scholarly journals Sperm-hybrid micromotors: on-board assistance for nature’s bustling swimmers

Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 159 (2) ◽  
pp. R83-R96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Schwarz ◽  
Mariana Medina-Sánchez ◽  
Oliver G Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Sperm Cell ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Assisted Fertilization

Sperm cells that cannot swim and orient properly compromise male fertility. Such defects are responsible for male infertility regardless of the actual quality of the most important content, the sperm’s DNA. Synthetic micromotors are engineered devices that are able to swim in (body) fluids and microscopic environments, similar to flagellated cells like sperm. Coupled together, a sperm-hybrid micromotor embodies the concept of bringing the sperm cell together with artificial components that assist or replace defective functions of the cell, helping it to pursue its goal without interfering with its health, enabling the process of assisted fertilization and further embryo development all inside the body. Non-invasive, remote-controlled in vivo applicability is the key quality of such hybrid microdevices. Assisted reproduction with the help of micromotors is in the focus of this review, although other biomedical applications that arise from the powerful combination of sperm cell and synthetic enhancement are also discussed and summarized. Details are provided about different fabrication processes and cell-material coupling strategies, and the way from proof-of-concept studies to in vivo experiments in animals is outlined.

scholarly journals Injectable non-leaching tissue-mimetic bottlebrush elastomers as an advanced platform for reconstructive surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erfan Dashtimoghadam ◽  
Farahnaz Fahimipour ◽  
Andrew N. Keith ◽  
Foad Vashahi ◽  
Pavel Popryadukhin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Reconstructive Surgery ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
The Body ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Curing Time ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Significant Health

AbstractCurrent materials used in biomedical devices do not match tissue’s mechanical properties and leach various chemicals into the body. These deficiencies pose significant health risks that are further exacerbated by invasive implantation procedures. Herein, we leverage the brush-like polymer architecture to design and administer minimally invasive injectable elastomers that cure in vivo into leachable-free implants with mechanical properties matching the surrounding tissue. This strategy allows tuning curing time from minutes to hours, which empowers a broad range of biomedical applications from rapid wound sealing to time-intensive reconstructive surgery. These injectable elastomers support in vitro cell proliferation, while also demonstrating in vivo implant integrity with a mild inflammatory response and minimal fibrotic encapsulation.

scholarly journals Influence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus on ram sperm cell quality

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 1405-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tidhar Zan Bar ◽  
Ronen Yehuda ◽  
Tomer Hacham ◽  
Sigal Krupnik ◽  
Benjamin Bartoov
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Cell ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
Male Factor ◽  
Motility Index ◽  
Fas Receptor ◽  
Campylobacter Fetus ◽  
Fetus Subsp ◽  
Ram Sperm ◽  
Female Sheep

Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus infection can occur in female sheep, causing infertility or abortion. Despite extensive research on the effect of these bacteria on female fertility, little research has been done on the influence of C. fetus subsp. fetus on the male factor. Our objective was to examine the influence of C. fetus subsp. fetus on ram sperm. Motility index, percentage of live spermatozoa, mean αt value (an indication of the chromatin stability of the sperm cell) and percentage of sperm cells expressing the FAS receptor were measured in sperm incubated in the presence or absence of C. fetus subsp. fetus. The motility index and viability of sperm incubated with the bacteria were lower than those of untreated sperm samples after 5 h. In bacteria-incubated sperm cells, the percentage expressing FAS receptor was already significantly elevated at 15 min. Bacteria-incubated sperm showed a greater prevalence of morphological damage. The bacteria were attached to tail and acrosome regions, and the sperm damage was concentrated in both the motility and chromatin regions. Bacteria-infected sperm cells showed a decrease in motility, increase in early acrosome reaction and chromatin damage. Similar effects were induced by incubation of the sperm with supernatants from C. fetus subsp. fetus cultures. Thus this study demonstrates that C. fetus subsp. fetus has a detrimental effect on the quality of ram sperm.

scholarly journals Injectable Non-leaching Tissue-mimetic Bottlebrush Elastomers: A New Platform for Advancing Reconstructive Surgery

