Bioengineering

16 pages, 6918 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gene-Expression Analysis of Human Fibroblasts Affected by 3D-Printed Carboxylated Nanocellulose Constructs

by Jennifer Rosendahl, Chiara Zarna, Joakim Håkansson and Gary Chinga-Carrasco

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010121 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1953

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a highly valuable tool to manufacture porous constructs. This has major advantages in, for example, tissue engineering, in which 3D scaffolds provide a microenvironment with adequate porosity for cell growth and migration as a simulation of tissue [...] Read more.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a highly valuable tool to manufacture porous constructs. This has major advantages in, for example, tissue engineering, in which 3D scaffolds provide a microenvironment with adequate porosity for cell growth and migration as a simulation of tissue regeneration. In this study, we assessed the suitability of three cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) that were obtained through 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpyperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The CNFs were obtained by applying three levels of carboxylation, i.e., 2.5, 3.8, and 6.0 mmol sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) per gram of cellulose. The CNFs exhibited different nanofibrillation levels, affecting the corresponding viscosity and 3D printability of the CNF gels (0.6 wt%). The scaffolds were manufactured by micro-extrusion and the nanomechanical properties were assessed with nanoindentation. Importantly, fibroblasts were grown on the scaffolds and the expression levels of the marker genes, which are relevant for wound healing and proliferation, were assessed in order to reveal the effect of the 3D-scaffold microenvironment of the cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)

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13 pages, 1790 KiB

Open AccessReview

In Vivo Biomechanical Measurements of the Cornea

by Fanshu Li, Kehao Wang and Ziyuan Liu

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010120 - 15 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2079

Abstract

In early corneal examinations, the relationships between the morphological and biomechanical features of the cornea were unclear. Although consistent links have been demonstrated between the two in certain cases, these are not valid in many diseased states. An accurate assessment of the corneal [...] Read more.

In early corneal examinations, the relationships between the morphological and biomechanical features of the cornea were unclear. Although consistent links have been demonstrated between the two in certain cases, these are not valid in many diseased states. An accurate assessment of the corneal biomechanical properties is essential for understanding the condition of the cornea. Studies on corneal biomechanics in vivo suggest that clinical problems such as refractive surgery and ectatic corneal disease are closely related to changes in biomechanical parameters. Current techniques are available to assess the mechanical characteristics of the cornea in vivo. Accordingly, various attempts have been expended to obtain the relevant mechanical parameters from different perspectives, using the air-puff method, ultrasound, optical techniques, and finite element analyses. However, a measurement technique that can comprehensively reflect the full mechanical characteristics of the cornea (gold standard) has not yet been developed. We review herein the in vivo measurement techniques used to assess corneal biomechanics, and discuss their advantages and limitations to provide a comprehensive introduction to the current state of technical development to support more accurate clinical decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ophthalmic Engineering)

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19 pages, 6201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

U-Net Model with Transfer Learning Model as a Backbone for Segmentation of Gastrointestinal Tract

by Neha Sharma, Sheifali Gupta, Deepika Koundal, Sultan Alyami, Hani Alshahrani, Yousef Asiri and Asadullah Shaikh

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010119 - 14 Jan 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4468

Abstract

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an important part of the body. According to World Health Organization (WHO) research, GI tract infections kill 1.8 million people each year. In the year 2019, almost 5 million individuals were detected with gastrointestinal disease. Radiation therapy [...] Read more.

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an important part of the body. According to World Health Organization (WHO) research, GI tract infections kill 1.8 million people each year. In the year 2019, almost 5 million individuals were detected with gastrointestinal disease. Radiation therapy has the potential to improve cure rates in GI cancer patients. Radiation oncologists direct X-ray beams at the tumour while avoiding the stomach and intestines. The current objective is to direct the X-ray beam toward the malignancy while avoiding the stomach and intestines in order to improve dose delivery to the tumour. This study offered a technique for segmenting GI tract organs (small bowel, big intestine, and stomach) to assist radio oncologists to treat cancer patients more quickly and accurately. The suggested model is a U-Net model designed from scratch and used for the segmentation of a small size of images to extract the local features more efficiently. Furthermore, in the proposed model, six transfer learning models were employed as the backbone of the U-Net topology. The six transfer learning models used are Inception V3, SeResNet50, VGG19, DenseNet121, InceptionResNetV2, and EfficientNet B0. The suggested model was analysed with model loss, dice coefficient, and IoU. The results specify that the suggested model outperforms all transfer learning models, with performance parameter values as 0.122 model loss, 0.8854 dice coefficient, and 0.8819 IoU. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Sights of Deep Learning in Bioengineering: Updates and Future Directions)

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26 pages, 1176 KiB

Open AccessReview

State of the Art and Future of Stem Cell Therapy in Ischemic Stroke: Why Don’t We Focus on Their Administration?

by Andrea Valeri and Emanuela Mazzon

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010118 - 14 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2585

Abstract

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, so there is an urgent need to find a therapy for the tragic outcomes of this cerebrovascular disease. Stem cells appeared to be a good solution for many conditions, so different [...] Read more.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, so there is an urgent need to find a therapy for the tragic outcomes of this cerebrovascular disease. Stem cells appeared to be a good solution for many conditions, so different experiments were made to establish stem cells as a feasible therapy for stroke. The aim of this review is to analyze the state of the art of stem cell therapy for stroke and if the route of administration could represent a valid adjusting point for ameliorating the therapy’s outcome. To obtain this, we searched the scientific literature of the last 10 years for relevant in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding stem cells’ potential in stroke therapy. In vitro evidence points to hypoxia, among the preconditioning strategies, as the most used and probably efficient method to enhance cells qualities, while in vivo results raise the question if it is the type of cells or how they are administrated which can make the difference in terms of efficiency. Unfortunately, despite the number of clinical trials, only a few were successfully concluded, demonstrating how urgent the necessity is to translate pre-clinical results into clinics. Since any type of stem cell seems suitable for therapy, the chosen route of administration corresponds to different engraftment rates, distribution and efficiency in terms of the beneficial effects of stem cells. Intravenous administration was widely used for delivering stem cells into the human body, but recently intranasal administration has given promising results in vivo. It allows stem cells to efficiently reach the brain that was precluded to intravenous administration, so it is worth further investigation. Full article

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25 pages, 2037 KiB

Open AccessReview

Significance of Pulmonary Endothelial Injury and the Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Prostanoid Signaling

by Rosa Nickl, Sandra Hauser, Jens Pietzsch and Torsten Richter

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010117 - 14 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2123

Abstract

The endothelium plays a key role in the dynamic balance of hemodynamic, humoral and inflammatory processes in the human body. Its central importance and the resulting therapeutic concepts are the subject of ongoing research efforts and form the basis for the treatment of [...] Read more.

