Design, additive manufacturing, and characterization of an organ-on-chip microfluidic device for oral mucosa analogue growth.

Introduction: Α customized organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device was developed for dynamic culture of oral mucosa equivalents (Oral_mucosa_chip-OMC).

Materials And Methods: Additive Manufacturing (AM) was performed via stereolithography (SLA) printing. The dimensional accuracy was evaluated via microfocus computed tomography (mCT), the surface characteristics via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the mechanical properties via nanoindentation and compression tests.

Evaluation of MDR-specific phage Pɸ-Mi-Pa loaded mucoadhesive electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa- induced wound infections in an animal model.

Given the escalating prevalence of drug-resistant wounds, there is a justified imperative to explore innovative and more efficacious therapies that diverge from conventional, ineffective wound healing approaches. This research has introduced a strategy to address multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a chronic wound model, employing MDR-specific phage Pɸ-Mi-Pa loaded onto mucoadhesive electrospun scaffolds. A cocktail of three isolates of P.

Advancements in Biomaterials for Bioengineering and Biotechnology.

Biomaterials, whether of biological or synthetic origin, have risen to the forefront of modern medical innovation since the early 2000s, transcending their traditional roles in orthopedic and dental applications, to encompass drug delivery systems, implantable biosensors, and templates for cellular growth and tissue regeneration [...

Could footwear stiffness reduce the development of proinflammatory markers in long-distance runners?

Purpose: Strenuous running triggers the coordination of pro- and anti-inflammatory, as well as immunoregulatory cytokines, which are upregulated in response to inflammatory stimulus and thus considered a precursor to overuse injury. The aim of this study was to correlate injury risk to footwear stiffness normalized against each runner's weight, i.e.

Mini-review: Pathways of postural disturbances tracing to the stomatognathic system.

Postural alignment is strongly shaped by inborn anatomical and nonvolitional neural factors, whereas postural stability is dynamic in nature and driven by both automatic and volitional sensorimotor processes. The sensory and motor systems responsible for these functions are tightly integrated with the central nervous system, several vital structures of which are in close proximity to the stomatognathic system. Interventions in the oral cavity have therefore been stipulated to provide sensory feedback, which may then be translated into motor function.

Biological Activities of Citrus-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Human Cells: The Role of Preservation.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as important mediators for cell-to-cell communication. Citrus-based EVs in particular offer an excellent platform for nutraceutical delivery systems, as their endemic cargo includes micronutrients (e.g.

Clinical translation of polycaprolactone-based tissue engineering scaffolds, fabricated via additive manufacturing: A review of their craniofacial applications.

The craniofacial region is characterized by its intricate bony anatomy and exposure to heightened functional forces presenting a unique challenge for reconstruction. Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the creation of customized scaffolds with interconnected pores and biomimetic microarchitecture, offering precise adaptation to various craniofacial defects. Within this domain, medical-grade poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) has been extensively used for the fabrication of 3D printed scaffolds, specifically tailored for bone regeneration.

Viability and Proliferation Assessment of Gingival Fibroblasts Cultured on Silver Nanoparticle-Doped Ti-6Al-4V Surfaces.

Purpose: To investigate the biocompatibility of silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-doped Ti-6Al-4V surfaces by evaluating the viability and proliferation rate of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs)-as the dominant cells of peri-implant soft tissues-seeded on the modified surfaces.

Materials And Methods: AgNPs (sizes 8 nm and 30 nm) were incorporated onto Ti-6Al-4V specimen surfaces via electrochemical deposition, using colloid silver dispersions with increasing AgNP concentrations of 100 ppm, 200 ppm, and 300 ppm. One control and six experimental groups were included in the study: (1) control (Ti-6Al-4V), (2) 8 nm/100 ppm, (3) 8 nm/200 ppm, (4) 8 nm/300 ppm, (5) 30 nm/100 ppm, (6) 30 nm/200 ppm, and (7) 30 nm/300 ppm.

Notch Signaling Pathway in Tooth Shape Variations throughout Evolution.

Evolutionary changes in vertebrates are linked to genetic alterations that often affect tooth crown shape, which is a criterion of speciation events. The Notch pathway is highly conserved between species and controls morphogenetic processes in most developing organs, including teeth. Epithelial loss of the Notch-ligand Jagged1 in developing mouse molars affects the location, size and interconnections of their cusps that lead to minor tooth crown shape modifications convergent to those observed along Muridae evolution.

Antibacterial Activity of Copper Nanoparticles against pv. in Tomato Plants.

Copper-based bactericides have appeared as a new tool in crop protection and offer an effective solution to combat bacterial resistance. In this work, two copper nanoparticle products that were previously synthesized and evaluated against major bacterial and fungal pathogens were tested on their ability to control the bacterial spot disease of tomato. Growth of pv.

Cellular biomechanics: Fluid-structure interaction or structural simulation?

The mechanisms by which cells respond to their changing mechanical environment and how this stimulus is decoded intracellularly from the tissue to the organ level, are widely considered as fundamental for most biological processes. Despite this, the underlying phenomena of mechanotransduction, are still not very well understood. Over the last years, numerical modeling has emerged as a cohesive element in the interpretation of biophysical and biochemical assays, concerning cellular mechanotransduction.

Antibacterial Effect of Colloidal Suspensions Varying in Silver Nanoparticles and Ions Concentrations.

A lot of effort has been dedicated recently to provide a better insight into the mechanism of the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) colloidal suspensions and their released silver ionic counterparts. However, there is no consistency regarding whether the antibacterial effect displayed at cellular level originates from the AgNPs or their ionic constitutes. To address this issue, three colloidal suspensions exhibiting different ratios of AgNPs/silver ions were synthesized by a wet chemistry method in conjunction with tangential flow filtration, and were characterized and evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against two gram-negative, () and (), and two gram-positive, () and (), bacterial strains.

Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Therapeutic Nanocarriers.

Mammalian exosomes have emerged as a promising class of functional materials, inspiring novel applications as therapeutic vehicles and nutraceutical compounds. Despite this, their immunogenicity has been an issue of controversy within the scientific community. Although, exosome-like vesicles, innately formed in plants and inherent to eukaryotic cell-derived vesicles, could soothe most of the concerns, they are notably underutilized as therapeutic modalities.

Evaluation of the Response of HOS and Saos-2 Osteosarcoma Cell Lines When Exposed to Different Sizes and Concentrations of Silver Nanoparticles.

Osteosarcoma is considered to be a highly malignant tumor affecting primarily long bones. It metastasizes widely, primarily to the lungs, resulting in poor survival rates of between 19 and 30%. Standard treatment consists of surgical removal of the affected site, with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy commonly used, with the usual side effects and complications.

Posterior spinal stabilization: A biomechanical comparison of Laminar Hook Fusion to a Pedicle Screw System.

Background: Several spine instrumentation techniques have been introduced to correct inter-segmental alignment, or provide long-term stability. Whilst pedicle screws are considered the intervention of reference, we hypothesize that the week hold of osteoporotic bone, might be a clinical indicator for an alternative surgical approach.

Methods: To put this to the test, a non-linear Finite Element model, of a ligamentous lumbosacral spine, was employed to examine a stabilization spanning over L3-L5.

A finite element model of an osteoblast to quantify the transduction of exogenous forces to cellular components.

Encouraged by recent advances of biophysical and biochemical assays we introduce a 3D finite element model of an osteoblast, seeking an analogue between exogenous forces and intracellularly activated sensory mechanisms. The cell was reverse engineered and the dimensions of the internal cellular structures were based on literature data. The model was verified and validated against atomic force microscopy experiments and four loading scenarios were considered.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Copper Nanoparticles for the Control of Leaf Spot and Anthracnose Diseases of Olive.

Olive crop is frequently treated with copper fungicides to combat foliar and fruit diseases such as olive leaf spot caused by and anthracnose caused by spp. The replacement of copper-based products with more eco-friendly alternatives is a priority. Metal nanoparticles synthesized in several ways have recently revolutionized crop protection with applications against important crop pathogens.

Biophysical interactions between components of the tumor microenvironment promote metastasis.

During metastasis, tumor cells need to adapt to their dynamic microenvironment and modify their mechanical properties in response to both chemical and mechanical stimulation. Physical interactions occur between cancer cells and the surrounding matrix including cell movements and cell shape alterations through the process of mechanotransduction. The latter describes the translation of external mechanical cues into intracellular biochemical signaling.

Bactericides Based on Copper Nanoparticles Restrain Growth of Important Plant Pathogens.

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) can offer an alternative to conventional copper bactericides and possibly slow down the development of bacterial resistance. This will consequently lower the accumulation rate of copper to soil and water and lower the environmental and health burden imposed by copper application. Physical and chemical methods have been reported to synthesize CuNPs but their use as bactericides in plants has been understudied.

Influence of Preparation Depth and Design on Stress Distribution in Maxillary Central Incisors Restored with Ceramic Veneers: A 3D Finite Element Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of different preparation designs and depths on the stress field developed in maxillary central incisors restored with veneers made with different ceramic materials using finite element analysis (FEA).

Materials And Methods: A linear static three-dimensional finite element analysis model was used with the aid of reverse engineering to develop digital models of maxillary central incisors restored with ceramic veneers, according to two different preparation depths (thin vs deep) and two different preparation designs (feather edge vs butt joint). Three ceramic systems were tested: (i) feldspathic porcelain, (ii) heat pressed glass ceramic IPS Empress 2 (Ivoclar Vivadent AG), and (iii) heat pressed glass ceramic IPS e.

Assessment of cytotoxicity and antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticle-doped titanium alloy surfaces.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-doped TiAlV alloy surfaces and investigate their antibacterial properties against representative periopathogens and potential cytotoxicity on osteoblastic cells.

Methods: AgNPs of different size distributions (5 and 30nm) were incorporated onto the TiAlV surfaces by electrochemical deposition, using colloid silver dispersions with increasing AgNP concentrations (100, 200 and 300ppm). The time-course silver release from the specimen surfaces to cell culture media was assessed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling.

Objective: During the last century, running shoes have been subject to drastic changes with incremental however improvements as to injury prevention. This may be, among others, due to the limited insight that experimental methodologies can provide on their 3D in situ response. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of finite element (FE) modelling techniques, in optimizing a midsole system as to the provided cushioning capacity.

A Bio-Realistic Finite Element Model to Evaluate the Effect of Masticatory Loadings on Mouse Mandible-Related Tissues.

Mice are arguably the dominant model organisms for studies investigating the effect of genetic traits on the pathways to mammalian skull and teeth development, thus being integral in exploring craniofacial and dental evolution. The aim of this study is to analyse the functional significance of masticatory loads on the mouse mandible and identify critical stress accumulations that could trigger phenotypic and/or growth alterations in mandible-related structures. To achieve this, a 3D model of mouse skulls was reconstructed based on Micro Computed Tomography measurements.

The Effect of Body Mass on the Shoe-Athlete Interaction.

Long-distance running is known to induce joint overloading and elevate cytokine levels, which are the hallmarks for a variety of running-related injuries. To address this, footwear systems incorporate cushioning midsoles to mitigate injurious mechanical loading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of athlete body mass on the cushioning capacity of technical footwear.