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erfan Dashtimoghadam ◽  
Farahnaz Fahimipour ◽  
Andrew Keith ◽  
Foad Vashahi ◽  
Pavel Popryadukhin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Reconstructive Surgery ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
The Body ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Curing Time ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Significant Health

Abstract Current materials used in biomedical devices do not match tissue’s mechanical properties and leach various chemicals into the body. These deficiencies pose significant health risks that are further exacerbated by invasive implantation procedures. Herein, we leverage the brush-like polymer architecture to design and administer minimally invasive injectable elastomers that cure in vivo into leachable-free implants with mechanical properties matching the surrounding tissue. This strategy allows tuning curing time from minutes to hours, which empowers a broad range of biomedical applications from rapid wound sealing to time-intensive reconstructive surgery. These injectable elastomers support in vitro cell proliferation, while also demonstrating in vivo implant integrity with a mild inflammatory response and minimal fibrotic encapsulation.

Basic principles and technological state of the art: SPECT

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 573-577
Author(s):  
Alessia Gimelli ◽  
Riccardo Liga
Keyword(s):  
Single Photon ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Nuclear Imaging ◽  
The Body ◽  
Emission Computed Tomography ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Photon Emission Computed Tomography ◽  
Invasive Evaluation

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) photons as a medical imaging technique detects the radiation emitted by radioisotopes injected into the body to provide in vivo measurements of regional tissue function. From its introduction in the cardiologic clinical field, nuclear imaging has classically represented the reference technique for the non-invasive evaluation of myocardial perfusion, becoming the most frequently performed imaging modality for the functional assessment of patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Evaluation of Volume Selection Methods in in Vivo MRS

1995 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Starck ◽  
R. Lundin ◽  
E. Forssell-Aronsson ◽  
M. Arvidsson ◽  
M. Alpsten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Situation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Precision Measurements ◽  
Profile Measurement ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Phantom Measurements ◽  
Signal Profile ◽  
In Vivo Mrs

In vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) requires some kind of volume selection method to be able to measure the signal from a selected part of the body. To be able to interpret the spectra correctly, the quality of the volume selection must be investigated for each new MRS application using phantom measurements. A new phantom, especially suitable for precision measurements of the volume selection performance, is presented. It contains a small, remotely controlled signal source placed inside a larger vessel. This principle can be applied to various body regions, coil types and nuclei. The measurement conditions are close to the clinical situation. The phantom does not have to be repositioned during a signal profile measurement and the signal contribution from each point along the profile is determined regarding sign and amplitude.

scholarly journals Glucose level detection system in glucose solution using TCS3200 sensor with If-Else method

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-116
Author(s):  
Kemal Thoriq Al-Azis ◽  
Alfian Ma'arif ◽  
Sunardi Sunardi ◽  
Fatma Nuraisyah ◽  
Apik Rusdiarna Indrapraja
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Level ◽  
Color Change ◽  
Glucose Solution ◽  
Detection System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Sugar Levels

Early and routine examination of glucose levels plays an important role in preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus and maintaining the quality of life. Checking blood sugar levels by hurting the body (invasive) can lead to infections caused by needles. As an alternative, the examination is carried out in a non-invasive way using excretory fluid in the form of urine, which is reacted with Benedict's solution that create a color change. Experts in the laboratory only carry out an examination using non-invasive methods because in determining glucose levels, it requires accuracy and eye health factors. Therefore, a glucose level detection system was created using a sample of glucose solution to determine the system's parameters using the if-else method. The glucose level detection system is conducted by mixing the glucose solution with Benedict's solution to produce a color change. Then the reaction results are read by the TCS3200 sensor and processed by Arduino to be classified, according to predetermined parameters. The decision results based on the classification of the glucose level parameters that have been determined are displayed on a 16x2 LCD. The results achieved in this study on 10 samples of glucose solution that were tested and processed by the if-else method were successfully read and classified based on predetermined parameters.

