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Bioengineering, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2018) – 25 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): The synthesis of proteins with noncanonical amino acids at defined positions requires an engineered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase–tRNA pair. Such a pair should not cross-react with the corresponding components of the production cell, yet it should interact normally with the remainder of the host translation machinery. As nucleotide modifications in tRNA can influence the extent of aminoacylation as well as mRNA codon–tRNA anticodon pairing on the ribosome, the presence of certain tRNA modifications may significantly impact the efficiency of noncanonical amino acid incorporation. View Paper here.
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18 pages, 3256 KiB  
Article
Process Analytical Technology for Advanced Process Control in Biologics Manufacturing with the Aid of Macroscopic Kinetic Modeling
by Martin Kornecki and Jochen Strube
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 25; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010025 - 16 Mar 2018
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 7859
Abstract
Productivity improvements of mammalian cell culture in the production of recombinant proteins have been made by optimizing cell lines, media, and process operation. This led to enhanced titers and process robustness without increasing the cost of the upstream processing (USP); however, a downstream [...] Read more.
Productivity improvements of mammalian cell culture in the production of recombinant proteins have been made by optimizing cell lines, media, and process operation. This led to enhanced titers and process robustness without increasing the cost of the upstream processing (USP); however, a downstream bottleneck remains. In terms of process control improvement, the process analytical technology (PAT) initiative, initiated by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aims to measure, analyze, monitor, and ultimately control all important attributes of a bioprocess. Especially, spectroscopic methods such as Raman or near-infrared spectroscopy enable one to meet these analytical requirements, preferably in-situ. In combination with chemometric techniques like partial least square (PLS) or principal component analysis (PCA), it is possible to generate soft sensors, which estimate process variables based on process and measurement models for the enhanced control of bioprocesses. Macroscopic kinetic models can be used to simulate cell metabolism. These models are able to enhance the process understanding by predicting the dynamic of cells during cultivation. In this article, in-situ turbidity (transmission, 880 nm) and ex-situ Raman spectroscopy (785 nm) measurements are combined with an offline macroscopic Monod kinetic model in order to predict substrate concentrations. Experimental data of Chinese hamster ovary cultivations in bioreactors show a sufficiently linear correlation (R2 ≥ 0.97) between turbidity and total cell concentration. PLS regression of Raman spectra generates a prediction model, which was validated via offline viable cell concentration measurement (RMSE ≤ 13.82, R2 ≥ 0.92). Based on these measurements, the macroscopic Monod model can be used to determine different process attributes, e.g., glucose concentration. In consequence, it is possible to approximately calculate (R2 ≥ 0.96) glucose concentration based on online cell concentration measurements using turbidity or Raman spectroscopy. Future approaches will use these online substrate concentration measurements with turbidity and Raman measurements, in combination with the kinetic model, in order to control the bioprocess in terms of feeding strategies, by employing an open platform communication (OPC) network—either in fed-batch or perfusion mode, integrated into a continuous operation of upstream and downstream. Full article
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18 pages, 2487 KiB  
Article
Microscale 3D Liver Bioreactor for In Vitro Hepatotoxicity Testing under Perfusion Conditions
by Nora Freyer, Selina Greuel, Fanny Knöspel, Florian Gerstmann, Lisa Storch, Georg Damm, Daniel Seehofer, Jennifer Foster Harris, Rashi Iyer, Frank Schubert and Katrin Zeilinger
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 24; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010024 - 15 Mar 2018
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7092
Abstract
The accurate prediction of hepatotoxicity demands validated human in vitro models that can close the gap between preclinical animal studies and clinical trials. In this study we investigated the response of primary human liver cells to toxic drug exposure in a perfused microscale [...] Read more.
The accurate prediction of hepatotoxicity demands validated human in vitro models that can close the gap between preclinical animal studies and clinical trials. In this study we investigated the response of primary human liver cells to toxic drug exposure in a perfused microscale 3D liver bioreactor. The cellularized bioreactors were treated with 5, 10, or 30 mM acetaminophen (APAP) used as a reference substance. Lactate production significantly decreased upon treatment with 30 mM APAP (p < 0.05) and ammonia release significantly increased in bioreactors treated with 10 or 30 mM APAP (p < 0.0001), indicating APAP-induced dose-dependent toxicity. The release of prostaglandin E2 showed a significant increase at 30 mM APAP (p < 0.05), suggesting an inflammatory reaction towards enhanced cellular stress. The expression of genes involved in drug metabolism, antioxidant reactions, urea synthesis, and apoptosis was differentially influenced by APAP exposure. Histological examinations revealed that primary human liver cells in untreated control bioreactors were reorganized in tissue-like cell aggregates. These aggregates were partly disintegrated upon APAP treatment, lacking expression of hepatocyte-specific proteins and transporters. In conclusion, our results validate the suitability of the microscale 3D liver bioreactor to detect hepatotoxic effects of drugs in vitro under perfusion conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Micro-Bioreactor Design for Organ Cell Studies)
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19 pages, 1410 KiB  
Review
Stem Cells and Engineered Scaffolds for Regenerative Wound Healing
by Biraja C. Dash, Zhenzhen Xu, Lawrence Lin, Andrew Koo, Sifon Ndon, Francois Berthiaume, Alan Dardik and Henry Hsia
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 23; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010023 - 09 Mar 2018
Cited by 97 | Viewed by 10968
Abstract
The normal wound healing process involves a well-organized cascade of biological pathways and any failure in this process leads to wounds becoming chronic. Non-healing wounds are a burden on healthcare systems and set to increase with aging population and growing incidences of obesity [...] Read more.
