In vivo Recording Quality of Mechanically Decoupled Floating Versus Skull-Fixed Silicon-Based Neural Probes

Studying trust within human-robot interaction is of great importance given the social relevance of robotic agents in a variety of contexts. We investigated the acquisition, loss and restoration of trust when preschool and school-age children played with either a human or a humanoid robot in-vivo. The relationship between trust and the quality of attachment relationships, Theory of Mind, and executive function skills was also investigated. No differences were found in children’s trust in the play-partner as a function of agency (human or robot). Nevertheless, 3-years-olds showed a trend toward trusting the human more than the robot, while 7-years-olds displayed the reverse behavioral pattern, thus highlighting the developing interplay between affective and cognitive correlates of trust.

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Influence of calcium ion-modified implant surfaces in protein adsorption and implant integration

International Journal of Implant Dentistry ◽

10.1186/s40729-021-00314-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eduardo Anitua ◽

Andreia Cerqueira ◽

Francisco Romero-Gavilán ◽

Iñaki García-Arnáez ◽

Cristina Martinez-Ramos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Adsorption ◽

Titanium Implant ◽

Volume Density ◽

Bone Implant ◽

The Mean ◽

Intervention Costs ◽

Medial Section ◽

Post Implantation

Abstract Background Calcium (Ca) is a well-known element in bone metabolism and blood coagulation. Here, we investigate the link between the protein adsorption pattern and the in vivo responses of surfaces modified with calcium ions (Ca-ion) as compared to standard titanium implant surfaces (control). We used LC–MS/MS to identify the proteins adhered to the surfaces after incubation with human serum and performed bilateral surgeries in the medial section of the femoral condyles of 18 New Zealand white rabbits to test osseointegration at 2 and 8 weeks post-implantation (n=9). Results Ca-ion surfaces adsorbed 181.42 times more FA10 and 3.85 times less FA12 (p<0.001), which are factors of the common and the intrinsic coagulation pathways respectively. We also detected differences in A1AT, PLMN, FA12, KNG1, HEP2, LYSC, PIP, SAMP, VTNC, SAA4, and CFAH (p<0.01). At 2 and 8 weeks post-implantation, the mean bone implant contact (BIC) with Ca-ion surfaces was respectively 1.52 and 1.25 times higher, and the mean bone volume density (BVD) was respectively 1.35 and 1.13 times higher. Differences were statistically significant for BIC at 2 and 8 weeks and for BVD at 2 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusions The strong thrombogenic protein adsorption pattern at Ca-ion surfaces correlated with significantly higher levels of implant osseointegration. More effective implant surfaces combined with smaller implants enable less invasive surgeries, shorter healing times, and overall lower intervention costs, especially in cases of low quantity or quality of bone.

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Animal Models and Alternatives in the Quality Control of Vaccines: Are In Vitro Methods or In Vivo Methods the Scientific Equivalent of the Emperor's New Clothes?

Alternatives to Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1177/026119299502300110 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 61-73

Author(s):

Coenraad Hendriksen ◽

Johan van der Gun

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Test Methods ◽

In Vitro Test ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Alternative Approach ◽

Inactivated Vaccines ◽

Vitro Test

In the quality control of vaccine batches, the potency testing of inactivated vaccines is one of the areas requiring very large numbers of animals, which usually suffer significant distress as a result of the experimental procedures employed. This article deals with the potency testing of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, two vaccines which are used extensively throughout the world. The relevance of the potency test prescribed by the European Pharmacopoeia monographs is questioned. The validity of the potency test as a model for the human response, the ability of the test to be standardised, and the relevance of the test in relation to the quality of the product are discussed. It is concluded that the potency test has only limited predictive value for the antitoxin responses to be expected in recipients of these toxoids. An alternative approach for estimating the potency of toxoid batches is discussed, in which a distinction is made between estimation of the immunogenic potency of the first few batches obtained from a seed lot and monitoring the consistency of the quality of subsequent batches. The use of animals is limited to the first few batches. Monitoring the consistency of the quality of subsequent batches is based on in vitro test methods. Factors which hamper the introduction and acceptance of the alternative approach are considered. Finally, proposals are made for replacement, reduction and/or refinement (the Three Rs) in the use of animals in the routine potency testing of toxoids.

