scholarly journals Electrochemical treatment of ex vivo human abdominal skin and potential use in scar management: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205951312098853
Author(s):  
Dana M Hutchison ◽  
Amir A Hakimi ◽  
Avin Wijayaweera ◽  
Soohong Seo ◽  
Ellen M Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Color Change ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Ph Change ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Abdominal Skin ◽  
Electrochemical Therapy ◽  
Mean Width ◽  
Scar Management

Introduction: Scar treatments aim to address pathologic collagen deposition; however, they can be expensive or difficult to control. Electrochemical therapy (ECT) offers a simple alternative treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine the acid-base and histological changes in ex vivo human abdominal skin following ECT. Methods: Forty-two ex vivo human panniculus tissue sections collected from six individuals were tumesced with normal saline. ECT was performed by inserting two platinum needle electrodes connected to a DC power supply into each specimen. Voltage was varied (3–6 V) and applied for 5 minutes. Each specimen was sectioned across both electrode insertion sites and immediately stained with pH sensitive dye. The width of dye color change for each dosimetry pair was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate samples. Results and Discussion: ECT caused a spatially localised and dose-dependent increased area of acidic and basic pH around the anode and cathode, respectively. A significantly greater mean width of pH change was generated at the cathode compared to the anode in all treatment groups. Histological evaluation displayed broad condensation and hyalinisation of dermal collagen. Conclusion: ECT triggered dermal pH alterations and changed the underlying structural framework of the specimen. This technology may serve as a low-cost, minimally invasive local soft-tissue remodeling technique with potential application in scar management. Level of Evidence: 5 Lay Summary Electrochemical therapy is a novel treatment that causes spatially selective dermal injury in areas of interest. This study measures the effects of electrochemical therapy when applied to abdominal skin. Electrochemical therapy appears to have beneficial effects by causing a highly localised reduction in collagen content or local softening of tissue, which is consistent with other studies on scar therapies, including chemexfoliation, radiofrequency technologies, and lasers. However, electrochemical therapy can be performed at a fraction of the costs of these aforementioned modalities.

scholarly journals The Whitening Effect and Histological Safety of Nonthermal Atmospheric Plasma Inducing Tooth Bleaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4714
Author(s):  
Seoul-Hee Nam ◽  
Byul Bo Ra Choi ◽  
Gyoo-Cheon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Color Change ◽  
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma ◽  
Atmospheric Plasma ◽  
Tooth Bleaching ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Tooth Color

Various light sources have been applied to enhance the bleaching effect. This study was to identify the histological evaluation in oral soft tissues, as well as tooth color change after tooth bleaching by nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NAPP). Nine New Zealand adult female rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n = 3): group 1 received no treatment; group 2 was treated with NAPP and 15% carbamide peroxide (CP), which contains 5.4% H2O2, and group 3 was treated with 15% CP without NAPP. Color change (ΔE) was measured using the Shade Eye NCC colorimeter. Animals were euthanized one day later to analyze the histological responses occurring in oral soft tissues, including pulp, gingiva, tongue, buccal mucosa, and hard and soft palates. Changes in all samples were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome. Teeth treated with plasma showed higher ΔE than that obtained with bleaching agents alone. Overall, the histological characteristics observed no appreciable changes. The combinational treatment of plasma had not indicated inflammatory responses as well as thermal damages. NAPP did not cause histological damage in oral soft tissues during tooth bleaching. We suggest that NAPP could be a novel alternative energy source to conventional light sources for tooth bleaching.

scholarly journals Experimental Setting for Applying Mechanical Stimuli to Study the Endothelial Response of Ex Vivo Vessels under Realistic Pathophysiological Environments

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 671
Author(s):  
Ana Osuna ◽  
Anna Ulldemolins ◽  
Hector Sanz-Fraile ◽  
Jorge Otero ◽  
Núria Farré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Rabbit Aorta ◽  
Pressure Waveform ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Experimental Setting ◽  
Endothelial Response ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Open Source Hardware

This paper describes the design, construction and testing of an experimental setting, making it possible to study the endothelium under different pathophysiological conditions. This novel experimental approach allows the application of the following stimuli to an ex vivo vessel in a physiological bath: (a) a realistic intravascular pressure waveform defined by the user; (b) shear stress in the endothelial layer since, in addition to the pressure waveform, the flow through the vessel can be independently controlled by the user; (c) conditions of hypo/hyperoxia and hypo/hypercapnia in an intravascular circulating medium. These stimuli can be applied alone or in different combinations to study possible synergistic or antagonistic effects. The setting performance is illustrated by a proof of concept in an ex vivo rabbit aorta. The experimental setting is easy to build by using very low-cost materials widely available. Online Supplement files provide all the technical information (e.g., circuits, codes, 3D printer drivers) following an open-source hardware approach for free replication.

scholarly journals SpheroidPicker for automated 3D cell culture manipulation using deep learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Istvan Grexa ◽  
Akos Diosdi ◽  
Maria Harmati ◽  
Andras Kriston ◽  
Nikita Moshkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Precision Medicine ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Standard Sample ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
3D Cell Culture ◽  
Syringe Pump ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
The Past