The endothelium plays a key role in the dynamic balance of hemodynamic, humoral and inflammatory processes in the human body. Its central importance and the resulting therapeutic concepts are the subject of ongoing research efforts and form the basis for the treatment of numerous diseases. The pulmonary endothelium is an essential component for the gas exchange in humans. Pulmonary endothelial dysfunction has serious consequences for the oxygenation and the gas exchange in humans with the potential of consecutive multiple organ failure. Therefore, in this review, the dysfunction of the pulmonary endothel due to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, ventilator-related injury, and aspiration is presented in a medical context. Selected aspects of the interaction of endothelial cells with primarily alveolar macrophages are reviewed in more detail. Elucidation of underlying causes and mechanisms of damage and repair may lead to new therapeutic approaches. Specific emphasis is placed on the processes leading to the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 and downstream prostanoid-based signaling pathways associated with this enzyme. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophages, Inflammation and Lung Disease)

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12 pages, 3479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

AI-Driven Robust Kidney and Renal Mass Segmentation and Classification on 3D CT Images

by Jingya Liu, Onur Yildirim, Oguz Akin and Yingli Tian

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010116 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2674

Abstract

Early intervention in kidney cancer helps to improve survival rates. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is often used to diagnose renal masses. In clinical practice, the manual segmentation and quantification of organs and tumors are expensive and time-consuming. Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown a [...] Read more.

Early intervention in kidney cancer helps to improve survival rates. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is often used to diagnose renal masses. In clinical practice, the manual segmentation and quantification of organs and tumors are expensive and time-consuming. Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown a significant advantage in assisting cancer diagnosis. To reduce the workload of manual segmentation and avoid unnecessary biopsies or surgeries, in this paper, we propose a novel end-to-end AI-driven automatic kidney and renal mass diagnosis framework to identify the abnormal areas of the kidney and diagnose the histological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The proposed framework first segments the kidney and renal mass regions by a 3D deep learning architecture (Res-UNet), followed by a dual-path classification network utilizing local and global features for the subtype prediction of the most common RCCs: clear cell, chromophobe, oncocytoma, papillary, and other RCC subtypes. To improve the robustness of the proposed framework on the dataset collected from various institutions, a weakly supervised learning schema is proposed to leverage the domain gap between various vendors via very few CT slice annotations. Our proposed diagnosis system can accurately segment the kidney and renal mass regions and predict tumor subtypes, outperforming existing methods on the KiTs19 dataset. Furthermore, cross-dataset validation results demonstrate the robustness of datasets collected from different institutions trained via the weakly supervised learning schema. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Advanced Medical Imaging)

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16 pages, 597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ECG Measurement Uncertainty Based on Monte Carlo Approach: An Effective Analysis for a Successful Cardiac Health Monitoring System

by Jackson Henrique Braga da Silva, Paulo Cesar Cortez, Senthil K. Jagatheesaperumal and Victor Hugo C. de Albuquerque

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010115 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1707

Abstract

Measurement uncertainty is one of the widespread concepts applied in scientific works, particularly to estimate the accuracy of measurement results and to evaluate the conformity of products and processes. In this work, we propose a methodology to analyze the performance of measurement systems [...] Read more.

Measurement uncertainty is one of the widespread concepts applied in scientific works, particularly to estimate the accuracy of measurement results and to evaluate the conformity of products and processes. In this work, we propose a methodology to analyze the performance of measurement systems existing in the design phases, based on a probabilistic approach, by applying the Monte Carlo method (MCM). With this approach, it is feasible to identify the dominant contributing factors of imprecision in the evaluated system. In the design phase, this information can be used to identify where the most effective attention is required to improve the performance of equipment. This methodology was applied over a simulated electrocardiogram (ECG), for which a measurement uncertainty of the order of

3.54 %

of the measured value was estimated, with a confidence level of 95%. For this simulation, the ECG computational model was categorized into two modules: the preamplifier and the final stage. The outcomes of the analysis show that the preamplifier module had a greater influence on the measurement results over the final stage module, which indicates that interventions in the first module would promote more significant performance improvements in the system. Finally, it was identified that the main source of ECG measurement uncertainty is related to the measurand, focused towards the objective of better characterization of the metrological behavior of the measurements in the ECG. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Public Health Applications for Decision Support Using Machine Learning)

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18 pages, 954 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical, Chemical and Functional Attributes of Neera Honey Infused Extrudates

by Ravi Pandiselvam, Liya T. Joseph, M. R. Manikantan, Anandu Chandra Khanashyam, P. P. Shameena Beegum, S. V. Ramesh, D. Balasubramanian, S. Neenu, Murali Gopal, A. C. Mathew and K. B. Hebbar

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010114 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1965

Abstract

Owing to the demand for the consumption of healthy extrudates, this study explored the infusion of neera (coconut inflorescence sap) honey in rice flour, corn flour and coconut milk residue blend-based extrudates. Neera honey, the concentrated coconut inflorescence sap, has numerous nutrients and [...] Read more.

Owing to the demand for the consumption of healthy extrudates, this study explored the infusion of neera (coconut inflorescence sap) honey in rice flour, corn flour and coconut milk residue blend-based extrudates. Neera honey, the concentrated coconut inflorescence sap, has numerous nutrients and a natural source of essential vitamins. Hence, the potential of neera honey as a biofortifying compound for the production of healthy extrudates was investigated. The rice and corn based extrudates supplemented with different concentration of neera honey have been prepared until the mix reaches 16 and 20% (w.b.) of feed moisture. Effect of addition of neera honey on the physical properties (expansion ratio, bulk density, specific length), functional properties (water absorption, water solubility, oil absorption), biochemical properties (total carbohydrates, total sugar, reducing sugar, phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidants), color parameters(L*, a*, b*), proximate compositions (moisture content, ash, protein, fat) and mineral profile of extrudates were recorded. Results suggest that addition of neera honey had a significant (p ˂ 0.05) impact on all the physico-chemical parameters evaluated. Incorporation of neera honey (feed moisture −20%) resulted in extrudates with less expansion, high bulk density and specific length, having high sugar, protein, phenolics, vitamin C and antioxidant activity. The combination of 60% rice flour + 25% corn flour +15% coconut milk residue samples infused with neera honey upto 16% feed moisture was found suitable for the preparation of nutritious extrudates based on functional characterization and minerals evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemical Engineering)

