Adult Animal Stem Cell-Derived Organoids in Biomedical Research and the One Health Paradigm

Preclinical biomedical research is limited by the predictiveness of in vivo and in vitro models. While in vivo models offer the most complex system for experimentation, they are also limited by ethical, financial, and experimental constraints. In vitro models are simplified models that do not offer the same complexity as living animals but do offer financial affordability and more experimental freedom; therefore, they are commonly used. Traditional 2D cell lines cannot fully simulate the complexity of the epithelium of healthy organs and limit scientific progress. The One Health Initiative was established to consolidate human, animal, and environmental health while also tackling complex and multifactorial medical problems. Reverse translational research allows for the sharing of knowledge between clinical research in veterinary and human medicine. Recently, organoid technology has been developed to mimic the original organ's epithelial microstructure and function more reliably. While human and murine organoids are available, numerous other organoids have been derived from traditional veterinary animals and exotic species in the last decade. With these additional organoid models, species previously excluded from in vitro research are becoming accessible, therefore unlocking potential translational and reverse translational applications of animals with unique adaptations that overcome common problems in veterinary and human medicine.

Synthesis and Characterization of the Zinc-Oxide: Tin-Oxide Nanoparticle Composite and Assessment of Its Antibacterial Activity: An In Vitro Study

Introduction Nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used for biomedical applications. Various methods of synthesis of NPs have been performed and the sol-gel technique is one of the most common and feasible methods. ZnO and SnO2 NPs are widely used due to their interesting properties and versatile medical applications. The present study aimed to synthesize a composite of ZnO- SnO2 NPs and evaluate its structural, morphological, and antibacterial properties. Materials and methods ZnO-SnO2 NPs were prepared via the sol-gel technique. The morphological study was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, the structural study was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and chemical studies were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). Antibacterial properties of the NPs were assessed by the agar diffusion test and the area of bacterial growth that was inhibited was measured under high and low concentrations of the NPs. Results The SEM analysis confirmed the irregular shape and elemental composition of the synthesized NPs. The purity of the NPs was confirmed by the EDAX spectrum, which indicates the weight percentages of the elements in the NPs as follows: Sn-53.8%, Zn-12.5%, O-29.1%, and C-4.7%. The chemical bonds between the NPs were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the high degree of crystallinity of the NPs and orthorhombic structure of SnO2 and the hexagonal structure of ZnO. The zone of inhibition against S. aureus, S. mutans, and E. coli for low concentrations of the NPs was 24 mm, 26 mm, and 30 mm and for high concentrations of the NPs it was 26 mm, 28 mm, and 31mm and these values were similar to the control antibiotics.  Conclusion ZnO- SnO2 NPs were successfully prepared by the sol-gel method. The presence of NPs was confirmed and successfully characterized. The prepared NPs had a good antimicrobial effect against the tested pathogens.

The 3D Printing of Nanocomposites for Wearable Biosensors: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Prospects

Notably, 3D-printed flexible and wearable biosensors have immense potential to interact with the human body noninvasively for the real-time and continuous health monitoring of physiological parameters. This paper comprehensively reviews the progress in 3D-printed wearable biosensors. The review also explores the incorporation of nanocomposites in 3D printing for biosensors. A detailed analysis of various 3D printing processes for fabricating wearable biosensors is reported. Besides this, recent advances in various 3D-printed wearable biosensors platforms such as sweat sensors, glucose sensors, electrocardiography sensors, electroencephalography sensors, tactile sensors, wearable oximeters, tattoo sensors, and respiratory sensors are discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects associated with 3D-printed wearable biosensors are presented. This review is an invaluable resource for engineers, researchers, and healthcare clinicians, providing insights into the advancements and capabilities of 3D printing in the wearable biosensor domain.

