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Topic Review
Pine wilt disease
Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a major quarantine disease that causes the devastating death of Pinus species due to the pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Bührer) Nickle. Because of its rapid onset and spread in addition to the resulting high mortality, this disease is very difficult to control.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Post-Stroke Movement with Motion Capture and Musculoskeletal Modeling
Research of post-stroke locomotion via musculoskeletal (MSK) modeling has offered an unprecedented insight into pathological muscle function and its interplay with skeletal geometry and external stimuli. Advances in solving the dynamical system of post-stroke effort and the generic MSK models used have triggered noticeable improvements in simulating muscle activation dynamics of stroke populations.
  • 1.2K
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Ultrasound-Responsive Nanocarriers for Breast Cancer Chemotherapy
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and is treated with surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these regimens. Despite its ample use, chemotherapy has limitations such as bioavailability, adverse side effects, high-dose requirements, low therapeutic indices, multiple drug resistance development, and non-specific targeting. Drug delivery vehicles or carriers, of which nanocarriers are prominent, have been introduced to overcome chemotherapy limitations. Nanocarriers have been preferentially used in breast cancer chemotherapy because of their role in protecting therapeutic agents from degradation, enabling efficient drug concentration in target cells or tissues, overcoming drug resistance, and their relatively small size. However, nanocarriers are affected by physiological barriers, bioavailability of transported drugs, and other factors. To resolve these issues, the use of external stimuli has been introduced, such as ultrasound, infrared light, thermal stimulation, microwaves, and X-rays. Recently, ultrasound-responsive nanocarriers have become popular because they are cost-effective, non-invasive, specific, tissue-penetrating, and deliver high drug concentrations to their target.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Swallow Detection with Acoustics and Accelerometric-Based Wearable Technology
Swallowing disorders, especially dysphagia, might lead to malnutrition and dehydration and could potentially lead to fatal aspiration. Benchmark swallowing assessments, such as videofluoroscopy or endoscopy, are expensive and invasive. Wearable technologies using acoustics and accelerometric sensors could offer opportunities for accessible and home-based long-term assessment. Identifying valid swallow events is the first step before enabling the technology for clinical applications. 
  • 1.2K
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Smartphone-Enabled Personalized Diagnostics
Smartphones are increasingly versatile thanks to the wide variety of sensor and actuator systems packed in them. Mobile devices today go well beyond their original purpose as communication devices, and this enables important new applications, ranging from augmented reality to the Internet of Things. Personalized diagnostics is one of the areas where mobile devices can have the greatest impact.
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Jun 2021
Topic Review
3D Bioprinting Skin and Melanoma Models
Melanoma is a potentially fatal cancer with rising incidence, associated with enhanced sun exposure and ultraviolet radiation. Its incidence is highest in people of European descent and the ageing population. Although survival has improved due to advances in targeted and immunotherapies, new understanding of melanoma biology and disease progression is vital to improving clinical outcomes. Efforts to develop three-dimensional human skin equivalent models using biofabrication techniques, such as bioprinting, promise to deliver a better understanding of the complexity of melanoma and associated risk factors. These 3D skin models can be used as a platform for patient specific models and testing therapeutics.
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Critical MIM + SH Processing Parameters
Metal injection molding (MIM) combined with the use of a space holder (SH) is a very attractive route for the fabrication of highly porous titanium and titanium alloy components for biomedical applications. This approach allows fine control of the morphology, architecture, and purity of very complex net-shaped components.
  • 1.2K
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
Lung Cancer: Genotype Prediction in Computer-Aided Decision Systems
Genotype studies are the fundamental keys in the development of personalized medicine in lung cancer and they enable the progress of targeted therapies. Furthermore, gene analysis allows to identify biomarkers that can be used for early cancer detection, predict the prognosis and the response to the treatment plans, and monitor disease progression.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Electrochemical Enzyme-based Biosensors
Electrochemical enzyme-based biosensors are analytical devices composed of a bio-recognition material and a transducer.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 May 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Displacement Micropump with Check Valves for Diabetes Care—The Challenge of Pumping Insulin at Negative Pressure
The displacement micropump with passive check valves is an attractive solution for precise insulin infusion in patients with type I diabetes. Unlike most insulin pumps that push insulin from a cartridge using a piston, a displacement micropump will first pull insulin from the reservoir before infusing it into the patient. This dual sequence introduces new challenges in terms of insulin stability, notably if the reservoir is not pressurized. After an introduction to displacement micropumps and a brief review of the insulin degradation mechanism, micropump design rules are discussed in light of microfluidic theory.
  • 1.2K
  • 14 May 2024
Topic Review
Organ-on-Chip Models for Mimicking Joint Microenvironment
Osteoarthritis (OA) remains a prevalent disease affecting more than 20% of the global population, resulting in morbidity and lower quality of life for patients. The study of OA pathophysiology remains predominantly in animal models due to the complexities of mimicking the physiological environment surrounding the joint tissue. Development in microfluidic organ-on-chip (OoC) systems have demonstrated various techniques to mimic and modulate tissue physiological environments. Adaptations of these techniques have demonstrated success in capturing a joint tissue’s tissue physiology for studying the mechanism of OA. 
