A Graph-Based Machine-Learning Approach Combined with Optical Measurements to Understand Beating Dynamics of Cardiomyocytes.

The development of computational models for the prediction of cardiac cellular dynamics remains a challenge due to the lack of first-principled mathematical models. We develop a novel machine-learning approach hybridizing physics simulation and graph networks to deliver robust predictions of cardiomyocyte dynamics. Embedded with inductive physical priors, the proposed constraint-based interaction neural projection (CINP) algorithm can uncover hidden physical constraints from sparse image data on a small set of beating cardiac cells and provide robust predictions for heterogenous large-scale cell sets.

Generative adversarial network model to classify human induced pluripotent stem cell-cardiomyocytes based on maturation level.

Our study develops a generative adversarial network (GAN)-based method that generates faithful synthetic image data of human cardiomyocytes at varying stages in their maturation process, as a tool to significantly enhance the classification accuracy of cells and ultimately assist the throughput of computational analysis of cellular structure and functions. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) were cultured on micropatterned collagen coated hydrogels of physiological stiffnesses to facilitate maturation and optical measurements were performed for their structural and functional analyses. Control groups were cultured on collagen coated glass well plates.

Peripheral nerve-derived Sema3A promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through the Wnt/β-catenin/Nrp1 positive feedback loop.

Sensory nerves play a crucial role in maintaining bone homeostasis by releasing Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A). However, the specific mechanism of Sema3A in regulation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) during bone remodelling remains unclear. The tibial denervation model was used and the denervated tibia exhibited significantly lower mass as compared to sham operated bones.

Generative Adversarial Network Model to Classify Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Cardiomyocytes based on Maturation Level.

Objective: Our study develops a generative adversarial network (GAN)-based method that generates faithful synthetic image data of human cardiomyocytes at varying stages in their maturation process, as a tool to significantly enhance the classification accuracy of cells and ultimately assist the throughput of computational analysis of cellular structure and functions.

Methods: Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) were cultured on micropatterned collagen coated hydrogels of physiological stiffnesses to facilitate maturation and optical measurements were performed for their structural and functional analyses. Control groups were cultured on collagen coated glass well plates.

Loop-Neurorrhaphy Technique for Preventing Bone Resorption and Preserving Sensation in Mandibular Reconstruction.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether using an innervated vascularized iliac bone flap could effectively prevent bone resorption and maintain sensory function in the lower lip.

Methods: In the innervated group, the deep circumflex iliac artery and recipient vessels were anastomosed, with simultaneous microanastomosis of ilioinguinal nerve, mental nerve, and inferior alveolar nerve. Conversely, the control group underwent solely vascular anastomosis.

Distinctive mesenchymal-like neurofibroma stem cells shape NF1 clinical phenotypes controlled by BDNF microenvironment.

Background: Neurofibroma type I (NF1) often presents with multiple clinical phenotypes due to mutations of NF1 gene. The aim of this study was to determine the phenotypic and therapeutic relevance of tumor microenvironment in NF1 patients.

Methods: Tumor stem cells (TSCs) from NF1 were isolated and cultured using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and colony formation experiments.

Segmental disturbance of white matter microstructure in predicting mild cognitive impairment in idiopathic Parkinson's disease: An individualized study based on automated fiber quantification tractography.

Purpose: The neurobiological mechanisms and an early identification of MCI in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) remain unclear. To investigate the abnormalities of types of white matter (WM) fiber tracts segmentally and establish reliable indicator in IPD-MCI.

Methods: Forty IPD with normal cognition (IPD-NCI), thirty IPD-MCI, and thirty healthy controls were included.

Identification of Functional Modules and Key Pathways Associated with Innervation in Graft Bone-CGRP Regulates the Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via p38 MAPK and Wnt6/-Catenin.

Bone resorption occurs after bone grafting, however, contemporaneous reconstruction of the innervation of the bone graft is a potential treatment to maintain the bone mass of the graft. The innervation of bone is an emerging research topic. To understand the potential molecular mechanisms of bone innervation after bone grafting, we collected normal iliac bone tissue as well as bone grafts with or without innervation from nine patients 1 year after surgery and performed RNA sequencing.

[Evaluation of the effect of simultaneous neuralized iliac bone flap on the preservation of lower lip and chin sensation during mandibular reconstruction].

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of reconstructing inferior alveolar nerve and preserving the sensation of lower lip and chin in repairing mandibular defect by simultaneous neuralized iliac bone flap.

