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Sun AR, Hengst RM, Young JL. All the small things: Nanoscale matrix alterations in aging tissues. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 87:102322. [PMID: 38277866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Cellular aging stems from multifaceted intra- and extracellular molecular changes that lead to the gradual deterioration of biological function. Altered extracellular matrix (ECM) properties that include biochemical, structural, and mechanical perturbations direct cellular- and tissue-level dysfunction. With recent advancements in high-resolution imaging modalities and nanomaterial strategies, the importance of nanoscale ECM features has come into focus. Here, we provide an updated window into micro- to nano-scale ECM properties that are altered with age and in age-related disease, and the impact these altered small-scale ECM properties have on cellular function. We anticipate future impactful research will incorporate nanoscale ECM features in the design of new biomaterials and call on the tissue biology field to work collaboratively with the nanomaterials community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery Rui Sun
- Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583, Singapore
| | - Ranmadusha M Hengst
- Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Jennifer L Young
- Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583, Singapore.
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2
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Álvarez S, Morales J, Tiozzo-Lyon P, Berrios P, Barraza V, Simpson K, Ravasio A, Monforte Vila X, Teuschl-Woller A, Schuh CMAP, Aguayo S. Microfabrication-based engineering of biomimetic dentin-like constructs to simulate dental aging. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1648-1657. [PMID: 38291999 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00761h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Human dentin is a highly organized dental tissue displaying a complex microarchitecture consisting of micrometer-sized tubules encased in a mineralized type-I collagen matrix. As such, it serves as an important substrate for the adhesion of microbial colonizers and oral biofilm formation in the context of dental caries disease, including root caries in the elderly. Despite this issue, there remains a current lack of effective biomimetic in vitro dentin models that facilitate the study of oral microbial adhesion by considering the surface architecture at the micro- and nanoscales. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a novel in vitro microfabricated biomimetic dentin surface that simulates the complex surface microarchitecture of exposed dentin. For this, a combination of soft lithography microfabrication and biomaterial science approaches were employed to construct a micropitted PDMS substrate functionalized with mineralized type-I collagen. These dentin analogs were subsequently glycated with methylglyoxal (MGO) to simulate dentin matrix aging in vitro and analyzed utilizing an interdisciplinary array of techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM), elemental analysis, and electron microscopy. AFM force-mapping demonstrated that the nanomechanical properties of the biomimetic constructs were within the expected biological parameters, and that mineralization was mostly predominated by hydroxyapatite deposition. Finally, dual-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans were grown and characterized on the biofunctionalized PDMS microchips, demonstrating biofilm-specific morphologic characteristics and confirming the suitability of this model for the study of early biofilm formation under controlled conditions. Overall, we expect that this novel biomimetic dentin model could serve as an in vitro platform to study oral biofilm formation or dentin-biomaterial bonding in the laboratory without the need for animal or human tooth samples in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Álvarez
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jose Morales
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Tiozzo-Lyon
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Berrios
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valentina Barraza
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Kevin Simpson
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Ravasio
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Xavier Monforte Vila
- Department Life Science Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Teuschl-Woller
- Department Life Science Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina M A P Schuh
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Aguayo
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Jahin I, Phillips T, Marcotti S, Gorey MA, Cox S, Parsons M. Extracellular matrix stiffness activates mechanosensitive signals but limits breast cancer cell spheroid proliferation and invasion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1292775. [PMID: 38125873 PMCID: PMC10731024 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1292775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is characterized by physical changes that occur in the tumor microenvironment throughout growth and metastasis of tumors. Extracellular matrix stiffness increases as tumors develop and spread, with stiffer environments thought to correlate with poorer disease prognosis. Changes in extracellular stiffness and other physical characteristics are sensed by integrins which integrate these extracellular cues to intracellular signaling, resulting in modulation of proliferation and invasion. However, the co-ordination of mechano-sensitive signaling with functional changes to groups of tumor cells within 3-dimensional environments remains poorly understood. Here we provide evidence that increasing the stiffness of collagen scaffolds results in increased activation of ERK1/2 and YAP in human breast cancer cell spheroids. We also show that ERK1/2 acts upstream of YAP activation in this context. We further demonstrate that YAP, matrix metalloproteinases and actomyosin contractility are required for collagen remodeling, proliferation and invasion in lower stiffness scaffolds. However, the increased activation of these proteins in higher stiffness 3-dimensional collagen gels is correlated with reduced proliferation and reduced invasion of cancer cell spheroids. Our data collectively provide evidence that higher stiffness 3-dimensional environments induce mechano-signaling but contrary to evidence from 2-dimensional studies, this is not sufficient to promote pro-tumorigenic effects in breast cancer cell spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Khattignavong E, Neshatian M, Vaez M, Guillermin A, Tauer JT, Odlyha M, Mittal N, Komarova SV, Zahouani H, Bozec L. Development of a facile method to compute collagen network pathological anisotropy using AFM imaging. