article reports the [...] Read more.

Acid attacks are on the rise, and they cause extensive and deep burns, especially on the face. The treatments used to improve the aesthetic, functional and social impact of non-acid scars do not always prove useful for acid scars. This article reports the case of a woman with an extended, mature, acid facial scar, caused by sulfuric acid assault, treated with a recent new procedure that combines the application of vacuum and electromagnetic fields. Before and after the treatment, the aesthetic appearance, and motor function of the face and neck were evaluated, as well as the level of hydration, the amount of sebum, the elasticity, and the pH of the skin. The improvements highlighted after the treatment of the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the face and neck, and of the physical parameters of the skin seemed to indicate that this particular treatment induces tissue regeneration, even in the nerve component. However, it is evident that the rehabilitation pathways of facial wounds and scars must be personalized, and must include continuous psychological support for the patient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine for Wound Healing)

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21 pages, 1079 KiB

Open AccessReview

Epigenetics and Gut Microbiota Crosstalk: A potential Factor in Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disorders

by Vineet Mehta, Priyanka Nagu, Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj, Minaxi Sharma, Arun Parashar and Kandi Sridhar

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120798 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3220

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and “sudden death” globally. Environmental and lifestyle factors play important roles in CVD susceptibility, but the link between environmental factors and genetics is not fully established. Epigenetic influence during CVDs is becoming more [...] Read more.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and “sudden death” globally. Environmental and lifestyle factors play important roles in CVD susceptibility, but the link between environmental factors and genetics is not fully established. Epigenetic influence during CVDs is becoming more evident as its direct involvement has been reported. The discovery of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, suggested that external factors could alter gene expression to modulate human health. These external factors also influence our gut microbiota (GM), which participates in multiple metabolic processes in our body. Evidence suggests a high association of GM with CVDs. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, the influence of GM over the epigenetic mechanisms could be one potential pathway in CVD etiology. Both epigenetics and GM are dynamic processes and vary with age and environment. Changes in the composition of GM have been found to underlie the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases via modulating epigenetic changes in the form of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and regulation of non-coding RNAs. Several metabolites produced by the GM, including short-chain fatty acids, folates, biotin, and trimethylamine-N-oxide, have the potential to regulate epigenetics, apart from playing a vital role in normal physiological processes. The role of GM and epigenetics in CVDs are promising areas of research, and important insights in the field of early diagnosis and therapeutic approaches might appear soon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Tissue-Engineering)

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23 pages, 7107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Cultivation Conditions on Antifungal and Maize Seed Germination Activity of Bacillus-Based Biocontrol Agent

by Vanja Vlajkov, Ivana Pajčin, Marta Loc, Dragana Budakov, Jelena Dodić, Mila Grahovac and Jovana Grahovac

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120797 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2355

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination is a global risk and a concerning problem threatening food safety. The biotechnological answer lies in the production of biocontrol agents that are effective against aflatoxins producers. In addition to their biocontrol effect, microbial-based products are recognized as efficient biosolutions for [...] Read more.

Aflatoxin contamination is a global risk and a concerning problem threatening food safety. The biotechnological answer lies in the production of biocontrol agents that are effective against aflatoxins producers. In addition to their biocontrol effect, microbial-based products are recognized as efficient biosolutions for plant nutrition and growth promotion. The present study addresses the characterization of the representative of Phaseolus vulgaris rhizosphere microbiome, Bacillus sp. BioSol021, regarding plant growth promotion traits, including the activity of protease, cellulase, xylanase, and pectinase with the enzymatic activity index values 1.06, 2.04, 2.41, and 3.51, respectively. The potential for the wider commercialization of this kind of product is determined by the possibility of developing a scalable bioprocess solution suitable for technology transfer to an industrial scale. Therefore, the study addresses one of the most challenging steps in bioprocess development, including the production scale-up from the Erlenmeyer flask to the laboratory bioreactor. The results indicated the influence of the key bioprocess parameters on the dual mechanism of action of biocontrol effects against the aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus, as well on maize seed germination activity, pointing out the positive impact of high aeration intensity and agitation rate, resulting in inhibition zone diameters of 60 mm, a root length 96 mm, and a shoot length 27 mm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemical Engineering)

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14 pages, 1213 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioengineering Liver Organoids for Diseases Modelling and Transplantation

by Junzhi Li, Jing Chu, Vincent Chi Hang Lui, Shangsi Chen, Yan Chen and Paul Kwong Hang Tam

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120796 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4619

Abstract

Organoids as three-dimension (3D) cellular organizations partially mimic the physiological functions and micro-architecture of native tissues and organs, holding great potential for clinical applications. Advances in the identification of essential factors including physical cues and biochemical signals for controlling organoid development have contributed [...] Read more.

