Tissue handling

Advancements in single-cell technologies concomitantly develop the epigenomic and transcriptomic profiles at the cell levels, providing opportunities to explore the potential biological mechanisms. Even though significant efforts have been dedicated to them, it remains challenging for the integration analysis of multi-omic data of single-cell because of the heterogeneity, complicated coupling and interpretability of data. To handle these issues, we propose a novel self-representation Learning-based Multi-omics data Integrative Clustering algorithm (sLMIC) for the integration of single-cell epigenomic profiles (DNA methylation or scATAC-seq) and transcriptomic (scRNA-seq), which the consistent and specific features of cells are explicitly extracted facilitating the cell clustering...

BACKGROUND: The industrial scale cryo-storage of raw tissue materials requires a robust, low-cost and easy-to-operate method that can facilitate the down-stream process. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to develop the multifunctional protective solutions (MPS) for transportation at ambient conditions and also subsequent cryo-storage below -20 degree C of raw porcine hides for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Protective solutions with antimicrobial activity and proteinase-inhibiting activity were developed and tested for its efficacy in preserving the extracellular matrix of porcine dermis from microbial spoilage, proteolytic degradation, freeze damage and excessive dehydration during shipping and cryo-storage...

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) is used for pathological diagnosis and obtaining samples for molecular testing, facilitating the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, samples obtained via EUS-TA are often insufficient, requiring more efforts to improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing. Therefore, this study investigated the use of oil blotting paper for formalin fixation of samples obtained via EUS-TA...

Lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) are phagocytic cells with lipid-handling capacity identified in various metabolic derangements. During disease development, they locate to atherosclerotic plaques, adipose tissue (AT) of individuals with obesity, liver lesions in steatosis and steatohepatitis, and the intestinal lamina propria. LAMs can also emerge in the metabolically demanding microenvironment of certain tumors. In this review, we discuss major questions regarding LAM recruitment, differentiation, and self-renewal, and, ultimately, their acute and chronic functional impact on the development of metabolic diseases...

The structure and handling properties of a P407 hydrogel-based bone substitute material (BSM) might be affected by different poloxamer P407 and silicon dioxide (SiO2 ) concentrations. The study aimed to compare the mechanical properties and biological parameters (bone remodeling, BSM degradation) of a hydroxyapatite: silica (HA)-based BSM with various P407 hydrogels in vitro and in an in vivo rat model. Rheological analyses for mechanical properties were performed on one BSM with an SiO2 -enriched hydrogel (SPH25) as well on two BSMs with unaltered hydrogels in different gel concentrations (PH25 and PH30)...

BACKGROUND: The fundamental prerequisite for prognostically favorable postoperative results of peripheral nerve repair is stable neurorrhaphy without interruption and gap formation. METHODS: This study evaluates 60 neurorrhaphies on femoral chicken nerves in terms of the procedure and the biomechanical properties. Sutured neurorrhaphies (n = 15) served as control and three sutureless adhesive-based nerve repair techniques: Fibrin glue (n = 15), Histoacryl glue (n = 15), and the novel polyurethane adhesive VIVO (n = 15)...

OBJECTIVE: Preserving and restoring meniscus function is crucial for maintaining knee biomechanics and overall functionality. To enhance the healing process after meniscus repair, various biological techniques have been introduced. In this study, three treatment approaches examined were bone marrow venting with stem cells (BMVP), anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with meniscus repair, and isolated meniscus repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2015 to 2019, we retrospectively analyzed data from 83 patients who presented with complaints of knee pain or pain in addition to instability, were diagnosed with vertical/longitudinal meniscus tears, and underwent arthroscopic repair (30 with isolated repair, 28 with ACLR repair, and 25 with BMVP) at our University Hospital...

Magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia (MNPH) has emerged as a promising cancer treatment that complements the conventional ionizing radiation and chemotherapy. MNPH involves the injection of iron oxide nanoparticles into the tumor and exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Iron oxide nanoparticles generate heat due to hysteresis loss when exposed to radiofrequency AMF. Exposing human tissue to AMF causes non-specific heating in tissues through induced eddy currents, which must be minimized. A pulse-width-modulated AMF has been shown to minimize eddy current heating in superficial tissues...

Implantable bioelectronics, integrated directly within the body, represent a potent biomedical solution for monitoring and treating a range of medical conditions, including chronic diseases, neural disorders, and cardiac conditions, through personalized medical interventions. Nevertheless, contemporary implantable bioelectronics rely heavily on rigid materials (e.g., inorganic materials and metals), leading to inflammatory responses and tissue damage due to a mechanical mismatch with biological tissues. Recently, soft electronics with mechanical properties comparable to those of biological tissues have been introduced to alleviate fatal immune responses and improve tissue conformity...

