The effect of enzymatic GAG degradation on transverse shear properties of porcine cornea.

The structural integrity of cornea depends on properties of its extracellular matrix, mainly a mixture of collagen fibers and soluble proteoglycans (PGs). PGs are macromolecules of negatively charged sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) covalently attached to a protein core. GAGs appear as bridges between adjacent collagen fibers and could facilitate force transfer between them.

Capacitive Sensors Based on Recycled Carbon Fibre (rCF) Composites.

Recycled carbon fibre (rCF) composites are increasingly being explored for applications such as strain sensing, manufacturing of automobile parts, assistive technologies, and structural health monitoring due to their properties and economic and environmental benefits. The high conductivity of carbon and its wide application for sensing makes rCF very attractive for integrating sensing into passive structures. In this paper, capacitive sensors have been fabricated using rCF composites of varying compositions.

Planar biaxial testing of CXL strengthening effects.

The stiffening effect of corneal crosslinking (CXL) treatment, a therapeutic approach for managing the progression of keratoconus, has been primarily investigated using uniaxial tensile experiments. However, this testing technique has several drawbacks and is unable to measure the mechanical response of cornea under a multiaxial loading state. In this work, we used biaxial mechanical testing method to characterize biomechanical properties of porcine cornea before and after CXL treatment.

Artificial intelligence for family medicine research in Canada: current state and future directions: Report of the CFPC AI Working Group.

Objective: To understand the current landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) for family medicine (FM) research in Canada, identify how the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) could support near-term positive progress in this field, and strengthen the community working in this field.

Composition Of The Committee: Members of a scientific planning committee provided guidance alongside members of a CFPC staff advisory committee, led by the CFPC-AMS TechForward Fellow and including CFPC, FM, and AI leaders.

Methods: This initiative included 2 projects.

Biodegradation of polyethylene and polystyrene by Zophobas atratus larvae from Bangladeshi source and isolation of two plastic-degrading gut bacteria.

Plastic pollution has become a major environmental concern globally, and novel and eco-friendly approaches like bioremediation are essential to mitigate the impact. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and expanded polystyrene (EPS) are three of the most frequently used plastic types. This study examined biodegradation of these using Zophobas atratus larvae, followed by isolation and whole genome sequencing of gut bacteria collected from larvae frass.

The relationship between keratan sulfate glycosaminoglycan density and mechanical stiffening of CXL treatment.

The corneal stroma is primarily composed of collagen fibrils, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). It is known that corneal crosslinking (CXL) treatment improves mechanical properties of the cornea. However, the influence of stromal composition on the strengthening effect of CXL procedure has not been thoroughly investigated.

The role of KS GAGs in the microstructure of CXL-treated corneal stroma; a transmission electron microscopy study.

The mechanical and physical properties of the cornea originate from the microstructure and composition of its extracellular matrix. It is known that collagen fibrils, with a relatively uniform diameter, are organized in a pseudo-hexagonal array. It has been suggested that proteoglycans and the interaction of their glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains with themselves and collagen fibrils are important for collagen fibril organization inside the cornea.

Effect of corneal collagen crosslinking on viscoelastic shear properties of the cornea.

The cornea is responsible for most of the refractive power in the eye and acts as a protective layer for internal contents of the eye. The cornea requires mechanical strength for maintaining its precise shape and for withstanding external and internal forces. Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is a treatment option to improve corneal mechanical properties.

Assisting the Non-invasive Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis Stages using Machine Learning Methods.

Fibrosis is a significant indication of chronic liver diseases often due to hepatitis C Virus. It is becoming a global concern as a result of the rapid increase in the number of HCV infected patients, the high cost and flaws associated with the assessment process of liver fibrosis. This study aims to determine the features that significantly contribute to the identification of the stages of liver fibrosis and to generate rules to assist physicians during the treatment of the patients as a clinically non-invasive approach.