Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilzira A. Minigalieva, Vladimir G. Panov, Vladimir B. Gurvich, Larisa Privalova, Svetlana Klinova, Boris A. Katsnelson
Summary: Our study investigates the subchronic toxicity of binary mixtures of nanoparticles and finds that their combined toxicity can be either additive or deviate from it depending on the outcome, dose ratio, and levels of effect. We also successfully apply a previously developed approach for assessing the combined toxicity of metal ions to characterize the toxicity of ternary mixtures of nanoparticles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Salim Ghannoum, Damiano Fantini, Muhammad Zahoor, Veronika Reiterer, Santosh Phuyal, Waldir Leoncio Netto, Oystein Sorensen, Arvind Iyer, Debarka Sengupta, Lina Prasmickaite, Gunhild Mari Maelandsmo, Alvaro Kohn-Luque, Hesso Farhan
Summary: We developed a mathematical model and found a positive correlation between tumor growth and cell migration speed and persistence.We also found that the loss of Giantin protein increases the invasiveness of cancer cells and correlates with poor survival in breast cancer patients.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zhoufeng Shi, Ye Lu, Ha Hong Bui, Linxin Hua, Daiheng Shen
Summary: This study proposes a methodology that combines experimental testing and numerical modeling to self-evaluate the crack development of conductive cementitious materials based on piezoresistivity. It enhances cube specimens with carbon black nanoparticles and subjects them to cyclic and uniaxial compression loads to evaluate their piezoresistivity behavior and analyze the crack sensing mechanism. A discrete element model (DEM) is utilized to extract crack development information and correlate it with resistivity variation in experiments for damage quantification. Acoustic emission is also utilized for the validation of resistivity-based crack monitoring. It is found that electrical resistivity rises at an early stage of the compression process, followed by an increasing rise before reaching peak strength, and then rapidly surges when the specimen loses its load-bearing capacity. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can monitor crack development of conductive cementitious materials and describe the damage accumulation more precisely. The study also shows that DEM is capable of capturing the failure mechanism of cementitious materials.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ires van der Zwaan, Goran Frenning
Summary: A new modelling approach is developed for the dissolution of polydisperse powders, which retains the underlying continuous particle-size distribution. Two different dependencies of the diffusion-layer thickness on particle size are considered. The modelling approach is validated and demonstrated to be useful in a practical context through comparison with literature data and experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Panagiotis Tsapekos, Merlin Alvarado-Morales, Irini Angelidaki
Summary: Competition between homoacetogenic bacteria and methanogenic archaea for H2 in biological biogas upgrading process reduces methane production capacities. This study investigated the effect of different feeding regimes on the competition and found that adapted inoculum can produce high methane yield without acetate accumulation, while non-adapted inoculum resulted in acetate accumulation. Thermodynamic analysis showed that hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis has lower permissive H2 partial pressures compared to homoacetogenesis. A kinetic model was developed to study the influence of variables on different pathways and the model efficiently describes the dynamics of compounds involved.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Hailong She, Xiaoyu Cui, Jianhua Weng, Hui Geng, Zhihao Chang
Summary: In this study, a multi-layer printed circuit board J-T cooler with parallel microchannels using Ar as the working fluid was fabricated and simulated at 2-8 MPa. The mathematical model developed showed good agreement with experimental results, providing insights into parameters such as cold end temperature and cooling capacity. Experimental results further indicated the potential for a 2.2 K decrease in cold end temperature when axial heat conduction is omitted.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biology
Benjamin J. Walker, Giulia L. Celora, Alain Goriely, Derek E. Moulton, Helen M. Byrne
Summary: Tumour spheroid growth is regulated by mechanical effects, which have been less studied compared to other factors. This tutorial presents a hierarchy of mathematical models to explore the role of mechanics in spheroid growth, starting from the theory of morphoelasticity and gradually refining the assumptions. By iterating upon simple models, the final model is shown to agree well with experimental results and provide mechanistic insight.
