Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Will Zhang, Javiera Jilberto, Gerhard Sommer, Michael S. Sacks, Gerhard A. Holzapfel, David A. Nordsletten
Summary: Biomechanics is important in diagnosing and treating heart conditions. Computational models can provide personalized treatment options but require accurate constitutive equations for biomechanical behavior prediction. A fractional viscoelastic modeling approach that accurately captures the viscoelastic response of the human myocardium was previously developed. This approach has comparable computational costs and only requires two additional material parameters. In this study, the implementation of this approach in Finite Element Analysis was presented, numerical properties were examined, and the physiological implications were explored.
COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Junaid Afzal, Yamin Liu, Wenqiang Du, Yasir Suhail, Pengyu Zong, Jianlin Feng, Visar Ajeti, Wasim A. Sayyad, Joerg Nikolaus, Maya Yankova, Alix C. Deymier, Lixia Yue, Kshitiz
Summary: Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have great potential in clinical models of cardiac pathologies, precision medicine, and drug screening. This study presents a method to accelerate the maturation of hiPSC-CMs on a cardiac mimetic matrix (CMM), resulting in rapid maturation within 30 days and exhibiting adult heart characteristics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shunsuke Funakoshi, Ian Fernandes, Olya Mastikhina, Dan Wilkinson, Thinh Tran, Wahiba Dhahri, Amine Mazine, Donghe Yang, Benjamin Burnett, Jeehoon Lee, Stephanie Protze, Gary D. Bader, Sara S. Nunes, Michael Laflamme, Gordon Keller
Summary: The study established a differentiation strategy for generating structurally, metabolically, and functionally mature compact ventricular cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells. These cardiomyocytes exhibited metabolic changes indicative of heart failure when challenged with pathological stimuli.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
V Dzanic, C. S. From, E. Sauret
Summary: This study demonstrates that double-periodic boundary conditions commonly used in numerical simulations of elastic turbulence can yield significantly incorrect results if not properly handled. Simulating elastic turbulence using the four-roll mill benchmark at different levels of periodicity reveals distinct characteristics in the behavior of the flow.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Bradley M. Palmer, Stephen P. Bell
Summary: The reductionist approach has been valuable in understanding muscle function at the molecular level, but intact excitable muscle preparations still play a crucial role as experimental model systems. This article presents methods for preparing cardiac papillary muscle and cardiac slices, which serve as macroscopic experimental models with fully intact intercellular and intracellular structures. These model systems have proven to be especially useful for testing the functional effects of protein mutations and pharmaceutical candidates. The article provides solutions recipes for dissection and recording, as well as instructions for removing and preparing the cardiac papillary muscles and cardiac slices. These instructions are suitable for novice experimentalists and can also serve as a refresher for experienced muscle physiologists.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Mark L. Watson, Darren L. Brown, Alexander B. Stilgoe, Jennifer L. Stow, Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
Summary: Studying the mechanical properties of living cells has provided insights into the biological functions of macropinocytosis. This study used a high-resolution rotational geometry to trap and monitor a photonic probe within a macropinosome in vivo, enabling successful measurement of shear viscosity. It lays the foundation for dynamic mechanobiological studies of intracellular vesicles.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Angela Perez-Benito, Carla Huerta-Lopez, Jorge Alegre-Cebollada, Jose Manuel Garcia-Aznar, Silvia Hervas-Raluy
Summary: Protein-based hydrogels are extensively studied in biomaterials research due to their ability to mimic living tissues and the extracellular matrix. However, methods for controlling their mechanical properties are limited, mainly focusing on elasticity and often with unrealistic characterization. This study develops a computational model to characterize the mechanical behavior of two protein-based hydrogels and compares it with experimental results. The model utilizes the Finite Element Method, combining hyperelastic and viscoelastic models, and the first order Ogden model with a viscoelastic model defined in Prony parameters performs the best in reproducing the observed strain-stress response and stiffness change.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yun Chang, Ya-nan Li, Rui Bai, Fujian Wu, Shuhong Ma, Amina Saleem, Siyao Zhang, Youxu Jiang, Tao Dong, Tianwei Guo, Chengwen Hang, Wen-jing Lu, Hongfeng Jiang, Feng Lan