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8 pages, 2885 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Wearable Heart Rate Monitoring Device Communicating in 5G ISM Band for IoHT

by Ilaria Marasco, Giovanni Niro, Suleyman Mahircan Demir, Lorenzo Marzano, Luca Fachechi, Francesco Rizzi, Danilo Demarchi, Paolo Motto Ros, Antonella D’Orazio, Marco Grande and Massimo De Vittorio

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010113 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2313

Abstract

Advances in wearable device technology pave the way for wireless health monitoring for medical and non-medical applications. In this work, we present a wearable heart rate monitoring platform communicating in the sub-6GHz 5G ISM band. The proposed device is composed of an Aluminium [...] Read more.

Advances in wearable device technology pave the way for wireless health monitoring for medical and non-medical applications. In this work, we present a wearable heart rate monitoring platform communicating in the sub-6GHz 5G ISM band. The proposed device is composed of an Aluminium Nitride (AlN) piezoelectric sensor, a patch antenna, and a custom printed circuit board (PCB) for data acquisition and transmission. The experimental results show that the presented system can acquire heart rate together with diastolic and systolic duration, which are related to heart relaxation and contraction, respectively, from the posterior tibial artery. The overall system dimension is 20 mm by 40 mm, and the total weight is 20 g, making this device suitable for daily utilization. Furthermore, the system allows the simultaneous monitoring of multiple subjects, or a single patient from multiple body locations by using only one reader. The promising results demonstrate that the proposed system is applicable to the Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHT), and particularly Integrated Clinical Environment (ICE) applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Information Technology: History, Trends and Future Challenges)

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16 pages, 8893 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Detection of Bacteria-Induced Early-Stage Dental Caries Using Three-Dimensional Mid-Infrared Thermophotonic Imaging

by Robert Welch, Koneswaran Sivagurunathan, Pantea Tavakolian, Kimberly Ngai, Bo Huang, Stephen Abrams, Yoav Finer and Andreas Mandelis

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010112 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2204

Abstract

Tooth decay, or dental caries, is a widespread and costly disease that is reversible when detected early in its formation. Current dental caries diagnostic methods including X-ray imaging and intraoral examination lack the sensitivity and specificity required to routinely detect caries early in [...] Read more.

Tooth decay, or dental caries, is a widespread and costly disease that is reversible when detected early in its formation. Current dental caries diagnostic methods including X-ray imaging and intraoral examination lack the sensitivity and specificity required to routinely detect caries early in its formation. Thermophotonic imaging presents itself as a highly sensitive and non-ionizing solution, making it suitable for the frequent monitoring of caries progression. Here, we utilized a treatment protocol to produce bacteria-induced caries lesions. The lesions were imaged using two related three-dimensional photothermal imaging modalities: truncated correlation photothermal coherence tomography (TC-PCT) and its enhanced modification eTC-PCT. In addition, micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) and visual inspection by a clinical dentist were used to validate and quantify the severities of the lesions. The observational findings demonstrate the high sensitivity and depth profiling capabilities of the thermophotonic modalities, showcasing their potential use as a non-ionizing clinical tool for the early detection of dental caries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches for the Treatment of Maxillofacial Defects: From Bone to Skin Regeneration)

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18 pages, 1319 KiB

Open AccessReview

Concise Review: Bioengineering of Limbal Stem Cell Niche

by Mohammad Soleimani, Kasra Cheraqpour, Raghuram Koganti, Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori and Ali R. Djalilian

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010111 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2638

Abstract

The corneal epithelium is composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells and has a significant turnover rate. Limbal integrity is vital to maintain the clarity and avascularity of the cornea as well as regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are [...] Read more.

The corneal epithelium is composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells and has a significant turnover rate. Limbal integrity is vital to maintain the clarity and avascularity of the cornea as well as regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are located in the basal epithelial layer of the limbus and preserve this homeostasis. Proper functioning of LESCs is dependent on a specific microenvironment, known as the limbal stem cell niche (LSCN). This structure is made up of various cells, an extracellular matrix (ECM), and signaling molecules. Different etiologies may damage the LSCN, leading to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which is characterized by conjunctivalization of the cornea. In this review, we first summarize the basics of the LSCN and then focus on current and emerging bioengineering strategies for LSCN restoration to combat LSCD. Full article

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

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20 pages, 26374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Histological Characterization of Class I HLA Molecules in Whole Umbilical Cord Tissue Towards an Inexhaustible Graft Alternative for Reconstructive Surgery

by Yue Ying Yao, Dennis K. Lee, Stephanie Jarvi, Marjan Farshadi, Minzhi Sheng, Sara Mar, Ori Nevo and Hon S. Leong

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010110 - 12 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1897

Abstract

Background: Limited graft availability is a constant clinical concern. Hence, the umbilical cord (UC) is an attractive alternative to autologous grafts. The UC is an inexhaustible tissue source, and its removal is harmless and part of standard of care after the birth of [...] Read more.

Background: Limited graft availability is a constant clinical concern. Hence, the umbilical cord (UC) is an attractive alternative to autologous grafts. The UC is an inexhaustible tissue source, and its removal is harmless and part of standard of care after the birth of the baby. Minimal information exists regarding the immunological profile of a whole UC when it is considered to be used as a tissue graft. We aimed to characterize the localization and levels of class I human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) to understand the allogenicity of the UC. Additionally, HLA-E and HLA-G are putative immunosuppressive antigens that are abundant in placenta, but their profiles in UC whole tissue are unclear. Hypothesis: The UC as a whole expresses a relatively low but ubiquitous level of HLA-ABC and significant levels of HLA-G and HLA-E. Methods: Healthy patients with no known pregnancy-related complications were approached for informed consent. UCs at term and between 12 and 19 weeks were collected to compare HLA profiles by gestational age. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were sectioned to 5 µm and immunohistochemically stained with a pan-HLA-ABC, two HLA-G-specific, or an HLA-E-specific antibody. Results: HLA-ABC was consistently found present in UCs. HLA-ABC was most concentrated in the UC vessel walls and amniotic epithelium but more dispersed in the Wharton’s Jelly. HLA-E had a similar localization pattern to HLA-ABC in whole UC tissues at both gestational ages, but its protein level was lower. HLA-G localization and intensity were poor in all UC tissues analyzed, but additional analyses by Western immunoblot and mass spectrometry revealed a low level of HLA-G in the UC. Conclusion: The UC may address limitations of graft availability. Rather than the presence of HLA-G, the immunosuppressive properties of the UC are more likely due to the abundance of HLA-E and the interaction known to occur between HLA-E and HLA–ABC. The co-localization of HLA-E and HLA-ABC suggests that HLA-E is likely presenting HLA-ABC leader peptides to immune cells, which is known to have a primarily inhibitory effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Their Application to Wound Healing and Tissue Engineering)