Methods: Patients with continuous mandibular defects requiring reconstruction were randomly assigned to the innervated(IN) group and the control(CO) group by random number table. In the IN group, the deep circumflex iliac artery and recipient vessels were anastomosed microscopically during mandible reconstruction, and the ilioinguinal nerve(IN), mental nerve(MN) and inferior alveolar nerve(IAN) were anastomosed at the same time.

The efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines mRNA1273 and BNT162b2 might be complicated by rampant C-to-U RNA editing.

The SARS-CoV-2 RNA vaccines are smartly designed to increase the synonymous codon usage by introducing multiple U-to-C mutations. This design would elevate the translation efficiency of vaccine RNAs. However, we found evidence to reason that the designed cytidines might be converted to uridines again by C-to-U RNA deamination in host cells.

Frontiers of Hydroxyapatite Composites in Bionic Bone Tissue Engineering.

Bone defects caused by various factors may cause morphological and functional disorders that can seriously affect patient's quality of life. Autologous bone grafting is morbid, involves numerous complications, and provides limited volume at donor site. Hence, tissue-engineered bone is a better alternative for repair of bone defects and for promoting a patient's functional recovery.

Bisphosphorylation of anhydrides - convenient access to bisphosphonates with a P-O-C-P motif.

A novel strategy of bisphosphorylation of anhydrides with P(O)-H reagents a DMAP-catalyzed and DBU-promoted process has been developed. These one-step transformations proceed efficiently to provide convenient access to a variety of P-O-C-P motif containing organophosphorus compounds. In addition, the gram-scale synthesis and the efficient recovery of the by-product highlight the sustainability and applicability of this method.

Plasmonic nanosensors for point-of-care biomarker detection.

Advancement of materials along with their fascinating properties play increasingly important role in facilitating the rapid progress in medicine. An excellent example is the recent development of biosensors based on nanomaterials that induce surface plasmon effect for screening biomarkers of various diseases ranging from cancer to Covid-19. The recent global pandemic re-confirmed the trend of real-time diagnosis in public health to be in point-of-care (POC) settings that can screen interested biomarkers at home, or literally anywhere else, at any time.

Glucosamine suppresses oxidative stress and induces protective autophagy in osteoblasts by blocking the ROS/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Oxidative stress is the crucial pathogenic factor in osteoporosis. Cell autophagy, a major form of self-digestion, plays critical functions in different forms of stress by devouring harmful cytosolic proteins or organelles for the renewal of organelles and to maintain cellular homeostasis. Glucosamine (GlcN) has been widely utilized in treatments for patients with osteoarthritis-related joint pain.

Heart-on-Chip for Combined Cellular Dynamics Measurements and Computational Modeling Towards Clinical Applications.

Organ-on-chip or micro-engineered three-dimensional cellular or tissue models are increasingly implemented in the study of cardiovascular pathophysiology as alternatives to traditional in vitro cell culture. Drug induced cardiotoxicity is a key issue in drug development pipelines, but the current in vitro and in vivo studies suffer from inter-species differences, high costs, and lack of reliability and accuracy in predicting cardiotoxicity. Microfluidic heart-on-chip devices can impose a paradigm shift to the current tools.

Correlation between Palpitations below the Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Autonomic Nerve Function Based on Heart Rate Variability: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: To explore the autonomic nerve rhythm and the correlation between palpitations below the heart (PBTH) and autonomic nerve function in patients with PBTH based on heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods: The outpatients or ward patients of Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were collected and divided into two groups: the PBTH group and the normal group. The HRV of each group was detected.

Novel loop neurorrhaphy technique to preserve lower lip sensate in mandibular reconstruction using an innervated vascularized iliac bone flap.

Background: This study aimed to introduce a novel loop neurorrhaphy technique using an innervated vascularized iliac bone flap (VIBF) with vascularized ilioinguinal nerve (IIN) to reconstruct the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and preserve lower lip sensation simultaneously with mandibular reconstruction.

Methods: This study prospectively included patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using VIBF from May 2018 to April 2020. Subjects were allocated into two groups: (1) Group I; innervated VIBF with loop neurorrhaphy (IIN doubly anastomosed with IAN and mental nerve), (2) Group II (control); conventional VIBF.

Rational design of on-chip gold plasmonic nanoparticles towards ctDNA screening.

This paper demonstrates the design, synthesis, simulation, and testing of three distinct geometries of plasmonic gold nanoparticles for on-chip DNA screening towards liquid biopsy. By employing a seed-mediated growth method, we have synthesized gold nanospheres, nanorods, and nanobipyramids. In parallel, we developed numerical simulations to understand the effects of nanoparticle geometry on the resonance features and refractive index sensitivity.