Summary: This study established an hERG-deficient human cardiomyocyte model that exhibited QT prolongation, irregular rhythm, and sensitivity to other ion channel blockers. This model serves as a valuable tool to aid in understanding the fundamental impact of hERG dysfunction, elucidate the genotype-phenotype relationship of hERG deficiency, and facilitate drug development.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karolina Kuenzel, Stephan R. Kuenzel, Kaomei Guan
Summary: The combination of hiPSC and organoid technology allows the generation of 3D human culture systems, providing a means to model human tissue-like structures in vitro. This protocol provides detailed instructions to efficiently generate and characterize self-assembling 3D cardiac organoids using hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Cardiac organoids can serve as 3D-based assay systems with various applications in pharmacological and toxicological research, offering an alternative to animal experiments.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Martyna Ekiert, Krzysztof A. Tomaszewski, Andrzej Mlyniec
Summary: The divisible structure of the Achilles tendon along with diverse material properties of its subtendons are suspected to cause non-homogeneous stress and strain distribution. This study is the first ex vivo investigation on individual subtendons of human Achilles tendon, demonstrating muscle-dependent differences in viscoelastic properties. Different constitutive models were calibrated based on experimental results for further application in modeling human AT subtendons.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Hojeong Kim
Summary: This study used fNIRS to monitor cortical activity during wrist muscle movements and found a correlation between changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration and force intensity. The results suggest that fNIRS can be used to monitor cortical activity related to low-level motor control, such as muscle contractions.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
LinXi Cheng, MingHui Xie, WeiHua Qiao, Yu Song, YanYong Zhang, YingChao Geng, WeiLin Xu, Lin Wang, Zheng Wang, Kai Huang, NianGuo Dong, YuHua Sun
Summary: This study describes a two-step chemically defined xeno-free method for generating valve endothelial-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells. The derived valvular cells exhibit superior proliferative and clonogenic potential, and could be used as seed cells for construction of valve organoids or next generation tissue engineered heart valves.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kenji Miki, Kohei Deguchi, Misato Nakanishi-Koakutsu, Antonio Lucena-Cacace, Shigeru Kondo, Yuya Fujiwara, Takeshi Hatani, Masako Sasaki, Yuki Naka, Chikako Okubo, Megumi Narita, Ikue Takei, Stephanie C. Napier, Tsukasa Sugo, Sachiko Imaichi, Taku Monjo, Tatsuya Ando, Norihisa Tamura, Kenichi Imahashi, Tomoyuki Nishimoto, Yoshinori Yoshida
Summary: The study reveals that an estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERR gamma) agonist and an S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 inhibitor enhance the maturation of cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by promoting larger cell size, longer sarcomere length, the presence of transverse tubules, and improved metabolic, contractile, and electrical properties.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Beatrice Xuan Ho, Jeremy Kah Sheng Pang, Ying Chen, Yuin-Han Loh, Omer An, Henry He Yang, Veerabrahma Pratap Seshachalam, Judice L. Y. Koh, Woon-Khiong Chan, Shi Yan Ng, Boon Seng Soh
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of a specific number of cardiac progenitor cells in the formation of chambered cardiac organoids. Transcriptomic analysis and functional characterization reveal improved maturation and phenotypic similarities to clinical cardiac hypertrophy over time. These findings provide important insights into the generation of cardiac organoids and their potential applications in disease modelling and drug screening.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Dylan Mostert, Bart Groenen, Leda Klouda, Robert Passier, Marie-Jose Goumans, Nicholas A. A. Kurniawan, Carlijn V. C. Bouten
Summary: In this study, the effect of ECM (dis)organization and cyclic strain on cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts (cFBs) was investigated in a two-dimensional human in vitro co-culture model of the myocardial microenvironment. The results showed that ECM protein patterning can guide cell orientation, and cFBs exhibit strain avoidance. However, cardiomyocytes only show strain avoidance when co-cultured with at least 30% cFBs via active remodeling of their sarcomeres.
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biology
Savannah F. Bifulco, Griffin D. Scott, Sakher Sarairah, Zeinab Birjandian, Caroline H. Roney, Steven A. Niederer, Christian Mahnkopf, Peter Kuhnlein, Marcel Mitlacher, David Tirschwell, W. T. Longstreth, Nazem Akoum, Patrick M. Boyle
Summary: Using computational modeling, researchers found that despite the presence of potentially arrhythmogenic fibrosis in ESUS patients, the intrinsic properties of fibrosis in ESUS and AFib are indistinguishable, suggesting that some ESUS patients may have latent pre-clinical fibrotic substrate that could be a future source of arrhythmogenicity. This indicates that ESUS patients with fibrotic atria may be spared from AFib due to a lack of arrhythmia triggers.