The normal wound healing process involves a well-organized cascade of biological pathways and any failure in this process leads to wounds becoming chronic. Non-healing wounds are a burden on healthcare systems and set to increase with aging population and growing incidences of obesity and diabetes. Stem cell-based therapies have the potential to heal chronic wounds but have so far seen little success in the clinic. Current research has been focused on using polymeric biomaterial systems that can act as a niche for these stem cells to improve their survival and paracrine activity that would eventually promote wound healing. Furthermore, different modification strategies have been developed to improve stem cell survival and differentiation, ultimately promoting regenerative wound healing. This review focuses on advanced polymeric scaffolds that have been used to deliver stem cells and have been tested for their efficiency in preclinical animal models of wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wound Healing Systems)
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25 pages, 3013 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Reprogramming and the Recovery of Physiological Functionality in 3D Cultures in Micro-Bioreactors
by Krzysztof Wrzesinski and Stephen J. Fey
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 22; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010022 - 07 Mar 2018
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 8282
Abstract
The recovery of physiological functionality, which is commonly seen in tissue mimetic three-dimensional (3D) cellular aggregates (organoids, spheroids, acini, etc.), has been observed in cells of many origins (primary tissues, embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and immortal cell lines). [...] Read more.
The recovery of physiological functionality, which is commonly seen in tissue mimetic three-dimensional (3D) cellular aggregates (organoids, spheroids, acini, etc.), has been observed in cells of many origins (primary tissues, embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and immortal cell lines). This plurality and plasticity suggest that probably several basic principles promote this recovery process. The aim of this study was to identify these basic principles and describe how they are regulated so that they can be taken in consideration when micro-bioreactors are designed. Here, we provide evidence that one of these basic principles is hypoxia, which is a natural consequence of multicellular structures grown in microgravity cultures. Hypoxia drives a partial metabolic reprogramming to aerobic glycolysis and an increased anabolic synthesis. A second principle is the activation of cytoplasmic glutaminolysis for lipogenesis. Glutaminolysis is activated in the presence of hypo- or normo-glycaemic conditions and in turn is geared to the hexosamine pathway. The reducing power needed is produced in the pentose phosphate pathway, a prime function of glucose metabolism. Cytoskeletal reconstruction, histone modification, and the recovery of the physiological phenotype can all be traced to adaptive changes in the underlying cellular metabolism. These changes are coordinated by mTOR/Akt, p53 and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, while myc and NF-kB appear to be relatively inactive. Partial metabolic reprogramming to aerobic glycolysis, originally described by Warburg, is independent of the cell’s rate of proliferation, but is interwoven with the cells abilities to execute advanced functionality needed for replicating the tissues physiological performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Micro-Bioreactor Design for Organ Cell Studies)
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11 pages, 6153 KiB  
Article
Topical Digitoxigenin for Wound Healing: A Feasibility Study
by Xinchi Feng, Cuifen Wang, Yunhui Xu, Joel Turley, Zijian Xie, Sandrine V. Pierre and Jinsong Hao
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 21; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010021 - 05 Mar 2018
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5885
Abstract
(1) Background: Cardiotonic steroids have been found to stimulate collagen synthesis and might be potential wound healing therapeutics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of digitoxigenin and its topical formulation for wound healing; (2) Methods: In the in vitro [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Cardiotonic steroids have been found to stimulate collagen synthesis and might be potential wound healing therapeutics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of digitoxigenin and its topical formulation for wound healing; (2) Methods: In the in vitro study, the human dermal fibroblast cells were treated with digitoxigenin and collagen synthesis was assessed. In the in vivo study, digitoxigenin was applied to excisional full-thickness wounds in rats immediately after wounding and remained for three days, and wound open was evaluated over 10 days. A digitoxigenin formulation for topical administration was prepared, and the in vitro release and in vivo wound healing effect were investigated; (3) Results: The expression of procollagen in human dermal fibroblast was significantly increased with the exposure to 0.1 nM digitoxigenin. Topical application of digitoxigenin in olive oil or alginate solution for three days significantly decreased the wound open in rats. Similarly, topical administration of the developed digitoxigenin formulation for three days also significantly increased wound healing. No wound healing effects were observed at days 7 and 10 after wounding when digitoxigenin was not applied; and, (4) Conclusions: It was possible to deliver digitoxigenin using the developed formulation. However, the wound healing effect of digitoxigenin and its mechanisms need to be further investigated in future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wound Healing Systems)
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33 pages, 9860 KiB  
Review
Microbiological Sensing Technologies: A Review
by Firouz Abbasian, Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh and Sebastian Magierowski
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 20; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010020 - 02 Mar 2018
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 8836
Abstract
Microorganisms have a significant influence on human activities and health, and consequently, there is high demand to develop automated, sensitive, and rapid methods for their detection. These methods might be applicable for clinical, industrial, and environmental applications. Although different techniques have been suggested [...] Read more.