The value and impact of health technology assessment: discussions and recommendations from the 2023 Health Technology Assessment International Global Policy Forum

Health technology assessment (HTA) programs inform decision making about the value and reimbursement of new and existing health technologies; however, they are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that they are a cost-effective use of finite healthcare resources themselves. The 2023 HTAi Global Policy Forum (GPF) discussed the value and impact of HTA, including how it is assessed and communicated, and how it could be enhanced in the future. This article summarizes the discussions held at the 2023 HTAi GPF, where the challenges and opportunities related to the value and impact of HTA were debated. Core themes and recommendations identified that defining the purpose of value and impact assessment is an essential first step prior to undertaking it, and that it can be done through the use and expansion of existing tools. Further work around aligning HTA programs with underlying societal values is needed to ensure the long-term value and impact of HTA. HTA could also have a role in assessing the efficiency of the wider health system by applying HTA methods or concepts to broader budgetary allocations and organizational aspects of health care. Stakeholders (particularly patients, industry, and clinicians but also payers, wider society, and the media) should ideally be actively engaged when undertaking the value and impact assessment of HTA. More concerted efforts in communicating the role and remit of HTA bodies would also help stakeholders to better understand the value and impact of HTA, which in turn could improve the implementation of HTA recommendations and application to future actions in the lifecycle of technologies.

The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedicine: Bibliometric Analysis

BACKGROUND

The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the biomedical field has attracted increasing attention in recent decades. Studying how past AI technologies have found their way into medicine over time can help to predict which current (and future) AI technologies have the potential to be utilized in medicine in the coming years, thereby providing a helpful reference for future research directions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to predict the future trend of AI technologies used in different biomedical domains based on past trends of related technologies and biomedical domains.

METHODS

We collected a large corpus of articles from the PubMed database pertaining to the intersection of AI and biomedicine. Initially, we attempted to use regression on the extracted keywords alone; however, we found that this approach did not provide sufficient information. Therefore, we propose a method called "background-enhanced prediction" to expand the knowledge utilized by the regression algorithm by incorporating both the keywords and their surrounding context. This method of data construction resulted in improved performance across the six regression models evaluated. Our findings were confirmed through experiments on recurrent prediction and forecasting.

RESULTS

In our analysis using background information for prediction, we found that a window size of 3 yielded the best results, outperforming the use of keywords alone. Furthermore, utilizing data only prior to 2017, our regression projections for the period of 2017-2021 exhibited a high coefficient of determination (R2), which reached up to 0.78, demonstrating the effectiveness of our method in predicting long-term trends. Based on the prediction, studies related to proteins and tumors will be pushed out of the top 20 and become replaced by early diagnostics, tomography, and other detection technologies. These are certain areas that are well-suited to incorporate AI technology. Deep learning, machine learning, and neural networks continue to be the dominant AI technologies in biomedical applications. Generative adversarial networks represent an emerging technology with a strong growth trend.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we explored AI trends in the biomedical field and developed a predictive model to forecast future trends. Our findings were confirmed through experiments on current trends.

Lignin Modification for Enhanced Performance of Polymer Composites

The biopolymer lignin, which is heterogeneous and abundant, is usually present in plant cell walls and gives them rigidity and strength. As a byproduct of the wood, paper, and pulp manufacturing industry, lignin ranks as the second most prevalent biopolymer worldwide, following cellulose. This review paper explores the extraction, modification, and prospective applications of lignin in various industries, including the enhancement of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, biomedical applications such as vanillin production, fuel development, carbon fiber composites, and the creation of nanomaterials for food packaging and drug delivery. The structural characteristics of lignin remain undefined due to its origin, separation, and fragmentation processes. This comprehensive overview encompasses state-of-the-art techniques, potential applications, diverse extraction methods, chemical modifications, carbon fiber utilization, and the extraction of vanillin. Moreover, the review focuses on the utilization of lignin-modified polymer blends across multiple manufacturing sectors, providing insights into the advantages and limitations of this innovative approach for the development of environmentally friendly materials.

Recent Advances in Bioimage Analysis Methods for Detecting Skeletal Deformities in Biomedical and Aquaculture Fish Species

Detecting skeletal or bone-related deformities in model and aquaculture fish is vital for numerous biomedical studies. In biomedical research, model fish with bone-related disorders are potential indicators of various chemically induced toxins in their environment or poor dietary conditions. In aquaculture, skeletal deformities are affecting fish health, and economic losses are incurred by fish farmers. This survey paper focuses on showcasing the cutting-edge image analysis tools and techniques based on artificial intelligence that are currently applied in the analysis of bone-related deformities in aquaculture and model fish. These methods and tools play a significant role in improving research by automating various aspects of the analysis. This paper also sheds light on some of the hurdles faced when dealing with high-content bioimages and explores potential solutions to overcome these challenges.