Article
Biology
Cristobal Rodero, Marina Strocchi, Angela W. C. Lee, Christopher A. Rinaldi, Edward J. Vigmond, Gernot Plank, Pablo Lamata, Steven A. Niederer
Summary: Lead position plays a crucial role in the response to CRT in patients with HF, and MPP improves potential outcomes. By evaluating different pacing configurations, it was found that a single optimal lead design can achieve near-optimal results for most patients.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Alex Lewalle, Kenneth S. Campbell, Stuart G. Campbell, Gregory N. Milburn, Steven A. Niederer
Summary: Myofilaments and associated proteins form sarcomeres, which are responsible for muscle contraction. Skinned muscle preparations have been instrumental in understanding the contractile mechanisms of skeletal and cardiac muscle. However, there are inherent differences between skinned and intact muscle that pose challenges for experimentalists.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Damiano Fassina, Caroline M. Costa, Stefano Longobardi, Elias Karabelas, Gernot Plank, Sian E. Harding, Steven A. Niederer
Summary: This study developed a modeling framework to examine the electrical interaction between engineered heart tissue patches (EHT) and the host myocardium. The results showed that modifying the conductivity of the EHT can restore physiological activation but may increase the risk of arrhythmia. Additionally, adjusting the action potential and I-K1 of hiPSC-CMs may restore pre-infarction activation without promoting arrhythmia.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yingjing Feng, Caroline H. Roney, Jason D. Bayer, Steven A. Niederer, Meleze Hocini, Edward J. Vigmond
Summary: This study demonstrates that non-invasive electrical recordings can be used to predict susceptibility to atrial fibrillation and guide treatment, as well as detect focal sources and the sustainability of atrial fibrillation.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Stefano Longobardi, Anna Sher, Steven A. Niederer
Summary: This research reveals the complexity of the impact of sarcomere property changes on whole-heart function using a multiscale mathematical model. Changes in the F-pCa curve are not able to accurately predict changes in cardiac function.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Fernando O. Campos, Aurel Neic, Caroline Mendonca Costa, John Whitaker, Mark O'Neill, Reza Razavi, Christopher A. Rinaldi, DanielScherr, Steven A. Niederer, Gernot Plank, Martin J. Bishop
Summary: Catheter ablation is currently the only curative treatment for scar-related ventricular tachycardias (VTs). However, the long duration, high risk, and low success rates of ablation procedures pose limitations. In this study, researchers developed a novel computational approach called VITA, which can rapidly induce VT and identify ablation targets. VITA was tested on virtual models and demonstrated the ability to detect scar-related VTs and compute ablation targets in a much shorter time compared to traditional simulations.
MEDICAL IMAGE ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Elias Karabelas, Stefano Longobardi, Jana Fuchsberger, Orod Razeghi, Cristobal Rodero, Marina Strocchi, Ronak Rajani, Gundolf Haase, Gernot Plank, Steven Niederer
Summary: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used for designing artificial valves and planning procedures, but assessing overall cardiovascular function or predicting long-term outcomes requires comprehensive models. We created a validated patient-specific CFD model and used surrogate models for sensitivity analysis, finding preload to be the main driver of flow in the heart.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hao Xu, Steven E. Williams, Michelle C. Williams, David E. Newby, Jonathan Taylor, Radhouene Neji, Karl P. Kunze, Steven A. Niederer, Alistair A. Young
Summary: This study aims to develop a deep learning neural network for the estimation of 3D left atrial shape, volume, and surface area from two-chamber and four-chamber views. The network achieved excellent 3D shape reconstruction and showed higher accuracy and robustness compared to the bi-plane area-length method for both volume and surface area estimation.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2023)
Article
Biology
Argyrios Petras, Matthias A. F. Gsell, Christoph M. Augustin, Jairo Rodriguez-Padilla, Alexander Jung, Marina Strocchi, Frits W. Prinzen, Steven A. Niederer, Gernot Plank, Edward J. Vigmond
Summary: Mechanoelectric feedback (MEF) in the heart operates through various mechanisms to regulate cardiac function, including the stretch activated channels (SACs) and tension dependence. SACs do not significantly affect mechanical response, while tension and shortening velocity have a bigger impact on stroke volume. MEF reduces heterogeneity in stretch and could potentially mitigate activation problems.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Luuk H. G. A. Hopman, Irene M. Frenaij, Jose A. Solis-Lemus, Sulayman el Mathari, Steven A. Niederer, Cornelis P. Allaart, Marco J. W. Goette
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Nadeev Wijesuriya, Felicity De Vere, Vishal Mehta, Steven Niederer, Christopher A. Rinaldi, Jonathan M. Behar
Summary: Leadless pacing is a rapidly growing field that aims to provide long-term transvenous lead-free pacing for patients who require pacing. It shows potential benefits in special populations and may become a first-line therapy in the future.