BULLETIN OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
I Musialek, Z. Kesy, A. Kesy, G. W. Kim, S. B. Choi
Summary: This paper presents a mathematical model of a combined hydraulic clutch and validates the model through experimental evaluation. The model, intended for analysis of different design solutions, is confirmed to be suitable for building clutches applicable to torque transmission systems based on bench testing results.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Wedad Albalawi, Kottakkaran Sooppy Nisar, Adnan Aslam, Muhammad Ozair, Takasar Hussain, Muhammad Shoaib, H. Y. Zahran
Summary: This study investigated the transmission of cholera infection through mathematical modelling. The contact number was calculated using the next generation matrix method to understand the spread and control of the infection in the population. Two types of constant solutions, infection free and infection present, were calculated, and the stability of both solutions was discussed. An optimal control problem was formulated to control the disease transmission, and control strategies were developed based on sensitivity analysis. Numerical results supported the analytical findings, concluding that pre-exposure vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of cholera.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isabelle Van Dyck, Nathalie Vanhoudt, Jordi Vives Batlle, Nele Horemans, Robin Nauts, Axel Van Gompel, Jurgen Claesen, Jaco Vangronsveld
Summary: Pollution of surface waters is a global issue, and phytoremediation using duckweed as a solution is under investigation. A growth model for duckweed was optimized and validated for potential application in remediation of contaminated water, with parameters such as temperature, light intensity, photoperiod, and nutrient concentrations being studied.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Mathematics
Lixing Zheng, Yiyan Zhang, Lifen Hao, Haojie Lian, Jianqiang Deng, Wei Lu
Summary: This paper provides a comprehensive review on CO2 ejectors, covering mathematical modeling, structural optimization, and flow visualization. It outlines the current state of the technology and provides recommendations for further research and development of CO2 ejectors.
Article
Mathematics
Ali Yurdun Orbak, Metin Kucuk, Mehmet Akansel, Shubham Sharma, Changhe Li, Raman Kumar, Sunpreet Singh, Gianpaolo Di Bona
Summary: This research examines the use of a six-sigma approach to optimize the logistics costs of a pipe manufacturing company. Two mathematical models are developed and implemented using Mathematical Programming Language (MPL) software to control and analyze the company's logistics. The results demonstrate that these models improve the company's logistics, particularly in the DMAIC cycle by providing flexibility in choosing suitable containers for logistics.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Janez Perko, Eric Laloy, Rafael Zarzuela, Ivo Couckuyt, Ramiro Garcia Navarro, Maria J. Mosquera
Summary: The effectiveness of sol-gel based treatments for concrete protection depends on their ability to penetrate the pores of the material. Optimizing the sol formulation to achieve maximum penetration depth is complex due to the varying influence of sol's physical properties with different concrete pore size distributions. This manuscript presents a combined computational and experimental approach to design impregnation products with optimized penetration depth on concrete with different pore structures. The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated through three cases, showing significant improvement in penetration compared to traditional methods.
CEMENT & CONCRETE COMPOSITES
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
C. Fanelli, V Cregan, F. Font, T. G. Myers
Summary: A mathematical model is generalized for growth of multiple nanocrystals, with comparisons showing good agreement among different approximation levels. The N particle model and analytical solution exhibit excellent fit with experimental data, providing insights into crystal growth processes and parameters. The analytical solution can be used to represent multi-stage growth processes and optimize crystal growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Rosalia Ferraro, Flora Ascione, Prashant Dogra, Vittorio Cristini, Stefano Guido, Sergio Caserta
Summary: This study presents an innovative methodology for the quantitative investigation of chemotaxis in vitro by live imaging the morphology of cell spheroids. The assay was performed in a 3D collagen gel with controlled nutrient gradients, mimicking natural chemotactic stimuli. The results show that tumor cell lines have a stronger response to chemical gradients compared to non-tumor cell lines.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannu Koistinen, Ruusu-Maaria Kovanen, Morley D. Hollenberg, Antoine Dufour, Evette S. Radisky, Ulf-Hakan Stenman, Jyotsna Batra, Judith Clements, John D. Hooper, Eleftherios Diamandis, Oliver Schilling, Antti Rannikko, Tuomas Mirtti
Summary: Since the proposition of the pro-invasive activity of proteolytic enzymes over 70 years ago, several roles for proteases in cancer progression have been established. About half of the 473 active human proteases are expressed in the prostate and many of the most well-characterized members of this enzyme family are regulated by androgens, hormones essential for development of prostate cancer. Most notably, several kallikrein-related peptidases, including KLK3 (prostate-specific antigen, PSA), the most well-known prostate cancer marker, and type II transmembrane serine proteases, such as TMPRSS2 and matriptase, have been extensively studied and found to promote prostate cancer progression. Recent findings also suggest a critical role for proteases in the development of advanced and aggressive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Perhaps the most intriguing evidence for this role comes from studies showing that the protease-activated transmembrane proteins, Notch and CDCP1, are associated with the development of CRPC.