Microorganisms have a significant influence on human activities and health, and consequently, there is high demand to develop automated, sensitive, and rapid methods for their detection. These methods might be applicable for clinical, industrial, and environmental applications. Although different techniques have been suggested and employed for the detection of microorganisms, and the majority of these methods are not cost effective and suffer from low sensitivity and low specificity, especially in mixed samples. This paper presents a comprehensive review of microbiological techniques and associated challenges for bioengineering researchers with an engineering background. Also, this paper reports on recent technological advances and their future prospects for a variety of microbiological applications. Full article
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18 pages, 6424 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Peripheral Blood and Cord Blood Platelet Lysates in Isolation and Expansion of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
by Ioanna Christou, Panagiotis Mallis, Efstathios Michalopoulos, Theofanis Chatzistamatiou, George Mermelekas, Jerome Zoidakis, Antonia Vlahou and Catherine Stavropoulos-Giokas
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 19; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010019 - 26 Feb 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6061
Abstract
Background: Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) are used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The in vitro isolation and expansion of MSCs involve the use of foetal bovine serum (FBS). However, many concerns have been raised regarding the safety of this product. In [...] Read more.
Background: Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) are used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The in vitro isolation and expansion of MSCs involve the use of foetal bovine serum (FBS). However, many concerns have been raised regarding the safety of this product. In this study, alternative additives derived either from peripheral or cord blood were tested as an FBS replacement. Methods: Platelet lysates (PL) from peripheral and cord blood were used for the expansion of MSCs. The levels of growth factors in peripheral blood (PB) and cord blood (CB) PLs were determined using the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM). Finally, the cell doubling time (CDT), tri-lineage differentiation and phenotypic characterization of the MSCs expanded with FBS and PLs were determined. Results: MSCs treated with culture media containing FBS and PB-PL, were successfully isolated and expanded, whereas MSCs treated with CB-PL could not be maintained in culture. Furthermore, the MRM analysis yielded differences in growth factor levels between PB-PL and CB-PL. In addition, the MSCs were successfully expanded with FBS and PB-PL and exhibited tri-lineage differentiation and stable phenotypic characteristics. Conclusion: PB-PL could be used as an alternative additive for the production of MSCs culture medium applied to xenogeneic-free expansion and maintenance of MSCs in large scale clinical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration)
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10 pages, 2355 KiB  
Article
Effects of Sterilization Cycles on PEEK for Medical Device Application
by Amit Kumar, Wai Teng Yap, Soo Leong Foo and Teck Kheng Lee
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 18; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010018 - 21 Feb 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6498
Abstract
The effects of the sterilization process have been studied on medical grade thermoplastic polyetheretherketone (PEEK). For a reusable medical device, material reliability is an important parameter to decide its lifetime, as it will be subjected to the continuous steam sterilization process. A spring [...] Read more.
The effects of the sterilization process have been studied on medical grade thermoplastic polyetheretherketone (PEEK). For a reusable medical device, material reliability is an important parameter to decide its lifetime, as it will be subjected to the continuous steam sterilization process. A spring nature, clip component was selected out of a newly designed medical device (patented) to perform this reliability study. This clip component was sterilized for a predetermined number of cycles (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20…100) at 121 °C for 30 min. A significant decrease of ~20% in the compression force of the spring was observed after 30 cycles, and a ~6% decrease in the lateral dimension of the clip was observed after 50 cycles. No further significant change in the compression force or dimension was observed for the subsequent sterilization cycles. Vickers hardness and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to characterize the effects of sterilization. DSC results exhibited no significant change in the degree of cure and melting behavior of PEEK before and after the sterilization. Hardness measurement exhibited an increase of ~49% in hardness after just 20 cycles. When an unsterilized sample was heated for repetitive cycles without the presence of moisture (121 °C, 10 and 20 cycles), only ~7% of the maximum change in hardness was observed. Full article
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13 pages, 1882 KiB  
Article
Effect of Pyruvate Decarboxylase Knockout on Product Distribution Using Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) Engineered for Lactic Acid Production
by Nadiele T. M. Melo, Kelly C. L. Mulder, André Moraes Nicola, Lucas S. Carvalho, Gisele S. Menino, Eduardo Mulinari and Nádia S. Parachin
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 17; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010017 - 16 Feb 2018
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7949
Abstract
Lactic acid is the monomer unit of the bioplastic poly-lactic acid (PLA). One candidate organism for lactic acid production is Pichia pastoris, a yeast widely used for heterologous protein production. Nevertheless, this yeast has a poor fermentative capability that can be modulated [...] Read more.
