Non-Invasive Plasmonic-Based Real-Time Characterization of Cardiac Drugs on Cardiomyocytes Functional Behavior.

In the fabrication of cardiac tissue, an important factor is continuous measurement of its contraction features. A module that allows for a dynamic system capable of noninvasive and label-free monitoring of the contraction profile under administering chemicals and drugs is highly valuable for understanding accurate tissue mechanobiology. In this research, we have successfully demonstrated the use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology for the first time to characterize the contractility of cardiac cells in response to Blebbistatin and ATP drug exposure in real tme.

Elastin-Dependent Aortic Heart Valve Leaflet Curvature Changes During Cyclic Flexure.

The progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, leading to structural abnormalities and improper valve function. The focus of the present study was to relate aortic valve leaflet axial curvature changes as a function of elastin degradation, which has been associated with CAVD. Circumferential rectangular strips (L × W = 10 × 2.