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14 pages, 1580 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Contactless Camera-Based Sleep Staging: The HealthBed Study

by Fokke B. van Meulen, Angela Grassi, Leonie van den Heuvel, Sebastiaan Overeem, Merel M. van Gilst, Johannes P. van Dijk, Henning Maass, Mark J. H. van Gastel and Pedro Fonseca

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010109 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2209

Abstract

Polysomnography (PSG) remains the gold standard for sleep monitoring but is obtrusive in nature. Advances in camera sensor technology and data analysis techniques enable contactless monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV). In turn, this may allow remote assessment of sleep stages, as different [...] Read more.

Polysomnography (PSG) remains the gold standard for sleep monitoring but is obtrusive in nature. Advances in camera sensor technology and data analysis techniques enable contactless monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV). In turn, this may allow remote assessment of sleep stages, as different HRV metrics indirectly reflect the expression of sleep stages. We evaluated a camera-based remote photoplethysmography (PPG) setup to perform automated classification of sleep stages in near darkness. Based on the contactless measurement of pulse rate variability, we use a previously developed HRV-based algorithm for 3 and 4-class sleep stage classification. Performance was evaluated on data of 46 healthy participants obtained from simultaneous overnight recording of PSG and camera-based remote PPG. To validate the results and for benchmarking purposes, the same algorithm was used to classify sleep stages based on the corresponding ECG data. Compared to manually scored PSG, the remote PPG-based algorithm achieved moderate agreement on both 3 class (Wake–N1/N2/N3–REM) and 4 class (Wake–N1/N2–N3–REM) classification, with average

κ

of 0.58 and 0.49 and accuracy of 81% and 68%, respectively. This is in range with other performance metrics reported on sensing technologies for wearable sleep staging, showing the potential of video-based non-contact sleep staging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contactless Technologies for Human Vital Signs Monitoring)

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28 pages, 2118 KiB

Open AccessReview

Functionalized Carbon Nanoparticles as Theranostic Agents and Their Future Clinical Utility in Oncology

by Seung S. Lee, Miltiadis Paliouras and Mark A. Trifiro

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010108 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1725

Abstract

Over the years, research of nanoparticle applications in pre-clinical and clinical applications has greatly advanced our therapeutic and imaging approaches to many diseases, most notably neoplastic disorders. In particular, the innate properties of inorganic nanomaterials, such as gold and iron oxide, as well [...] Read more.

Over the years, research of nanoparticle applications in pre-clinical and clinical applications has greatly advanced our therapeutic and imaging approaches to many diseases, most notably neoplastic disorders. In particular, the innate properties of inorganic nanomaterials, such as gold and iron oxide, as well as carbon-based nanoparticles, have provided the greatest opportunities in cancer theranostics. Carbon nanoparticles can be used as carriers of biological agents to enhance the therapeutic index at a tumor site. Alternatively, they can also be combined with external stimuli, such as light, to induce irreversible physical damaging effects on cells. In this review, the recent advances in carbon nanoparticles and their use in cancer theranostics will be discussed. In addition, the set of evaluations that will be required during their transition from laboratory investigations toward clinical trials will be addressed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Nanotechnology Applications in Bioengineering)

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12 pages, 1580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Energy Provision Strategy on Rumen Fermentation Characteristics, Bacterial Diversity and Community Composition

by Qinghua Qiu, Jiantong Zhang, Mingren Qu, Yanjiao Li, Xianghui Zhao and Kehui Ouyang

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010107 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1456

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the rumen fermentation characteristics, bacterial diversity, and community composition of Hu sheep under four energy provision strategies. Ninety-six Hu sheep (body weight: 17.78 ± 1.24 kg) were equally assigned to four energy provision strategies: (1) low-energy diet [...] Read more.

This study was conducted to explore the rumen fermentation characteristics, bacterial diversity, and community composition of Hu sheep under four energy provision strategies. Ninety-six Hu sheep (body weight: 17.78 ± 1.24 kg) were equally assigned to four energy provision strategies: (1) low-energy diet for the whole finishing stage (LL); (2) high-energy diet for the whole finishing stage (HH); (3) low-energy diet in the early finishing stage and high-energy diet in the late finishing stage (LH); (4) high-energy diet in the early finishing stage and low-energy diet in the late finishing stage (HL). The results showed that the proportion of acetate was lower in the HH group than that in the HL group, whereas the opposite result was observed for the butyrate proportion (p < 0.05). The Chao 1, observed species, PD whole tree, and Shannon index of the rumen bacteria were higher in the LL group than that in the HH group (p < 0.05). The taxonomic annotations revealed that the Patescibacteria, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and Anaeroplasma abundances were higher in the HL group than that in the HH group, and the opposite results were observed regarding the relative abundances of Selenomonas and Anaerovibrio (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of Spirochaetota and Treponema were higher in the LH group than that in the HH group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed significant differences between groups (R = 0.6792 and p = 0.001). This study indicates that the energy provision strategy had little impact on the rumen fermentation characteristics, while it heavily affected the rumen bacterial diversity and community composition. This study may provide insight into the rumen fermentation characteristics and bacterial community under routine finishing models and contribute to the optimization of energy provision strategies of Hu sheep. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemical Engineering)

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37 pages, 1101 KiB

Open AccessReview

Whole-Heart Tissue Engineering and Cardiac Patches: Challenges and Promises

by Aram Akbarzadeh, Soheila Sobhani, Alireza Soltani Khaboushan and Abdol-Mohammad Kajbafzadeh

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010106 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4348

Abstract

Despite all the advances in preventing, diagnosing, and treating cardiovascular disorders, they still account for a significant part of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The advent of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has provided novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of various diseases. Tissue [...] Read more.