Lactic acid is the monomer unit of the bioplastic poly-lactic acid (PLA). One candidate organism for lactic acid production is Pichia pastoris, a yeast widely used for heterologous protein production. Nevertheless, this yeast has a poor fermentative capability that can be modulated by controlling oxygen levels. In a previous study, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was introduced into P. pastoris, enabling this yeast to produce lactic acid. The present study aimed to increase the flow of pyruvate towards the production of lactic acid in P. pastoris. To this end, a strain designated GLp was constructed by inserting the bovine lactic acid dehydrogenase gene (LDHb) concomitantly with the interruption of the gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC). Aerobic fermentation, followed by micro-aerophilic culture two-phase fermentations, showed that the GLp strain achieved a lactic acid yield of 0.65 g/g. The distribution of fermentation products demonstrated that the acetate titer was reduced by 20% in the GLp strain with a concomitant increase in arabitol production: arabitol increased from 0.025 g/g to 0.174 g/g when compared to the GS115 strain. Taken together, the results show a significant potential for P. pastoris in producing lactic acid. Moreover, for the first time, physiological data regarding co-product formation have indicated the redox balance limitations of this yeast. Full article
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17 pages, 9438 KiB  
Article
Fenofibrate Nanocrystals Embedded in Oral Strip-Films for Bioavailability Enhancement
by Bhavesh D. Kevadiya, Manish Barvaliya, Lu Zhang, Ashish Anovadiya, Harshad Brahmbhatt, Parimal Paul and Chandrabhanu Tripathi
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 16; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010016 - 13 Feb 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 7938
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to make a fenofibrate (FNB) nanocrystal (NC) by wet media milling, characterizations and formulates into oral strip-films (OSFs). Mechanical properties, redispersion study, and solid-state characterizations results suggested that reduction of drug crystal size at nanoscale and [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to make a fenofibrate (FNB) nanocrystal (NC) by wet media milling, characterizations and formulates into oral strip-films (OSFs). Mechanical properties, redispersion study, and solid-state characterizations results suggested that reduction of drug crystal size at nanoscale and incorporation into OSFs does not affect the solid-state properties of the drug. In vitro dissolution kinetics showed enhanced dissolution rate was easily manipulated by changing the thickness of the OSF. In situ UV-imaging was used to monitor drug dissolution qualitatively and quantitatively in real time. Results confirm that the intrinsic dissolution rates and surface drug concentration measured with this device were in agreement with the USP-IV dissolution profiles. In vivo pharmacokinetics in rabbits showed a significant difference in the pharmacokinetics parameter (1.4 fold increase bioavailability) of FNB NC-loaded OSFs as compared to the marketed formulation “Tricor” and as-received (pristine) drug. This approach of drug nanocrystallization and incorporation into OSFs may have significant applications in cost-effective tools for bioavailability enhancement of FNB. Full article
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29 pages, 8686 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Insight into the Biodegradation of Solitary Oil Microdroplets Moving through a Water Column
by George E. Kapellos, Christakis A. Paraskeva, Nicolas Kalogerakis and Patrick S. Doyle
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 15; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010015 - 12 Feb 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5351
Abstract
In the aftermath of oil spills in the sea, clouds of droplets drift into the seawater column and are carried away by sea currents. The fate of the drifting droplets is determined by natural attenuation processes, mainly dissolution into the seawater and biodegradation [...] Read more.
In the aftermath of oil spills in the sea, clouds of droplets drift into the seawater column and are carried away by sea currents. The fate of the drifting droplets is determined by natural attenuation processes, mainly dissolution into the seawater and biodegradation by oil-degrading microbial communities. Specifically, microbes have developed three fundamental strategies for accessing and assimilating oily substrates. Depending on their affinity for the oily phase and ability to proliferate in multicellular structures, microbes might either attach to the oil surface and directly uptake compounds from the oily phase, or grow suspended in the aqueous phase consuming solubilized oil, or form three-dimensional biofilms over the oil–water interface. In this work, a compound particle model that accounts for all three microbial strategies is developed for the biodegradation of solitary oil microdroplets moving through a water column. Under a set of educated hypotheses, the hydrodynamics and solute transport problems are amenable to analytical solutions and a closed-form correlation is established for the overall dissolution rate as a function of the Thiele modulus, the Biot number and other key parameters. Moreover, two coupled ordinary differential equations are formulated for the evolution of the particle size and used to investigate the impact of the dissolution and biodegradation processes on the droplet shrinking rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Catalytic Biofilms)
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11 pages, 7103 KiB  
Communication
Decoration of Cotton Fibers with a Water-Stable Metal–Organic Framework (UiO-66) for the Decomposition and Enhanced Adsorption of Micropollutants in Water
by Marion Schelling, Manuela Kim, Eugenio Otal and Juan Hinestroza
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 14; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010014 - 12 Feb 2018
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 10092
Abstract
We report on the successful functionalization of cotton fabrics with a water-stable metal–organic framework (MOF), UiO-66, under mild solvothermal conditions (80 °C) and its ability to adsorb and degrade water micropollutants. The functionalized cotton samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron [...] Read more.
We report on the successful functionalization of cotton fabrics with a water-stable metal–organic framework (MOF), UiO-66, under mild solvothermal conditions (80 °C) and its ability to adsorb and degrade water micropollutants. The functionalized cotton samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UiO-66 crystals grew in a uniform and conformal manner over the surface of the cotton fibers. The cotton fabrics functionalized with UiO-66 frameworks exhibited an enhanced uptake capacity for methylchlorophenoxypropionic acid (MCPP), a commonly used herbicide. The functionalized fabrics also showed photocatalytic activity, demonstrated by the degradation of acetaminophen, a common pharmaceutical compound, under simulated sunlight irradiation. These results indicate that UiO-66 can be supported on textile substrates for filtration and photocatalytic purposes and that these substrates can find applications in wastewater decontamination and micropollutant degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biocomposite Engineering and Bio-Applications)
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15 pages, 3574 KiB  
Article
Statistical Modelling of Temperature and Moisture Uptake of Biochars Exposed to Selected Relative Humidity of Air
by Luciane Bastistella, Patrick Rousset, Antonio Aviz, Armando Caldeira-Pires, Gilles Humbert and Manoel Nogueira
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 13; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010013 - 09 Feb 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5416
Abstract
New experimental techniques, as well as modern variants on known methods, have recently been employed to investigate the fundamental reactions underlying the oxidation of biochar. The purpose of this paper was to experimentally and statistically study how the relative humidity of air, mass, [...] Read more.