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20173. [PMID: 37978303 PMCID: PMC10656449 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47350-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Type I collagen, a fundamental extracellular matrix (ECM) component, is pivotal in maintaining tissue integrity and strength. It is also the most prevalent fibrous biopolymer within the ECM, ubiquitous in mammalian organisms. This structural protein provides essential mechanical stability and resilience to various tissues, including tendons, ligaments, skin, bone, and dentin. Collagen has been structurally investigated for several decades, and variation to its ultrastructure by histology has been associated with several pathological conditions. The current study addresses a critical challenge in the field of collagen research by providing a novel method for studying collagen fibril morphology at the nanoscale. It offers a computational approach to quantifying collagen properties, enabling a deeper understanding of how collagen type I can be affected by pathological conditions. The application of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) coupled with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) imaging distinguishes not only healthy and diseased skin but also holds potential for automated diagnosis of connective tissue disorders (CTDs), contributing to both clinical diagnostics and fundamental research in this area. Here we studied the changes in the structural parameters of collagen fibrils in Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). We have used skin extracted from genetically mutant mice that exhibit EDS phenotype as our model system (Col1a1Jrt/+ mice). The collagen fibrils were analyzed by AFM based descriptive-structural parameters, coupled with a 2D Fast Fourier Transform(2D-FFT) approach that automated the analysis of AFM images. In addition, each sample was characterized based on its FFT and power spectral density. Our qualitative data showed morphological differences in collagen fibril clarity (clearness of the collagen fibril edge with their neighbouring fibri), D-banding, orientation, and linearity. We have also demonstrated that FFT could be a new tool for distinguishing healthy from tissues with CTDs by measuring the disorganization of fibrils in the matrix. We have also employed FFT to reveal the orientations of the collagen fibrils, providing clinically relevant phenotypic information on their organization and anisotropy. The result of this study can be used to develop a new automated tool for better diagnosis of CTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Khattignavong
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G6, Canada
- UMR 5513, Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique Des Systémes, École Centrale de Lyon-École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Saint, Université de Lyon, Étienne, France
| | - Mehrnoosh Neshatian
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G6, Canada
| | - Mina Vaez
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G6, Canada
| | - Amaury Guillermin
- UMR 5513, Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique Des Systémes, École Centrale de Lyon-École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Saint, Université de Lyon, Étienne, France
| | - Josephine T Tauer
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marianne Odlyha
- School of Biological Science, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK
| | - Nimish Mittal
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Svetlana V Komarova
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hassan Zahouani
- UMR 5513, Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique Des Systémes, École Centrale de Lyon-École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Saint, Université de Lyon, Étienne, France
| | - Laurent Bozec
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G6, Canada.
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Lipreri MV, Di Pompo G, Boanini E, Graziani G, Sassoni E, Baldini N, Avnet S. Bone on-a-chip: a 3D dendritic network in a screening platform for osteocyte-targeted drugs. Biofabrication 2023; 15:045019. [PMID: 37552982 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/acee23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Age-related musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoporosis, are frequent and associated with long lasting morbidity, in turn significantly impacting on healthcare system sustainability. There is therefore a compelling need to develop reliable preclinical models of disease and drug screening to validate novel drugs possibly on a personalized basis, without the need ofin vivoassay. In the context of bone tissue, although the osteocyte (Oc) network is a well-recognized therapeutic target, currentin vitropreclinical models are unable to mimic its physiologically relevant and highly complex structure. To this purpose, several features are needed, including an osteomimetic extracellular matrix, dynamic perfusion, and mechanical cues (e.g. shear stress) combined with a three-dimensional (3D) culture of Oc. Here we describe, for the first time, a high throughput microfluidic platform based on 96-miniaturized chips for large-scale preclinical evaluation to predict drug efficacy. We bioengineered a commercial microfluidic device that allows real-time visualization and equipped with multi-chips by the development and injection of a highly stiff bone-like 3D matrix, made of a blend of collagen-enriched natural hydrogels loaded with hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. The microchannel, filled with the ostemimetic matrix and Oc, is subjected to passive perfusion and shear stress. We used scanning electron microscopy for preliminary material characterization. Confocal microscopy and fluorescent microbeads were used after material injection into the microchannels to detect volume changes and the distribution of cell-sized objects within the hydrogel. The formation of a 3D dendritic network of Oc was monitored by measuring cell viability, evaluating phenotyping markers (connexin43, integrin alpha V/CD51, sclerostin), quantification of dendrites, and responsiveness to an anabolic drug. The platform is expected to accelerate the development of new drug aimed at modulating the survival and function of osteocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gemma Di Pompo
- Biomedical Science, Technologies, and Nanobiotecnologiy Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Boanini
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriela Graziani