Despite all the advances in preventing, diagnosing, and treating cardiovascular disorders, they still account for a significant part of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The advent of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has provided novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of various diseases. Tissue engineering relies on three pillars: scaffolds, stem cells, and growth factors. Gene and cell therapy methods have been introduced as primary approaches to cardiac tissue engineering. Although the application of gene and cell therapy has resulted in improved regeneration of damaged cardiac tissue, further studies are needed to resolve their limitations, enhance their effectiveness, and translate them into the clinical setting. Scaffolds from synthetic, natural, or decellularized sources have provided desirable characteristics for the repair of cardiac tissue. Decellularized scaffolds are widely studied in heart regeneration, either as cell-free constructs or cell-seeded platforms. The application of human- or animal-derived decellularized heart patches has promoted the regeneration of heart tissue through in vivo and in vitro studies. Due to the complexity of cardiac tissue engineering, there is still a long way to go before cardiac patches or decellularized whole-heart scaffolds can be routinely used in clinical practice. This paper aims to review the decellularized whole-heart scaffolds and cardiac patches utilized in the regeneration of damaged cardiac tissue. Moreover, various decellularization methods related to these scaffolds will be discussed. Full article

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

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19 pages, 3359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deep Feature Engineering in Colposcopy Image Recognition: A Comparative Study

by Shefa Tawalbeh, Hiam Alquran and Mohammed Alsalatie

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010105 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1912

Abstract

Feature fusion techniques have been proposed and tested for many medical applications to improve diagnostic and classification problems. Specifically, cervical cancer classification can be improved by using such techniques. Feature fusion combines information from different datasets into a single dataset. This dataset contains [...] Read more.

Feature fusion techniques have been proposed and tested for many medical applications to improve diagnostic and classification problems. Specifically, cervical cancer classification can be improved by using such techniques. Feature fusion combines information from different datasets into a single dataset. This dataset contains superior discriminant power that can improve classification accuracy. In this paper, we conduct comparisons among six selected feature fusion techniques to provide the best possible classification accuracy of cervical cancer. The considered techniques are canonical correlation analysis, discriminant correlation analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, independent component analysis, principal component analysis, and concatenation. We generate ten feature datasets that come from the transfer learning of the most popular pre-trained deep learning models: Alex net, Resnet 18, Resnet 50, Resnet 10, Mobilenet, Shufflenet, Xception, Nasnet, Darknet 19, and VGG Net 16. The main contribution of this paper is to combine these models and then apply them to the six feature fusion techniques to discriminate various classes of cervical cancer. The obtained results are then fed into a support vector machine model to classify four cervical cancer classes (i.e., Negative, HISL, LSIL, and SCC). It has been found that the considered six techniques demand relatively comparable computational complexity when they are run on the same machine. However, the canonical correlation analysis has provided the best performance in classification accuracy among the six considered techniques, at 99.7%. The second-best methods were the independent component analysis, least absolute shrinkage and the selection operator, which were found to have a 98.3% accuracy. On the other hand, the worst-performing technique was the principal component analysis technique, which offered 90% accuracy. Our developed approach of analysis can be applied to other medical diagnosis classification problems, which may demand the reduction of feature dimensions as well as a further enhancement of classification performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Medical Image Processing and Segmentation)

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15 pages, 2032 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Exosome-like Nanoparticles as Biological Shuttles for Transdermal Drug Delivery

by Ye Wang, Yongsheng Wei, Hui Liao, Hongwei Fu, Xiaobin Yang, Qi Xiang and Shu Zhang

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010104 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4259

Abstract

Exosomes act as emerging transdermal drug delivery vehicles with high deformability and excellent permeability, which can be used to deliver various small-molecule drugs and macromolecular drugs and increase the transdermal and dermal retention of drugs, improving the local efficacy and drug delivery compliance. [...] Read more.

Exosomes act as emerging transdermal drug delivery vehicles with high deformability and excellent permeability, which can be used to deliver various small-molecule drugs and macromolecular drugs and increase the transdermal and dermal retention of drugs, improving the local efficacy and drug delivery compliance. At present, there are many studies on the use of plant exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNVs) as drug carriers. In this review, the source, extraction, isolation, and chemical composition of plant exosomes are reviewed, and the research progress on PELNVs as drug delivery systems in transdermal drug delivery systems in recent years has elucidated the broad application prospect of PELNVs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biologically Active Recombinant Proteins)

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18 pages, 7286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emotional State Classification from MUSIC-Based Features of Multichannel EEG Signals

by Sakib Abrar Hossain, Md. Asadur Rahman, Amitabha Chakrabarty, Mohd Abdur Rashid, Anna Kuwana and Haruo Kobayashi

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010099 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2185

Abstract

Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based emotion recognition is a computationally challenging issue in the field of medical data science that has interesting applications in cognitive state disclosure. Generally, EEG signals are classified from frequency-based features that are often extracted using non-parametric models such as Welch’s power [...] Read more.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based emotion recognition is a computationally challenging issue in the field of medical data science that has interesting applications in cognitive state disclosure. Generally, EEG signals are classified from frequency-based features that are often extracted using non-parametric models such as Welch’s power spectral density (PSD). These non-parametric methods are not computationally sound due to having complexity and extended run time. The main purpose of this work is to apply the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) model, a parametric-based frequency-spectrum-estimation technique to extract features from multichannel EEG signals for emotional state classification from the SEED dataset. The main challenge of using MUSIC in EEG feature extraction is to tune its parameters for getting the discriminative features from different classes, which is a significant contribution of this work. Another contribution is to show some flaws of this dataset for the first time that contributed to achieving high classification accuracy in previous research works. This work used MUSIC features to classify three emotional states and achieve 97% accuracy on average using an artificial neural network. The proposed MUSIC model optimizes a 95–96% run time compared with the conventional classical non-parametric technique (Welch’s PSD) for feature extraction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied System on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability)

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13 pages, 3086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulates EEG Microstates in Low-Functioning Autism: A Pilot Study

by Jiannan Kang, Xiwang Fan, Yiwen Zhong, Manuel F. Casanova, Estate M. Sokhadze, Xiaoli Li, Zikang Niu and Xinling Geng

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010098 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2022

