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Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering

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A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 31740

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Prof. Dr. Ludomira H. Granicka

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Guest Editor

The Maciej Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ksiecia Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nanobiosystems; bioencapsulation; separation of biological material; membrane scaffolds

Prof. Dr. Wojciech Piątkiewicz

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Co-Guest Editor

PolymemTech sp. zo.o., ul. Wołodyjowskiego 46, 02-724 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: membrane technology; membrane separation processes; membrane filtration system design; mathematical modeling of membrane filtration processes; Membrane surface modification; advance oxidation processes; sonochemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The thematic scope of "Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering" is very wide, it concerns new methods of designing membrane systems for biomedical and biomedical-related environmental processes. Biomedical applications are aimed at metabolic support, replacement of lost organs, or tissue functions. This includes membrane nanosystems in process regulation, involving drug delivery systems and membrane scaffolds for supporting cell growth. Due to the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant microorganism strains, it becomes important to obtain effective bacteriostatic materials. The membranes combining both functions, i.e., antibacterial and supporting cell growth, can be used, among others, in systems for dressing purposes. Some attention will be paid to the significantly growing problem of the impact of the pharmaceutical substances in drinkable water in relation to the membrane filtration systems to remove these harmful substances. The membranes themselves as part of the systems intended for biomedical applications are the basis of this issue. Methods of their formation, materials used for production, e.g., composite materials including nanoparticles connected with a wide branch of nanotechnology are subjects of interest. Anticipated issues do not exclude the practical aspects of introducing innovative medical devices using membranes to the market.

Prof. Dr. Ludomira H. Granicka
Prof. Dr. Wojciech Piątkiewicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

Membrane systems
Scaffolds
Bacteriostatic and antiviral properties
Cells
Nanoparticles

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 200 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering

by Ludomira H. Granicka and Wojciech Piątkiewicz

Membranes 2023, 13(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010041 - 29 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1111

Abstract

The thematic scope concerning membrane systems for biomedical engineering is very wide; it concerns new methods of designing membrane systems for biomedical and biomedical-related environmental processes [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

Research

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18 pages, 6664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Membrane Differentiates Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Neurospheres by Mechanotransduction Related to YAP and AMOT Proteins

by Nathalia Barth de Oliveira, Ana Carolina Irioda, Priscila Elias Ferreira Stricker, Bassam Felipe Mogharbel, Nádia Nascimento da Rosa, Dilcele Silva Moreira Dziedzic and Katherine Athayde Teixeira de Carvalho

Membranes 2021, 11(9), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11090687 - 05 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2568

Abstract

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are promising candidates for regenerative medicine, as they have good cell yield and can differentiate into several cell lines. When induced to the neuronal differentiation, they form neurospheres composed of neural precursors (NPs) that can be an alternative in treating neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to characterize NPs from neurospheres obtained after seeding ADMSCs on a natural polyisoprene-based membrane. The ADMSCs were isolated from adipose tissue by enzymatic dissociation, were subjected to trilineage differentiation, and were characterized by flow cytometry for specific ADMSC surface markers. For neuronal differentiation, the cells were seeded on polystyrene flasks coated with the membrane and were characterized by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The results demonstrated that the isolated cells showed characteristics of ADMSCs. At 15 to 25 days, ADMSCs seeded on the natural membrane developed neurospheres. Then, after dissociation, the cells demonstrated characteristic neuronal markers expressed on NPs: nestin, ß-III tubulin, GFAP, NeuN, and the YAP1/AMOT in the cytoplasm. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that this membrane differentiates the ADMSCs to NPs without any induction factors, and suggests that their differentiation mechanisms are related to mechanotransduction regulated by the YAP and AMOT proteins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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13 pages, 2256 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells and Mineralized Extracellular Matrix Delivery by a Human Decellularized Amniotic Membrane in Periodontal Tissue Engineering

by Dilcele Silva Moreira Dziedzic, Bassam Felipe Mogharbel, Ana Carolina Irioda, Priscila Elias Ferreira Stricker, Maiara Carolina Perussolo, Célia Regina Cavichiolo Franco, Hsueh-Wen Chang, Eltyeb Abdelwahid and Katherine Athayde Teixeira de Carvalho

