The New Frontiers of Artificial Organs Engineering

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Regenerative Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 19866

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, University Campus Biomedico of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: artificial organs; transport phenomena; biochemical reactors
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Guest Editor
Computer Systems and Bioinformatics Lab, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
Interests: AI; machine learning; deep neural networks
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research in the field of artificial organs and regenerative medicine is currently encouraging the flourishing production of promising results regarding the application of novel technologies to the development of artificial and bioartificial organs (kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, intestine, etc.). The introduction of novel materials, microfabrication technologies, and advanced computational methodologies is revealing novel biological mechanisms in cell and tissue behavior and opening new avenues in the development of artificial and bioartificial organs. These innovations hold promise for the treatment of several life-threatening diseases, and the clinical translational inspiration of research in this field is additionally stimulating to foster scientific discussion.

This Special Issue will focus on the recent developments of bioengineering sciences in the field of artificial and bioartificial organs (ABOs).

The journal will be accepting contributions (both original articles and reviews) mainly centered on the following topics:

  • Computational methods for ABOs;
  • Transport phenomena in ABOs;
  • Bioreactors for bioartificial organs;
  • Cell culture for bioartificial organs;
  • Microfabrication technologies for ABOs;
  • Membrane applications in ABOs.

Prof. Dr. Piemonte Vincenzo
Dr. Mario Merone
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Computational methods
  • Transport phenomena
  • Bioreactors
  • Membranes
  • Cell culture
  • Microfabrication

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3813 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Role of Desmoplastic Physical Stroma in Pancreatic Cancer Progression Using a Three-Dimensional Collagen Matrix Model
by Xiaoyu Song, Yuma Nihashi, Masamichi Yamamoto, Daiki Setoyama, Yuya Kunisaki and Yasuyuki S. Kida
Bioengineering 2023, 10(12), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10121437 - 18 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1849
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a refractory tumor with a poor prognosis, and its complex microenvironment is characterized by a fibrous interstitial matrix surrounding PDAC cells. Type I collagen is a major component of this interstitial matrix. Abundant type I collagen promotes its [...] Read more.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a refractory tumor with a poor prognosis, and its complex microenvironment is characterized by a fibrous interstitial matrix surrounding PDAC cells. Type I collagen is a major component of this interstitial matrix. Abundant type I collagen promotes its deposition and cross-linking to form a rigid and dense physical barrier, which limits drug penetration and immune cell infiltration and provides drug resistance and metabolic adaptations. In this study, to identify the physical effect of the stroma, type I collagen was used as a 3D matrix to culture Capan-1 cells and generate a 3D PDAC model. Using transcriptome analysis, a link between type I collagen-induced physical effects and the promotion of Capan-1 cell proliferation and migration was determined. Moreover, metabolomic analysis revealed that the physical effect caused a shift in metabolism toward a glycolytic phenotype. In particular, the high expression of proline in the metabolites suggests the ability to maintain Capan-1 cell proliferation under hypoxic and nutrient-depleted conditions. In conclusion, we identified type I collagen-induced physical effects in promoting Capan-1 cells, which cause PDAC progression, providing support for the role of dense stroma in the PDAC microenvironment and identifying a fundamental method for modeling the complex PDAC microenvironment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The New Frontiers of Artificial Organs Engineering)
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13 pages, 4412 KiB  
Article
Modeling and Validation of an Ultra-Compact Regenerative Liver Dialysis Device
by Tamara Boscarino, Leone Mazzeo, Franca Abbruzzese, Mario Merone and Vincenzo Piemonte
Bioengineering 2023, 10(6), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10060706 - 11 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1377
Abstract
The availability of a wearable artificial liver that facilitates extracorporeal dialysis outside of medical facilities would represent a significant advancement for patients requiring dialysis. The objective of this preliminary investigation is to explore, using validated mathematical models based on in vitro data, the [...] Read more.
The availability of a wearable artificial liver that facilitates extracorporeal dialysis outside of medical facilities would represent a significant advancement for patients requiring dialysis. The objective of this preliminary investigation is to explore, using validated mathematical models based on in vitro data, the feasibility of developing a novel, cost-effective, and highly compact extracorporeal liver support device that can be employed as a transitional therapy to transplantation outside of clinical settings. Such an innovation would offer substantial cost savings to the national healthcare system while significantly improving the patient’s quality of life. The experimental components consisted of replacing traditional adsorbent materials with albumin-functionalized silica microspheres due to their capacity to adsorb bilirubin, one of the toxins responsible for liver failure. Two configurations of the dialysis module were tested: one involved dispersing the adsorbent particles in dialysis fluid, while the other did not require dialysis fluid. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the first configuration compared to the second. Although the clinical applicability of these models remains distant from the current stage, further studies will focus on optimizing these models to develop a more compact and wearable device. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The New Frontiers of Artificial Organs Engineering)
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11 pages, 459 KiB  
Article
Blood Glucose Level Forecasting on Type-1-Diabetes Subjects during Physical Activity: A Comparative Analysis of Different Learning Techniques
by Benedetta De Paoli, Federico D’Antoni, Mario Merone, Silvia Pieralice, Vincenzo Piemonte and Paolo Pozzilli
Bioengineering 2021, 8(6), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering8060072 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3782
Abstract
Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a widespread chronic disease in industrialized countries. Preventing blood glucose levels from exceeding the euglycaemic range would reduce the incidence of diabetes-related complications and improve the quality of life of subjects with T1DM. As a consequence, [...] Read more.
Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a widespread chronic disease in industrialized countries. Preventing blood glucose levels from exceeding the euglycaemic range would reduce the incidence of diabetes-related complications and improve the quality of life of subjects with T1DM. As a consequence, in the last decade, many Machine Learning algorithms aiming to forecast future blood glucose levels have been proposed. Despite the excellent performance they obtained, the prediction of abrupt changes in blood glucose values produced during physical activity (PA) is still one of the main challenges. Methods: A Jump Neural Network was developed in order to overcome the issue of predicting blood glucose values during PA. Three learning configurations were developed and tested: offline training, online training, and online training with reinforcement. All configurations were tested on six subjects suffering from T1DM that held regular PA (three aerobic and three anaerobic) and exploited Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). Results: The forecasting performance was evaluated in terms of the Root-Mean-Squared-Error (RMSE), according to a paradigm of Precision Medicine. Conclusions: The online learning configurations performed better than the offline configuration in total days but not on the only CGM associated with the PA; thus, the results do not justify the increased computational burden because the improvement was not significant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The New Frontiers of Artificial Organs Engineering)
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Review