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Tyrosol-Enriched Tomatoes by Diffusion across the Fruit Peel from a Chitosan Coating: A Proposal of Functional Food

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10020335 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 335

Author(s):

Silvia Tampucci ◽

Antonella Castagna ◽

Daniela Monti ◽

Clementina Manera ◽

Giuseppe Saccomanni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tomato Fruit ◽

Storage Period ◽

Food Matrix ◽

Fruit Peel ◽

Fresh Food ◽

In Vitro Permeation ◽

Active Transfer

Chitosan is receiving increasing attention from the food industry for being a biodegradable, non-toxic, antimicrobial biopolymer able to extend the shelf life of, and preserve the quality of, fresh food. However, few studies have investigated the ability of chitosan-based coatings to allow the diffusion of bioactive compounds into the food matrix to improve its nutraceutical quality. This research is aimed at testing whether a hydrophilic molecule (tyrosol) could diffuse from the chitosan-tyrosol coating and cross the tomato peel. To this end, in vitro permeation tests using excised tomato peel and an in vivo application of chitosan-tyrosol coating on tomato fruit, followed by tyrosol quantification in intact fruit, peel and flesh during a seven-day storage at room temperature, were performed. Both approaches demonstrated the ability of tyrosol to permeate across the fruit peel. Along with a decreased tyrosol content in the peel, its concentration within the flesh was increased, indicating an active transfer of tyrosol into this tissue. This finding, together with the maintenance of constant tyrosol levels during the seven-day storage period, is very promising for the use of chitosan formulations to produce functional tomato fruit.

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Hybrid Multisite Silicon Neural Probe with Integrated Flexible Connector for Interchangeable Packaging

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21082605 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 2605

Author(s):

Ashley Novais ◽

Carlos Calaza ◽

José Fernandes ◽

Helder Fonseca ◽

Patricia Monteiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fabrication Process ◽

High Signal ◽

Wafer Level ◽

Neural Probes ◽

Insertion Force ◽

Precise Integration ◽

Flexible Cable ◽

Flexible Polymer ◽

Hybrid Silicon

Multisite neural probes are a fundamental tool to study brain function. Hybrid silicon/polymer neural probes combine rigid silicon and flexible polymer parts into one single device and allow, for example, the precise integration of complex probe geometries, such as multishank designs, with flexible biocompatible cabling. Despite these advantages and benefiting from highly reproducible fabrication methods on both silicon and polymer substrates, they have not been widely available. This paper presents the development, fabrication, characterization, and in vivo electrophysiological assessment of a hybrid multisite multishank silicon probe with a monolithically integrated polyimide flexible interconnect cable. The fabrication process was optimized at wafer level, and several neural probes with 64 gold electrode sites equally distributed along 8 shanks with an integrated 8 µm thick highly flexible polyimide interconnect cable were produced. The monolithic integration of the polyimide cable in the same fabrication process removed the necessity of the postfabrication bonding of the cable to the probe. This is the highest electrode site density and thinnest flexible cable ever reported for a hybrid silicon/polymer probe. Additionally, to avoid the time-consuming bonding of the probe to definitive packaging, the flexible cable was designed to terminate in a connector pad that can mate with commercial zero-insertion force (ZIF) connectors for electronics interfacing. This allows great experimental flexibility because interchangeable packaging can be used according to experimental demands. High-density distributed in vivo electrophysiological recordings were obtained from the hybrid neural probes with low intrinsic noise and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

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In vitro characteristics and in vivo platelet quality of whole blood treated with riboflavin and UVA / UVB light and stored for 24 hours at room temperature

Transfusion ◽

10.1111/trf.16500 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 61 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Turid Helen Felli Lunde ◽

Lindsay Hartson ◽

Shawn Lawrence Bailey ◽

Tor Audun Hervig

Keyword(s):

Whole Blood ◽

Room Temperature

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Asciminib Mitigates DNA Damage Stress Signaling Induced by Cyclophosphamide in the Ovary

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22031395 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 1395

Author(s):