Membranes 2021, 11(8), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080606 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2555

Abstract

Periodontitis is a prevalent disease characterized by the loss of periodontal supporting tissues, bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum. The application of a bone tissue engineering strategy with Decellularized Human Amniotic Membrane (DAM) with adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) has shown to be convenient and valuable. This study aims to investigate the treatments of a rat periodontal furcation defect model with DAM, ASCs, and a mineralized extracellular matrix (ECM). Rat ASCs were expanded, cultivated on DAM, and with a bone differentiation medium for four weeks, deposited ECM on DAM. Periodontal healing for four weeks was evaluated by micro-computed tomography and histological analysis after treatments with DAM, ASCs, and ECM and compared to untreated defects on five consecutive horizontal levels, from gingival to apical. The results demonstrate that DAM preserves its structure during cultivation and healing periods, supporting cell attachment, permeation, bone deposition on DAM, and periodontal regeneration. DAM and DAM+ASCs enhance bone healing compared to the control on the gingival level. In conclusion, DAM with ASC or without cells and the ECM ensures bone tissue healing. The membrane supported neovascularization and promoted osteoconduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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16 pages, 6735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded on the Natural Membrane to Neurospheres for Cholinergic-like Neurons

by Priscila Elias Ferreira Stricker, Daiany de Souza Dobuchak, Ana Carolina Irioda, Bassam Felipe Mogharbel, Celia Regina Cavichiolo Franco, José Roberto de Souza Almeida Leite, Alyne Rodrigues de Araújo, Felipe Azevedo Borges, Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano, Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff, Juan Carlos Chachques and Katherine Athayde Teixeira de Carvalho

Membranes 2021, 11(8), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080598 - 07 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3148

Abstract

This study aimed to differentiate human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from the human umbilical cord in cholinergic-like neurons using a natural membrane. The isolation of hMSCs from Wharton’s jelly (WJ) was carried out using “explant” and mononuclear cells by the density gradient from umbilical blood and characterized by flow cytometry. hMSCs were seeded in a natural functional biopolymer membrane to produce neurospheres. RT-PCR was performed on hMSCs and neurospheres derived from the umbilical cord. Neural precursor cells were subjected to a standard cholinergic-like neuron differentiation protocol. Dissociated neurospheres, neural precursor cells, and cholinergic-like neurons were characterized by immunocytochemistry. hMSCs were CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD34- and CD45- and demonstrated the trilineage differentiation. Neurospheres and their isolated cells were nestin-positive and expressed NESTIN, MAP2, ßIII-TUBULIN, GFAP genes. Neural precursor cells that were differentiated in cholinergic-like neurons expressed ßIII-TUBULIN protein and choline acetyltransferase enzyme. hMSCs seeded on the natural membrane can differentiate into neurospheres, obtaining neural precursor cells without growth factors or gene transfection before cholinergic phenotype differentiation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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16 pages, 5012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Composite Membrane System with Gold Nanoparticles, Hydroxyapatite, and Fullerenol for Dual Interaction for Biomedical Purposes

by Anna Grzeczkowicz, Monika Drabik, Agata Lipko, Paweł Bącal, Angelika Kwiatkowska, Beata Kazimierczak and Ludomira H. Granicka

Membranes 2021, 11(8), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080565 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1872