Assessing Facilitator Fidelity to Principles of Public Deliberation: Tutorial

Public deliberation, or deliberative democracy, is a method used to elicit informed perspectives and justifiable solutions to ethically fraught or contentious issues that affect multiple stakeholder groups with conflicting interests. Deliberative events bring together stakeholders (deliberants) who are provided with empirical evidence on the central issue or concern and then asked to discuss the evidence, consider the issue from a societal perspective, and collectively work toward a justifiable resolution. There is increasing interest in this method, which warrants clear guidance for evaluating the quality of its use in research. Most of the existing literature on measuring deliberation quality emphasizes the quality of deliberants' inputs (eg, engagement and evidence of compromise) during deliberative sessions. Fewer researchers have framed quality in terms of facilitator inputs, and these researchers tend to examine inputs that are consistent with generic group processes. The theory, process, and purpose of public deliberation, however, are distinct from those of focus groups or other group-based discussions and warrant a mechanism for measuring quality in terms of facilitator fidelity to the principles and processes of deliberative democracy. In our public deliberation on ethical conflicts in minor consent for biomedical HIV prevention research, we assessed facilitator fidelity to these principles and processes because we believe that such assessments serve as a component of a comprehensive evaluation of overall deliberation quality. We examined verbatim facilitator remarks in the deliberation transcripts and determined whether they aligned with the 6 principles of public deliberation: equal participation, respect for the opinions of others, adoption of a societal perspective, reasoned justification of ideas, expression of diverse opinions, and compromise or movement toward consensus. In this tutorial, we describe the development of a blueprint to guide researchers in assessing facilitator fidelity, share 3 templates that will assist them in the task, and describe the results of our assessment of facilitator fidelity in 1 of the 4 sites in which we conducted deliberations.

The effect of osteocyte-derived RANKL on bone graft remodeling: An in vivo experimental study

OBJECTIVES

Autologous bone is considered the gold standard for grafting, yet it suffers from a tendency to undergo resorption over time. While the exact mechanisms of this resorption remain elusive, osteocytes have been shown to play an important role in stimulating osteoclastic activity through their expression of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL). The aim of this study was to assess the function of osteocyte-derived RANKL in bone graft remodeling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In Tnfsf11fl/fl ;Dmp1-Cre mice without osteocyte-specific RANKL as well as in Dmp1-Cre control mice, 2.6 mm calvarial bone disks were harvested and transplanted into mice with matching genetic backgrounds either subcutaneously or subperiosteally, creating 4 groups in total. Histology and micro-computed tomography of the grafts and the donor regions were performed 28 days after grafting.

RESULTS

Histology revealed marked resorption of subcutaneous control Dmp1-Cre grafts and new bone formation around subperiosteal Dmp1-Cre grafts. In contrast, Tnfsf11fl/fl ;Dmp1-Cre grafts showed effectively neither signs of bone resorption nor formation. Quantitative micro-computed tomography revealed a significant difference in residual graft area between subcutaneous and subperiosteal Dmp1-Cre grafts (p < .01). This difference was not observed between subcutaneous and subperiosteal Tnfsf11fl/fl ;Dmp1-Cre grafts (p = .17). Residual graft volume (p = .08) and thickness (p = .13) did not differ significantly among the groups. Donor area regeneration was comparable between Tnfsf11fl/fl ;Dmp1-Cre and Dmp1-Cre mice and restricted to the defect margins.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest an active function of osteocyte-derived RANKL in bone graft remodeling.