AbstractRecent statistics report that more than 3.7 million new cases of cancer occur in Europe yearly, and the disease accounts for approximately 20% of all deaths. High-throughput screening of cancer cell cultures has dominated the search for novel, effective anticancer therapies in the past decades. Recently, functional assays with patient-derived ex vivo 3D cell culture have gained importance for drug discovery and precision medicine. We recently evaluated the major advancements and needs for the 3D cell culture screening, and concluded that strictly standardized and robust sample preparation is the most desired development. Here we propose an artificial intelligence-guided low-cost 3D cell culture delivery system. It consists of a light microscope, a micromanipulator, a syringe pump, and a controller computer. The system performs morphology-based feature analysis on spheroids and can select uniform sized or shaped spheroids to transfer them between various sample holders. It can select the samples from standard sample holders, including Petri dishes and microwell plates, and then transfer them to a variety of holders up to 384 well plates. The device performs reliable semi- and fully automated spheroid transfer. This results in highly controlled experimental conditions and eliminates non-trivial side effects of sample variability that is a key aspect towards next-generation precision medicine.

scholarly journals Compact Miniaturized Bioluminescence Sensor Based on Continuous Air-Segmented Flow for Real-Time Monitoring: Application to Bile Salt Hydrolase (BSH) Activity and ATP Detection in Biological Fluids

Chemosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Aldo Roda ◽  
Pierpaolo Greco ◽  
Patrizia Simoni ◽  
Valentina Marassi ◽  
Giada Moroni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bile Salt ◽  
Light Emission ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Bile Salt Hydrolase ◽  
Segmented Flow ◽  
Active Substrate ◽  
Flat Spiral ◽  
Bsh Activity

A simple and versatile continuous air-segmented flow sensor using immobilized luciferase was designed as a general miniaturized platform based on sensitive biochemiluminescence detection. The device uses miniaturized microperistaltic pumps to deliver flows and compact sensitive light imaging detectors based on BI-CMOS (smartphone camera) or CCD technology. The low-cost components and power supply make it suitable as out-lab device at point of need to monitor kinetic-related processes or ex vivo dynamic events. A nylon6 flat spiral carrying immobilized luciferase was placed in front of the detector in lensless mode using a fiber optic tapered faceplate. ATP was measured in samples collected by microdialysis from rat brain with detecting levels as low as 0.4 fmoles. The same immobilized luciferase was also used for the evaluation of bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity in intestinal microbiota. An aminoluciferin was conjugatated with chenodeoxycholic acid forming the amide derivative aLuc-CDCA. The hydrolysis of the aLuc-CDCA probe by BSH releases free uncaged aminoluciferin which is the active substrate for luciferase leading to light emission. This method can detect as low as 0.5 mM of aLuc-CDCA, so it can be used on real faecal human samples to study BSH activity and its modulation by diseases and drugs.

Changes to Eye Whiteness and Eyelid/Brow Position With Topical Oxymetazoline in Aesthetic Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoaib Ugradar ◽  
Jane S Kim ◽  
Noelle Trost ◽  
Emanuil Parunakian ◽  
Erin Zimmerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Color Change ◽  
Color Space ◽  
Ophthalmic Solution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lower Eyelid ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Oxymetazoline hydrochloride 0.1% ophthalmic solution has recently been approved in the United States for the treatment of ptosis. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the upper and lower eyelid position as well as the brow position and the color of the sclera following the ophthalmic administration of oxymetazoline hydrochloride 0.1%. Methods In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients presenting with ptosis received topical oxymetazoline 0.1%. The primary outcome was measurement of the upper eyelid height (margin-to-reflex distance 1 [MRD1]) and lower eyelid height (MRD2) relative to the center of pupil, along with assessment of brow height, measured on photographs at baseline and 2 hours after instillation of oxymetazoline. The secondary outcome was the assessment of the color of the sclera (eye whiteness) before and after treatment with a novel color space algorithm. Results Twenty-nine patients participated in the study. The mean [SD] MRD1 at baseline was 2.3 [0.6] mm. At 2 hours following oxymetazoline treatment, the mean MRD1 significantly increased to 4.2 [0.9] mm (P < 0.01). The mean MRD2 also significantly increased from 5.3 [0.9] mm to 5.7 [1.0] mm (P < 0.01). Brow position did not change with treatment (P = 0.4). Following treatment, the eye sclera became significantly whiter, with a mean ΔEab (color change) of 9.7 [3.9], with 57 out of 58 eyes experiencing a significant change in color. A change of ΔEab ≥2 is considered visually perceptible to the human eye. Conclusions Within 2 hours of use, oxymetazoline significantly improves the size of the palpebral aperture (MRD1 + MRD2) and also makes the eye appear significantly whiter. Level of Evidence: 4

Naked-Eye Detection of Mercury Ions from Morphological Transition of Silver Nanocubes: Tuning Sensitivity Using Co-Staining Agent