New experimental techniques, as well as modern variants on known methods, have recently been employed to investigate the fundamental reactions underlying the oxidation of biochar. The purpose of this paper was to experimentally and statistically study how the relative humidity of air, mass, and particle size of four biochars influenced the adsorption of water and the increase in temperature. A random factorial design was employed using the intuitive statistical software Xlstat. A simple linear regression model and an analysis of variance with a pairwise comparison were performed. The experimental study was carried out on the wood of Quercus pubescens, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Trigonostemon huangmosun, and Bambusa vulgaris, and involved five relative humidity conditions (22, 43, 75, 84, and 90%), two mass samples (0.1 and 1 g), and two particle sizes (powder and piece). Two response variables including water adsorption and temperature increase were analyzed and discussed. The temperature did not increase linearly with the adsorption of water. Temperature was modeled by nine explanatory variables, while water adsorption was modeled by eight. Five variables, including factors and their interactions, were found to be common to the two models. Sample mass and relative humidity influenced the two qualitative variables, while particle size and biochar type only influenced the temperature. Full article
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14 pages, 21424 KiB  
Article
Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Gelatin–Alginate Hydrogels to Stomach Lumen for Treatment of Gastroparesis
by Binata Joddar, Nishat Tasnim, Vikram Thakur, Alok Kumar, Richard W. McCallum and Munmun Chattopadhyay
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 12; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010012 - 07 Feb 2018
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7458
Abstract
Gastroparesis (GP) is associated with depletion of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and enteric neurons, which leads to pyloric dysfunction followed by severe nausea, vomiting and delayed gastric emptying. Regenerating these fundamental structures with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy would be helpful to [...] Read more.
Gastroparesis (GP) is associated with depletion of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and enteric neurons, which leads to pyloric dysfunction followed by severe nausea, vomiting and delayed gastric emptying. Regenerating these fundamental structures with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy would be helpful to restore gastric function in GP. MSCs have been successfully used in animal models of other gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including colitis. However, no study has been performed with these cells on GP animals. In this study, we explored whether mouse MSCs can be delivered from a hydrogel scaffold to the luminal surfaces of mice stomach explants. Mouse MSCs were seeded atop alginate–gelatin, coated with poly-l-lysine. These cell–gel constructs were placed atop stomach explants facing the luminal side. MSCs grew uniformly all across the gel surface within 48 h. When placed atop the lumen of the stomach, MSCs migrated from the gels to the tissues, as confirmed by positive staining with vimentin and N-cadherin. Thus, the feasibility of transplanting a cell–gel construct to deliver stem cells in the stomach wall was successfully shown in a mice stomach explant model, thereby making a significant advance towards envisioning the transplantation of an entire tissue-engineered ‘gastric patch’ or ‘microgels’ with cells and growth factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioengineering Nano and Micro-Gels for Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 5464 KiB  
Article
Effects of Heterologous tRNA Modifications on the Production of Proteins Containing Noncanonical Amino Acids
by Ana Crnković, Oscar Vargas-Rodriguez, Anna Merkuryev and Dieter Söll
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 11; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010011 - 02 Feb 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 7584
Abstract
Synthesis of proteins with noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) enables the creation of protein-based biomaterials with diverse new chemical properties that may be attractive for material science. Current methods for large-scale production of ncAA-containing proteins, frequently carried out in Escherichia coli, involve the [...] Read more.
Synthesis of proteins with noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) enables the creation of protein-based biomaterials with diverse new chemical properties that may be attractive for material science. Current methods for large-scale production of ncAA-containing proteins, frequently carried out in Escherichia coli, involve the use of orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (o-aaRSs) and tRNAs (o-tRNAs). Although o-tRNAs are designed to be orthogonal to endogenous aaRSs, their orthogonality to the components of the E. coli metabolism remains largely unexplored. We systematically investigated how the E. coli tRNA modification machinery affects the efficiency and orthogonality of o-tRNASep used for production of proteins with the ncAA O-phosphoserine (Sep). The incorporation of Sep into a green fluorescent protein (GFP) in 42 E. coli strains carrying deletions of single tRNA modification genes identified several genes that affect the o-tRNA activity. Deletion of cysteine desulfurase (iscS) increased the yield of Sep-containing GFP more than eightfold, while overexpression of dimethylallyltransferase MiaA and pseudouridine synthase TruB improved the specificity of Sep incorporation. These results highlight the importance of tRNA modifications for the biosynthesis of proteins containing ncAAs, and provide a novel framework for optimization of o-tRNAs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biocomposite Engineering and Bio-Applications)
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11 pages, 14812 KiB  
Article
Disilicate Dental Ceramic Surface Preparation by 1070 nm Fiber Laser: Thermal and Ultrastructural Analysis
by Carlo Fornaini, Federica Poli, Elisabetta Merigo, Nathalie Brulat-Bouchard, Ahmed El Gamal, Jean-Paul Rocca, Stefano Selleri and Annamaria Cucinotta
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 10; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010010 - 31 Jan 2018
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4831
Abstract
Lithium disilicate dental ceramic bonding, realized by using different resins, is strictly dependent on micro-mechanical retention and chemical adhesion. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the capability of a 1070 nm fiber laser for their surface treatment. Samples were [...] Read more.