- Biomedical Science, Technologies, and Nanobiotecnologiy Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Sassoni
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Baldini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Biomedical Science, Technologies, and Nanobiotecnologiy Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sofia Avnet
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Añazco C, Riedelsberger J, Vega-Montoto L, Rojas A. Exploring the Interplay between Polyphenols and Lysyl Oxidase Enzymes for Maintaining Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10985. [PMID: 37446164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen, the most abundant structural protein found in mammals, plays a vital role as a constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds cells. Collagen fibrils are strengthened through the formation of covalent cross-links, which involve complex enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is responsible for catalyzing the oxidative deamination of lysine and hydroxylysine residues, resulting in the production of aldehydes, allysine, and hydroxyallysine. These intermediates undergo spontaneous condensation reactions, leading to the formation of immature cross-links, which are the initial step in the development of mature covalent cross-links. Additionally, non-enzymatic glycation contributes to the formation of abnormal cross-linking in collagen fibrils. During glycation, specific lysine and arginine residues in collagen are modified by reducing sugars, leading to the creation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). These AGEs have been associated with changes in the mechanical properties of collagen fibers. Interestingly, various studies have reported that plant polyphenols possess amine oxidase-like activity and can act as potent inhibitors of protein glycation. This review article focuses on compiling the literature describing polyphenols with amine oxidase-like activity and antiglycation properties. Specifically, we explore the molecular mechanisms by which specific flavonoids impact or protect the normal collagen cross-linking process. Furthermore, we discuss how these dual activities can be harnessed to generate properly cross-linked collagen molecules, thereby promoting the stabilization of highly organized collagen fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Añazco
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Nutricional, Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Carrera de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Ciencias para el Cuidado de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, General Lagos #1190, Valdivia 5110773, Chile
| | - Janin Riedelsberger
- Centro de Bioinformática, Simulación y Modelado (CBSM), Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Talca, 1 Poniente 1141, Talca 3462227, Chile
| | - Lorenzo Vega-Montoto
- Chemical and Radiation Measurement, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), 1705 N. Yellowstone Hwy, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA
| | - Armando Rojas
- Biomedical Research Laboratories, Medicine Faculty, Catholic University of Maule, Talca 3480112, Chile
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Kontomaris SV, Stylianou A, Georgakopoulos A, Malamou A. 3D AFM Nanomechanical Characterization of Biological Materials. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:395. [PMID: 36770357 PMCID: PMC9920073 DOI: 10.3390/nano13030395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool enabling the mechanical characterization of biological materials at the nanoscale. Since biological materials are highly heterogeneous, their mechanical characterization is still considered to be a challenging procedure. In this paper, a new approach that leads to a 3-dimensional (3D) nanomechanical characterization is presented based on the average Young's modulus and the AFM indentation method. The proposed method can contribute to the clarification of the variability of the mechanical properties of biological samples in the 3-dimensional space (variability at the x-y plane and depth-dependent behavior). The method was applied to agarose gels, fibroblasts, and breast cancer cells. Moreover, new mathematical methods towards a quantitative mechanical characterization are also proposed. The presented approach is a step forward to a more accurate and complete characterization of biological materials and could contribute to an accurate user-independent diagnosis of various diseases such as cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Vasileios Kontomaris
- BioNanoTec Ltd., 2043 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Metropolitan College, 15125 Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Stylianou
- School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Anastasios Georgakopoulos
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Malamou
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
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Kontomaris SV, Stylianou A, Chliveros G, Malamou A. Determining Spatial Variability of Elastic Properties for Biological Samples Using AFM. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:mi14010182. [PMID: 36677243 PMCID: PMC9862197 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Measuring the mechanical properties (i.e., elasticity in terms of Young's modulus) of biological samples using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) indentation at the nanoscale has opened new horizons in studying and detecting various pathological conditions at early stages, including cancer and osteoarthritis. It is expected that AFM techniques will play a key role in the future in disease diagnosis and modeling using rigorous mathematical criteria (i.e., automated user-independent diagnosis). In this review, AFM techniques and mathematical models for determining the spatial variability of elastic properties of biological materials at the nanoscale are presented and discussed. Significant issues concerning the rationality of the elastic half-space assumption, the possibility of monitoring the depth-dependent mechanical properties, and the construction of 3D Young's modulus maps are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Vasileios Kontomaris
- BioNanoTec Ltd., Nicosia 2043, Cyprus
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Metropolitan College, 15125 Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Stylianou
- School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Georgios Chliveros
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Metropolitan College, 15125 Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Malamou
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
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