Organoids as three-dimension (3D) cellular organizations partially mimic the physiological functions and micro-architecture of native tissues and organs, holding great potential for clinical applications. Advances in the identification of essential factors including physical cues and biochemical signals for controlling organoid development have contributed to the success of growing liver organoids from liver tissue and stem/progenitor cells. However, to recapitulate the physiological properties and the architecture of a native liver, one has to generate liver organoids that contain all the major liver cell types in correct proportions and relative 3D locations as found in a native liver. Recent advances in stem-cell-, biomaterial- and engineering-based approaches have been incorporated into conventional organoid culture methods to facilitate the development of a more sophisticated liver organoid culture resembling a near to native mini-liver in a dish. However, a comprehensive review on the recent advancement in the bioengineering liver organoid is still lacking. Here, we review the current liver organoid systems, focusing on the construction of the liver organoid system with various cell sources, the roles of growth factors for engineering liver organoids, as well as the recent advances in the bioengineering liver organoid disease models and their biomedical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioengineering Liver Transplantation II)

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14 pages, 2781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Engineering Human Mesenchymal Bodies in a Novel 3D-Printed Microchannel Bioreactor for Extracellular Vesicle Biogenesis

by Richard Jeske, Xingchi Chen, Logan Mulderrig, Chang Liu, Wenhao Cheng, Olivia Z. Zeng, Changchun Zeng, Jingjiao Guan, Daniel Hallinan, Xuegang Yuan and Yan Li

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120795 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2479

Abstract

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) and their derived products hold potential in tissue engineering and as therapeutics in a wide range of diseases. hMSCs possess the ability to aggregate into “spheroids”, which has been used as a preconditioning technique to enhance their therapeutic [...] Read more.

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) and their derived products hold potential in tissue engineering and as therapeutics in a wide range of diseases. hMSCs possess the ability to aggregate into “spheroids”, which has been used as a preconditioning technique to enhance their therapeutic potential by upregulating stemness, immunomodulatory capacity, and anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic secretome. Few studies have investigated the impact on hMSC aggregate properties stemming from dynamic and static aggregation techniques. hMSCs’ main mechanistic mode of action occur through their secretome, including extracellular vesicles (EVs)/exosomes, which contain therapeutically relevant proteins and nucleic acids. In this study, a 3D printed microchannel bioreactor was developed to dynamically form hMSC spheroids and promote hMSC condensation. In particular, the manner in which dynamic microenvironment conditions alter hMSC properties and EV biogenesis in relation to static cultures was assessed. Dynamic aggregation was found to promote autophagy activity, alter metabolism toward glycolysis, and promote exosome/EV production. This study advances our knowledge on a commonly used preconditioning technique that could be beneficial in wound healing, tissue regeneration, and autoimmune disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced 3D Cell Culture Technologies and Formats)

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15 pages, 8189 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Cold-Plasma-Treated Phosphate Solution to Substitute Partial Nitrite on the Color, Texture, and Flavor of Smoked Sausage

by Dejuan Meng, Xinyu Yang, Huan Liu, Dequan Zhang, Chengli Hou and Zhenyu Wang

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120794 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2182

Abstract

There are several alternative technologies to nitrite use in meat products, including cold plasma. In this study, a cold-plasma-treated phosphate solution was added to smoked sausage, as a new ingredient. Subsequently, the color, texture, and flavor of the samples were analyzed. The results [...] Read more.

There are several alternative technologies to nitrite use in meat products, including cold plasma. In this study, a cold-plasma-treated phosphate solution was added to smoked sausage, as a new ingredient. Subsequently, the color, texture, and flavor of the samples were analyzed. The results showed that, compared with nitrite (0.075 g/kg nitrite added to sausage), the addition of 30~90% nitrite and cold-plasma-treated phosphate solution had no significant effect on the a* value or the relative content of oxygenated myoglobin (p > 0.05). The amount of residual nitrite in the smoked sausage prepared with the addition of 30~70% nitrite and cold-plasma-treated phosphate solution was significantly lower than that of the nitrite-treated group. The addition of nitrite combined with cold-plasma-treated phosphate solution had no significant effects on the texture (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience) or the sensory evaluation of the smoked sausage. A total of 69 volatile compounds were detected, and 20 of them had VIP (Variable Importance Plot) scores higher than one. In conclusion, cold plasma treatment represents a potential technology to partially substitute nitrite. This study provides new methods for the application of this nitrite substitute. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Food and By-Products Processing)

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17 pages, 2189 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Smart Belt for Anxiety Detection, Classification, and Reduction Using IIoMT on Students’ Cardiac Signal and MSY

by Rishi Pal, Deepak Adhikari, Md Belal Bin Heyat, Bishal Guragai, Vivian Lipari, Julien Brito Ballester, Isabel De la Torre Díez, Zia Abbas and Dakun Lai

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120793 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3111

Abstract

The prevalence of anxiety among university students is increasing, resulting in the negative impact on their academic and social (behavioral and emotional) development. In order for students to have competitive academic performance, the cognitive function should be strengthened by detecting and handling anxiety. [...] Read more.