Abstract

Background: Wound dressing plays a vital role in post-operative aftercare. There is the necessity to develop dressings for application on the border of soft and hard tissue. This study aimed to develop multifunctional polyelectrolyte layers enhanced by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and/or fullerenol nanocomposites to achieve a wound dressing that could be applied on the bone-skin interface. Methods: Constructed shells were examined using TEM, STEM, and EDX techniques. The human osteoblasts or fibroblasts were immobilized within the shells. The systems morphology was assessed using SEM. The functioning of cells was determined by flow cytomery. Moreover, the internalization of AuNPs was assessed. Results: Involvement of fullerenol and/or hydroxyapatite nanoparticles influenced the immobilized cell systems morphology. Membranes with fullerenol and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were observed to block the internalization of AuNPs by immobilized hFOB cells. Conclusions: The designed bilayer membranes incorporating fullerenol, and bacteriostatic elements, prevented the internalization of AuNPs by hFOB cells and ensured the proper counts and morphology of eukaryotic cells. The developed material can be recommended for dressings at the bone-skin interface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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11 pages, 3185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial and In Vivo Studies of a Green, One-Pot Preparation of Copper/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle-Coated Bandages

by Archana R. Deokar, Ilana Perelshtein, Melissa Saibene, Nina Perkas, Paride Mantecca, Yeshayahu Nitzan and Aharon Gedanken

Membranes 2021, 11(7), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11070462 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2206

Abstract

Simultaneous water and ethanol-based synthesis and coating of copper and zinc oxide (CuO/ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) on bandages was carried out by ultrasound irradiation. High resolution-transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the effects of the solvent on the particle size and shape of metal oxide NPs. An antibacterial activity study of metal-oxide-coated bandages was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative). CuO NP-coated bandages made from both water and ethanol demonstrated complete killing of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria within 30 min., whereas ZnO NP-coated bandages demonstrated five-log reductions in viability for both kinds of bacteria after 60 min of interaction. Further, the antibacterial mechanism of CuO/ZnO NP-coated bandages is proposed here based on electron spin resonance studies. Nanotoxicology investigations were conducted via in vivo examinations of the effect of the metal-oxide bandages on frog embryos (teratogenesis assay—Xenopus). The results show that water-based coatings resulted in lesser impacts on embryo development than the ethanol-based ones. These bandages should therefore be considered safer than the ethanol-based ones. The comparison between the toxicity of the metal oxide NPs prepared in water and ethanol is of great importance, because water will replace ethanol for bulk scale synthesis of metal oxide NPs in commercial companies to avoid further ignition problems. The novelty and importance of this manuscript is avoiding the ethanol in the typical water:ethanol mixture as the solvent for the preparation of metal oxide NPs. Ethanol is ignitable, and commercial companies are trying the evade its use. This is especially important these days, as the face mask produced by sonochemistry (SONOMASK) is being sold all over the world by SONOVIA, and it is coated with ZnO. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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Review

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16 pages, 2175 KiB

Open AccessReview

Virtual and Artificial Cardiorespiratory Patients in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering

by Krzysztof Zieliński, Tomasz Gólczewski, Maciej Kozarski and Marek Darowski

Membranes 2022, 12(6), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060548 - 25 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1653

Abstract

Recently, ‘medicine in silico’ has been strongly encouraged due to ethical and legal limitations related to animal experiments and investigations conducted on patients. Computer models, particularly the very complex ones (virtual patients—VP), can be used in medical education and biomedical research as well as in clinical applications. Simpler patient-specific models may aid medical procedures. However, computer models are unfit for medical devices testing. Hybrid (i.e., numerical–physical) models do not have this disadvantage. In this review, the chosen approach to the cardiovascular system and/or respiratory system modeling was discussed with particular emphasis given to the hybrid cardiopulmonary simulator (the artificial patient), that was elaborated by the authors. The VP is useful in the education of forced spirometry, investigations of cardiopulmonary interactions (including gas exchange) and its influence on pulmonary resistance during artificial ventilation, and explanation of phenomena observed during thoracentesis. The artificial patient is useful, inter alia, in staff training and education, investigations of cardiorespiratory support and the testing of several medical devices, such as ventricular assist devices and a membrane-based artificial heart. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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25 pages, 4105 KiB

Open AccessReview

Composite Membrane Dressings System with Metallic Nanoparticles as an Antibacterial Factor in Wound Healing

by Angelika Kwiatkowska, Monika Drabik, Agata Lipko, Anna Grzeczkowicz, Radosław Stachowiak, Anna Marszalik and Ludomira H. Granicka

