Quantitative gastrointestinal function and corresponding symptom profiles in autonomic neuropathy.

Purpose: Peripheral neuropathies with autonomic nervous system involvement are a recognized cause of gastrointestinal dysmotility for a wide spectrum of diseases. Recent advances in wireless motility capsule testing allow improved sampling of regional and whole gut motility to aid in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal motility disorders and may provide additional insight into segment-specific enteric involvement of peripheral neuropathies affecting autonomic nervous system function.

Methods: We utilized standardized autonomic nervous system (ANS) reflex assessment and wireless motility capsule testing to evaluate 20 individuals with idiopathic autonomic neuropathy and unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.

Nanomaterial Patterning in 3D Printing.

The synergistic integration of nanomaterials with 3D printing technologies can enable the creation of architecture and devices with an unprecedented level of functional integration. In particular, a multiscale 3D printing approach can seamlessly interweave nanomaterials with diverse classes of materials to impart, program, or modulate a wide range of functional properties in an otherwise passive 3D printed object. However, achieving such multiscale integration is challenging as it requires the ability to pattern, organize, or assemble nanomaterials in a 3D printing process.

3D printed nanomaterial-based electronic, biomedical, and bioelectronic devices.

The ability to seamlessly integrate functional materials into three-dimensional (3D) constructs has been of significant interest, as it can enable the creation of multifunctional devices. Such integration can be achieved with a multiscale, multi-material 3D printing strategy. This technology has enabled the creation of unique devices such as personalized tissue regenerative scaffolds, biomedical implants, 3D electronic devices, and bionic constructs which are challenging to realize with conventional manufacturing processes.