ARRHYTHMIA & ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Vishal S. Mehta, Nadeev Wijesuriya, Felicity DeVere, Sandra Howell, Mark K. Elliott, Nilanka Mannakarra, Tatiana Hamakarim, Steven Niederer, Reza Razavi, Christopher A. Rinaldi
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sex on long-term survival in patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE). The results showed that female patients had more favorable long-term outcomes and similar factors influenced mortality in both groups.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Matthew O'Connor, Umberto Barbero, Daniel B. Kramer, Angela Lee, Alina Hua, Tevfik Ismail, Karen P. Mccarthy, Steven Niederer, Christopher A. Rinaldi, Vias Markides, John-Ross D. Clarke, Sonya Babu-Narayan, Siew Yen Ho, Tom Wong
Summary: This study evaluated the anatomy of the right atrium and the adjacent structures to identify the optimal and safest location for implanting an atrial leadless pacemaker. Three potential locations were identified: the base of the right atrial appendage, the anteromedial recess of the right atrial appendage apex, and the right atrial lateral wall. Based on anatomical review and 3D modeling, the base of the right atrial appendage appears to be the best compromise for implantation.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mark K. Elliott, Peggy Jacon, Baldeep Singh Sidhu, Lucy Jarrett Smith, Vishal S. Mehta, Justin Gould, Angela W. C. Lee, Steven Niederer, Pascal Defaye, Christopher A. Rinaldi
Summary: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is a novel form of conduction system pacing that can reverse left bundle branch block and deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The technical feasibility of delivering leadtess LBBAP using the WiSE-CRT system has been demonstrated, showing promise as an alternative for patients with venous access issues or recurrent lead complications. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of leadless LBBAP.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CASE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andrew B. Harvey, Renelyn A. Woltes, Raymond N. Deepe, Hannah G. Tarolli, Jenna R. Drummond, Allison Trouten, Auva Zandi, Jeremy L. Barth, Rupak Mukherjee, Martin J. Romeo, Silvia G. Vaena, Ge Tao, Robin Muise-Helmericks, Paula S. Ramos, Russell A. Norris, Andy Wessels
Summary: This study highlights the importance of SOX9 in the regulation of epicardial cell invasion and emphasizes the role of EPDCs in regulating atrioventricular valve development and homeostasis. It also reports a novel expression profile of Cd109, a gene with previously unknown relevance in heart development.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
MariaSanta C. Mangione, Jinhua Wen, Dian J. Cao
Summary: mTOR, a mechanistic target of rapamycin, is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that plays a fundamental role in nutrient sensing, growth, metabolism, lifespan, and aging. Recent studies have highlighted the regulatory role of mTOR in innate immune responses and its involvement in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, especially in acute inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This review also discusses mTOR's role in trained immunity, immune senescence, and clonal hematopoiesis, as well as its architecture and regulatory complexes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Junlin Li, Yajun Gong, Yiren Wang, Huihui Huang, Huan Du, Lianying Cheng, Cui Ma, Yongxiang Cai, Hukui Han, Jianhong Tao, Gang Li, Panke Cheng
Summary: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is closely related to the final infarct size in acute myocardial infarction. Regulatory T cells play an important role in the inflammatory response after AMI, but different subtypes of Tregs have different effects on the injury.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yuxin Chu, Yutao Hua, Lihao He, Jin He, Yunxi Chen, Jing Yang, Ismail Mahmoud, Fanfang Zeng, Xiaochang Zeng, Gloria A. Benavides, Victor M. Darley-Usmar, Martin E. Young, Scott W. Ballinger, Sumanth D. Prabhu, Cheng Zhang, Min Xie
Summary: This study demonstrates that administering beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) at the time of reperfusion can reduce infarct size and preserve cardiac function by activating autophagy and preserving mitochondrial homeostasis, potentially through mTOR inhibition.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