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Connectivity Analysis in EEG Data
Despite high-spatial-resolution imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) being widely used to map this complex network of multiple interactions, electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings claim high temporal resolution and are thus perfectly suitable to describe either spatially distributed and temporally dynamic patterns of neural activation and connectivity.
  • 1.2K
  • 30 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells by Microfluidic Devices
During metastasis, cancer cells detach from the primary tumor and intrude apart into tissues in the bloodstream. To detect and isolate CTCs (circulating tumor cells), various techniques including centrifugation, magnetic separation, microchips, filtration, micro/nano substrates and biomarkers have been used. With the widespread adoption of microfluidic techniques, a large number of researchers have worked hard to develop more efficient and reliable CTC separation technologies ranging from immunomagnetic beads to size-based microfluidic devices. Currently, the major commercialised products for CTC separation techniques include the CellSearch system, which uses immunomagnetic beads, and the CelarCellFX1 system, which uses size-dependent isolation. The methods for isolating CTCs are mostly based on biological qualities of the tumor cells, such as specific antigen expression and receptor, or physical properties of the tumor cells, such as size and deformability. Inertial focusing, acoustics, microfluidic filters, optics and dielectrophoresis are some of the size and deformability-based approaches.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Tremor Suppression Devices
Tremors are the most prevalent movement disorder that interferes with the patient’s daily living, and physical activities, ultimately leading to a reduced quality of life. Due to the pathophysiology of tremor, developing effective pharmacotherapies, which are only suboptimal in the management of tremor, has many challenges. Thus, a range of therapies are necessary in managing this progressive, aging-associated disorder. Surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation are able to provide durable tremor control. However, due to high costs, patient and practitioner preference, and perceived high risks, their utilization is minimized. Medical devices are placed in a unique position to bridge this gap between lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapies, and surgical treatments to provide safe and effective tremor suppression.
  • 1.2K
  • 19 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Biocidal Action of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour and Mechanism
Disinfection is described as a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects, with the exception of bacterial endospores. Disinfection is usually carried out by chemical or physical means. Among other settings, disinfection is of utmost importance in hospital environments due to pathogens living on hospital surfaces being the direct cause for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). However, the presence of a wide range of pathogens and biofilms, combined with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, presents infection control teams in healthcare facilities with ongoing challenges in the selection of biocides and application methods. This necessitates the development of biocides and innovative disinfection methods that overcome the shortcomings of conventional methods. The use of hydrogen peroxide vapour to be a superior alternative to conventional methods. Hydrogen peroxide vapour to be very close to an ideal disinfectant due to its proven efficacy against a wide range of microorganisms, safety to use, lack of toxicity concerns and good material compatibility.
  • 1.2K
  • 14 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Design Parameters of Power Amplifiers for Ultrasound Applications
A design analysis of the power amplifiers developed for ultrasound applications was conducted because ultrasound applications require different types of power amplifiers, which are one of the most critical electronic components in ultrasound systems. To generate acoustic signals using transducers, which are among the most important mechanical devices in ultrasound systems, an appropriate output voltage, current, or power signal must be produced by a power amplifier.
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Drowning Behaviour and Signs
Drowning poses a significant threat, resulting in unexpected injuries and fatalities. To promote water sports activities, it is crucial to develop surveillance systems that enhance safety around pools and waterways. 
  • 1.2K
  • 18 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Protein Engineering of Multiheme Cytochromes
Electrogenic microorganisms possess unique redox biological features, being capable of performing Extracellular Electron Transfer (EET) and converting highly toxic compounds into nonhazardous forms. These microorganisms have led to the development of Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs), which include applications in the fields of bioremediation and bioenergy production. Geobacter bacteria have served as a model for understanding the mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of EET, which is highly dependent on a multitude of multiheme cytochromes (MCs). MCs are, therefore, logical targets for rational protein engineering to improve the EET rates of these bacteria. In this Review, the main characteristics of electroactive Geobacter bacteria, their potential to develop METs and the main features of MCs are initially highlighted. This is followed by a detailed description of the current methodologies that assist the characterization of the functional redox networks in MCs. Finally, it is discussed how this information can be explored to design optimal Geobacter-mutated strains with improved capabilities in METs.
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Olfactory Optogenetics
The mammalian olfactory system has an amazing ability to distinguish thousands of odorant molecules at the trace level. Scientists have made great achievements on revealing the olfactory sensing mechanisms in decades; even though many issues need addressing. Optogenetics provides a novel technical approach to solve this dilemma by utilizing light to illuminate specific part of the olfactory system; which can be used in all corners of the olfactory system for revealing the olfactory mechanism. 
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Biological and Physiological Role of Oxidative Stress
Antioxidants are a class of molecules with an innate affinity to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been associated with a wide range of diseases mediated by physiological damage to the cells.
  • 1.2K
  • 06 Jan 2022
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