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This work investigates the spreading dynamics of three candidate sol-gel solutions, of ranging viscosities, surface tensions and densities, and compares them with water and two commercial blood substitute products. Droplets were created with different sizes (10 to75μL) and impact velocities (1.4 to 6.0m/s) to strike 176gsm cardstock. Over 2200 droplets were created using the six different fluids and their final dried stain diameter was measured. Droplet spread was plotted using the Scheller and Bousfield correlation and uses effective viscosity as a parameter for non-Newtonian fluids. Comparing the results to an expected whole human blood range validated the spread of the candidate FBS sol-gel material in passive drip bloodstain pattern simulation. These findings complement the practical application of the material as a safe substitute for demonstrating droplet spread under controlled conditions on hard paper surfaces., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A notable diagnostic for the detection of hemolytic diseases is bilirubin, a by-product of haemoglobin breakdown. The concentration of bilirubin ranges from 0.3 to 1.9 mg in 100 mL of blood. Low blood bilirubin levels are associated with a greater risk of coronary heart disease and anaemia. Hyperbilirubinemia results from a serum bilirubin level of more than 2.5 mg/100 mL. Therefore, it is very crucial to check the serum bilirubin level. Analytical equipment for point-of-care testing must be portable, small, and affordable. A unique method is used to detect bilirubin selectively using paper-based screen-printed carbon electrodes that were covalently linked with nanoparticles, that serves as a key biomarker for jaundice. In order to create an electrochemical biosensor, bilirubin oxidase was immobilised on electrodes modified with AgNPs. The morphology of Ag nanoparticles in terms of size and shape was determined using both UV- Vis Spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The biosensor's analytical response was assessed using potentiostat (Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV)). The developed paper-based sensor provided optimum feedback and a broad linear range of 1 to 9 µg/mL for bilirubin, with a lower LOD of 1 µg/mL. Through tests of bilirubin in artificial blood serum, the viability is confirmed. The method that is being used makes it possible to create and use an inexpensive, miniature electrochemical sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depending on the individual, exposure to an intense stressor may, or may not, lead to a stress-induced pathology. Predicting the physiopathological evolution in an individual is therefore an important challenge, at least for prevention. In this context, we developed an ethological model of simulated predator exposure in rats: we call this the multisensorial stress model (MSS). We hypothesized that: (i) MSS exposure can induce stress-induced phenotypes, and (ii) an electrocorticogram (ECoG) recorded before stress exposure can predict phenotypes observed after stress. Methods: Forty-five Sprague Dawley rats were equipped with ECoG telemetry and divided into two groups. The Stress group (n = 23) was exposed to an MSS that combined synthetic fox feces odor deposited on filter paper, synthetic blood odor, and 22 kHz rodent distress calls; the Shamgroup (n = 22) was not exposed to any sensorial stimulus. Fifteen days after initial exposure, the two groups were re-exposed to a context that included a filter paper soaked with water as a traumatic object (TO) reminder. During this re-exposure, freezing behavior and avoidance of the filter paper were measured. Results: Three behaviors were observed in the Stress group: 39% developed a fearmemory phenotype (freezing, avoidance, and hyperreactivity); 26% developed avoidance and anhedonia; and 35% made a full recovery. We also identified pre-stress ECoG biomarkers that accurately predicted clustermembership. Decreased chronic 24 h frontal Low" relative power was associated with resilience; increased frontal Low Θ relative power was associated with fear memory; and decreased parietal b2 frequency was associated with the avoidant-anhedonic phenotype. Discussion: These predictive biomarkers open the way to preventivemedicine for stress-induced diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aim. The purpose of this study was to review the knowledge of Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers based on the available world scientific literature. The paper presents a description of hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying products. These are semi-synthetic products in which hemoglobin is the oxygen carrier. The structure and function of hemoglobin are also presented. Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers have been developed to find an alternative to blood transfusions and in ischemic conditions as oxygen therapeutics. The characteristics of an ideal hemoglobin-based blood substitute are described. Subsequently, the preparations on which preclinical and clinical studies have been conducted in recent years -- OxyVita and Hemopure/HBOC-201 -- were characterized. After testing, OxyVita was not put into use, as neither the US Food and Drug Administration nor the European Medicines Agency recommended its use. Hemopure, on the other hand, could save lives in cases of life-threatening anemia, but did not replace transfused blood. It had one disadvantage -- narrowing of blood vessels -- and thus was not approved for use in Europe and America. In contrast, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approved its use. Due to the urgent need to develop a blood substitute, research is constantly being conducted in this area, which in the future will allow the development of an ideal oxygen-carrying preparation. Material and methods. Literature search from 2018 up to November 2022 has been conducted on PubMed database. Following keywords were used to search articles: hemoglobin- based oxygen carriers, HbOCs, oxygen carriers, hemoglobin, blood substitutes. Analysis of literature. Among the most important results, we focused on ideal characteristics of HBOCs, approaches to HBOC products, preclinical and clinical studies for safety and efficacy evaluations, current challenges and future directions. Conclusion. Due to the urgent need to develop a blood substitute, research is constantly being conducted in this area, which in the future will allow the development of an ideal oxygen-carrying preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulators are an important part of transmission lines in active distribution networks, and their performance has an impact on the power system's normal operation, security, and dependability. Traditional insulator detection methods, on the other hand, necessitate a significant amount of labor and material resources, necessitating the development of a new detection method to substitute manpower. This paper investigates the abnormal condition detection of insulators based on UAV vision sensors using artificial intelligence algorithms from small samples. Firstly, artificial intelligence for the image data volume requirements was large, i.e., the insulator image samples taken by the UAV vision sensor inspection were not enough, or there was a missing image problem, so the data enhancement method was used to expand the small sample data. Then, the YOLOV5 algorithm was used to compare detection results before and after the extended dataset's optimization to demonstrate the expanded dataset's dependability and universality, and the results revealed that the expanded dataset improved detection accuracy and precision. The insulator abnormal condition detection method based on small sample image data acquired by the visual sensors studied in this paper has certain theoretical guiding significance and engineering application prospects for the safe operation of active distribution networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bibliometrics can trace general research trends in a particular field. Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), as a group of rare genetic diseases, seriously affect the quality of life of patients and their families. Scholars have devoted themselves to studying MPS's pathogenesis and treatment modalities and have published many papers. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric and visual study of the top 100 most highly cited articles to provide researchers with an indication of the current state of research and potential directions in the field. Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection was searched for articles on MPS from 1 January 1900, to 8 November 2023, and the top 100 most cited articles were screened. The title, year of publication, institution, country, and first author of the articles were extracted and statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007. Keyword co-occurrence and collaborative networks were analyzed using VOSviewer 1.6.16. Results: A total of 9,273 articles were retrieved, and the top 100 most cited articles were filtered out. The articles were cited 18,790 times, with an annual average of 188 citations (122--507). Forty-two journals published these articles, with Molecular Genetics and Metabolism and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States being the most published journal (N = 8), followed by Pediatrics (N = 7), Blood (N = 6). The United States (N = 68), the UK (N = 25), and Germany (N = 20) were the top contributing countries. The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (N = 20) and the University of North Carolina (N = 18) were the most contributing institutions. Muenzer J was the most prolific author (N = 14). Conclusion: We conducted a bibliometric and visual analysis of the top 100 cited articles in MPS. This study identifies the most influential articles currently available in the field of MPS, which provides a good basis for a better understanding of the disease and informs future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone has a special structure that is both stiff and elastic, and the composition of bone confers it with an exceptional mechanical property. However, bone substitute materials that are made of the same hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen do not offer the same mechanical properties. It is important for bionic bone preparation to understand the structure of bone and the mineralization process and factors. In this paper, the research on the mineralization of collagen is reviewed in terms of the mechanical properties in recent years. Firstly, the structure and mechanical properties of bone are analyzed, and the differences of bone in different parts are described. Then, different scaffolds for bone repair are suggested considering bone repair sites. Mineralized collagen seems to be a better option for new composite scaffolds. Last, the paper introduces the most common method to prepare mineralized collagen and summarizes the factors influencing collagen mineralization and methods to analyze its mechanical properties. In conclusion, mineralized collagen is thought to be an ideal bone substitute material because it promotes faster development. Among the factors that promote collagen mineralization, more attention should be given to the mechanical loading factors of bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the blood flow in bionic artificial blood vessels and to reduce the resistance to blood flow, the drag reduction characteristics of V-shaped groove drag reduction microstructures in artificial blood vessel structures were investigated in depth. By varying the parameters of incoming flow velocity, groove width, and groove depth, the effect of various variable conditions on the drag reduction effect of the grooves was investigated, and the flow field characteristics and drag reduction effect of the V-shaped groove microstructure in the artificial blood vessel were obtained. A detailed analysis of the effect of velocity and groove size on the drag reduction effect of the groove was also carried out to demonstrate the drag reduction mechanism of the V-shaped groove microstructure and to summarize the variation law of the drag reduction rate of the V-shaped groove. The results show that the resistance reduction rate of the V-shaped groove microstructure decreases with the increase of blood flow velocity, increases with the increase of groove width, and increases and then decreases with the increase of groove depth. The velocity range used in this paper is 0.3–0.6 m/s, the groove width varies from 0 to 0.3 mm, and the groove depth varies from 0 to 0.3 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Micro-Nano Science and Technology Division of the JSME (Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers) promotes academic activities to pioneer novel research topics on microscopic mechanics. The laser reduces a glyoxylic acid Cu complex, which can be spin-coated onto a glass substrate. 1 Mizoshiri M., Aoyama K., Uetsuki A., Ohishi T. Direct Writing of Copper Micropatterns Using Near-Infrared Femtosecond Laser-Pulse-Induced Reduction of Glyoxylic Acid Copper Complex. [Extracted from the article]

In recent years, the incidence of cardiovascular disease has increased annually, and the demand for artificial blood vessels has been increasing. Due to the formation of thrombosis and stenosis after implantation, the application of many materials in the human body has been inhibited. Therefore, the choice of surface modification process is very important. In this paper, small-diameter polyurethane artificial blood vessels were prepared through electrospinning, and their surfaces were treated with plasma to improve their biological properties. The samples before and after plasma treatment were characterized by SEM, contact angle, XPS, and tensile testing; meanwhile, the cell compatibility and blood compatibility were evaluated. The results show that there are no significant changes to the fiber morphology or diameter distribution on the surface of the sample before and after plasma treatment. Plasma treatment can increase the proportion of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of the sample and improve its wettability, thereby increasing the infiltration ability of cells and promoting cell proliferation. Plasma treatment can reduce the risk of hemolysis, and does not cause platelet adhesion. Due to the etching effect of plasma, the mechanical properties of the samples decreased with the extension of plasma treatment time, which should be used as a basis to balance the mechanical property and biological property of artificial blood vessels. But on the whole, plasma treatment has positive significance for improving the comprehensive performance of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a pure biopolymer with abundant sources. BC has been used in wound dressings, artificial blood vessels, bone tissue engineering, and other applications because of its microporosity, superior water retention, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. The tensile strength of pure BC in wet state is weak, and the water holding capacity is above 90%, which limits its application. However, the mechanical properties of dehydrated BC are excellent at the expense of toughness, which is not enough to meet the demand of high additional-value materials, such as high strength flexible electronic device substrate, wearable electronic devices, vibration film for microphone and earphone, and others. Therefore, it is of great importance to systematically investigate the strategies to improve the mechanical properties of BC. Herein, this paper demonstrates the intrinsic factors affecting the mechanical properties of BC, along with the strategies to enhance the mechanical properties. Compared with the well-known adhesion reinforcement and chemical modification, six strategies to enhance the mechanical properties were discussed thoroughly in this paper. In addition, layer-by-layer self-assembly and orderly arrangement of fibrils are proposed in this paper to improve the mechanical properties of BC, which have not been described in detail in previous literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The established blood donation and transfusion system has contributed a lot to human health and welfare, but for this system to function properly, it requires a sufficient number of healthy donors, which is not always possible. Pakistan was a country hit hardest by COVID-19 which additionally reduced the blood donation rates. In order to address such challenges, the present study focused on the development of RBC substitutes that can be transfused to all blood types. This paper reports the development and characterization of RBC substitutes by combining the strategies of conjugated and encapsulated hemoglobin where magnetite nanoparticles would act as the carrier of hemoglobin, and liposomes would separate internal and external environments. The interactions of hemoglobin variants with bare magnetite nanoparticles were studied through molecular docking studies. Moreover, nanoparticles were synthesized, and hemoglobin was purified from blood. These components were then used to make conjugates, and it was observed that only the hemoglobin HbA1 variant was making protein corona. These conjugates were then encapsulated in liposomes to make negatively charged RBC substitutes with a size range of 1-2 μm. Results suggest that these RBC substitutes work potentially in a similar way as natural RBCs work and can be used in the time of emergency.