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous disorder that affects several behavioral domains of neurodevelopment. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a new method that modulates motor and cognitive function and may have potential applications in ASD treatment. To identify its potential effects [...] Read more.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous disorder that affects several behavioral domains of neurodevelopment. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a new method that modulates motor and cognitive function and may have potential applications in ASD treatment. To identify its potential effects on ASD, differences in electroencephalogram (EEG) microstates were compared between children with typical development (n = 26) and those with ASD (n = 26). Furthermore, children with ASD were divided into a tDCS (experimental) and sham stimulation (control) group, and EEG microstates and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) scores before and after tDCS were compared. Microstates A, B, and D differed significantly between children with TD and those with ASD. In the experimental group, the scores of microstates A and C and ABC before tDCS differed from those after tDCS. Conversely, in the control group, neither the EEG microstates nor the ABC scores before the treatment period (sham stimulation) differed from those after the treatment period. This study indicates that tDCS may become a viable treatment for ASD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Discovery of the "Neural World": Technological and Clinical Advances in Neural Engineering)

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16 pages, 2735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrastructure of a Mechanoreceptor of the Trichoid Sensilla of the Insect Nabis rugosus: Stimulus-Transmitting and Bio-Sensory Architecture

by Shashikanth Chakilam, Rimvydas Gaidys and Jolanta Brożek

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010097 - 11 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1510

Abstract

This paper presents the ultrastructure morphology of Nabis rugosus trichoid sensilla using SEM and TEM data, along with a two-dimensional model of the trichoid sensilla developed in Amira software. The SEM images show the shape and scattering of the trichoid mechanosensilla over the [...] Read more.

This paper presents the ultrastructure morphology of Nabis rugosus trichoid sensilla using SEM and TEM data, along with a two-dimensional model of the trichoid sensilla developed in Amira software. The SEM images show the shape and scattering of the trichoid mechanosensilla over the N. rugosus flagellomere. The TEM images present the ultrastructural components, in which the hair rises from the socket via the joint membrane. The dendrite sheath is connected at the base of the hair shaft, surrounded by the lymph space and the socket septum. This dendrite sheath contains a tubular body with microtubules separated by the membrane (M) and granules (Gs). This study presents a model and simulation of the trichoid sensilla sensing mechanism, in which the hair deflects due to the application of external loading above it and presses the dendrite sheath attached to the hair base. The dendrite sheath is displaced by the applied force, transforming the transversal loading into a longitudinal deformation of the microtubules. Due to this longitudinal deformation, electric potential develops in the microtubule’s core, and information is delivered to the brain through the axon. The sensilla’s pivot point or point of rotation is presented, along with the relationship between the hair shaft length, the pivot point, and the electric potential distribution in the microtubules. This study’s results can be used to develop ultra-sensitive, bioinspired sensors based on these ultrastructural components and their biomechanical studies. Full article

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17 pages, 14161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Model of Esophageal Cancers by Using a Detergent-Free Decellularized Matrix in a Perfusion Bioreactor

by Jordan Brennan, Michael L. Lu and Yunqing Kang

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010096 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1807

Abstract

The lack of physiologically relevant human esophageal cancer models has as a result that many esophageal cancer studies are encountering major bottleneck challenges in achieving breakthrough progress. To address the issue, here we engineered a 3D esophageal tumor tissue model using a biomimetic [...] Read more.

The lack of physiologically relevant human esophageal cancer models has as a result that many esophageal cancer studies are encountering major bottleneck challenges in achieving breakthrough progress. To address the issue, here we engineered a 3D esophageal tumor tissue model using a biomimetic decellularized esophageal matrix in a customized bioreactor. To obtain a biomimetic esophageal matrix, we developed a detergent-free, rapid decellularization method to decellularize porcine esophagus. We characterized the decellularized esophageal matrix (DEM) and utilized the DEM for the growth of esophageal cancer cell KYSE30 in well plates and the bioreactor. We then analyzed the expression of cancer-related markers of KYSE30 cells and compared them with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue biospecimens. Our results show that the detergent-free decellularization method preserved the esophageal matrix components and effectively removed cell nucleus. KYSE30 cancer cells proliferated well on and inside the DEM. KYSE30 cells cultured on the DEM in the dynamic bioreactor show different cancer marker expressions than those in the static well plate, and also share some similarities to the FFPE-ESCC biospecimens. These findings built a foundation with potential for further study of esophageal cancer behavior in a biomimetic microenvironment using this new esophageal cancer model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials)

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12 pages, 3127 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Therapeutic Device (CUHK-OA-M2) for Relieving Symptoms Induced by Knee Osteoarthritis

by Li Zou, Kisum Chu, Xuan He, Ye Li, Liangbin Zhou, Xiayi Xu, Wei-Hsin Liao and Ling Qin

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010095 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2313

Abstract

The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) severely affect the life quality of the elderly population. Low-level laser therapy, heat therapy, and massage therapy are widely used as independent treatments for joint disorders. However, there are very limited reports of a combination of these [...] Read more.

The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) severely affect the life quality of the elderly population. Low-level laser therapy, heat therapy, and massage therapy are widely used as independent treatments for joint disorders. However, there are very limited reports of a combination of these therapies into an integrated device for KOA so far. This study aims to develop a novel hybrid therapeutic device that can meet various requirements for knee therapy. Our hybrid therapeutic device (CUHK-OA-M2) integrated with low-level laser therapy, heat therapy, and local massage therapy can effectively provide patients with KOA with relief from their clinical symptoms. A pilot test of 50 community-dwelling elderly volunteers with KOA was performed. Finally, 43 volunteers completed two treatment periods (30 days each) and two post-treatment periods (30 days each). The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were collected and analyzed after each period. The outputs of the low-level laser, heating, and massage therapies significantly decreased the WOMAC scores in terms of pain, stiffness, function and total WOMAC after two treatment periods (p < 0.05). Although the score increased slightly after the post-treatment period, it was still lower than the baseline, indicating the treatment outcome could last for an extended period. Therefore, our CUHK-OA-M2 device, as an integrated multi-functional hybrid therapeutic device, is therapeutically significant for treating osteoarthritis symptoms on the knee joints of elderly subjects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Medical Devices)

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22 pages, 3184 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Two-Compartment Fermentation System to Quantify Strain-Specific Interactions in Microbial Co-Cultures

by Andreas Ulmer, Stefan Veit, Florian Erdemann, Andreas Freund, Maren Loesch, Attila Teleki, Ahmad A. Zeidan and Ralf Takors

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010103 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1957

Abstract

To fulfil the growing interest in investigating microbial interactions in co-cultures, a novel two-compartment bioreactor system was developed, characterised, and implemented. The system allowed for the exchange of amino acids and peptides via a polyethersulfone membrane that retained biomass. Further system characterisation revealed [...] Read more.

