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Xia KR, Zhang XY, Zhang HQ, Su KL, Shang EX, Xiao QL, Li WW, Guo S, Duan JA, Liu P. Network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification of the antithrombotic active compounds of trichosanthis pericarpium (Gualoupi) in treating coronary heart disease. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 329:118158. [PMID: 38614263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Trichosanthis pericarpium (TP; Gualoupi, pericarps of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to reduce heat, resolve phlegm, promote Qi, and clear chest congestion. It is also an essential herbal ingredient in the "Gualou Xiebai" formula first recorded by Zhang Zhongjing (from the Eastern Han Dynasty) in the famous TCM classic "Jin-Guì-Yào-Lüe" for treating chest impediments. According to its traditional description, Gualou Xiebai is indicated for symptoms of chest impediments, which correspond to coronary heart diseases (CHD). AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to identify the antithrombotic compounds in Gualoupi for the treatment of CHD. MATERIALS AND METHODS A CHD rat model was established with a combination of high-fat diet and isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) administration via subcutaneous multi-point injection in the back of the neck. This model was used to evaluate the antithrombotic effect of two mainstream cultivars of TP ("HaiShi GuaLou" and "WanLou") by analyzing the main components and their effects. Network pharmacology, molecular docking-based studies, and a zebrafish (Danio rerio) thrombosis model induced by phenylhydrazine was used to validate the antithrombosis components of TP. RESULTS TP significantly reduced the body weight of the CHD rats, improved myocardial ischemia, and reduced collagen deposition and fibrosis around the infarcted tissue. It reduced thrombosis in a dose-dependent manner and significantly reduced inflammation and oxidative stress damage. Cynaroside, isoquercitrin, rutin, citrulline, and arginine were identified as candidate active TP compounds with antithrombotic effects. The key potential targets of TP in thrombosis treatment were initially identified by molecular docking-based analysis, which showed that the candidate active compounds have a strong binding affinity to the potential targets (protein kinase C alpha type [PKCα], protein kinase C beta type [PKCβ], von Willebrand factor [vWF], and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 [PTGS1], fibrinogen alpha [Fga], fibrinogen beta [Fgb], fibrinogen gamma [Fgg], coagulation factor II [F2], and coagulation factor VII [F7]). In addition, the candidate active compounds reduced thrombosis, improved oxidative stress damage, and down-regulated the expression of thrombosis-related genes (PKCα, PKCβ, vWF, PTGS1, Fga, Fgb, Fgg, F2, and F7) in the zebrafish model. CONCLUSION Cynaroside, isoquercitrin, rutin, citrulline, and arginine were identified as the active antithrombotic compounds of TP used to treat CHD. Mechanistically, the active compounds were found to be involved in oxidative stress injury, platelet activation pathway, and complement and coagulation cascade pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Rou Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Huang-Qin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China.
| | - Ke-Lei Su
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Er-Xin Shang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qing-Ling Xiao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Third Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Wei-Wen Li
- Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Sheng Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jin-Ao Duan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Risman RA, Belcher HA, Ramanujam RK, Weisel JW, Hudson NE, Tutwiler V. Comprehensive Analysis of the Role of Fibrinogen and Thrombin in Clot Formation and Structure for Plasma and Purified Fibrinogen. Biomolecules 2024; 14:230. [PMID: 38397467 PMCID: PMC10886591 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020230] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Altered properties of fibrin clots have been associated with bleeding and thrombotic disorders, including hemophilia or trauma and heart attack or stroke. Clotting factors, such as thrombin and tissue factor, or blood plasma proteins, such as fibrinogen, play critical roles in fibrin network polymerization. The concentrations and combinations of these proteins affect the structure and stability of clots, which can lead to downstream complications. The present work includes clots made from plasma and purified fibrinogen and shows how varying fibrinogen and activation factor concentrations affect the fibrin properties under both conditions. We used a combination of scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and turbidimetry to analyze clot/fiber structure and polymerization. We quantified the structural and polymerization features and found similar trends with increasing/decreasing fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations for both purified fibrinogen and plasma clots. Using our compiled results, we were able to generate multiple linear regressions that predict structural and polymerization features using various fibrinogen and clotting agent concentrations. This study provides an analysis of structural and polymerization features of clots made with purified fibrinogen or plasma at various fibrinogen and clotting agent concentrations. Our results could be utilized to aid in interpreting results, designing future experiments, or developing relevant mathematical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Risman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.R.); (R.K.R.)
| | - Heather A. Belcher
- Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA; (H.A.B.); (N.E.H.)
| | - Ranjini K. Ramanujam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.R.); (R.K.R.)
| | - John W. Weisel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Nathan E. Hudson
- Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA; (H.A.B.); (N.E.H.)
| | - Valerie Tutwiler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (R.A.R.); (R.K.R.)