The prevalence of anxiety among university students is increasing, resulting in the negative impact on their academic and social (behavioral and emotional) development. In order for students to have competitive academic performance, the cognitive function should be strengthened by detecting and handling anxiety. Over a period of 6 weeks, this study examined how to detect anxiety and how Mano Shakti Yoga (MSY) helps reduce anxiety. Relying on cardiac signals, this study follows an integrated detection-estimation-reduction framework for anxiety using the Intelligent Internet of Medical Things (IIoMT) and MSY. IIoMT is the integration of Internet of Medical Things (wearable smart belt) and machine learning algorithms (Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), and AdaBoost (AB)). Sixty-six eligible students were selected as experiencing anxiety detected based on the results of self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) questionnaire and a smart belt. Then, the students were divided randomly into two groups: experimental and control. The experimental group followed an MSY intervention for one hour twice a week, while the control group followed their own daily routine. Machine learning algorithms are used to analyze the data obtained from the smart belt. MSY is an alternative improvement for the immune system that helps reduce anxiety. All the results illustrate that the experimental group reduced anxiety with a significant (p < 0.05) difference in group × time interaction compared to the control group. The intelligent techniques achieved maximum accuracy of 80% on using RF algorithm. Thus, students can practice MSY and concentrate on their objectives by improving their intelligence, attention, and memory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology: Current Applications in Sports Monitoring and Health Care)

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15 pages, 3024 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluation of AMG510 Therapy on KRAS-Mutant Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer and Colorectal Cancer Cell Using a 3D Invasive Tumor Spheroid System under Normoxia and Hypoxia

by Meng Huang, Wei Hou, Jing Zhang, Menglan Li, Zilin Zhang, Xiaoran Li, Zaozao Chen, Cailian Wang and Lihua Yang

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120792 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2807

Abstract

A 3D tumor spheroid has been increasingly applied in pharmaceutical development for its simulation of the tumor structure and microenvironment. The embedded-culture of a tumor spheroid within a hydrogel microenvironment could help to improve the mimicking of in vivo cell growth and the [...] Read more.

A 3D tumor spheroid has been increasingly applied in pharmaceutical development for its simulation of the tumor structure and microenvironment. The embedded-culture of a tumor spheroid within a hydrogel microenvironment could help to improve the mimicking of in vivo cell growth and the development of 3D models for tumor invasiveness evaluation, which could enhance its drug efficiency prediction together with cell viability detection. NCI-H23 spheroids and CT-26 spheroids, from a non–small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer cell line, respectively, together with extracellular matrix were generated for evaluating their sensitivity to AMG510 (a KRAS^G12C inhibitor) under normoxia and hypoxia conditions, which were created by an on-stage environmental chamber. Results demonstrated that NCI-H23, the KRAS^G12C moderate expression cell line, only mildly responded to AMG510 treatment in normal 2D and 3D cultures and could be clearly evaluated by our system in hypoxia conditions, while the negative control CT-26 (G12D-mutant) spheroid exhibited no significant response to AMG510 treatment. In summary, our system, together with a controlled microenvironment and imaging methodology, provided an easily assessable and effective methodology for 3D in vitro drug efficiency testing and screenings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nanobiotechnology and Biofabrication)

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23 pages, 1558 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioprocess Economic Modeling: Decision Support Tools for the Development of Stem Cell Therapy Products

by William O. S. Salvador, Inês A. B. Ribeiro, Diogo E. S. Nogueira, Frederico C. Ferreira, Joaquim M. S. Cabral and Carlos A. V. Rodrigues

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120791 - 11 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4268

Abstract

Over recent years, the field of cell and gene therapy has witnessed rapid growth due to the demonstrated benefits of using living cells as therapeutic agents in a broad range of clinical studies and trials. Bioprocess economic models (BEMs) are fundamental tools for [...] Read more.

Over recent years, the field of cell and gene therapy has witnessed rapid growth due to the demonstrated benefits of using living cells as therapeutic agents in a broad range of clinical studies and trials. Bioprocess economic models (BEMs) are fundamental tools for guiding decision-making in bioprocess design, being capable of supporting process optimization and helping to reduce production costs. These tools are particularly important when it comes to guiding manufacturing decisions and increasing the likelihood of market acceptance of cell-based therapies, which are often cost-prohibitive because of high resource and quality control costs. Not only this, but the inherent biological variability of their underlying bioprocesses makes them particularly susceptible to unforeseen costs arising from failed or delayed production batches. The present work reviews important concepts concerning the development of bioprocesses for stem cell therapy products and highlights the valuable role which BEMs can play in this endeavor. Additionally, some theoretical concepts relevant to the building and structuring of BEMs are explored. Finally, a comprehensive review of the existent BEMs so far reported in the scientific literature for stem cell-related bioprocesses is provided to showcase their potential usefulness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Optimization and Scale-Up of Industrial Bioprocess)

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