Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology最新文献

The observed longer and more frequent periods of drought in recent years have drawn more focus on efficient breeding techniques for drought-tolerant crops. Several systems have been used to simulate drought conditions in order to select drought-tolerant lines. However, little is known about the comparability of different screening methods. We compared four different systems in terms of the information provided on drought tolerance, namely, two in vitro systems (liquid and solid medium applying polyethylene glycol as the drought simulant), and two soil-based pot trials were conducted either in a green house or in a climate chamber. Two sunflower inbred lines differing in drought tolerance (AB-OR-8 and DF-AB-2) were characterized at the seedling stage using physiological and morphological parameters of shoots and roots. Transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) and quantitative RT-PCR were performed to compare drought responses and stress levels applied by the different systems. In an assessment of all four screening methods, the expressions of five of six selected genes in the ABA signaling pathway were differentially upregulated during drought, while one of them was downregulated. These genes represent valuable indicators of the stress level applied by a drought-screening method. The advantages and disadvantages of different drought-simulating systems were evaluated and combined with next-generation sequencing data to identify the most efficient selection approach for assessing drought tolerance in sunflower. Overall, all systems enabled effective pre-screening of the breeding material for drought tolerance, where the decision for a system depends on experimental goals and resource availability. If the goal is to maximize the molecular resolution of drought stress, the in vitro liquid system is the most effective.

Introduction: Custom foot orthotics require identification of anatomical landmarks in the foot to facilitate accurate alignment and precise foot measurements. Traditionally, these landmarks are identified through manual palpation, however, with the advent of digital scanning, it may not be necessary. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether guidance from manual palpation to identify anatomical landmarks affects (a) reliability of foot measurements and (b) consistency in digitally designed orthotic insoles.

Methods: For reliability, 3D foot scans were obtained under non-weight-bearing (NWB) (n = 24) and weight-bearing (WB) (n = 24) conditions from 12 healthy adult participants (9 females and 3 males; age 29 ± 4 years; height 164 ± 8 cm; weight 60 ± 6 kg). 15 key dorsal and plantar foot measurements were extracted based on the palpation-guided and scan-derived landmarks. Following this, a preliminary assessment of orthotic design consistency was evaluated using a reference participant (n = 1), with 24 orthotic insoles designed (3 designers designed insoles using scan-derived and palpation-guided landmarks (by 3 podiatrists), in NWB and WB).

Results: Intra- and inter-user reliability of palpation-guided landmarks were good to excellent (ICC = 0.90-1). Measurements for scan-derived landmarking showed good to excellent intra-user reliability (0.83-0.92) but poor to moderate inter-user reliability (0.31-0.75) for clinically relevant plantar measurements.

Discussion: While palpation improves landmark reliability, translating these into consistent orthotic designs requires clinical expertise and standardised design workflows. Palpation, while not always essential, improves landmarking identification in variable clinical conditions. Collaborative training and further studies across varied clinician and designer experience levels are essential to optimize digital orthotic design.

Mechanical loading is a fundamental regulator of bone remodeling, yet most conceptual models still focus on the magnitude of strain rather than its polarity. Here we propose a unified mechanobiological framework in which tensile-strain-dominant microenvironments act as primary drivers of cortical bone apposition, whereas compression-dominant fields predispose tissues to resorption and structural thinning. We synthesize evidence from long-bone bending, distraction osteogenesis, craniofacial suture biology, osteocyte mechanotransduction, and the periodontal ligament-alveolar complex to show that tensile strain consistently correlates with angiogenic activation, osteoblast lineage recruitment, and matrix deposition. We illustrate how subtle changes in load direction and boundary conditions can invert strain polarity in cortical regions that are classically considered "at risk" under bending or transverse displacement. We integrate these mechanical observations with canonical signaling pathways to outline a multiscale law of tension-guided bone adaptation and propose testable predictions for regenerative strategies. This perspective reframes bone mechanobiology around strain polarity and provides a conceptual scaffold for designing load-based interventions that exploit tensile fields to drive cortical regeneration across skeletal sites.

Neurological diseases are leading causes of death globally and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally. Because of this, urgency in providing technologies and essential medicines to tackle this issue is currently recognized as key in reversing this trend. Global health strategies have recognized tissue engineering as a pillar element in progressing both neurological disease research and therapy discovery. Over time, various biomaterials have been developed with a few barriers appearing along the way when considering translation for routine neurological disorders research and therapy. These barriers include accessibility, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and affordability. In this review, we discuss how biopolymers, namely biomimetic advanced biopolymers composites have emerged to answer this issue. We will explore various types of biomimetic nanocellulose-based, self-assembling peptides, glycosaminoglycan composite, advanced functionalized nanoparticles amongst others are used to create a range of innovative state-of -the-art neuronal models that can be employed for neuronal disease investigation and therapy. Finally, we will review the current factors enabling and hindering their translation and scalability (e.g. manufacturing, characterization and commercialization) and provide a Research and Development Roadmap that can be explored to facilitate their development and provision to answer the pressing global need for these technologies in positively impacting neurological disorders.

Introduction: Infected diabetic wounds pose a significant clinical challenge owing to the complex wound microenvironment. Various multifunctional synergistic therapeutic nanomaterials have been successfully developed to treat diabetic infected wounds.