Lithium disilicate dental ceramic bonding, realized by using different resins, is strictly dependent on micro-mechanical retention and chemical adhesion. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the capability of a 1070 nm fiber laser for their surface treatment. Samples were irradiated by a pulsed fiber laser at 1070 nm with different parameters (peak power of 5, 7.5 and 10 kW, repetition rate (RR) 20 kHz, speed of 10 and 50 mm/s, and total energy density from 1.3 to 27 kW/cm2) and the thermal elevation during the experiment was recorded by a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensor. Subsequently, the surface modifications were analyzed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). With a peak power of 5 kW, RR of 20 kHz, and speed of 50 mm/s, the microscopic observation of the irradiated surface showed increased roughness with small areas of melting and carbonization. EDS analysis revealed that, with these parameters, there are no evident differences between laser-processed samples and controls. Thermal elevation during laser irradiation ranged between 5 °C and 9 °C. A 1070 nm fiber laser can be considered as a good device to increase the adhesion of lithium disilicate ceramics when optimum parameters are considered. Full article
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28 pages, 2433 KiB  
Review
Electrospun Fibers as a Dressing Material for Drug and Biological Agent Delivery in Wound Healing Applications
by Mulugeta Gizaw, Jeffrey Thompson, Addison Faglie, Shih-Yu Lee, Pierre Neuenschwander and Shih-Feng Chou
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 9; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010009 - 27 Jan 2018
Cited by 110 | Viewed by 13233
Abstract
Wound healing is a complex tissue regeneration process that promotes the growth of new tissue to provide the body with the necessary barrier from the outside environment. In the class of non-healing wounds, diabetic wounds, and ulcers, dressing materials that are available clinically [...] Read more.
Wound healing is a complex tissue regeneration process that promotes the growth of new tissue to provide the body with the necessary barrier from the outside environment. In the class of non-healing wounds, diabetic wounds, and ulcers, dressing materials that are available clinically (e.g., gels and creams) have demonstrated only a slow improvement with current available technologies. Among all available current technologies, electrospun fibers exhibit several characteristics that may provide novel replacement dressing materials for the above-mentioned wounds. Therefore, in this review, we focus on recent achievements in electrospun drug-eluting fibers for wound healing applications. In particular, we review drug release, including small molecule drugs, proteins and peptides, and gene vectors from electrospun fibers with respect to wound healing. Furthermore, we provide an overview on multifunctional dressing materials based on electrospun fibers, including those that are capable of achieving wound debridement and wound healing simultaneously as well as multi-drugs loading/types suitable for various stages of the healing process. Our review provides important and sufficient information to inform the field in development of fiber-based dressing materials for clinical treatment of non-healing wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wound Healing Systems)
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16 pages, 10780 KiB  
Article
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Healthy and Diseased Human Gingiva Support Osteogenesis on Electrospun Polycaprolactone Scaffolds
by Catherine Jauregui, Suyog Yoganarasimha and Parthasarathy Madurantakam
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 8; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010008 - 23 Jan 2018
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6021
Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting almost half of the adult US population. Gingiva is an integral part of the periodontium and has recently been identified as a source of adult gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). Given the prevalence of periodontitis, the [...] Read more.
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting almost half of the adult US population. Gingiva is an integral part of the periodontium and has recently been identified as a source of adult gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). Given the prevalence of periodontitis, the purpose of this study is to evaluate differences between GMSCs derived from healthy and diseased gingival tissues and explore their potential in bone engineering. Primary clonal cell lines were established from harvested healthy and diseased gingival and characterized for expression of known stem-cell markers and multi-lineage differentiation potential. Finally, they were cultured on electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds and evaluated for attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. Flow cytometry demonstrated cells isolated from healthy and diseased gingiva met the criteria defining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, GMSCs from diseased tissue showed decreased colony-forming unit efficiency, decreased alkaline phosphatase activity, weaker osteoblast mineralization, and greater propensity to differentiate into adipocytes than their healthy counterparts. When cultured on electrospun PCL scaffolds, GMSCs from both sources showed robust attachment and proliferation over a 7-day period; they exhibited high mineralization as well as strong expression of alkaline phosphatase. Our results show preservation of ‘stemness’ and osteogenic potential of GMSC even in the presence of disease, opening up the possibility of using routinely discarded, diseased gingival tissue as an alternate source of adult MSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Tissue Engineering Scaffolds)
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16 pages, 2887 KiB  
Article
Bioengineering of rFVIIa Biopharmaceutical and Structure Characterization for Biosimilarity Assessment
by Othman Montacir, Houda Montacir, Murat Eravci, Andreas Springer, Stephan Hinderlich, Fereidoun Mahboudi, Amirhossein Saadati and Maria Kristina Parr
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 7; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010007 - 19 Jan 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7556
Abstract
Eptacog alfa (NovoSeven®) is a vitamin K-dependent recombinant Factor VIIa produced by genetic engineering from baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells as a single peptide chain of 406 residues. After activation, it consists of a light chain (LC) of 152 amino and [...] Read more.