Recent Advances in Organic Molecular-to-Supramolecular Self-Assembled Room-Temperature Phosphorescent Materials for Biomedical Applications

This minireview focuses on recent advancements in organic molecular-to-supramolecular self-assembled room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials and their prospective biomedical applications. RTP materials, having their unique capacity to emit long-lasting phosphorescence at ambient temperature, have piqued researchers' interest in various biological applications, including biosensing, bioimaging, drug delivery, and photodynamic therapy (PDT). These materials have several benefits, including high sensitivity, remarkable photostability, and low cytotoxicity. RTP materials' self-assembly into supramolecular structures improves their performance and broadens their uses. Researchers have built organic RTP systems with long-lasting phosphorescence by leveraging weak noncovalent interactions in aquatic conditions. These materials have demonstrated incredible promise as biosensors that enable sensitive analyte detection and as photosensitizers in PDT that target and sensitize specific cell types. The review also outlines future directions and challenges in developing and utilizing pure organic RTP materials for biological imaging purposes, providing valuable guidelines for their future design and application.

Recent Biotechnological Applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in the Biomedical Sector-A Review

Petroleum-derived plastics are materials of great importance for the contemporary lifestyle, and are widely used commercially because they are low cost, resistant, malleable, and weightless, in addition to their hydrophobic character. However, some factors that confer the qualities of these materials also cause problems, mainly environmental, associated with their use. The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated these impacts due to the high demand for personal protective equipment and the packaging sector. In this scenario, bioplastics are environmentally positive alternatives to these plastics due to their applicability in several areas ranging from packaging, to biomedicine, to agriculture. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers usually produced by microorganisms as an energy reserve. Their structural variability provides a wide range of applications, making them a viable option to replace polluting materials. PHAs can be applied in various biotechnology sectors, such as producing drug carriers and scaffolds for tissue engineering. This review aimed to survey works published in the last five years on the study and biotechnological application of PHAs in the biomedical sector, exploring the versatility and advantages of their use and helping to understand how to enhance their application.

Direct cord blood LAMP colorimetric phenol red assay for detecting α0-thalassemia (SEA deletion); the validation and post-natal screening in Thailand

Post-natal or newborn screening for thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies is useful for genetic counseling and managing thalassemia in children. We characterized thalassemia genotypes in newborns from the eastern part of Thailand. The results demonstrated a high heterogeneity of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies with seventeen genotypes. We focused on α0- thalassemia (Southeast Asian [SEA] deletion) in this study. We developed and validated the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) colorimetric assay for detecting α0- thalassemia (SEA deletion) using simple direct cord blood sampling compared to genomic DNA. A total of 160 cord blood samples were evaluated with the LAMP assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP colorimetric assay for α0-thalassemia (SEA deletion) using direct cord blood showed 100% (6/6 x 100) and 98.05% (151/154 x 100) whereas, genomic DNA showed 100% (6/6 x 100) and 100% (154/154 x 100), respectively. Moreover, we demonstrated other simple screening tools for α0-thalassemia with %Hb Bart's, MCV, and MCH values and found that these parameters were not diagnostic in our samples. The direct cord blood with colorimetric LAMP assay is simple, rapid, and does not require a post-LAMP step compared to conventional PCR. These techniques could be applied in post-natal or large population screening for α0-thalassemia (SEA deletion). Finally, this could support early prevention of complications, early management, genetic counseling for α-thalassemia disease in children, or a long-term prevention and control program of severe thalassemia in Thailand.

Making creativity explicit: A workshop to foster creativity in biomedical science education

Previously we identified that biomedical science students commonly misunderstand "creativity," mistaking it for "freedom." In the present study, we describe and evaluate a workshop designed to increase students' awareness of creativity as a highly sought-after employability skill and cognitive process applicable to scientific endeavors. To achieve this, we developed and introduced students to a process called the "Diamond Model," utilizing a case study to contextualize and signpost the creative processes of divergent and convergent thinking. This model was introduced to students in the first workshop of a 12-week undergraduate biochemistry unit (subject) within the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University, Australia. Students completed pre- and post-workshop surveys to gauge the impact of the workshop on their conceptions of creativity and Bloom's taxonomy of learning. In addition, reflective journals were completed by a small subset of students (n = 9) following the workshop. Following the workshop, over 65% of students indicated that their conception of creativity had changed. Thematic analysis of students' survey responses and reflections indicated that this change in the conception of creativity included broadening their definition of creativity, increased awareness of creativity as a skill and science as a creative process, and that creativity can be applied to different areas of life. Students attributed the signposting of creative elements as a contributing factor to their increased awareness. These results indicate the positive impact the workshop and our novel Diamond model had on student conception of creativity, highlighting the importance of explicit communication and signposting in skill development.