Vascular replacement is one of the most effective tools to solve cardiovascular diseases, but due to the limitations of autologous transplantation, size mismatch, etc., the blood vessels for replacement are often in short supply. The emergence of artificial blood vessels with 3D bioprinting has been expected to solve this problem. Blood vessel prosthesis plays an important role in the field of cardiovascular medical materials. However, a small-diameter blood vessel prosthesis (diameter < 6 mm) is still unable to achieve wide clinical application. In this paper, a response surface analysis was firstly utilized to obtain the relationship between the contact angle and the gelatin/sodium alginate mixed hydrogel solution at different temperatures and mass percentages. Then, the self-developed 3D bioprinter was used to obtain the optimal printing spacing under different conditions through row spacing, printing, and verifying the relationship between the contact angle and the printing thickness. Finally, the relationship between the blood vessel wall thickness and the contact angle was obtained by biofabrication with 3D bioprinting, which can also confirm the controllability of the vascular membrane thickness molding. It lays a foundation for the following study of the small caliber blood vessel printing molding experiment.

We analyze the behavior of relativistic spherical objects within the context of modified f (R , T) gravity considering Tolman VI spacetime, where the gravitational Lagrangian is a function of the Ricci scalar (R) and trace of energy momentum tensor (T), i.e, f (R , T) = R + 2βT, for some arbitrary constant β. For developing our model, we have chosen £m = −p, where £m represents the matter Lagrangian. For this investigation, we have chosen three compact stars, namely PSR J1614-2230 (Mass = (1.97 ± 0.4)M⊙; Radius = 9.69 + 0.02 − 0.02 km), Vela X-1 (Mass = (1.77 ± 0.08)M⊙; Radius = 9.560 + 0.08 − 0.08 km) and 4U 1538-52 (Mass = (9.69)M⊙; Radius = 1.97 km). In this theory, the equation of pressure isotropy is identical to the standard Einstein's theory. So, all known metric potential solving Einstein's equations are also valid here. In this paper, we have investigated the effort of a coupling parameter (β) on the local matter distribution. The sound of speed and adiabatic index are higher with grater values of β, while on the contrary, the mass function and gravitational redshift are lower with higher values of β. For supporting the theoretical results, graphical representations are also employed to analyze the physical viability of the compact stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe blood leakage resulting from the detachment of dialysis tubing is often difficult to detect by nurses in busy clinics. This paper presents a flexible blood leakage detection system featuring a ring-light sensor array with an operating wavelength of 500–700 nm, which is held in place by the gauze covering the dialysis puncture site. A ring-light sensor is connected to a bidirectional hetero-associative memory network, which interprets detected changes in signal strength, the output signal of which is transmitted via WiFi to a server at the nursing station where a machine learning algorithm determines whether blood leakage has occurred. The compact design of this early warning system greatly enhances the comfort and mobility of patients undergoing dialysis. The efficacy of the proposed system was demonstrated in experiments involving artificial blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Fracture network stimulation + imbibition replacement" is a new attempt to effectively develop tight sandstone reservoirs, and the fractures provide conditions for fluid imbibition replacement. On the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance and pseudo-color processing technology, combined with the imbibition experiments, this paper studies the imbibition process of fractured tight sandstone reservoirs, clarifies the effect of each level of pore-throat on imbibition, and realizes the visualization of the imbibition process. The results show that, in fractured tight sandstone reservoirs, the fluid displacement occurs in fractures first, followed by pore-throat. Most of the imbibition recovery is contributed by the macropore, the contribution of the mesopore to imbibition recovery is very weak, and the contributions of the micropore and the pinhole are even less. In the process of imbibition, capillary force and gravitational force are key parameters controlling fluid flow in pores and fractures. The replacement of fluid normally takes place in the early stage of imbibition, especially on the first day of imbibition, then the imbibition rate gradually decreases and finally tends to be stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presented paper contains description and interpretation of the results of selected physicochemical and structural properties of two types of composite sinters. They were constituted of a mixture of sintered microcrystalline corundum and bioglass CaO-P2O5-SiO2-Na2O system intended for scaffolds to cell culture of human chondrocytes. The composites contained a mixture of both above-mentioned components in the volumetric proportion of 50:50 (W5) and 30:70 (W7). They were obtained using powder metallurgy by free sintering in air atmosphere. Phase analysis of composites and verification of theoretical identification using X-ray diffraction were performed. The same phases were found in both cases (Al2O3 SiO2 CaAl2Si2O8, Ca3 (PO4)2, Ca2Al4O7 and NaAlSiO4). Microscopic tests of composite surfaces were performed and some differences were found. W5 sample was not completely covered with bioglass, whilst W7 sample was completely covered with bioglass with few fine pores. Tests of surface topography confirmed the presence of large and small pores. Composite surfaces immersed for 30 days in artificial blood plasma were tested and then electron microscopy analysis was performed. It was found that no significant changes occurred on the surface of the W5 composite, probably partial corrosion of the glass happened. Spherical forms characteristic of HA-hydroxyapatites were observed on the surface of sample W7. Human articular chondrocyte cells were seeded on both types of sinters and proliferation assay was performed. Results indicate that tested scaffolds support cellular attachment and proliferation of chondrocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to create an in vitro setup to quantify the oxygen offloading capabilities of dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFPe) in a hypoxic environment. Oxygen offloading from DDFPe was characterized under different gaseous environments and under pre-oxygenated conditions. Results of this study showed that (1) oxygen offloading is inversely related to the solubility of the selected sparging gas in saline and (2) both pre-oxygenated and simultaneously oxygenated DDFPe display similar magnitudes of oxygen transport. These results could be applicable to on-going and future studies involving a variety of hypoxic conditions where oxygen delivery might be therapeutically beneficial.