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Eyisoylu H, Hazekamp ED, Cruts J, Koenderink GH, de Maat MPM. Flow affects the structural and mechanical properties of the fibrin network in plasma clots. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2024; 35:8. [PMID: 38285167 PMCID: PMC10824866 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-024-06775-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The fibrin network is one of the main components of thrombi. Altered fibrin network properties are known to influence the development and progression of thrombotic disorders, at least partly through effects on the mechanical stability of fibrin. Most studies investigating the role of fibrin in thrombus properties prepare clots under static conditions, missing the influence of blood flow which is present in vivo. In this study, plasma clots in the presence and absence of flow were prepared inside a Chandler loop. Recitrated plasma from healthy donors were spun at 0 and 30 RPM. The clot structure was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy and correlated with the stiffness measured by unconfined compression testing. We quantified fibrin fiber density, pore size, and fiber thickness and bulk stiffness at low and high strain values. Clots formed under flow had thinner fibrin fibers, smaller pores, and a denser fibrin network with higher stiffness values compared to clots formed in absence of flow. Our findings indicate that fluid flow is an essential factor to consider when developing physiologically relevant in vitro thrombus models used in researching thrombectomy outcomes or risk of embolization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hande Eyisoylu
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Emma D Hazekamp
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Cruts
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsje H Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
| | - Moniek P M de Maat
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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de Vries JJ, Visser C, van Ommen M, Rokx C, van Nood E, van Gorp ECM, Goeijenbier M, van den Akker JPC, Endeman H, Rijken DC, Kruip MJHA, Weggeman M, Koopman J, de Maat MPM. Levels of Fibrinogen Variants Are Altered in Severe COVID-19. TH OPEN 2023; 7:e217-e225. [PMID: 37501780 PMCID: PMC10370639 DOI: 10.1055/a-2102-4521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fibrinogen variants as a result of alternative messenger RNA splicing or protein degradation can affect fibrin(ogen) functions. The levels of these variants might be altered during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), potentially affecting disease severity or the thrombosis risk. Aim To investigate the levels of fibrinogen variants in plasma of patients with COVID-19. Methods In this case-control study, we measured levels of functional fibrinogen using the Clauss assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure antigen levels of total, intact (nondegraded Aα chain), extended Aα chain (α E ), and γ' fibrinogen in healthy controls, patients with pneumococcal infection in the intensive care unit (ICU), ward patients with COVID-19, and ICU patients with COVID-19 (with and without thrombosis, two time points). Results Healthy controls and ward patients with COVID-19 ( n = 10) showed similar fibrinogen (variant) levels. ICU patients with COVID-19 who later did ( n = 19) or did not develop thrombosis ( n = 18) and ICU patients with pneumococcal infection ( n = 6) had higher absolute levels of functional, total, intact, and α E fibrinogen than healthy controls ( n = 7). The relative α E fibrinogen levels were higher in ICU patients with COVID-19 than in healthy controls, while relative γ' fibrinogen levels were lower. After diagnosis of thrombosis, only the functional fibrinogen levels were higher in ICU patients with COVID-19 and thrombosis than in those without, while no differences were observed in the other fibrinogen variants. Conclusion Our results show that severe COVID-19 is associated with increased levels of α E fibrinogen and decreased relative levels of γ' fibrinogen, which may be a cause or consequence of severe disease, but this is not associated with the development of thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith J de Vries
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal Visser
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Casper Rokx
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Els van Nood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric C M van Gorp
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Goeijenbier
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Adult Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Henrik Endeman
- Department of Adult Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dingeman C Rijken
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke J H A Kruip
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Moniek P M de Maat
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Belcher HA, Guthold M, Hudson NE. What is the diameter of a fibrin fiber? Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2023; 7:100285. [PMID: 37601015 PMCID: PMC10439396 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100285] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Altered fibrin fiber structure is linked to pathologic states, including coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and atherosclerosis. However, several different techniques are commonly utilized for studying fibrin structures, and comparison of results obtained using different techniques can be challenging due to lack of standardization. Objectives This study provides a path toward standardization by comparing fibrin fiber diameters for a range of physiologic fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations using multiple different complementary experimental methods. Methods We determined fiber diameter using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), superresolution (stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy) fluorescence microscopy, and 4 commonly utilized turbidimetric approaches to determine the congruence between the results and the conditions under which each should be used. Results We found that diameter values obtained using SEM and superresolution imaging agree within 10% for nearly all conditions tested. We also found that when a wavelength range of 500 to 800 nm was used for measurements and accounting for the wavelength dependence of the refractive index and specific refractive index increment, diameters obtained using the corrected Yeromonahos turbidimetric approach agree with SEM within 20% for most conditions. Conclusion We performed a systematic, multitechnique survey assessing fibrin fiber diameters under a range of biochemical conditions. The similarity in the diameter values obtained using SEM and superresolution imaging suggests that drying and fixation during SEM sample preparation do not dramatically alter fiber cross-sections. Congruence, under certain conditions, between diameter values obtained using SEM, superresolution fluorescence imaging, and turbidimetry demonstrates the feasibility of a fibrin diameter standardization project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather A. Belcher
- Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Martin Guthold
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Nathan E. Hudson
- Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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de Vries JJ, Laan DM, Frey F, Koenderink GH, de Maat MPM. A systematic review and comparison of automated tools for quantification of fibrous networks. Acta Biomater 2023; 157:263-274. [PMID: 36509400 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fibrous networks are essential structural components of biological and engineered materials. Accordingly, many approaches have been developed to quantify their structural properties, which define their material properties. However, a comprehensive overview and comparison of methods is lacking. Therefore, we systematically searched for automated tools quantifying network characteristics in confocal, stimulated emission depletion (STED) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and compared these tools by applying them to fibrin, a prototypical fibrous network in thrombi. Structural properties of fibrin such as fiber diameter and alignment are clinically relevant, since they influence the risk of thrombosis. Based on a systematic comparison of the automated tools with each other, manual measurements, and simulated networks, we provide guidance to choose appropriate tools for fibrous network quantification depending on imaging modality and structural parameter. These tools are often able to reliably measure relative changes in network characteristics, but absolute numbers should be interpreted with care. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Structural properties of fibrous networks define material properties of many biological and engineered materials. Many methods exist to automatically quantify structural properties, but an overview and comparison is lacking. In this work, we systematically searched for all publicly available automated analysis tools that can quantify structural properties of fibrous networks. Next, we compared them by applying them to microscopy images of fibrin networks. We also benchmarked the automated tools against manual measurements or synthetic images. As a result, we give advice on which automated analysis tools to use for specific structural properties. We anticipate that researchers from a large variety of fields, ranging from thrombosis and hemostasis to cancer research, and materials science, can benefit from our work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith J de Vries
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne M Laan
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Frey
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Gijsje H Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Moniek P M de Maat
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Moiseiwitsch N, Zwennes N, Szlam F, Sniecinski R, Brown A. COVID-19 patient fibrinogen produces dense clots with altered polymerization kinetics, partially explained by increased sialic acid. J Thromb Haemost 2022; 20:2909-2920. [PMID: 36111490 PMCID: PMC9537908 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thrombogenicity is a known complication of COVID-19, resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection, with significant effects on morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE We aimed to better understand the effects of COVID-19 on fibrinogen and the resulting effects on clot structure, formation, and degradation. METHODS Fibrinogen isolated from COVID-19 patients and uninfected subjects was used to form uniformly concentrated clots (2 mg/ml), which were characterized using confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and endogenous and exogenous fibrinolysis assays. Neuraminidase digestion and subsequent NANA assay were used to quantify sialic acid residue presence; clots made from the desialylated fibrinogen were then assayed similarly to the original fibrinogen clots. RESULTS Clots made from purified fibrinogen from COVID-19 patients were shown to be significantly stiffer and denser than clots made using fibrinogen from noninfected subjects. Endogenous and exogenous fibrinolysis assays demonstrated that clot polymerization and degradation dynamics were different for purified fibrinogen from COVID-19 patients compared with fibrinogen from noninfected subjects. Quantification of sialic acid residues via the NANA assay demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2-positive fibrinogen samples contained significantly more sialic acid. Desialylation via neuraminidase digestion resolved differences in clot density. Desialylation did not normalize differences in polymerization, but did affect rate of exogenous fibrinolysis. DISCUSSION These differences noted in purified SARS-CoV-2-positive clots demonstrate that structural differences in fibrinogen, and not just differences in gross fibrinogen concentration, contribute to clinical differences in thrombotic features associated with COVID-19. These structural differences are at least in part mediated by differential sialylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Moiseiwitsch
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nicole Zwennes
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Fania Szlam
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Roman Sniecinski
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ashley Brown
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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