The Larry Tube: Customized 3D Printed Laryngectomy Tubes Following Total Laryngectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a custom laryngectomy tube can improve airway symptoms in total laryngectomy patients with atypical anatomy who are unable to use commercial laryngectomy tubes. Furthermore, to exemplify the power of customizable 3D printed medical devices when combined with the expanded access pathway through the FDA.

METHODS

A custom-fabricated laryngectomy tube, manufactured at in-house clinical engineering labs, was utilized for each patient following typical laryngectomy tube protocols. All participants had previously undergone a total laryngectomy. Patients were selected based on critical airway obstruction posing potentially life-threatening scenarios while using commercially available laryngectomy tubes.

RESULTS

For all patients involved, there were no further airway obstruction complications or events, and they reported a subjective, significant improvement in comfort after placement of the custom laryngectomy tube.

CONCLUSION

Custom laryngectomy tubes can provide patients with atypical anatomy relief from airway obstructions and improve comfort when commercial options fail to address the anatomic restriction. The process used to develop custom laryngectomy tubes may be relevant for other diseases and patients with atypical anatomies through the expanded access pathway.

Effect of Composition and Surface Microstructure in Self-Polarized Ferroelectric Polymer Films on the Magnitude of the Surface Potential

The values of the surface potentials of two sides of films of polyvinylidene fluoride, and its copolymers with tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, were measured by the Kelvin probe method. The microstructures of the chains in the surfaces on these sides were evaluated by ATR IR spectroscopy. It was found that the observed surface potentials differed in the studied films. Simultaneously, it was observed from the IR spectroscopy data that the microstructures of the chains on both sides of the films also differed. It is concluded that the formation of the surface potential in (self-polarized) ferroelectric polymers is controlled by the microstructure of the surface layer. The reasons for the formation of a different microstructure on both sides of the films are suggested on the basis of the general regularities of structure formation in flexible-chain crystallizing polymers.

[4D bioprinting technology and its application in cardiovascular tissue engineering]

3D bioprinting technology is a rapidly developing technique that employs bioinks containing biological materials and living cells to construct biomedical products. However, 3D-printed tissues are static, while human tissues are in real-time dynamic states that can change in morphology and performance. To improve the compatibility between in vitro and in vivo environments, an in vitro tissue engineering technique that simulates this dynamic process is required. The concept of 4D printing, which combines "3D printing + time" provides a new approach to achieving this complex technique. 4D printing involves applying one or more smart materials that respond to stimuli, enabling them to change their shape, performance, and function under the corresponding stimulus to meet various needs. This article focuses on the latest research progress and potential application areas of 4D printing technology in the cardiovascular system, providing a theoretical and practical reference for the development of this technology.

Guidelines and Standard Frameworks for AI in Medicine: Protocol for a Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Applications of artificial intelligence (AI) are pervasive in modern biomedical science. In fact, research results suggesting algorithms and AI models for different target diseases and conditions are continuously increasing. While this situation undoubtedly improves the outcome of AI models, health care providers are increasingly unsure which AI model to use due to multiple alternatives for a specific target and the "black box" nature of AI. Moreover, the fact that studies rarely use guidelines in developing and reporting AI models poses additional challenges in trusting and adapting models for practical implementation.

OBJECTIVE

This review protocol describes the planned steps and methods for a review of the synthesized evidence regarding the quality of available guidelines and frameworks to facilitate AI applications in medicine.

METHODS

We will commence a systematic literature search using medical subject headings terms for medicine, guidelines, and machine learning (ML). All available guidelines, standard frameworks, best practices, checklists, and recommendations will be included, irrespective of the study design. The search will be conducted on web-based repositories such as PubMed, Web of Science, and the EQUATOR (Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research) network. After removing duplicate results, a preliminary scan for titles will be done by 2 reviewers. After the first scan, the reviewers will rescan the selected literature for abstract review, and any incongruities about whether to include the article for full-text review or not will be resolved by the third and fourth reviewer based on the predefined criteria. A Google Scholar (Google LLC) search will also be performed to identify gray literature. The quality of identified guidelines will be evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research, and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool. A descriptive summary and narrative synthesis will be carried out, and the details of critical appraisal and subgroup synthesis findings will be presented.