The use of live animal to blood feeding mosquito colony is proven to be expensive and inconvenient. As an alternative, artificial feeding (AF) is used to rear mosquito colony. The use of synthetic membrane in AF provided a more convenient method as compared to natural membrane which require extensive preparation. In this study, three synthetic membranes were compared (Parafilm-M, Polytetrafluoroethylene tape or PTFE tape and collagen sausage casing) to blood feeding Aedes aegypti. The membranes were incorporated with our in-house developed device named as Digital Thermo Mosquito Blood Feeder (DITMOF) to heat cattle blood for mosquito feeding. Results showed that PTFE tape recorded the highest blood feeding rate (95.00% ± 1.67%) with significant mean difference (p <0.001) as compared to both Parafilm-M (72.00% ± 2.60%) and collagen sausage casing (71.50% ± 3.50%). However, there was no difference in term of fecundity for mosquito feed with all three membranes tested (p=0.292). In conclusion, PTFE tape should be considered as the preferred membrane to blood feeding Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, this artificial blood feeding system, DITMOF successfully feed Ae. aegypti conveniently and effectively, thus should be further tested to feed other mosquito species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemagogus (Haemagogus) janthinomys (Dyar, 1921), the major neotropical vector of sylvatic yellow fever virus, is notoriously difficult to maintain in captivity. It has never been reared beyond an F1 generation, and almost no experimental transmission studies have been performed with this species since the 1940s. Herein we describe installment hatching, artificial blood feeding, and forced-mating techniques that enabled us to produce small numbers of F3 generation Hg. janthinomys eggs for the first time. A total of 62.8% (1562/2486) F1 generation eggs hatched during ≤10 four-day cycles of immersion in a bamboo leaf infusion followed by partial drying. Hatching decreased to 20.1% (190/944) in the F2 generation for eggs laid by mosquitoes copulated by forced mating. More than 85% (79/92) female F2 mosquitoes fed on an artificial blood feeding system. While we were unable to maintain a laboratory colony of Hg. janthinomys past the F3 generation, our methods provide a foundation for experimental transmission studies with this species in a laboratory setting, a critical capacity in a region with hyper-endemic transmission of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, all posing a risk of spillback into a sylvatic cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on the nature of artificial blood solutions, using an artificial blood-circulation system. We first measured induced electromotive forces in our test fluid, using two measurement points with test equipment electrodes inserted in the flow channel near the coil surface. No significant difference in the electromotive forces at the insertion points of the electrodes could be detected. When the positions of the exposure coils were shifted a little from each other on the outside of the flow channel near two measurement points with test equipment electrodes, we were able to detect some slight differences between them. This result showed the possibility that the magnetic fields induced from the coil distinctly generated effective electromotive forces in several fluids among the artificial blood solutions. In addition, we investigated the direct-current magnetic fields for the most effective blood flow on our artificial blood-circulation system. This system may provide new knowledge about the mechanism of blood massotherapy by electromagnetic stimulations as a therapy for many diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

[Display omitted] • Revolutionizing healthcare, 3D bioprinting pioneers the creation of artificial skin, bone, and blood vessels. • Solutions for treating skin and bone defects, as well as cardiovascular diseases. • Transformative technology where personalized tissues and organs can be printed on demand, paving the way for advanced treatments and improved patient outcomes. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine field, which focuses on creating functional tissue constructs resembling native tissue to repair or replace damaged tissues or organs, has undergone rapid evolution in recent decades. Particularly, there has been a surge of interest in utilizing tissue engineering for treating cardiovascular diseases, utilizing both natural and synthetic blood vessels. Additionally, advancements in bio-printing hold promise for generating human-engineered tissues like bone and skin for clinical applications. However, traditional tissue engineering methods, involving the scaffolds used, growth factors, and cells, have faced challenges in fabricating complex 3D shapes and achieving in vivo organ regeneration, making them less feasible for clinical use due to logistical and economic constraints. Various techniques, such as Electrospinning, Molding, Cell Sheet Rolling, and Decellularization, have been explored, but they have limitations, prompting the investigation of 3D bioprinting techniques. The advantages of 3D bioprinting over other biofabrication techniques are manifold. Firstly, the technique enables the advanced and precise layer-by-layer assembly of cells and biomaterials. Secondly, the utilization of a 3D bioprinter to create replicas based on medical images allows for the fabrication of complex tissues. Thirdly, the construction of tissue models through layering provides control over the precise placement of biomaterials and cells. Additionally, the use of 3D bioprinting allows for significant advancements in bioink modification, resulting in more accurate tissue replicas for practical in vivo tissue regeneration. Furthermore, 3D bioprinting enables the printing of tissues from undifferentiated stem cells obtained from the patient, reducing the risk of tissue rejection in native vessels. This paper reviews the applications of 3D bioprinting in engineered human tissues such as skin, bones and artificial blood vessels for cardiovascular diseases treatments. It provides an overview of 3D bioprinting technology and strategies, including ink-jet printing, extrusion printing, and stereolithography. The review then focuses on the applications of 3D bioprinting in constructing various tissues and organs, including cardiac, skin, and bone, discussing the steps involved and the technological requirements based on recent review and research articles. Finally, the review underscores the merits of the 3D bioprinting technique and outlines its current state while providing insights into future innovations aimed at skin tissue, bone tissue and blood vessels bioprinting. It explores potential advancements in polymer and biomaterial usage, cell sources, oxygen provision to cells, hydrogel and scaffold utilization, integration of machine learning, combining 3D bioprinting with 4D bioprinting, and addressing the expenses associated with 3D bioprinting, along with recommended cost mitigation methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral aneurysms are abnormal dilations of blood vessels in the brain that have the potential to rupture, leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage and other serious complications. Early detection and prediction of aneurysm rupture are crucial for effective management and prevention of rupture-related morbidities and mortalities. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on risk factors and predictive indicators of rupture in cerebral aneurysms. Morphological characteristics such as aneurysm size, shape, and location, as well as hemodynamic factors including blood flow patterns and wall shear stress, have been identified as important factors influencing aneurysm stability and rupture risk. In addition to these traditional factors, emerging evidence suggests that biological and genetic factors, such as inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and genetic polymorphisms, may also play significant roles in aneurysm rupture. Furthermore, advancements in computational fluid dynamics and machine learning algorithms have enabled the development of novel predictive models for rupture risk assessment. However, challenges remain in accurately predicting aneurysm rupture, and further research is needed to validate these predictors and integrate them into clinical practice. By elucidating and identifying the various risk factors and predictive indicators associated with aneurysm rupture, we can enhance personalized risk assessment and optimize treatment strategies for patients with cerebral aneurysms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no blood bank for pet animals. Consequently, veterinarians themselves must obtain "blood" for transfusion therapy. Among the blood components, serum albumin and red blood cells (RBCs) are particularly important to save lives. This paper reports the synthesis, structure, and properties of artificial blood for the exclusive use of dogs. First, recombinant canine serum albumin (rCSA) was produced using genetic engineering with Pichia yeast. The proteins showed identical features to those of the native CSA derived from canine plasma. Furthermore, we ascertained the crystal structure of rCSA at 3.2 Å resolution. Pure rCSA can be used widely for numerous clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Second, hemoglobin wrapped covalently with rCSA, hemoglobin-albumin cluster (Hb-rCSA 3 ), was synthesized as an artificial O 2 -carrier for the RBC substitute. This cluster possesses satisfactorily negative surface net charge (pI = 4.7), which supports enfolding of the Hb core by rCSA shells. The anti-CSA antibody recognized the rCSA exterior quantitatively. The O 2 -binding affinity was high (P 50  = 9 Torr) compared to that of the native Hb. The Hb-rCSA 3 cluster is anticipated for use as an alternative material for RBC transfusion, and as an O 2 therapeutic reagent that can be exploited in various veterinary medicine situations.

Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) are arboviruses that cause infections in humans and can cause clinical complications, representing a worldwide public health problem. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of these pathogens and Culex quinquefasciatus may be a potential ZIKV vector. This study aimed to evaluate fecundity, fertility, survival, longevity, and blood feeding activity in Ae. aegypti after exposure to ZIKV and CHIKV and, in Cx. quinquefasciatus exposed to ZIKV. Three colonies were evaluated: AeCamp (Ae. aegypti—field), RecL (Ae. aegypti—laboratory) and CqSLab (Cx. quinquefasciatus—laboratory). Seven to 10 days-old females from these colonies were exposed to artificial blood feeding with CHIKV or ZIKV. CHIKV caused reduction in fecundity and fertility in AeCamp and reduction in survival and fertility in RecL. ZIKV impacted survival in RecL, fertility in AeCamp and, fecundity and fertility in CqSLab. Both viruses had no effect on blood feeding activity. These results show that CHIKV produces a higher biological cost in Ae. aegypti, compared to ZIKV, and ZIKV differently alters the biological performance in colonies of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. These results provide a better understanding over the processes of virus-vector interaction and can shed light on the complexity of arbovirus transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hemoglobin wrapped covalently by three human serum albumins, a Hb-HSA3 cluster, is an artificial O2-carrier with the potential to function as a red blood cell substitute. This paper describes the synthesis and O2-binding properties of new hemoglobin‒albumin clusters (i) bearing four HSA units at the periphery (Hb-HSA4, large-size variant) and (ii) containing an intramolecularly crosslinked Hb in the center (XLHb-HSA3, high O2-affinity variant). Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed that the Hb-HSA4 diameter is greater than that of either Hb-HSA3 or XLHb-HSA3. The XLHb-HSA3 showed moderately high O2-affinity compared to the others because of the chemical linkage between the Cys-93(β) residues in Hb. Furthermore, the blood circulation behavior of 125I-labeled clusters was investigated by assay of blood retention and tissue distribution after intravenous administration into anesthetized rats. The XLHb-HSA3 was metabolized faster than Hb-HSA3 and Hb-HSA4. Results suggest that the molecular structure of the protein cluster is a factor that can influence in vivo circulation behavior.

Hemoglobin (Hb) is the most abundant protein in whole blood. This fact implies that the oxygen binding and releasing function of Hb is the most vital for sustaining life. All Hb is compartmentalized in red blood cells (RBCs) with corpuscular Hb concentration of about 35 g/dL, covered with a thin biomembrane. In spite of its abundance, Hb sometimes shows toxicity once it is leaked from RBCs. The shielding effect of the RBC membrane is physiologically important. Based on this structural importance, we have studied artificial red cells (Hb vesicles, HbV) as artificial oxygen carriers, which encapsulate a purified and concentrated Hb solution in phospholipid vesicles, mimicking the cellular structure of RBCs. Our academic research consortium has clarified the safety and efficacy of this HbV, aiming at clinical applications. Because of some superior characteristics to those of RBCs, HbV has the potential for use not only as a transfusion alternative but also for oxygen and carbon monoxide therapeutics, perfusate for transplant organs, and photosensitizer. In this review paper, such potential applications are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of studies of the chemical composition, crystal structure, lattice parameters, microstructure, the valence state of the europium ion (at 300 K), electrical resistivity, and differential thermopower (6–400 K) of samples in the Eu(Cu1 − xAgx)2Si2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) substitutional solid solutions. A transition of the europium ion from the valence-stable state of Eu2+ in EuAg2Si2 to the state of intermediate (homogeneous) valence (IV) of the europium ion in EuCu2Si2 with an effective valence ϑeff = 2.41 (300 K) has been initiated by a successive replacement of silver atoms by copper atoms. With appropriate sample compositions, the transition passes through a Kondo-type state. The research subject is the patterns of transformations (when the composition of the sample changes), the electronic state, and, accordingly, the electronic transport properties. The simultaneous coexistence of europium ions in different electronic states is assumed. The substitutional solid solution Eu(Cu1 − xAgx)2Si2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) exhibits properties related to the competition between the state of the Kondo system, intermediate valence (IV), and magnetic ordering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thyroid nodule (TN) patients in China are subject to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The implementation of existing technologies such as thyroid ultrasonography has indeed contributed to the improved diagnostic accuracy of TNs. However, a significant issue persists, where many patients undergo unnecessary biopsies, and patients with malignant thyroid nodules (MTNs) are advised to undergo surgery therapy. Methods: This study included a total of 293 patients diagnosed with TNs. Differential methylation haplotype blocks (MHBs) in blood leukocytes between MTNs and benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) were detected using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). Subsequently, an artificial intelligence blood leukocyte DNA methylation (BLDM) model was designed to optimize the management and treatment of patients with TNs for more effective outcomes. Results: The DNA methylation profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes exhibited distinctions between MTNs and BTNs. The BLDM model we developed for diagnosing TNs achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.858 in the validation cohort and 0.863 in the independent test cohort. Its specificity reached 90.91% and 88.68% in the validation and independent test cohorts, respectively, outperforming the specificity of ultrasonography (43.64% in the validation cohort and 47.17% in the independent test cohort), albeit with a slightly lower sensitivity (83.33% in the validation cohort and 82.86% in the independent test cohort) compared to ultrasonography (97.62% in the validation cohort and 100.00% in the independent test cohort). The BLDM model could correctly identify 89.83% patients whose nodules were suspected malignant by ultrasonography but finally histological benign. In micronodules, the model displayed higher specificity (93.33% in the validation cohort and 92.00% in the independent test cohort) and accuracy (88.24% in the validation cohort and 87.50% in the independent test cohort) for diagnosing TNs. This performance surpassed the specificity and accuracy observed with ultrasonography. A TN diagnostic and treatment framework that prioritizes patients is provided, with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy performed only on patients with indications of MTNs in both BLDM and ultrasonography results, thus avoiding unnecessary biopsies. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate the potential of non-invasive blood leukocytes in diagnosing TNs, thereby making TN diagnosis and treatment more efficient in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mammalian cells are soft, and correct functioning requires that cells undergo dynamic shape changes in vivo. Although a range of diseases are associated with stiffening of red blood cells (RBCs; e.g., sickle cell anemia or malaria), the mechanical properties and thus shape responses of cells to complex viscoelastic environments are poorly understood. We use vapor pressure measurements to identify aqueous liquid crystals (LCs) that are in osmotic equilibrium with RBCs and explore mechanical coupling between RBCs and LCs. When transferred from an isotropic aqueous phase into a LC, RBCs exhibit complex yet reversible shape transformations, from initially biconcave disks to elongated and folded geometries with noncircular cross-sections. Importantly, whereas the shapes of RBCs are similar in isotropic fluids, when strained by LC, a large variance in shape response is measured, thus unmasking cell-to-cell variation in mechanical properties. Numerical modeling of LC and cell mechanics reveals that RBC shape responses occur at constant cell membrane area but with membrane shear moduli that vary between cells from 2 to 16 × 10−6 N/m. Temperature dependent LC elasticity permits continuous tuning of RBC strains, and chemical cross-linking of RBCs, a model for diseased cells, leads to striking changes in shape responses of the RBCs. Overall, these results provide insight into the coupling of strain between soft mammalian cells and synthetic LCs, and hint at new methods for rapidly characterizing mechanical properties of single mammalian cells in a population and thus cell-to-cell variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper aims to present an overview of the development of blood substitute particularly red blood cell substitute or artificial oxygen carrier. Knowledge on human blood inspired from the understanding of human blood circulation system. Ibn Nafis wasfirst to describe that bloodflow through respiratory system before entering the heart. This finding denied the claim that tiny pores present within the septum of the heart. Then, William Harvey further described human cardiovascular system in detail and contributed to better understanding on the roles of blood in body. Several blood transfusions were attempted using blood collected jrom human, animal and other blood substitutes such as milk before the practice was bannedfor almost 150 years in Europe. Major discoveries on blood group and antibody reaction have made blood transfusion safer. However, several issues and challenges have re-triggered the exploration to develop red cell substitutes. Two approaches have been taken to develop the red blood cell substitute which are classified into biological and chemical based oxygen carriers. The earliest efforts have been on haemoglobin based oxygen carrier (HBOC) and perfluorocarbon (PFC) while the recent developement are on polymer-based oxygen carrier and in-vitro stem cell derived red blood cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Design of a dynamic mathematical model for blood assignment problem. • Proposal of a symbiotic optimization search algorithm for the BAP. • Implementation of two hybrid SOSGA and SOSSA algorithms to solve the BAP. • Suggestions for further development and possible areas of improvement. The shortage and wastage of blood products have been identified as the major contending factors that are frequently encountered in the management of blood supply chain processes. In general, the blood which is considered an essential product for which human existence relies on, has perishability characteristics that allow it to be stored up to a limited number of days. Therefore, this feature constrains the quantity of blood that can be retained in hospitals and blood centers, because keeping excessive number of blood units on inventory may result in blood product wastage. On the other hand, failure to stockpile on inventory can lead to shortage of this resource, and as a result may cause the cancellation of important activities such as treatment of special cases like surgery, accident, disaster circumstance and, in a worst case scenario increases the fatality rates at hospitals. This paper presents a dynamic mathematical model with the goal of improving the efficiency of blood related activities that occur at the blood centers. The model also caters for the assignment of whole blood units of available blood types to various requests. A set of equations that incorporate both the ABO and Rhesus blood groups are derived and presented subsequently. This further extends the initial work where only the ABO blood group was considered. In an effort to implement the developed model, three metaheuristic algorithms namely, symbiotic organisms search, symbiotic organisms search genetic algorithm, and symbiotic organisms search simulated annealing algorithms are proposed to identify the optimal routing for each of the blood types. An extensive numerical study was carried out using datasets from a synthetic blood sample collection process to illustrate the potential of the three metaheuristic algorithms to solve the developed blood assignment model. Furthermore, experimental results show that the hybrid symbiotic organisms search algorithms not only achieve superior accuracy, but also exhibits a higher level of stability, with the hybrid symbiotic organisms search genetic algorithm having the overall best superior performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft robots capable of efficiently implementing tasks in fluid-immersed environments hold great promise for diverse applications. However, it remains challenging to achieve robotization that relies on dynamic underwater adhesion and morphing capability. Here we propose the construction of such robots with designer protein materials. Firstly, a resilin-like protein is complexed with polyoxometalate anions to form hydrogels that can rapidly switch between soft adhesive and stiff non-adhesive states in aqueous environments in response to small temperature variation. To realize remote control over dynamic adhesion and morphing, Fe3O4 nanoparticles are then integrated into the hydrogels to form soft robots with photothermal and magnetic responsiveness. These robots are demonstrated to undertake complex tasks including repairing artificial blood vessel, capturing and delivering multiple cargoes in water under cooperative control of infrared light and magnetic field. These findings pave an avenue for the creation of protein-based underwater robots with on-demand functionalities. Soft robots have potential in carrying out underwater tasks, but achieving the right level of adhesion and shape-changing ability is challenging. Here, the authors report the development of protein-based hydrogels with iron oxide nanoparticles with photothermal and magnetic responsiveness, capable of carrying out complex tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic technology has emerged as a powerful tool in studying arterial thrombosis, allowing researchers to construct artificial blood vessels and replicate the hemodynamics of blood flow. This technology has led to significant advancements in understanding thrombosis and platelet adhesion and aggregation. Microfluidic models have various types and functions, and by studying the fabrication methods and working principles of microfluidic chips, applicable methods can be selected according to specific needs. The rapid development of microfluidic integrated system and modular microfluidic system makes arterial thrombosis research more diversified and automated, but its standardization still needs to be solved urgently. One key advantage of microfluidic technology is the ability to precisely control fluid flow in microchannels and to analyze platelet behavior under different shear forces and flow rates. This allows researchers to study the physiological and pathological processes of blood flow, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of arterial thrombosis. In conclusion, microfluidic technology has revolutionized the study of arterial thrombosis by enabling the construction of artificial blood vessels and accurately reproducing hemodynamics. In the future, microfluidics will place greater emphasis on versatility and automation, holding great promise for advancing antithrombotic therapeutic and prophylactic measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: The review explores single atom catalysts (SACs) for photocatalytic H2O2 production, highlighting their unique structure, properties, and advantages over traditional catalysts. It emphasizes the importance of metal atom types, host material selection, and coordination environment in SACs design. The article explains how SACs enhance photocatalytic H2O2 production by improving light absorption, charge generation, migration, and lowering energy barriers for reactant adsorption and activation. The review acknowledges challenges and future research directions in SACs for H2O2 photosynthesis. This comprehensive review provides a deep exploration of the unique roles of single atom catalysts (SACs) in photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. SACs offer multiple benefits over traditional catalysts such as improved efficiency, selectivity, and flexibility due to their distinct electronic structure and unique properties. The review discusses the critical elements in the design of SACs, including the choice of metal atom, host material, and coordination environment, and how these elements impact the catalytic activity. The role of single atoms in photocatalytic H2O2 production is also analysed, focusing on enhancing light absorption and charge generation, improving the migration and separation of charge carriers, and lowering the energy barrier of adsorption and activation of reactants. Despite these advantages, several challenges, including H2O2 decomposition, stability of SACs, unclear mechanism, and low selectivity, need to be overcome. Looking towards the future, the review suggests promising research directions such as direct utilization of H2O2, high-throughput synthesis and screening, the creation of dual active sites, and employing density functional theory for investigating the mechanisms of SACs in H2O2 photosynthesis. This review provides valuable insights into the potential of single atom catalysts for advancing the field of photocatalytic H2O2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vessel segmentation in fundus images permits understanding retinal diseases and computing image-based biomarkers. However, manual vessel segmentation is a time-consuming process. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) allows direct, non-invasive estimation of retinal vessels. Unfortunately, compared to fundus images, OCT-A cameras are more expensive, less portable, and have a reduced field of view. We present an automated strategy relying on generative adversarial networks to create vascular maps from fundus images without training using manual vessel segmentation maps. Further post-processing used for standard en face OCT-A allows obtaining a vessel segmentation map. We compare our approach to state-of-the-art vessel segmentation algorithms trained on manual vessel segmentation maps and vessel segmentations derived from OCT-A. We evaluate them from an automatic vascular segmentation perspective and as vessel density estimators, i.e., the most common imaging biomarker for OCT-A used in studies. Using OCT-A as a training target over manual vessel delineations yields improved vascular maps for the optic disc area and compares to the best-performing vessel segmentation algorithm in the macular region. This technique could reduce the cost and effort incurred when training vessel segmentation algorithms. To incentivize research in this field, we will make the dataset publicly available to the scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of silk make it a promising material for medical applications, both in human and veterinary medicine. Its predominant amino acids, glycine and alanine, exhibit low chemical reactivity, reducing the risk of graft rejection, a notable advantage over most synthetic polymers. Hence, silk is increasingly used as a material for 3D printing in biomedicine. It can be used to build cell scaffolding with the desired cytocompatibility and biodegradability. In combination with gelatine, silk can be used in the treatment of arthritis, and as a hydrogel, to regenerate chondrocytes and mesenchymal cells. When combined with gelatine and collagen, it can also make skin grafts and regenerate the integumentary system. In the treatment of bone tissue, it can be used in combination with polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite to produce bone clips having good mechanical properties and high immunological tolerance. Furthermore, silk can provide a good microenvironment for the proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. Moreover, research is underway to produce artificial blood vessels using silk in combination with glycidyl methacrylate. Silk vascular grafts have demonstrated a high degree of patency and a satisfactory degree of endothelial cells coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female mosquitoes require both sugar and blood for feeding. They show distinct host preferences depending on behavioral, ecological, and physiological factors. Knowledge of the feeding behavior of Aedes albopictus, one of the primary vectors of Dengue, is critical in disease prevention measures. This study was aimed to determine the preference of Ae. albopictus on human blood groups (ABO) and their effects on female fecundity. Laboratory colonies of these mosquitoes were offered O, A, B, and AB blood via artificial membrane feeders, and blood meal preferences were identified using multiplex allelespecific PCR. Fertility was assessed by the mean number of eggs laid. Results showed that Ae. albopictus species significantly preferred the O blood group compared to others and blood type choice did not affect the fertility of the mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing blood feeding choice of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes directly using human blood, hereby reducing the effects of factors such as odor when using human participants. The results of this study provide a new perspective on the still partially unknown ABO blood group host selection of mosquitoes, promoting the personal protection of individuals in at-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional autologous transplantation has become a severe issue due to insufficient donors. Artificial blood vessel is an effective method for the treatment of major vascular diseases, such as heart and peripheral blood vessel diseases. However, the traditional single-material printing technology has been unable to meet the users' demand for product functional complexity, which is not only reflected in the field of industrial manufacturing, but also in the field of functional vessel-like structure regeneration. In order to achieve the printing and forming of multi-layer vessel-like structures, this paper carries out theoretical and experimental research on the printing and forming of a multi-layer vessel-like structure based on multi-material 3D bioprinting technology. Firstly, theoretical analysis has been explored to research the relationship among the different parameters in the process of vessel forming, and further confirm the synchronous relationship among the extrusion rate of material, the tangential speed of the rotating rod, and the movement speed of the platform. Secondly, sodium alginate and gelatin have been used as the experimental materials to manufacture the vessel-like structure, and the corrected parameter of the theoretical analysis is further verified. Finally, the cell-loaded materials have been printed and analyzed, and cell viability is more than 90%, which provides support for the research of multi-layer vessel-like structure printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diameter of most blood vessels in cardiovascular and peripheral vascular system is less than 6 mm. Because the inner diameter of such vessels is small, a built-in stent often leads to thrombosis and other problems. It is an important goal to replace it directly with artificial vessels. This paper creatively proposed a preparation method of a small-diameter artificial vascular graft which can form a controllable microstructure on the inner wall and realize a multi-material composite. On the one hand, the inner wall of blood vessels containing direct writing structure is constructed by electrostatic direct writing and micro-imprinting technology to regulate cell behavior and promote endothelialization; on the other hand, the outer wall of blood vessels was prepared by electrospinning PCL to ensure the stability of mechanical properties of composite grafts. By optimizing the key parameters of the graft, a small-diameter artificial blood vessel with controllable microstructure on the inner wall is finally prepared. The corresponding performance characterization experimental results show that it has advantages in structure, mechanical properties, and promoting endothelialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of tranexamic acid supplemented with local infiltration analgesia in reducing blood loss in patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). This retrospective study was conducted on 176 individuals with a mean age of 64.27 (standard deviation [SD], 7.16) years undergoing unicompartmental cemented knee arthroplasty. The patients were divided into three groups according to patient blood management: I, patients without additional bleeding protocol (control group); II, patients intravenously administered tranexamic acid (TXA) (TXA group); and III, patients with exact TXA protocol combined with intraoperative local infiltration analgesia (LIA) (TXA + LIA group). Blood loss was measured as a substitute for blood loss