Luca Mattiello ◽

Giulia Pucci ◽

Francesco Marchetti ◽

Marc Diederich ◽

Stefania Gonfloni

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Reserve ◽

Kinase Inhibitor ◽

Concomitant Administration ◽

Cancer Therapies ◽

Cancer Treatments ◽

Abl Tyrosine Kinase ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Abl Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Cancer treatments can often adversely affect the quality of life of young women. One of the most relevant negative impacts is the loss of fertility. Cyclophosphamide is one of the most detrimental chemotherapeutic drugs for the ovary. Cyclophosphamide may induce the destruction of dormant follicles while promoting follicle activation and growth. Herein, we demonstrate the in vivo protective effect of the allosteric Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor Asciminib on signaling pathways activated by cyclophosphamide in mouse ovaries. We also provide evidence that Asciminib does not interfere with the cytotoxic effect of cyclophosphamide in Michigan Cancer Foundation (MCF)7 breast cancer cells. Our data indicate that concomitant administration of Asciminib mitigates the cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian reserve loss without affecting the anticancer potential of cyclophosphamide. Taken together, these observations are relevant for the development of effective ferto-protective adjuvants to preserve the ovarian reserve from the damaging effects of cancer therapies.

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Integration of silicon-based neural probes and micro-drive arrays for chronic recording of large populations of neurons in behaving animals

Journal of Neural Engineering ◽

10.1088/1741-2560/13/4/046018 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 046018 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Frédéric Michon ◽

Arno Aarts ◽

Tobias Holzhammer ◽

Patrick Ruther ◽

Gustaaf Borghs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neural Probes ◽

Chronic Recording ◽

Large Populations ◽

Silicon Based

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Persistence of intramyocardially transplanted murine induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes from different developmental stages

Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13287-020-02089-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Gabriel Peinkofer ◽

Martina Maass ◽

Kurt Pfannkuche ◽

Agapios Sachinidis ◽

Stephan Baldus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Adhesion ◽

Developmental Stage ◽

Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽

Induced Pluripotent

Abstract Background Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) are regarded as promising cell type for cardiac cell replacement therapy, but it is not known whether the developmental stage influences their persistence and functional integration in the host tissue, which are crucial for a long-term therapeutic benefit. To investigate this, we first tested the cell adhesion capability of murine iPSC-CM in vitro at three different time points during the differentiation process and then examined cell persistence and quality of electrical integration in the infarcted myocardium in vivo. Methods To test cell adhesion capabilities in vitro, iPSC-CM were seeded on fibronectin-coated cell culture dishes and decellularized ventricular extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds. After fixed periods of time, stably attached cells were quantified. For in vivo experiments, murine iPSC-CM expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein was injected into infarcted hearts of adult mice. After 6–7 days, viable ventricular tissue slices were prepared to enable action potential (AP) recordings in transplanted iPSC-CM and surrounding host cardiomyocytes. Afterwards, slices were lysed, and genomic DNA was prepared, which was then used for quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate grafted iPSC-CM count. Results The in vitro results indicated differences in cell adhesion capabilities between day 14, day 16, and day 18 iPSC-CM with day 14 iPSC-CM showing the largest number of attached cells on ECM scaffolds. After intramyocardial injection, day 14 iPSC-CM showed a significant higher cell count compared to day 16 iPSC-CM. AP measurements revealed no significant difference in the quality of electrical integration and only minor differences in AP properties between d14 and d16 iPSC-CM. Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrate that the developmental stage at the time of transplantation is crucial for the persistence of transplanted iPSC-CM. iPSC-CM at day 14 of differentiation showed the highest persistence after transplantation in vivo, which may be explained by a higher capability to adhere to the extracellular matrix.

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Pharmacological Effects and Potential Clinical Usefulness of Polyphenols in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26020450 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 450

Author(s):

Kensuke Mitsunari ◽

Yasuyoshi Miyata ◽

Tomohiro Matsuo ◽

Yuta Mukae ◽

Asato Otsubo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

Urinary Tract Symptoms ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Lower Urinary

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is arguably the most common benign disease among men. This disease is often associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men and significantly decreases the quality of life. Polyphenol consumption reportedly plays an important role in the prevention of many diseases, including BPH. In recent years, in addition to disease prevention, many studies have reported the efficacy and safety of polyphenol treatment against various pathological conditions in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, numerous studies have also revealed the molecular mechanisms of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols. We believe that an improved understanding of the detailed pharmacological roles of polyphenol-induced activities at a molecular level is important for the prevention and treatment of BPH. Polyphenols are composed of many members, and their biological roles differ. In this review, we first provide information regarding the pathological roles of oxidative stress and inflammation in BPH. Next, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols, including those of flavonoids and non-flavonoids, are discussed. Finally, we talk about the results and limitations of previous clinical trials that have used polyphenols in BPH, with particular focus on their molecular mechanisms of action.

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