Eptacog alfa (NovoSeven®) is a vitamin K-dependent recombinant Factor VIIa produced by genetic engineering from baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells as a single peptide chain of 406 residues. After activation, it consists of a light chain (LC) of 152 amino and a heavy chain (HC) of 254 amino acids. Recombinant FVIIa undergoes many post-translational modifications (PTMs). The first ten glutamic acids of the N-terminal moiety are γ-carboxylated, Asn145 and Asn322 are N-glycosylated, and Ser52 and Ser60 are O-glycosylated. A head-to-head biosimilarity study was conducted for the originator and the first biosimilar AryoSeven™ to evaluate comparable bioengineering. Physicochemical properties were analyzed based on mass spectrometry, including intact mass, PTMs and higher-order structure. Both biotherapeutics exhibit a batch-to-batch variability in their N-glycan profiles. N-Glycopeptide analysis with UHPLC-QTOF-MSE confirmed N-glycosylation sites as well as two different O-glycopeptide sites. Ser60 was found to be O-fucosylated and Ser52 had O-glucose or O-glucose-(xylose)1,2 motifs as glycan variants. Ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) and NMR spectroscopy data affirm close similarity of the higher-order structure of both biologicals. Potency of the biodrugs was analyzed by a coagulation assay demonstrating comparable bioactivity. Consequently, careful process optimization led to a stable production process of the biopharmaceuticals. Full article
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23 pages, 4528 KiB  
Article
Development of Self-Assembled Nanoribbon Bound Peptide-Polyaniline Composite Scaffolds and Their Interactions with Neural Cortical Cells
by Andrew M. Smith, Harrison T. Pajovich and Ipsita A. Banerjee
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 6; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010006 - 13 Jan 2018
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6545
Abstract
Degenerative neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries cause significant damage to quality of life and often impact survival. As a result, novel treatments are necessary that can allow for the regeneration of neural tissue. In this work, a new biomimetic scaffold was designed [...] Read more.
Degenerative neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries cause significant damage to quality of life and often impact survival. As a result, novel treatments are necessary that can allow for the regeneration of neural tissue. In this work, a new biomimetic scaffold was designed with potential for applications in neural tissue regeneration. To develop the scaffold, we first prepared a new bolaamphiphile that was capable of undergoing self-assembly into nanoribbons at pH 7. Those nanoribbons were then utilized as templates for conjugation with specific proteins known to play a critical role in neural tissue growth. The template (Ile-TMG-Ile) was prepared by conjugating tetramethyleneglutaric acid with isoleucine and the ability of the bolaamphiphile to self-assemble was probed at a pH range of 4 through 9. The nanoribbons formed under neutral conditions were then functionalized step-wise with the basement membrane protein laminin, the neurotropic factor artemin and Type IV collagen. The conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI) was then incorporated through electrostatic and π–π stacking interactions to the scaffold to impart electrical properties. Distinct morphology changes were observed upon conjugation with each layer, which was also accompanied by an increase in Young’s Modulus as well as surface roughness. The Young’s Modulus of the dried PANI-bound biocomposite scaffolds was found to be 5.5 GPa, indicating the mechanical strength of the scaffold. Thermal phase changes studied indicated broad endothermic peaks upon incorporation of the proteins which were diminished upon binding with PANI. The scaffolds also exhibited in vitro biodegradable behavior over a period of three weeks. Furthermore, we observed cell proliferation and short neurite outgrowths in the presence of rat neural cortical cells, confirming that the scaffolds may be applicable in neural tissue regeneration. The electrochemical properties of the scaffolds were also studied by generating I-V curves by conducting cyclic voltammetry. Thus, we have developed a new biomimetic composite scaffold that may have potential applications in neural tissue regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biocomposite Engineering and Bio-Applications)
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4 pages, 166 KiB  
Editorial
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Bioengineering in 2017
by Bioengineering Editorial Office
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 5; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010005 - 10 Jan 2018
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4057
Abstract
Peer review is an essential part in the publication process, ensuring that Bioengineering maintains high quality standards for its published papers[...] Full article
18 pages, 13120 KiB  
Article
Response of Fibroblasts MRC-5 to Flufenamic Acid-Grafted MCM-41 Nanoparticles
by Giovanna Gomes Lara, Marcelo Fernandes Cipreste, Gracielle Ferreira Andrade, Wellington Marcos da Silva and Edésia Martins Barros de Sousa
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 4; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010004 - 09 Jan 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6256
Abstract
Recently, flufenamic acid (FFA) was discovered among fenamates as a free radical scavenger and gap junction blocker; however, its effects have only been studied in cancer cells. Normal cells in the surroundings of a tumor also respond to radiation, although they are not [...] Read more.
Recently, flufenamic acid (FFA) was discovered among fenamates as a free radical scavenger and gap junction blocker; however, its effects have only been studied in cancer cells. Normal cells in the surroundings of a tumor also respond to radiation, although they are not hit by it directly. This phenomenon is known as the bystander effect, where response molecules pass from tumor cells to normal ones, through communication channels called gap junctions. The use of the enhanced permeability and retention effect, through which drug-loaded nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm may accumulate around a tumor, can prevent the local side effect upon controlled release of the drug. The present work, aimed at functionalizing MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) silica nanoparticles with FFA and determining its biocompatibility with human fibroblasts MRC-5 (Medical Research Council cell strain 5). MCM-41, was synthesized and characterized structurally and chemically, with multiple techniques. The biocompatibility assay was performed by Live/Dead technique, with calcein and propidium–iodide. MRC-5 cells were treated with FFA-grafted MCM-41 for 48 h, and 98% of cells remained viable, without signs of necrosis or morphological changes. The results show the feasibility of MCM-41 functionalization with FFA, and its potential protection of normal cells, in comparison to the role of FFA in cancerous ones. Full article
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16 pages, 3245 KiB  
Article
Chitosan–Cellulose Multifunctional Hydrogel Beads: Design, Characterization and Evaluation of Cytocompatibility with Breast Adenocarcinoma and Osteoblast Cells
by Poonam Trivedi, Tiina Saloranta-Simell, Uroš Maver, Lidija Gradišnik, Neeraj Prabhakar, Jan-Henrik Smått, Tamilselvan Mohan, Martin Gericke, Thomas Heinze and Pedro Fardim
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 3; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010003 - 09 Jan 2018
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 8987
Abstract
Cytocompatible polysaccharide-based functional scaffolds are potential extracellular matrix candidates for soft and hard tissue engineering. This paper describes a facile approach to design cytocompatible, non-toxic, and multifunctional chitosan-cellulose based hydrogel beads utilising polysaccharide dissolution in sodium hydroxide-urea-water solvent system and coagulation under three [...] Read more.