Objective: A Janus Au-porphyrin polymersome heterostructure loaded with metformin (Met@J-AuPPS) is constructed and presented.

Methods: Porphyrin polymersome vesicles loaded with metformin (Met@PPS) was synthesized by supramolecular polymerization enhanced self-assembly. Metformin-loaded Janus gold-porphyrin polymersome (Met@J-AuPPS) was synthesized by photocatalytic synthesis method. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-vis absorption spectrum and ELISA experiment were used to detect the morphology, structure, photothermal properties and drug release properties of Met@J-AuPPS. The effects of Met@J-AuPPS on the proliferation and activity of HUVECs were detected by CCK-8 test, scratch test, Transwell test and tube formation test. The antibacterial and antibiofilm abilities of Met@J-AuPPS were detected by blood plate test, crystal violet staining, SEM of biofilm and bacterial live/dead staining. Imaging and histological staining were used to detect the efficacy of Met@J-AuPPS in treating diabetic wound infections in vivo.

Results: Excellent photothermal antibacterial performance against gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), gram-negative extended-spectrum β-lactamases Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli), and MRSA/ESBL E. coli biofilm is demonstrated by a strong non-centrosymmetric near-field enhancement (NFE) effect between Met@PPS and Au nanoparticles. Furthermore, the release of metformin under near-infrared (NIR) light promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair. The results therefore show that Met@J-AuPPS exhibits excellent antibacterial/biofilm and pro-angiogenic performance, with significantly enhanced therapeutic effects in infected wounds of diabetic rat models.

Conclusion: This study presents an innovative therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound infections and demonstrates that Met@J-AuPPS has potential as a multifunctional and upgradeable nanoplatform for further biomedical applications.

Due to emergence and re-emregence of various infectious diseases across human, animal, wildlife, and environmental sector, there is rapid expansion of high containment Biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories in India under National One Health Mission. Although, the strong regulatory framework for BSL-3 laboratories exists in India, there is no standard tool to assess the compliance of these laboratories to biosafety and biosecurity parameters, assess staff competencies, sample archival & disposal and reporting processes. In view of this, the critical need was realized to develop a standard assessment tool to periodically assess the performance of BSL-3 laboratories. The tool includes specific sections with reference to a scoring checklist that assesses staff and training, sample handling and transportation, sample processing and testing procedures, data management and reporting, biomedical waste management, emergency preparedness and response, as well as general biosafety. The tool has been developed based on the strategies of the DBT-ICMR guidelines for establishment and certification of BSL-3 laboratories, International Health Regulations and Global Health Security Agenda. It is aimed to evaluate the preparedness of BSL-3 laboratories for safe and prompt testing during outbreaks ensuring the standards of biosafety and biosecurity are followed with the efficient sample processing and reporting. It has a potential to be adopted and used globally by various BSL-3 laboratories and auditors across the world.

Introduction: Despite fundamental improvements in surgical treatment of Congenital Heart Defects, there are still challenges related to premature failure of the material used for such corrections, thus resulting in repeated operations during a patient's life. This is particularly the case for complex defects with Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT) obstruction, such as in Tetralogy of Fallot/Pulmonary Atresia, whereby the pulmonary valve reconstruction remains problematic due to short-term durability of the currently used replacement solutions. We set out to test, for the first time, the suitability of amniotic membrane derived from human placenta for use in cardiovascular replacement of pulmonary valve.

Methods: The decellularized and preserved amniotic membrane, obtained through our optimised protocol, was characterised for mechanical and hydrodynamic properties in vitro, and then implanted in the RVOT position of two Landrace piglets for in vivo feasibility and performance evaluation.

Results: Both the in vitro and in vivo assessments showed favourable outcomes. The decellularized amniotic membrane had mechanical properties comparable to the native porcine pulmonary valve leaflets. In hydrodynamic testing, the decellularized amniotic membrane-made valve exhibited favourable opening dynamics, with smooth and coordinated leaflet motion throughout the cycle. In vivo, the decellularized amniotic membrane-based valved conduit showed patency in the short- and long-term with no sign of stenosis or regurgitation.

Discussion: This study provides an in vivo proof of concept that the decellularized amniotic membrane can be implanted and perform as functional pulmonary valve in a porcine animal model mimicking the clinical scenario of Tetralogy of Fallot surgical correction in infants.

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes have shown promise to be an essential tool for studying genetic cardiac diseases. However, their limited maturity remains a barrier to reaching their full potential. Many have challenged this problem; however, it is difficult to compare the results because the parameters for cardiomyocyte maturation are diverse, mostly relying on physiological experiments that display significant lab-to-lab variations and are labor-intensive, and are not comparable to maturing cardiomyocytes in vivo. Here, we propose a transcriptome-based scoring method for cardiomyocyte maturation. We first established the maturation score based on transcriptome of mouse ventricles from embryonic (day 11) to adult (10-month-old) ventricles. We then demonstrated that known maturation conditions increased the maturation scores of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. We finally performed expression screening of 92 candidate transcriptional factors (TFs) and identified pro-maturation TFs, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α), PGC1β, and estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα). These results support that the transcriptome-based maturation score is a quantitative and reliable approach for identifying pro-maturation factors for cardiomyocytes.