To fulfil the growing interest in investigating microbial interactions in co-cultures, a novel two-compartment bioreactor system was developed, characterised, and implemented. The system allowed for the exchange of amino acids and peptides via a polyethersulfone membrane that retained biomass. Further system characterisation revealed a Bodenstein number of 18, which hints at backmixing. Together with other physical settings, the existence of unwanted inner-compartment substrate gradients could be ruled out. Furthermore, the study of Damkoehler numbers indicated that a proper metabolite supply between compartments was enabled. Implementing the two-compartment system (2cs) for growing Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subs. bulgaricus, which are microorganisms commonly used in yogurt starter cultures, revealed only a small variance between the one-compartment and two-compartment approaches. The 2cs enabled the quantification of the strain-specific production and consumption rates of amino acids in an interacting S. thermophilus–L. bulgaricus co-culture. Therefore, comparisons between mono- and co-culture performance could be achieved. Both species produce and release amino acids. Only alanine was produced de novo from glucose through potential transaminase activity by L. bulgaricus and consumed by S. thermophilus. Arginine availability in peptides was limited to S. thermophilus’ growth, indicating active biosynthesis and dependency on the proteolytic activity of L. bulgaricus. The application of the 2cs not only opens the door for the quantification of exchange fluxes between microbes but also enables continuous production modes, for example, for targeted evolution studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Bioreactors: Control, Optimization and Applications)
(This article belongs to the Section Biochemical Engineering)

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17 pages, 6475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing the Seeding Density of Human Mononuclear Cells to Improve the Purity of Highly Proliferative Mesenchymal Stem Cells

by Hiroyuki Nagai, Akihiro Miwa, Kenji Yoneda, Koichi Fujisawa and Taro Takami

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010102 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2315

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold considerable promise for regenerative medicine. Optimization of the seeding density of mononuclear cells (MNCs) improves the proliferative and differentiation potential of isolated MSCs. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. We cultured human bone marrow MNCs at various seeding [...] Read more.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold considerable promise for regenerative medicine. Optimization of the seeding density of mononuclear cells (MNCs) improves the proliferative and differentiation potential of isolated MSCs. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. We cultured human bone marrow MNCs at various seeding densities (4.0 × 10⁴, 1.25 × 10⁵, 2.5 × 10⁵, 6.0 × 10⁵, 1.25 × 10⁶ cells/cm²) and examined MSC colony formation. At lower seeding densities (4.0 × 10⁴, 1.25 × 10⁵ cells/cm²), colonies varied in diameter and density, from dense to sparse. In these colonies, the proportion of highly proliferative MSCs increased over time. In contrast, lower proliferative MSCs enlarged more rapidly. Senescent cells were removed using a short detachment treatment. We found that these mechanisms increase the purity of highly proliferative MSCs. Thereafter, we compared MSCs isolated under optimized conditions with a higher density (1.25 × 10⁶ cells/cm²). MSCs under optimized conditions exhibited significantly higher proliferative and differentiation potential into adipocytes and chondrocytes, except for osteocytes. We propose the following conditions to improve MSC quality: (1) optimizing MNC seeding density to form single-cell colonies; (2) adjusting incubation times to increase highly proliferative MSCs; and (3) establishing a detachment processing time that excludes senescent cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering and Modelling)

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10 pages, 2795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing Remote Speckle Plethysmography and Finger-Clip Photoplethysmography with Non-Invasive Finger Arterial Pressure Pulse Waves, Regarding Morphology and Arrival Time

by Jorge Herranz Olazabal, Fokko Wieringa, Evelien Hermeling and Chris Van Hoof

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010101 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2253

Abstract

Objective: The goal was to compare Speckle plethysmography (SPG) and Photoplethysmography (PPG) with non-invasive finger Arterial Pressure (fiAP) regarding Pulse Wave Morphology (PWM) and Pulse Arrival Time (PAT). Methods: Healthy volunteers (n = 8) were connected to a Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) monitor [...] Read more.

Objective: The goal was to compare Speckle plethysmography (SPG) and Photoplethysmography (PPG) with non-invasive finger Arterial Pressure (fiAP) regarding Pulse Wave Morphology (PWM) and Pulse Arrival Time (PAT). Methods: Healthy volunteers (n = 8) were connected to a Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) monitor providing fiAP pulse wave and PPG from a clinical transmission-mode SpO₂ finger clip. Biopac recorded 3-lead ECG. A camera placed at a 25 cm distance recorded a video stream (100 fps) of a finger illuminated by a laser diode at 639 nm. A chest belt (Polar) monitored respiration. All signals were recorded simultaneously during episodes of spontaneous breathing and paced breathing. Analysis: Post-processing was performed in Matlab to obtain SPG and analyze the SPG, PPG and fiAP mean absolute deviations (MADs) on PWM, plus PAT modulation. Results: Across 2599 beats, the average fiAP MAD with PPG was 0.17 (0–1) and with SPG 0.09 (0–1). PAT derived from ECG–fiAP correlated as follows: 0.65 for ECG–SPG and 0.67 for ECG–PPG. Conclusion: Compared to the clinical NIBP monitor fiAP reference, PWM from an experimental camera-derived non-contact reflective-mode SPG setup resembled fiAP significantly better than PPG from a simultaneously recorded clinical transmission-mode finger clip. For PAT values, no significant difference was found between ECG–SPG and ECG–PPG compared to ECG–fiAP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contactless Technologies for Human Vital Signs Monitoring)

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19 pages, 11727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In-Silico Lead Druggable Compounds Identification against SARS COVID-19 Main Protease Target from In-House, Chembridge and Zinc Databases by Structure-Based Virtual Screening, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

by Mehreen Ghufran, Mehran Ullah, Haider Ali Khan, Sabreen Ghufran, Muhammad Ayaz, Muhammad Siddiq, Syed Qamar Abbas, Syed Shams ul Hassan and Simona Bungau

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010100 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2587

Abstract

Pharmacological strategies to lower the viral load among patients suffering from severe diseases were researched in great detail during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The viral protease M^pro (3CLpro) is necessary for viral replication and is among the main therapeutic targets proposed, thus far. [...] Read more.