Transmembrane drug transporters can be important determinants of the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety profiles of drugs. To investigate the potential cooperative and/or counteracting interplay of OATP1A/1B/2B1 uptake transporters and ABCB1 and ABCG2 efflux transporters in physiology and pharmacology, we generated a new mouse model (Bab12), deficient for Slco1a/1b, Slco2b1, Abcb1a/1b and Abcg2. Bab12 mice were viable and fertile. We compared wild-type, Slco1a/1b/2b1-/- , Abcb1a/1b;Abcg2-/- and Bab12 strains...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: As oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic progressive disorder, the treatment is based on the severity of the disease. Surgical treatment is the only choice for grade III and grade IV OSMF cases because the patient can neither clean his/her mouth nor properly chew. The resulting soft tissue defect requires resurfacing with various well-vascularized tissues such as extraoral flaps, intraoral flaps, microvascular flaps, and allografts that have been used. Reconstruction of the resultant defects proved to be challenging...

OBJECTIVE: ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a relapsing-remitting disease, resulting in incremental tissue injury. The gold-standard relapse definition (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, BVAS>0) is often missing or inaccurate in registry settings, leading to errors in ascertainment of this key outcome. We sought to create a computable phenotype (CP) to automate retrospective identification of relapse using real-world data in the research setting. METHODS: We studied 536 patients with AAV and >6 months follow-up recruited to the Rare Kidney Disease registry (a national longitudinal, multicentre cohort study)...

Allografts derived from live-birth tissue obtained with donor consent have emerged as an important treatment option for wound and soft tissue repairs. Placental membrane derived from the amniotic sac consists of the amnion and chorion, the latter of which contains the trophoblast layer. For ease of cleaning and processing, these layers are often separated with or without re-lamination and the trophoblast layer is typically discarded, both of which can negatively affect the abundance of native biological factors and make the grafts difficult to handle...

OBJECTIVES: Surgery for congenital malformation of the hand is complex and protocols are not available. Simulation could help optimize results. The objective of the present study was to design, produce and assess a 3D-printed anatomical support, to improve success in rare and complex surgeries of the hand. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We acquired MRI imaging of the right hand of a 30 year-old subject, and analyzed and split the various skin layers for segmentation. We created the prototype of a healthy hand, using 3D multi-material and silicone printing devices, and drew up a printing protocol suitable for all patients...

Environmental DNA (eDNA) workflows contain many familiar molecular-lab techniques, but also employ several unique methodologies. When working with eDNA, it is essential to avoid contamination from the point of collection through preservation and select a meaningful negative control. As eDNA can be obtained from a variety of samples and habitats (e.g., soil, water, air, or tissue), protocols will vary depending on usage. Samples may require additional steps to dilute, block, or remove inhibitors or physically break up samples or filters...

Objective: Biobanks play a crucial role in fundamental and translational research by storing valuable biomaterials and data for future analyses. However, the design of their information technology (IT) infrastructures is often customized to specific requirements, thereby lacking the ability to be used for biobanks comprising other (types of) diseases. This results in substantial costs, time, and efforts for each new biobank project. The Dutch multicenter Archipelago of Ovarian Cancer Research (AOCR) biobank has developed an innovative, reusable IT infrastructure capable of adaptation to various biobanks, thereby enabling cost-effective and efficient implementation and management of biobank IT systems...

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapy drug widely prescribed to treat various neoplasms. Although fundamental for the therapeutic action of the drug, its cytotoxic mechanisms trigger adverse effects in several tissues, such as the kidney, liver, and heart, which limit its clinical use. In this sense, studies point to an essential role of damage to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the pathophysiology of tissue injuries. Due to the limitation of effective preventive and therapeutic measures against CP-induced toxicity, new strategies with potential cytoprotective effects have been studied...

No standardized in vitro cell culture models for glioblastoma (GBM) have yet been established, excluding the traditional two-dimensional culture. GBM tumorspheres (TSs) have been highlighted as a good model platform for testing drug effects and characterizing specific features of GBM, but a detailed evaluation of their suitability and comparative performance is lacking. Here, we isolated GBM TSs and extracellular matrices (ECM) from tissues obtained from newly diagnosed IDH1 wild-type GBM patients and cultured GBM TSs on five different culture platforms: (1) ordinary TS culture liquid media (LM), (2) collagen-based three-dimensional (3D) matrix, (3) patient typical ECM-based 3D matrix, (4) patient tumor ECM-based 3D matrix, and (5) mouse brain...

The use of electrospun polymeric biodegradable materials for medical applications is becoming increasingly widespread. One of the most important parameters regarding the functionality of nanofiber scaffolds during implantation and the subsequent regeneration of damaged tissues concerns their stability and degradation behavior, both of which are influenced by a wide range of factors (the properties of the polymer and the polymer solution, the technological processing approach, the sterilization method, etc.)...

Background: Amniotic membrane (AM) holds significant promise in various medical fields due to its unique properties and minimal ethical concerns. This study aims to explore the diverse applications of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) in maxillofacial surgery. Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted on databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, from January 1985 to March 2024. Articles in English, Polish, and Spanish were included, focusing on keywords related to amniotic membrane and oral surgery...