RESULTS

The results will be reported using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) reporting guidelines. Data analysis is currently underway, and we anticipate finalizing the review by November 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

Guidelines and recommended frameworks for developing, reporting, and implementing AI studies have been developed by different experts to facilitate the reliable assessment of validity and consistent interpretation of ML models for medical applications. We postulate that a guideline supports the assessment of an ML model only if the quality and reliability of the guideline are high. Assessing the quality and aspects of available guidelines, recommendations, checklists, and frameworks-as will be done in the proposed review-will provide comprehensive insights into current gaps and help to formulate future research directions.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/47105.

A Review on Polymers for Biomedical Applications on Hard and Soft Tissues and Prosthetic Limbs

In the past decades, there has been a significant increase in the use of polymers for biomedical applications. The global medical polymer market size was valued at USD 19.92 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2030 despite some limitations, such as cost (financial limitation), strength compared to metal plates for bone fracture, design optimization and incorporation of reinforcement. Recently, this increase has been more pronounced due to important advances in synthesis and modification techniques for the design of novel biomaterials and their behavior in vitro and in vivo. Also, modern medicine allows the use of less invasive surgeries and faster surgical sutures. Besides their use in the human body, polymer biomedical materials must have desired physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical, and degradation properties. This review summarizes the use of polymers for biomedical applications, mainly focusing on hard and soft tissues, prosthetic limbs, dental applications, and bone fracture repair. The main properties, gaps, and trends are discussed.

Solid-State Processing of CoCrMoNbTi High-Entropy Alloy for Biomedical Applications

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) gained interest in the field of biomedical applications due to their unique effects and to the combination of the properties of the constituent elements. In addition to the required property of biocompatibility, other requirements include properties such as mechanical resistance, bioactivity, sterility, stability, cost effectiveness, etc. For this paper, a biocompatible high-entropy alloy, defined as bio-HEA by the literature, can be considered as an alternative to the market-available materials due to their superior properties. According to the calculation of the valence electron concentration, a majority of body-centered cubic (BCC) phases were expected, resulting in properties such as high strength and plasticity for the studied alloy, confirmed by the XRD analysis. The tetragonal (TVC) phase was also identified, indicating that the presence of face-centered cubic (FCC) phases in the alloyed materials resulted in high ductility. Microstructural and compositional analyses revealed refined and uniform metallic powder particles, with a homogeneous distribution of the elemental particles observed from the mapping analyses, indicating that alloying had occurred. The technological characterization of the high-entropy alloy-elaborated powder revealed the particle dimension reduction due to the welding and fracturing process that occurs during mechanical alloying, with a calculated average particle size of 45.12 µm.

AIMS: An Automatic Semantic Machine Learning Microservice Framework to Support Biomedical and Bioengineering Research

The fusion of machine learning and biomedical research offers novel ways to understand, diagnose, and treat various health conditions. However, the complexities of biomedical data, coupled with the intricate process of developing and deploying machine learning solutions, often pose significant challenges to researchers in these fields. Our pivotal achievement in this research is the introduction of the Automatic Semantic Machine Learning Microservice (AIMS) framework. AIMS addresses these challenges by automating various stages of the machine learning pipeline, with a particular emphasis on the ontology of machine learning services tailored to the biomedical domain. This ontology encompasses everything from task representation, service modeling, and knowledge acquisition to knowledge reasoning and the establishment of a self-supervised learning policy. Our framework has been crafted to prioritize model interpretability, integrate domain knowledge effortlessly, and handle biomedical data with efficiency. Additionally, AIMS boasts a distinctive feature: it leverages self-supervised knowledge learning through reinforcement learning techniques, paired with an ontology-based policy recording schema. This enables it to autonomously generate, fine-tune, and continually adapt to machine learning models, especially when faced with new tasks and data. Our work has two standout contributions demonstrating that machine learning processes in the biomedical domain can be automated, while integrating a rich domain knowledge base and providing a way for machines to have self-learning ability, ensuring they handle new tasks effectively. To showcase AIMS in action, we have highlighted its prowess in three case studies of biomedical tasks. These examples emphasize how our framework can simplify research routines, uplift the caliber of scientific exploration, and set the stage for notable advances.