by the maximal haemoglobin (Hb) drop compared with the preoperative Hb level. The mean Hb drops for the control, TXA, and TXA + LIA groups were 2.24 (16.0%), 2.14 (15.4%), and 1.81 (12.6%) g/dl, respectively. The mean hospitalisation days for patients in the control, TXA, and TXA + LIA groups were 5.91 (SD 1.24), 5.16 (SD 0.95), and 4.51 (SD 0.71) days, respectively. The combination of TXA with LIA reduces perioperative blood loss for patients after UKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Cortisol is a valuable marker for assessing the body's response to any form of stress. We conducted this study in order to evaluate the variations of salivary and serum cortisol levels in professional football players in relation to cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and their significance in potentially evaluating overtraining in athletes. Also, the question of whether salivary cortisol determination could fully substitute serum sampling was addressed. Materials and Methods: A total of 19 male professional football players were evaluated by measuring serum cortisol levels at rest (T0) and immediately after a CPET (T1) and salivary cortisol levels at rest (T0), 10 min after a CPET (T2), and 30 min after a CPET (T3). Results: T0 serum cortisol showed a statistically significant correlation with the oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold divided by the body weight (VO2-AT/weight), as did the T2 salivary cortisol with the maximum oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (VO2-AT) and VO2-AT/weight. T0 salivary cortisol was significantly correlated with the subjects' height and the predicted O2 pulse. Conclusions: While some correlations were discovered, they are insufficient to recommend cortisol as a routine biomarker in athletes' evaluation. However, significant correlations were established between salivary and serum determinations, meaning that the non-invasive procedure could substitute venous blood sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nowadays, aquaculture is the main source of fish for consumers, and its demand is constantly increasing. The diet of these fish requires protein for their growth, which is traditionally obtained from natural fish stocks. In recent years, efforts have been made to replace these feed ingredients with insect-derived meals, but it is necessary to investigate their impact on the growth and health status of the fish. In this study, two insect meals of Tenebrio molitor larvae reared in conventional substrates or substrates enriched with medicinal/aromatic plants (MAPs) were supplemented (10%) as fish meal replacements in the diets of gilthead seabream. After 12 weeks of experimental feeding, hematological and biochemical tests were conducted, revealing specific modulations in white blood cell and blood signal transduction patterns in the fish subjected to each experimental diet in relation to the new feed ingredients. This work assesses the dietary use of two insect meals of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae reared in conventional (TM-10) or MAP-enriched substrates (MAP-TM-10) as fish meal replacements (10%) in the diets of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish (n = 4500; 207.19 ± 1.47 g) were divided into three groups with triplicates: control (fed conventional diet), TM-10, and MAP-TM-10 groups. The fish were reared in floating cages for 12 weeks and the dietary effects on white blood cell activation, heat shock proteins, MAPKs, and apoptosis of the fish were evaluated. The MAP-TM-10 group exhibited the highest eosinophilic induction. Phosphorylated levels of p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK, HSP70, and HSP90 increased in the TM-10 and MAP-TM-10 groups. In terms of apoptosis, Bax levels were lower in the TM groups compared to the control, and the MAP-TM-10 group showed even lower levels than the TM-10 group. Bcl-2 levels increased in the TM-10 group compared to the control, and further increased in the MAP-TM-10 group. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, an apoptosis indicator, decreased in the TM groups, with the MAP-TM-10 group showing a further decrease compared to TM-10. These findings suggest that insects' breeding substrate being enriched with MAPs modulated the effect of TM on cellular stress and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compute all worldsheet three-point functions involving spectrally-flowed operators in chiral multiplets of the space-time theory for strings in AdS3×S3×T4, thus completing the analysis of the full AdS3/CFT2 chiral ring. We make use of techniques recently developed for the bosonic sector, based on holomorphic covering maps from the worldsheet to the AdS3 boundary. We highlight the role of the so-called series identifications when dealing with the complications originated by picture-changing spectrally-flowed states. We find an exact agreement with the predictions from the holographic CFT at the symmetric orbifold point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, we describe a potassium sensor based on DNA-aptamer functionalized hydrogel, that is capable of continuous label-free potassium ion (K+) monitoring with potential for in situ application. A hydrogel attached to the end of an optical fiber is designed with di-oligonucleotides grafted to the polymer network that may serve as network junctions in addition to the covalent crosslinks. Specific affinity toward K+ is based on exploiting a particular aptamer that exhibits conformational transition from single-stranded DNA to G-quadruplex formed by the di-oligonucleotide in the presence of K+. Integration of this aptamer into the hydrogel transforms the K+ specific conformational transition to a K+ concentration dependent deswelling of the hydrogel. High-resolution interferometry monitors changes in extent of swelling at 1 Hz and 2 nm resolution for the hydrogel matrix of 50 µm. The developed hydrogel-based biosensor displayed high selectivity for K+ ions in the concentration range up to 10 mM, in the presence of physiological concentrations of Na+. Additionally, the concentration dependent and selective K+ detection demonstrated in the artificial blood buffer environment, both at room and physiological temperatures, suggests substantial potential for practical applications such as monitoring of potassium ion concentration in blood levels in intensive care medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease is a major threat to human health worldwide, and vascular transplantation surgery is a treatment method for this disease. Often, autologous blood vessels cannot meet the needs of surgery. However, allogeneic blood vessels have limited availability or may cause rejection reactions. Therefore, the development of biocompatible artificial blood vessels is needed to solve the problem of donor shortage. Tubular fabrics prepared by textile structures have flexible compliance, which cannot be matched by other structural blood vessels. Therefore, biomedical artificial blood vessels have been widely studied in recent decades up to the present. This article focuses on reviewing four textile methods used, at present, in the manufacture of artificial blood vessels: knitting, weaving, braiding, and electrospinning. The article mainly introduces the particular effects of different structural characteristics possessed by various textile methods on the production of artificial blood vessels, such as compliance, mechanical properties, and pore size. It was concluded that woven blood vessels possess superior mechanical properties and dimensional stability, while the knitted fabrication method facilitates excellent compliance, elasticity, and porosity of blood vessels. Additionally, the study prominently showcases the ease of rebound and compression of braided tubes, as well as the significant biological benefits of electrospinning. Moreover, moderate porosity and good mechanical strength can be achieved by changing the original structural parameters; increasing the floating warp, enlarging the braiding angle, and reducing the fiber fineness and diameter can achieve greater compliance. Furthermore, physical, chemical, or biological methods can be used to further improve the biocompatibility, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and endothelialization of blood vessels, thereby improving their functionality. The aim is to provide some guidance for the further development of artificial blood vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]