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 2123-2131
Author(s):  
Alagan Jeevika ◽  
Dhesingh Ravi Shankaran
Keyword(s):  
Color Change ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Face Centered Cubic ◽  
Mercury Ions ◽  
Eye Detection ◽  
Naked Eye ◽  
Silver Nanocubes ◽  
Naked Eye Detection

A simple, low-cost and highly selective nanosensor was developed for naked-eye detection of mercury ions (Hg2+) based on Eosin/silver nanocubes (Eosin/AgNCbs). Silver nanocubes (AgNCbs) were synthesized by polyol assisted chemical method. HR-TEM result shows the formed AgNCbs have a mean diameter of 84±0.005 nM (diagonally measured) and edge length of 55±0.01 nM. XRD result confirms that the AgNCbs are single crystalline in nature with a phase structure of face centered cubic (FCC) of silver. On interaction of Hg2+, AgNCbs exhibits a color change from gray to black up to 16.67 μM of Hg2+ owed to the formation of solid like bimetallic complex of Ag/Hg amalgam. The selectivity of AgNCbs was evaluated with several other toxic metal ions including, Mg2+, Ba2+, Ca4+, Pb2+, Cd4+, Zn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, K+ and Ni2+ and found good selectivity towards Hg2+. The sensitivity of the AgNCbs sensor system was tuned by using Eosin as a co-staining agent. The Eosin/AgNCbs showed a limit of detection of 60±0.050 nM with the color change from orange to purple. The results suggests that the Eosin/AgNCbs nanosensor exhibits good selectivity, sensitivity, repeatability and rapid response, which could be explored for real-time detection of Hg2+ in environmental and biological samples.

Emergency surgical obstetrics simulation training: an ex vivo low-cost model using bovine uterus and porcine bladder for haemostatic uterine brace suture techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Sinclair ◽  
Mohamed Sayed Allam ◽  
Evelyn Jean Ferguson ◽  
Mohamed Khairy Mehasseb
Keyword(s):  
Postpartum Haemorrhage ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Broad Ligament ◽  
Training Model ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Healthcare Settings

Postpartum haemorrhage remains a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. While conventional obstetrics training curricula describe at length the management of postpartum haemorrhage, obstetrics trainees rarely have exposure to surgical management of postpartum haemorrhage in emergency situations due to reduced hours of training. Procedures such as the transverse or longitudinal haemostatic uterine brace sutures are recognised to be safe, simple and allow for the preservation of the uterus. Training during emergency situations is rarely practical or ideal. We describe a simple model that simulates the atonic postnatal uterus and allows trainees to practise the safe placement of the brace sutures. We use a bovine uterus model with attached broad ligament, bladder and ureters for the transverse haemostatic suture. For the longitudinal brace suture, we use a porcine bladder to simulate the uterus, with the ureters and bladder mesentery simulating the tubes and broad ligaments. The placement of the sutures can be practised with the uterus/bladder closed, or open akin to a caesarean section. Tissue dissection and feedback is almost similar to in vivo conditions. The sutures are inserted and driven using the material and correct placement used during real surgery. Our wet lab training model allows the acquisition, maintenance and enhancement of the required technical skills in a controlled environment, using inexpensive, reproducible and widely available specimens. The model has proved successful in both high and low-resource healthcare settings.

XPS Jensen Lung as a Low-Cost, High-Fidelity Training Adjunct to Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. S243-S244
Author(s):  
B. Shukrallah ◽  
C. Eggeman ◽  
D. Mast ◽  
D. Igoe ◽  
J. Ralston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lung Perfusion ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion

scholarly journals Energy-Saving Electrospinning with a Concentric Teflon-Core Rod Spinneret to Create Medicated Nanofibers

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shixiong Kang ◽  
Shicong Hou ◽  
Xunwei Chen ◽  
Deng-Guang Yu ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Electrospun Nanofibers ◽  
Electrospinning Process ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Drug Dissolution ◽  
Core Rod

Although electrospun nanofibers are expanding their potential commercial applications in various fields, the issue of energy savings, which are important for cost reduction and technological feasibility, has received little attention to date. In this study, a concentric spinneret with a solid Teflon-core rod was developed to implement an energy-saving electrospinning process. Ketoprofen and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as a model of a poorly water-soluble drug and a filament-forming matrix, respectively, to obtain nanofibrous films via traditional tube-based electrospinning and the proposed solid rod-based electrospinning method. The functional performances of the films were compared through in vitro drug dissolution experiments and ex vivo sublingual drug permeation tests. Results demonstrated that both types of nanofibrous films do not significantly differ in terms of medical applications. However, the new process required only 53.9% of the energy consumed by the traditional method. This achievement was realized by the introduction of several engineering improvements based on applied surface modifications, such as a less energy dispersive air-epoxy resin surface of the spinneret, a free liquid guiding without backward capillary force of the Teflon-core rod, and a smaller fluid–Teflon adhesive force. Other non-conductive materials could be explored to develop new spinnerets offering good engineering control and energy savings to obtain low-cost electrospun polymeric nanofibers.

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