Basic principles and technological state of the art: SPECT

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Gimelli ◽  
Riccardo Liga
Keyword(s):  
Single Photon ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Nuclear Imaging ◽  
The Body ◽  
Emission Computed Tomography ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Photon Emission Computed Tomography

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) photons as a medical imaging technique detects the radiation emitted by radioisotopes injected into the body to provide in vivo measurements of regional tissue function. From its introduction in the cardiologic clinical field, nuclear imaging has classically represented the reference technique for the non-invasive evaluation of myocardial perfusion, becoming the most frequently performed imaging modality for the functional assessment of patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Preliminary In Vivo Capsule Crawler Mobility

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levin J. Sliker ◽  
Jonathan A. Schoen ◽  
Mark E. Rentschler
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Da Vinci Surgical System ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Commercial Work ◽  
External Equipment ◽  
Vinci Surgical System ◽  
Surgical System ◽  
Minimally Invasive Methods

Despite revolutionary advances in many fields of medicine, there are no active mobile in vivo devices commercially available, or in use, today. Several research groups are actively looking at a number of mobility methods in a number of lumens, but little commercial work has been done. While robotic surgery is available today thanks to robots such as the da Vinci surgical system, these methods are very expensive, require heavy external equipment, and are still constrained by entry incisions. An alternative approach may be to place the robot completely inside the patient. Such devices may enable non-invasive imaging and diagnostics. These devices may be significantly less expensive than current minimally invasive methods, without extensive support equipment, which may allow them to be also used routinely in the ER/trauma sites and remote locations. This paper explores using mobile capsule crawlers inside the body. Preliminary designs are discussed, and current research efforts into providing contact locomotion using micro-tread tracks are explored including initial drawbar force generation experimental results.

scholarly journals Diamond thin films: giving biomedical applications a new shine

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (134) ◽  
pp. 20170382 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Nistor ◽  
P. W. May
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Chemical Vapour ◽  
The Body ◽  
First Century ◽  
Diamond Thin Films ◽  
Deposition Technology

Progress made in the last two decades in chemical vapour deposition technology has enabled the production of inexpensive, high-quality coatings made from diamond to become a scientific and commercial reality. Two properties of diamond make it a highly desirable candidate material for biomedical applications: first, it is bioinert, meaning that there is minimal immune response when diamond is implanted into the body, and second, its electrical conductivity can be altered in a controlled manner, from insulating to near-metallic. In vitro, diamond can be used as a substrate upon which a range of biological cells can be cultured. In vivo , diamond thin films have been proposed as coatings for implants and prostheses. Here, we review a large body of data regarding the use of diamond substrates for in vitro cell culture. We also detail more recent work exploring diamond-coated implants with the main targets being bone and neural tissue. We conclude that diamond emerges as one of the major new biomaterials of the twenty-first century that could shape the way medical treatment will be performed, especially when invasive procedures are required.

scholarly journals In vivo non-invasive staining-free visualization of dermal mast cells in healthy, allergy and mastocytosis humans using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius Kröger ◽  
Jörg Scheffel ◽  
Viktor V. Nikolaev ◽  
Evgeny A. Shirshin ◽  
Frank Siebenhaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mast Cells ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime ◽  
The Body ◽  
Papillary Dermis ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Activation Status

Abstract Mast cells (MCs) are multifunctional cells of the immune system and are found in skin and all major tissues of the body. They contribute to the pathology of several diseases including urticaria, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and mastocytosis where they are increased at lesional sites. Histomorphometric analysis of skin biopsies serves as a routine method for the assessment of MC numbers and their activation status, which comes with major limitations. As of now, non-invasive techniques to study MCs in vivo are not available. Here, we describe a label-free imaging technique to visualize MCs and their activation status in the human papillary dermis in vivo. This technique uses two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging (TPE-FLIM) signatures, which are different for MCs and other dermal components. TPE-FLIM allows for the visualization and quantification of dermal MCs in healthy subjects and patients with skin diseases. Moreover, TPE-FLIM can differentiate between two MC populations in the papillary dermis in vivo—resting and activated MCs with a sensitivity of 0.81 and 0.87 and a specificity of 0.85 and 0.84, respectively. Results obtained on healthy volunteers and allergy and mastocytosis patients indicate the existence of other MC subpopulations within known resting and activated MC populations. The developed method may become an important tool for non-invasive in vivo diagnostics and therapy control in dermatology and immunology, which will help to better understand pathomechanisms involving MC accumulation, activation and degranulation and to characterize the effects of therapies that target MCs.

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