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26 pages, 1912 KiB  
Review
Control of Blood Coagulation by Hemocompatible Material Surfaces—A Review
by Janna Kuchinka, Christian Willems, Dmitry V. Telyshev and Thomas Groth
Bioengineering 2021, 8(12), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering8120215 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 7336
Abstract
Hemocompatibility of biomaterials in contact with the blood of patients is a prerequisite for the short- and long-term applications of medical devices such as cardiovascular stents, artificial heart valves, ventricular assist devices, catheters, blood linings and extracorporeal devices such as artificial kidneys (hemodialysis), [...] Read more.
Hemocompatibility of biomaterials in contact with the blood of patients is a prerequisite for the short- and long-term applications of medical devices such as cardiovascular stents, artificial heart valves, ventricular assist devices, catheters, blood linings and extracorporeal devices such as artificial kidneys (hemodialysis), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and cardiopulmonary bypass. Although lower blood compatibility of materials and devices can be handled with systemic anticoagulation, its side effects, such as an increased bleeding risk, make materials that have a better hemocompatibility highly desirable, particularly in long-term applications. This review provides a short overview on the basic mechanisms of blood coagulation including plasmatic coagulation and blood platelets, as well as the activation of the complement system. Furthermore, a survey on concepts for tailoring the blood response of biomaterials to improve the hemocompatibility of medical devices is given which covers different approaches that either inhibit interaction of material surfaces with blood components completely or control the response of the coagulation system, blood platelets and leukocytes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The New Frontiers of Artificial Organs Engineering)
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Other

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5 pages, 898 KiB  
Case Report
Success of Thrombectomy in Management of Ischemic Stroke in Two Patients with SynCardia Total Artificial Heart in Bridge-to-Transplantation
by Brendan Le Picault, Charles-Henri David, Pierre-Louis Alexandre, Cédric Lenoble, Philippe Bizouarn, Thierry Lepoivre, Nicolas Groleau, Bertrand Rozec, Hubert Desal, Jean-Christian Roussel and Thomas Sénage
Bioengineering 2021, 8(9), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering8090126 - 19 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3624
Abstract
Introduction: Circulatory assistance from a SynCardia Total Artificial Heart (SynCardia-TAH) is a reliable bridge-to-transplant solution for patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure. Ischemic strokes affect about 10% of patients with a SynCardia-TAH. We report for the first time in the literature two successful [...] Read more.
Introduction: Circulatory assistance from a SynCardia Total Artificial Heart (SynCardia-TAH) is a reliable bridge-to-transplant solution for patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure. Ischemic strokes affect about 10% of patients with a SynCardia-TAH. We report for the first time in the literature two successful thrombectomies to treat the acute phase of ischemic stroke in two patients treated with a SynCardia-TAH in the bridge-to-transplant (BTT). Case report: We follow two patients with circulatory support from a SynCardia-TAH in the bridge-to-transplant for terminal biventricular cardiac failure with ischemic stroke during the support period. An early in-hospital diagnosis enables the completion of a mechanical thrombectomy within the first 6 h of the onset of symptoms. There was no intracranial hemorrhagic complication during or after the procedure and the patients fully recovered from neurological deficits, allowing a successful heart transplant. Conclusion: This case report describes the possibility of treating ischemic strokes under a SynCardia-TAH by mechanical thrombectomy following the same recommendations as for the general population with excellent results and without any hemorrhagic complication during or after the procedure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The New Frontiers of Artificial Organs Engineering)
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