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Hu Z, Liao S, Zhou J, Chen Q, Wu R. Elastic parameter identification of three-dimensional soft tissue based on deep neural network. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 155:106542. [PMID: 38631100 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106542] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
In the field of virtual surgery and deformation simulation, the identification of elastic parameters of human soft tissues is a critical technology that directly affects the accuracy of deformation simulation. Current research on soft tissue deformation simulation predominantly assumes that the elasticity of tissues is fixed and already known, leading to the difficulty in populating with the elasticity measured or identified from specific tissues of real patients. Existing elasticity modeling efforts struggle to be implemented on irregularly structured soft tissues, failing to adapt to clinical surgical practices. Therefore, this paper proposes a new method for identifying human soft tissue elastic parameters based on the finite element method and the deep neural network, UNet. This method requires only the full-field displacement data of soft tissues under external loads to predict their elastic distribution. The performance and validity of the algorithm are assessed using test data and clinical data from rhinoplasty surgeries. Experiments demonstrate that the method proposed in this paper can achieve an accuracy of over 99% in predicting elastic parameters. Clinical data validation shows that the predicted elastic distribution can reduce the error in finite element deformation simulations by more than 80% at the maximum compared to the error with traditional uniform elastic parameters, effectively enhancing the computational accuracy in virtual surgery simulations and soft tissue deformation modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Hu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Shenghui Liao
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China.
| | - Jianda Zhou
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Qiuyang Chen
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
| | - Renzhong Wu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China
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2
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Sneider A, Liu Y, Starich B, Du W, Nair PR, Marar C, Faqih N, Ciotti GE, Kim JH, Krishnan S, Ibrahim S, Igboko M, Locke A, Lewis DM, Hong H, Karl MN, Vij R, Russo GC, Gómez-de-Mariscal E, Habibi M, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Gu L, Eisinger-Mathason TK, Wirtz D. Small Extracellular Vesicles Promote Stiffness-mediated Metastasis. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1240-1252. [PMID: 38630893 PMCID: PMC11080964 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Tissue stiffness is a critical prognostic factor in breast cancer and is associated with metastatic progression. Here we show an alternative and complementary hypothesis of tumor progression whereby physiologic matrix stiffness affects the quantity and protein cargo of small extracellular vesicles (EV) produced by cancer cells, which in turn aid cancer cell dissemination. Primary patient breast tissue released by cancer cells on matrices that model human breast tumors (25 kPa; stiff EVs) feature increased adhesion molecule presentation (ITGα2β1, ITGα6β4, ITGα6β1, CD44) compared with EVs from softer normal tissue (0.5 kPa; soft EVs), which facilitates their binding to extracellular matrix proteins including collagen IV, and a 3-fold increase in homing ability to distant organs in mice. In a zebrafish xenograft model, stiff EVs aid cancer cell dissemination. Moreover, normal, resident lung fibroblasts treated with stiff and soft EVs change their gene expression profiles to adopt a cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype. These findings show that EV quantity, cargo, and function depend heavily on the mechanical properties of the extracellular microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE Here we show that the quantity, cargo, and function of breast cancer-derived EVs vary with mechanical properties of the extracellular microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sneider
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ying Liu
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Bartholomew Starich
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wenxuan Du
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Praful R. Nair
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carolyn Marar
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Najwa Faqih
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gabrielle E. Ciotti
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joo Ho Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sejal Krishnan
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Salma Ibrahim
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Muna Igboko
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexus Locke
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel M. Lewis
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hanna Hong
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michelle N. Karl
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Raghav Vij
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gabriella C. Russo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Estibaliz Gómez-de-Mariscal
- Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mehran Habibi
- Johns Hopkins Breast Center, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arrate Muñoz-Barrutia
- Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luo Gu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - T.S. Karin Eisinger-Mathason
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Liu S, Han Y, Kong L, Wang G, Ye Z. Atomic force microscopy in disease-related studies: Exploring tissue and cell mechanics. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:660-684. [PMID: 38063315 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in human medicine, certain diseases remain challenging to promptly diagnose and treat. Hence, the imperative lies in the development of more exhaustive criteria and tools. Tissue and cellular mechanics exhibit distinctive traits in both normal and pathological states, suggesting that "force" represents a promising and distinctive target for disease diagnosis and treatment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) holds great promise as a prospective clinical medical device due to its capability to concurrently assess surface morphology and mechanical characteristics of biological specimens within a physiological setting. This review presents a comprehensive examination of the operational principles of AFM and diverse mechanical models, focusing on its applications in investigating tissue and cellular mechanics associated with prevalent diseases. The findings from these studies lay a solid groundwork for potential clinical implementations of AFM. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: By examining the surface morphology and assessing tissue and cellular mechanics of biological specimens in a physiological setting, AFM shows promise as a clinical device to diagnose and treat challenging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaiyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yibo Han
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingwen Kong
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Central Hospital of Chongqing University, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiyi Ye
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
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4
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Sneider A, Liu Y, Starich B, Du W, Marar C, Faqih N, Ciotti GE, Kim JH, Krishnan S, Ibrahim S, Igboko M, Locke A, Lewis DM, Hong H, Karl M, Vij R, Russo GC, Nair P, Gómez-de-Mariscal E, Habibi M, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Gu L, Eisinger-Mathason TSK, Wirtz D. Small extracellular vesicles promote stiffness-mediated metastasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.01.545937. [PMID: 37425743 PMCID: PMC10327142 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.01.545937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Tissue stiffness is a critical prognostic factor in breast cancer and is associated with metastatic progression. Here we show an alternative and complementary hypothesis of tumor progression whereby physiological matrix stiffness affects the quantity and protein cargo of small EVs produced by cancer cells, which in turn drive their metastasis. Primary patient breast tissue produces significantly more EVs from stiff tumor tissue than soft tumor adjacent tissue. EVs released by cancer cells on matrices that model human breast tumors (25 kPa; stiff EVs) feature increased adhesion molecule presentation (ITGα 2 β 1 , ITGα 6 β 4 , ITGα 6 β 1 , CD44) compared to EVs from softer normal tissue (0.5 kPa; soft EVs), which facilitates their binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) protein collagen IV, and a 3-fold increase in homing ability to distant organs in mice. In a zebrafish xenograft model, stiff EVs aid cancer cell dissemination through enhanced chemotaxis. Moreover, normal, resident lung fibroblasts treated with stiff and soft EVs change their gene expression profiles to adopt a cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype. These findings show that EV quantity, cargo, and function depend heavily on the mechanical properties of the extracellular microenvironment.