Article
Biology
Gopikrishnan C. C. Remesan, Jennifer A. A. Flegg, Helen M. M. Byrne
Summary: In vitro experiments demonstrate the impact of mechanical interactions between tumour cells and the surrounding tissue in a gelatinous medium, as well as the local levels of diffusible nutrients, on tumour growth dynamics. A mathematical model is presented to describe these experiments, revealing the influence of mechanical deformations in the hydrogel on tumour growth. Variations in the hydrogel's mechanical properties affect the tumour's equilibrium size, with soft hydrogels favoring nutrient availability and larger tumour size, while stiff hydrogels can eliminate tumours due to increased mechanical resistance. The model analysis identifies parameter regimes in which the hydrogel contributes to tumour elimination.
JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Heyrim Cho, Allison L. Lewis, Kathleen M. Storey, Helen M. Byrne
Summary: This article investigates the inference of interaction types between two tumor cell lines using the Lotka-Volterra model. Three experimental designs are evaluated for identifiability and predictive power of the model. The study also highlights the need for caution when interpreting parameter estimates for the spatially-averaged Lotka-Volterra model calibrated against data from a spatially-resolved cellular automaton model.
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Giulia L. Celora, Helen M. Byrne, P. G. Kevrekidis
Summary: This study presents a mathematical model that describes the evolution of tumour heterogeneity in a tissue slice oxygenated by a single blood vessel. The model considers the phenotype of tumour cells, which determines their proliferative capacity, apoptosis propensity, and response to treatment. Numerical simulations reveal the multiple steady states of the system and the role of tissue oxygen levels in the efficacy of radiation protocols commonly used in the clinic.
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Agathe Bessot, Jennifer Gunter, David Waugh, Judith A. Clements, Dietmar W. Hutmacher, Jacqui McGovern, Nathalie Bock
Summary: Increasing evidence highlights the important role of bone marrow adipocytes in prostate cancer bone metastases. However, lack of relevant models has hindered the understanding of human BM-adipocyte effects in this microenvironment. This study combines tunable GelMA-based hydrogels with biomimetic culture of human cells to engineer human bone tumor microenvironments containing BM-adipocytes. In vitro culture of human osteoprogenitors, adipocytes, and PCa cells in GelMA hydrogels leads to the formation of mineralized, adipose, and PCa tumor 3D microtissues, respectively. The stiffness of hydrogels regulates osteoblast mineralization and tumor spheroid formation, while coculture with tumor cells induces morphological changes and delipidation in BM-adipocytes. The in vivo model successfully forms a humanized fatty bone microenvironment and demonstrates that adipocytes support early bone tumor growth. This advanced platform combines natural aspects of the microenvironment with tunable properties for bone tumor research.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Rahil Sachak-Patwa, Erin I. Lafferty, Claude J. Schmit, Robin N. Thompson, Helen M. Byrne
Summary: This article studies a hierarchy of ordinary differential equation models that describe the within-host viral kinetics of influenza infections, where the IR model explicitly accounts for an immune response to the virus, while the simpler TEIV and TV models do not. It is shown that the parameters values of the IR model can be determined when fitting it to experimental murine data considering the viral load, fraction of dead cells, and immune response levels. However, if only viral load data are available, we can estimate parameters of the TEIV and TV models but not the IR model. These results are supported by a structural and practical identifiability analysis. The study concludes that a simple target-cell limited model, such as the TV model, can reproduce influenza infection dynamics and distinguish between hosts with differing immune responses, if only viral load data are available.
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Keith L. Chambers, Mary R. Myerscough, Helen M. Byrne
Summary: Athersclerotic plaques are formed by lipid accumulation in artery walls, driven by chronic inflammatory response. The impact of blood LDL/HDL levels on plaque composition and lipid distribution in plaque macrophages remains unexplored. In this study, we develop a lipid-structured mathematical model to investigate this impact and find that plaque lipid content is sensitive to the influx of LDL relative to HDL capacity. The macrophage lipid distribution evolves in a wave-like manner towards an equilibrium profile, and lipid accumulation may severely impair macrophage uptake.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Leire Moya, Carina Walpole, Fiona Rae, Srilakshmi Srinivasan, Inge Seim, John Lai, David Nicol, Elizabeth D. Williams, Judith A. Clements, Jyotsna Batra
Summary: This study successfully established four cell lines derived from localized prostate cancer, including two benign and two malignant cell lines. The characteristics and molecular events of these cell lines could help in understanding the development and progression of cancer.