Pharmacological strategies to lower the viral load among patients suffering from severe diseases were researched in great detail during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The viral protease M^pro (3CLpro) is necessary for viral replication and is among the main therapeutic targets proposed, thus far. To stop the pandemic from spreading, researchers are working to find more effective M^pro inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. The 33.8 kDa M^pro protease of SARS-CoV-2, being a nonhuman homologue, has the possibility of being utilized as a therapeutic target against coronaviruses. To develop drug-like compounds capable of preventing the replication of SARS-main CoV-2’s protease (M^pro), a computer-aided drug design (CADD) approach is extremely viable. Using MOE, structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) of in-house and commercial databases was carried out using SARS-CoV-2 proteins. The most promising hits obtained during virtual screening (VS) were put through molecular docking with the help of MOE. The virtual screening yielded 3/5 hits (in-house database) and 56/66 hits (commercial databases). Finally, 3/5 hits (in-house database), 3/5 hits (ZINC database), and 2/7 hits (ChemBridge database) were chosen as potent lead compounds using various scaffolds due to their considerable binding affinity with M^pro protein. The outcomes of SBVS were then validated using an analysis based on molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). The complexes’ stability was tested using MDS and post-MDS. The most promising candidates were found to exhibit a high capacity for fitting into the protein-binding pocket and interacting with the catalytic dyad. At least one of the scaffolds selected will possibly prove useful for future research. However, further scientific confirmation in the form of preclinical and clinical research is required before implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Application of Mathematical and Computational Models in Biomedical Science and Engineering)

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23 pages, 5659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Injectable Hydrogel Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration

by Pauline Marie Chichiricco, Pietro Matricardi, Bruno Colaço, Pedro Gomes, Christine Jérôme, Julie Lesoeur, Joëlle Veziers, Gildas Réthoré, Pierre Weiss, Xavier Struillou and Catherine Le Visage

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010094 - 10 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2195

Abstract

In recent years, multicomponent hydrogels such as interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have emerged as innovative biomaterials due to the synergistic combination of the properties of each network. We hypothesized that an innovative non-animal IPN hydrogel combining self-setting silanized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Si-HPMC) with photochemically [...] Read more.

In recent years, multicomponent hydrogels such as interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have emerged as innovative biomaterials due to the synergistic combination of the properties of each network. We hypothesized that an innovative non-animal IPN hydrogel combining self-setting silanized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Si-HPMC) with photochemically cross-linkable dextran methacrylate (DexMA) could be a valid alternative to porcine collagen membranes in guided bone regeneration. Calvaria critical-size defects in rabbits were filled with synthetic biphasic calcium phosphate granules in conjunction with Si-HPMC; DexMA; or Si-HPMC/DexMA experimental membranes; and in a control group with a porcine collagen membrane. The synergistic effect obtained by interpenetration of the two polymer networks improved the physicochemical properties, and the gel point under visible light was reached instantaneously. Neutral red staining of murine L929 fibroblasts confirmed the cytocompatibility of the IPN. At 8 weeks, the photo-crosslinked membranes induced a similar degree of mineral deposition in the calvaria defects compared to the positive control, with 30.5 ± 5.2% for the IPN and 34.3 ± 8.2% for the collagen membrane. The barrier effect appeared to be similar in the IPN test group compared with the collagen membrane. In conclusion, this novel, easy-to-handle and apply, photochemically cross-linkable IPN hydrogel is an excellent non-animal alternative to porcine collagen membrane in guided bone regeneration procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)

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21 pages, 1762 KiB

Open AccessReview

In Vitro 3D Modeling of Neurodegenerative Diseases

by Aurélie Louit, Todd Galbraith and François Berthod

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010093 - 10 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3101

Abstract

The study of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is very complex due to the difficulty in investigating the cellular dynamics within nervous tissue. Despite numerous advances in the in vivo study of these diseases, [...] Read more.

The study of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is very complex due to the difficulty in investigating the cellular dynamics within nervous tissue. Despite numerous advances in the in vivo study of these diseases, the use of in vitro analyses is proving to be a valuable tool to better understand the mechanisms implicated in these diseases. Although neural cells remain difficult to obtain from patient tissues, access to induced multipotent stem cell production now makes it possible to generate virtually all neural cells involved in these diseases (from neurons to glial cells). Many original 3D culture model approaches are currently being developed (using these different cell types together) to closely mimic degenerative nervous tissue environments. The aim of these approaches is to allow an interaction between glial cells and neurons, which reproduces pathophysiological reality by co-culturing them in structures that recapitulate embryonic development or facilitate axonal migration, local molecule exchange, and myelination (to name a few). This review details the advantages and disadvantages of techniques using scaffolds, spheroids, organoids, 3D bioprinting, microfluidic systems, and organ-on-a-chip strategies to model neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

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

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10 pages, 2798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Automated MRI Field of View Prescription from Region of Interest Prediction by Intra-Stack Attention Neural Network

by Ke Lei, Ali B. Syed, Xucheng Zhu, John M. Pauly and Shreyas V. Vasanawala

Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010092 - 10 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1781

Abstract

Manual prescription of the field of view (FOV) by MRI technologists is variable and prolongs the scanning process. Often, the FOV is too large or crops critical anatomy. We propose a deep learning framework, trained by radiologists’ supervision, for automating FOV prescription. An [...] Read more.

Manual prescription of the field of view (FOV) by MRI technologists is variable and prolongs the scanning process. Often, the FOV is too large or crops critical anatomy. We propose a deep learning framework, trained by radiologists’ supervision, for automating FOV prescription. An intra-stack shared feature extraction network and an attention network are used to process a stack of 2D image inputs to generate scalars defining the location of a rectangular region of interest (ROI). The attention mechanism is used to make the model focus on a small number of informative slices in a stack. Then, the smallest FOV that makes the neural network predicted ROI free of aliasing is calculated by an algebraic operation derived from MR sampling theory. The framework’s performance is examined quantitatively with intersection over union (IoU) and pixel error on position and qualitatively with a reader study. The proposed model achieves an average IoU of 0.867 and an average ROI position error of 9.06 out of 512 pixels on 80 test cases, significantly better than two baseline models and not significantly different from a radiologist. Finally, the FOV given by the proposed framework achieves an acceptance rate of 92% from an experienced radiologist. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI in MRI: Frontiers and Applications)

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