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Park H, Li B, Liu Y, Nelson MS, Wilson HM, Sifakis E, Eliceiri KW. Collagen fiber centerline tracking in fibrotic tissue via deep neural networks with variational autoencoder-based synthetic training data generation. Med Image Anal 2023; 90:102961. [PMID: 37802011 PMCID: PMC10591913 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2023.102961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The role of fibrillar collagen in the tissue microenvironment is critical in disease contexts ranging from cancers to chronic inflammations, as evidenced by many studies. Quantifying fibrillar collagen organization has become a powerful approach for characterizing the topology of collagen fibers and studying the role of collagen fibers in disease progression. We present a deep learning-based pipeline to quantify collagen fibers' topological properties in microscopy-based collagen images from pathological tissue samples. Our method leverages deep neural networks to extract collagen fiber centerlines and deep generative models to create synthetic training data, addressing the current shortage of large-scale annotations. As a part of this effort, we have created and annotated a collagen fiber centerline dataset, with the hope of facilitating further research in this field. Quantitative measurements such as fiber orientation, alignment, density, and length can be derived based on the centerline extraction results. Our pipeline comprises three stages. Initially, a variational autoencoder is trained to generate synthetic centerlines possessing controllable topological properties. Subsequently, a conditional generative adversarial network synthesizes realistic collagen fiber images from the synthetic centerlines, yielding a synthetic training set of image-centerline pairs. Finally, we train a collagen fiber centerline extraction network using both the original and synthetic data. Evaluation using collagen fiber images from pancreas, liver, and breast cancer samples collected via second-harmonic generation microscopy demonstrates our pipeline's superiority over several popular fiber centerline extraction tools. Incorporating synthetic data into training further enhances the network's generalizability. Our code is available at https://github.com/uw-loci/collagen-fiber-metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojoon Park
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Yuming Liu
- Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Michael S Nelson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Helen M Wilson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Eftychios Sifakis
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Kevin W Eliceiri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Wirtz D, Du W, Zhu J, Wu Y, Kiemen A, Wan Z, Hanna E, Sun S. Mechano-induced homotypic patterned domain formation by monocytes. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3372987. [PMID: 37790337 PMCID: PMC10543314 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3372987/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Matrix stiffness and corresponding mechano-signaling play indispensable roles in cellular phenotypes and functions. How tissue stiffness influences the behavior of monocytes, a major circulating leukocyte of the innate system, and how it may promote the emergence of collective cell behavior is less understood. Here, using tunable collagen-coated hydrogels of physiological stiffness, we show that human primary monocytes undergo a dynamic local phase separation to form highly regular, reversible, multicellular, multi-layered domains on soft matrix. Local activation of the β2 integrin initiates inter-cellular adhesion, while global soluble inhibitory factors maintain the steady state domain pattern over days. Patterned domain formation generated by monocytes is unique among other key immune cells, including macrophages, B cells, T cells, and NK cells. While inhibiting their phagocytic capability, domain formation promotes monocytes' survival. We develop a computational model based on the Cahn-Hilliard equation of phase separation, combined with a Turing mechanism of local activation and global inhibition suggested by our experiments, and provides experimentally validated predictions of the role of seeding density and both chemotactic and random cell migration on domain pattern formation. This work reveals that, unlike active matters, cells can generate complex cell phases by exploiting their mechanosensing abilities and combined short-range interactions and long-range signals to enhance their survival.