PROSTATE CANCER AND PROSTATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rodrigo Curvello, Verena Kast, Paloma Ordonez-Moran, Alvaro Mata, Daniela Loessner
Summary: Biology can be used to design materials and approaches for tumour tissue engineering, and biomaterials are necessary for rebuilding tissue organization, composition, and function. This review discusses bioengineering strategies that recreate the pathophysiology of tumour tissues to address questions in cancer research. Tissue engineering has produced innovative tools for cancer research.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tara Shabab, Onur Bas, Bronwin L. Dargaville, Akhilandeshwari Ravichandran, Phong A. Tran, Dietmar W. Hutmacher
Summary: This study combines melt-extrusion based 3D printing and porogen leaching to develop tunable multiphasic scaffolds for dental tissue regeneration. The scaffolds are highly adjustable in terms of mechanical properties, degradation kinetics, and surface morphology. The research also demonstrates improved cell attachment, proliferation, and extracellular matrix production on these multiscale scaffolds compared to single-scale counterparts, indicating their potential for enhanced tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the study explores the use of these scaffolds as drug delivery devices and shows that sustained drug release can be achieved. These findings strongly support further development of these scaffolds for dental tissue regeneration applications.
Review
Oncology
Fatemeh Davoudi, Afshin Moradi, Therese M. M. Becker, John G. G. Lock, Brian Abbey, Davide Fontanarosa, Annette Haworth, Judith Clements, Rupert C. C. Ecker, Jyotsna Batra
Summary: Prostate cancer is a commonly diagnosed malignant neoplasm and a leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. Personalized therapeutic strategies for this disease remain limited, but emerging biomarkers based on individual patient profiles and computer-assisted diagnostics have the potential to guide precision medicine. This review discusses screening methods, genetic aberrations, and phenotypic biomarkers for advanced prostate cancer, exploring their clinical implications in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment prediction. Prognostic and treatment predictive biomarker discovery can improve patient management and personalized treatment regimens.
CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Buddhi Herath, Markus Laubach, Sinduja Suresh, Beat Schmutz, J. Paige Little, Prasad K. D. V. Yarlagadda, Dietmar W. Hutmacher, Marie-Luise Wille
Summary: A modular design workflow was developed to facilitate the efficient design and manufacture of patient-specific scaffolds for scaffold-guided bone regeneration (SGBR). The workflow allows for semi-automatic filling of defect cavities, patient specificity, ideal surgical scaffold insertion, and generation of scaffolds based on various pore architectures. The real-time feedback from surgeons shortens the time required to finalize a patient-specific scaffold design.
VIRTUAL AND PHYSICAL PROTOTYPING
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Markus Laubach, Frank Hildebrand, Sinduja Suresh, Michael Wagels, Philipp Kobbe, Fabian Gilbert, Ulrich Kneser, Boris M. Holzapfel, Dietmar W. Hutmacher
Summary: The treatment of bone defects is a challenging clinical problem with high reintervention rates and significant healthcare costs. Three-dimensional printing has revolutionized the treatment of bone defects by enabling personalized therapies with highly porous 3D-printed implants. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, including the development of guidelines, clinical trial design, and financing support.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mairim Russo Serafini, Alexandra Mowat, Susanah Mustafa, Siamak Saifzadeh, Tara Shabab, Onur Bas, Nicholas O'Rourke, Dietmar W. Hutmacher, Flavia Medeiros Savi
Summary: This study evaluated the use of mPCL scaffolds loaded with PRP for hernia repair in sheep models, and found that the mPCL scaffolds enhanced soft tissue regeneration. After 6 months, the mPCL scaffolds showed similar mechanical properties, collagen, and vascular ingrowth compared to PP meshes. This pilot study supports the use of mPCL as a safe and effective biodegradable scaffold for hernia and vaginal prolapse repair.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Daria Stepanova, Helen M. Byrne, Philip K. Maini, Tomas Alarcon
Summary: Angiogenesis is a complex biological process involving the formation of new blood vessels by endothelial cells. Theoretical modeling has contributed to our understanding of this process, but current models based on the snail-trail hypothesis may not fully capture the role of cell mixing. This review focuses on the phenomenon of cell mixing during angiogenic sprouting and discusses its functional role in theoretical models.
WIRES MECHANISMS OF DISEASE
(2023)