Design and Behavior of Lightweight Flexible Structure with Spatial Pattern Reducing Contact Surface Fraction

Flexible structures are increasingly important in biomedical applications, where they can be used to achieve adaptable designs. This paper presents a study of the design and behavior of 3D-printed lightweight flexible structures. In this work, we focus on the design principles and numerical modelling of spatial patterns, as well as their mechanical properties and behavior under various loads. Contact surface fraction was determined as the ratio of the surface area of the printed pattern to the surface area of the entire curved surface. The objective of this work is to design a spatial pattern reducing contact surface fraction and develop a non-linear numerical model evaluating the structure's stiffness; in addition, we aimed to identify the best design pattern with respect to its stiffness:mass ratio. The experimental verification of the numerical model is performed on 3D-printed prototypes prepared using the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) method and made of Nylon-Polyamide 12. The obtained results provide insights into designing and optimizing lightweight external biomedical applications such as prostheses, orthoses, helmets, or adaptive cushions.

New Insights into the Applications of 3D-Printed Biomaterial in Wound Healing and Prosthesis

Recently three-dimensional bioprinting (3D-bioP) has emerged as a revolutionary technique for numerous biomedical applications. 3D-bioP has facilitated the printing of advanced and complex human organs resulting in satisfactory therapeutic practice. One of the important biomedical applications of 3D-bioP is in tissue engineering, wound healing, and prosthetics. 3D-bioP is basically aimed to restore the natural extracellular matrix of human's damage due to wounds. The relevant search was explored using various scientific database, viz., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The objective of this review is to emphasize interpretations from the pre-executed studies and to assess the worth of employing 3D-bioP in wound healing as well as prosthetics in terms of patient compliance, clinical outcomes, and economic viability. Furthermore, the benefits of applying 3D-bioP in wound healing over traditional methods have been covered along with the biocompatible biomaterials employed as bioinks has been discussion. Additionally, the review expands about the clinical trials in 3D-bioP field, showing promise of biomedical applicability of this technique with growing advancement in recent years.

Preparation and Characterization of Nano-Silver-Loaded Antibacterial Membrane via Coaxial Electrospinning

The coaxial electrospinning process has been widely used in the biomedical field, and its process parameters affect product quality seriously. In this paper, the influence of key process parameters of coaxial electrostatic spinning (solution concentration, electrospinning voltage, acceptance distance and liquid supply velocity) on the preparation of a membrane with Chitosan, Polyethylene oxide and nano-silver as the core layer and Polycaprolactone as the shell layer was studied. The optimal combination of key process parameters was obtained by using an orthogonal test, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and macro-characterization diagram. The results showed that the coaxial electrospun membrane had good mechanical properties (tensile strength is about 2.945 Mpa), hydrophilicity (the water contact angle is about 72.28°) and non-cytotoxicity, which was conducive to cell adhesion and proliferation. The coaxial electrospun membrane with nano-silver has an obvious inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In summary, the coaxial electrospun membrane that we produced is expected to be used in clinical medicine, such as vascular stent membranes and bionic blood vessels.

Comparative Study of ZnO-and-TiO2-Nanoparticles-Functionalized Polyvinyl Alcohol/Chitosan Bionanocomposites for Multifunctional Biomedical Applications

This study aimed to synthesize chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA)-based zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) hybrid bionanocomposites (BNCs) and observe their comparative accomplishment against the skin cancer cell line, A431, and antioxidant potential. CS was blended with PVA to form polymeric films reinforced with the immobilization of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), separately. The optimization of the BNCs was done via physicochemical studies, viz. moisture content, swelling ratio, and contact angle measurements. The free radical scavenging activity was observed for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, and the antibacterial assay against the Escherichia coli strain showed a higher zone of inhibition. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of the synthesized BNCs was revealed against the skin cancer cell line A431 under varying concentrations of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 μg/mL. The anticancer study revealed a high percent of cancerous cell inhibition (70%) in ZnO BNCs as compared to (61%) TiO2 BNCs in a dose-dependent manner.