Cytocompatible polysaccharide-based functional scaffolds are potential extracellular matrix candidates for soft and hard tissue engineering. This paper describes a facile approach to design cytocompatible, non-toxic, and multifunctional chitosan-cellulose based hydrogel beads utilising polysaccharide dissolution in sodium hydroxide-urea-water solvent system and coagulation under three different acidic conditions, namely 2 M acetic acid, 2 M hydrochloric acid, and 2 M sulfuric acid. The effect of coagulating medium on the final chemical composition of the hydrogel beads is investigated by spectroscopic techniques (ATR–FTIR, Raman, NMR), and elemental analysis. The beads coagulated in 2 M acetic acid displayed an unchanged chitosan composition with free amino groups, while the beads coagulated in 2 M hydrochloric and sulfuric acid showed protonation of amino groups and ionic interaction with the counterions. The ultrastructural morphological study of lyophilized beads showed that increased chitosan content enhanced the porosity of the hydrogel beads. Furthermore, cytocompatibility evaluation of the hydrogel beads with human breast adenocarcinoma cells (soft tissue) showed that the beads coagulated in 2 M acetic acid are the most suitable for this type of cells in comparison to other coagulating systems. The acetic acid fabricated hydrogel beads also support osteoblast growth and adhesion over 192 h. Thus, in future, these hydrogel beads can be tested in the in vitro studies related to breast cancer and for bone regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biocomposite Engineering and Bio-Applications)
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3167 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in 3D Printing of Aliphatic Polyesters
by Ioana Chiulan, Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Călin Brandabur and Denis Mihaela Panaitescu
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 2; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010002 - 24 Dec 2017
Cited by 127 | Viewed by 12231
Abstract
3D printing represents a valuable alternative to traditional processing methods, clearly demonstrated by the promising results obtained in the manufacture of various products, such as scaffolds for regenerative medicine, artificial tissues and organs, electronics, components for the automotive industry, art objects and so [...] Read more.
3D printing represents a valuable alternative to traditional processing methods, clearly demonstrated by the promising results obtained in the manufacture of various products, such as scaffolds for regenerative medicine, artificial tissues and organs, electronics, components for the automotive industry, art objects and so on. This revolutionary technique showed unique capabilities for fabricating complex structures, with precisely controlled physical characteristics, facile tunable mechanical properties, biological functionality and easily customizable architecture. In this paper, we provide an overview of the main 3D-printing technologies currently employed in the case of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), two of the most important classes of thermoplastic aliphatic polyesters. Moreover, a short presentation of the main 3D-printing methods is briefly discussed. Both PLA and PHA, in the form of filaments or powder, proved to be suitable for the fabrication of artificial tissue or scaffolds for bone regeneration. The processability of PLA and PHB blends and composites fabricated through different 3D-printing techniques, their final characteristics and targeted applications in bioengineering are thoroughly reviewed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biocomposite Engineering and Bio-Applications)
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1685 KiB  
Article
Impact of Glycerol as Carbon Source onto Specific Sugar and Inducer Uptake Rates and Inclusion Body Productivity in E. coli BL21(DE3)
by Julian Kopp, Christoph Slouka, Sophia Ulonska, Julian Kager, Jens Fricke, Oliver Spadiut and Christoph Herwig
Bioengineering 2018, 5(1), 1; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bioengineering5010001 - 21 Dec 2017
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 10848
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterium E. coli is the host of choice for a multitude of used recombinant proteins. Generally, cultivation is easy, media are cheap, and a high product titer can be obtained. However, harsh induction procedures using isopropyl β-d-1 thiogalactopyranoside as [...] Read more.
The Gram-negative bacterium E. coli is the host of choice for a multitude of used recombinant proteins. Generally, cultivation is easy, media are cheap, and a high product titer can be obtained. However, harsh induction procedures using isopropyl β-d-1 thiogalactopyranoside as inducer are often referred to cause stress reactions, leading to a phenomenon known as “metabolic” or “product burden”. These high expressions of recombinant proteins mainly result in decreased growth rates and cell lysis at elevated induction times. Therefore, approaches tend to use “soft” or “tunable” induction with lactose and reduce the stress level of the production host. The usage of glucose as energy source in combination with lactose as induction reagent causes catabolite repression effects on lactose uptake kinetics and as a consequence reduced product titer. Glycerol—as an alternative carbon source—is already known to have positive impact on product formation when coupled with glucose and lactose in auto-induction systems, and has been referred to show no signs of repression when cultivated with lactose concomitantly. In recent research activities, the impact of different products on the lactose uptake using glucose as carbon source was highlighted, and a mechanistic model for glucose-lactose induction systems showed correlations between specific substrate uptake rate for glucose or glycerol (qs,C) and the maximum specific lactose uptake rate (qs,lac,max). In this study, we investigated the mechanistic of glycerol uptake when using the inducer lactose. We were able to show that a product-producing strain has significantly higher inducer uptake rates when being compared to a non-producer strain. Additionally, it was shown that glycerol has beneficial effects on viability of cells and on productivity of the recombinant protein compared to glucose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Modelling and Multi-Parametric Control of Bioprocesses)
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