Membranes 2022, 12(2), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020215 - 13 Feb 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7094

Abstract

Wound management is the burning problem of modern medicine, significantly burdening developed countries’ healthcare systems. In recent years, it has become clear that the achievements of nanotechnology have introduced a new quality in wound healing. The application of nanomaterials in wound dressing significantly improves their properties and promotes the healing of injuries. Therefore, this review paper presents the subjectively selected nanomaterials used in wound dressings, including the metallic nanoparticles (NPs), and refers to the aspects of their application as antimicrobial factors. The literature review was supplemented with the results of our team’s research on the elements of multifunctional new-generation dressings containing nanoparticles. The wound healing multiple molecular pathways, mediating cell types, and affecting agents are discussed herein. Moreover, the categorization of wound dressings is presented. Additionally, some materials and membrane constructs applied in wound dressings are described. Finally, bacterial participation in wound healing and the mechanism of the antibacterial function of nanoparticles are considered. Membranes involving NPs as the bacteriostatic factors for improving wound healing of skin and bones, including our experimental findings, are discussed in the paper. In addition, some studies of our team concerning the selected bacterial strains’ interaction with material involving different metallic NPs, such as AuNPs, AgNPs, Fe₃O₄NPs, and CuNPs, are presented. Furthermore, nanoparticles’ influence on selected eukaryotic cells is mentioned. The ideal, universal wound dressing still has not been obtained; thus, a new generation of products have been developed, represented by the nanocomposite materials with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties that can influence the wound-healing process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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14 pages, 5502 KiB

Open AccessReview

Using of Amniotic Membrane Derivatives for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds

by Iveta Schmiedova, Alena Dembickaja, Ludmila Kiselakova, Beata Nowakova and Petr Slama

Membranes 2021, 11(12), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11120941 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3832

Abstract

Amniotic membrane grafts have some therapeutic potential for wounds healing. Early application of amniotic membrane turned out as beneficial in healing ulcers, burns, and dermal injuries. Since the second half of the 20th century, the autotransplants of amniotic/chorion tissue have been also used for the treatment of chronic neuropathic wounds, cornea surface injuries, pterygium and conjunctivochalasis, and dental and neurosurgical applications. The aim of this publication is to prepare a coherent overview of amniotic membrane derivatives use in the field of wound healing and also its efficacy. In total 60 publications and 39 posters from 2000–2020 were examined. In these examined publications of case studies with known study results was an assemblage of 1141 patients, and from this assemblage 977 were successfully cured. In case of posters, the assemblage is 570 patients and 513 successfully cured. From the investigated data it is clear that the treatment efficacy is very high—86% and 90%, respectively. Based on this information the use of the amniotic membrane for chronic wounds can be considered highly effective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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15 pages, 2321 KiB

Open AccessReview

Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides (MXenes) for Water Purification and Antibacterial Applications

by Inamullah Mahar, Fida Hussain Memon, Jae-Wook Lee, Kyung Hwan Kim, Rafique Ahmed, Faheeda Soomro, Faisal Rehman, Ayaz Ali Memon, Khalid Hussain Thebo and Kyung Hyun Choi

Membranes 2021, 11(11), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110869 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4329

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDS), boron nitride (BN), and layered double hydroxide (LDH) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely investigated as potential candidates in various separation applications because of their high mechanical strength, large surface area, ideal chemical and thermal stability, simplicity, ease of functionalization, environmental comparability, and good antibacterial performance. Recently, MXene as a new member of the 2D polymer family has attracted significant attention in water purification, desalination, gas separation, antibacterial, and antifouling applications. Herein, we review the most recent progress in the fabrication, preparation, and modification methods of MXene-based lamellar membranes with the emphasis on applications for water purification and desalination. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of MXene-based membranes show a significant potential for commercial use in water purification. Thus, this review provides a directional guide for future development in this emerging technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering)

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