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Du W, Zhu J, Wu Y, Kiemen AL, Sun SX, Wirtz D. Mechano-induced homotypic patterned domain formation by monocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.27.550819. [PMID: 37546904 PMCID: PMC10402173 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.27.550819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Matrix stiffness and corresponding mechano-signaling play indispensable roles in cellular phenotypes and functions. How tissue stiffness influences the behavior of monocytes, a major circulating leukocyte of the innate system, and how it may promote the emergence of collective cell behavior is less understood. Here, using tunable collagen-coated hydrogels of physiological stiffness, we show that human primary monocytes undergo a dynamic local phase separation to form highly patterned multicellular multi-layered domains on soft matrix. Local activation of the β2 integrin initiates inter-cellular adhesion, while global soluble inhibitory factors maintain the steady-state domain pattern over days. Patterned domain formation generated by monocytes is unique among other key immune cells, including macrophages, B cells, T cells, and NK cells. While inhibiting their phagocytic capability, domain formation promotes monocytes' survival. We develop a computational model based on the Cahn-Hilliard equation, which includes combined local activation and global inhibition mechanisms of intercellular adhesion suggested by our experiments, and provides experimentally validated predictions of the role of seeding density and both chemotactic and random cell migration on pattern formation.
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Crawford AJ, Forjaz A, Bhorkar I, Roy T, Schell D, Queiroga V, Ren K, Kramer D, Bons J, Huang W, Russo GC, Lee MH, Schilling B, Wu PH, Shih IM, Wang TL, Kiemen A, Wirtz D. Precision-engineered biomimetics: the human fallopian tube. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.06.543923. [PMID: 37333379 PMCID: PMC10274705 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.06.543923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The fallopian tube has an essential role in several physiological and pathological processes from pregnancy to ovarian cancer. However, there are no biologically relevant models to study its pathophysiology. The state-of-the-art organoid model has been compared to two-dimensional tissue sections and molecularly assessed providing only cursory analyses of the model's accuracy. We developed a novel multi-compartment organoid model of the human fallopian tube that was meticulously tuned to reflect the compartmentalization and heterogeneity of the tissue's composition. We validated this organoid's molecular expression patterns, cilia-driven transport function, and structural accuracy through a highly iterative platform wherein organoids are compared to a three-dimensional, single-cell resolution reference map of a healthy, transplantation-quality human fallopian tube. This organoid model was precision-engineered to match the human microanatomy. One sentence summary Tunable organoid modeling and CODA architectural quantification in tandem help design a tissue-validated organoid model.
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Han L, Yin Z. A hybrid breast cancer classification algorithm based on meta-learning and artificial neural networks. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1042964. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1042964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of breast cancer in women has surpassed that of lung cancer as the world’s leading new cancer case. Regular screening and measures become an effective way to prevent breast cancer and also provide a good foundation for later treatment. Women should receive regular checkups in the hospital after reaching a certain age. The use of computer-aided technology can improve the accuracy and efficiency of physicians’ decision-making. Data pre-processing is required before data analysis, and 16 features are selected using a correlation-based feature selection method. In this paper, meta-learning and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are combined to create a hybrid algorithm. The proposed hybrid algorithm for predicting breast cancer was attempted to achieve 98.74% accuracy and 98.02% F1-score by creating a combination of various meta-learning models whose output was used as input features for creating ANN models. Therefore, the hybrid algorithm proposed in this paper can obtain better prediction results than a single model.
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Vasudevan J, Jiang K, Fernandez J, Lim CT. Extracellular matrix mechanobiology in cancer cell migration. Acta Biomater 2022; 163:351-364. [PMID: 36243367 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is pivotal in modulating tumor progression. Besides chemically stimulating tumor cells, it also offers physical support that orchestrates the sequence of events in the metastatic cascade upon dynamically modulating cell mechanosensation. Understanding this translation between matrix biophysical cues and intracellular signaling has led to rapid growth in the interdisciplinary field of cancer mechanobiology in the last decade. Substantial efforts have been made to develop novel in vitro tumor mimicking platforms to visualize and quantify the mechanical forces within the tissue that dictate tumor cell invasion and metastatic growth. This review highlights recent findings on tumor matrix biophysical cues such as fibrillar arrangement, crosslinking density, confinement, rigidity, topography, and non-linear mechanics and their implications on tumor cell behavior. We also emphasize how perturbations in these cues alter cellular mechanisms of mechanotransduction, consequently enhancing malignancy. Finally, we elucidate engineering techniques to individually emulate the mechanical properties of tumors that could help serve as toolkits for developing and testing ECM-targeted therapeutics on novel bioengineered tumor platforms. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Disrupted ECM mechanics is a driving force for transitioning incipient cells to life-threatening malignant variants. Understanding these ECM changes can be crucial as they may aid in developing several efficacious drugs that not only focus on inducing cytotoxic effects but also target specific matrix mechanical cues that support and enhance tumor invasiveness. Designing and implementing an optimal tumor mimic can allow us to predictively map biophysical cue-modulated cell behaviors and facilitate the design of improved lab-grown tumor models with accurately controlled structural features. This review focuses on the abnormal changes within the ECM during tumorigenesis and its implications on tumor cell-matrix mechanoreciprocity. Additionally, it accentuates engineering approaches to produce ECM features of varying levels of complexity which is critical for improving the efficiency of current engineered tumor tissue models.
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