Combining Digital Image Correlation and Acoustic Emission for Monitoring of the Strain Distribution until Yielding during Compression of Bovine Cancellous Bone

In this work, the surface heterogeneity in mechanical compressive strain of cancellous bone was investigated with digital image correlation (DIC). Moreover, the onset and progression of failure was studied by acoustic emission (AE). Cubic cancellous bone specimens, with side of 15 mm, were obtained from bovine femur and kept frozen at −20°C until testing. Specimen strain was analyzed by measuring the change of distance between the platens (crosshead) and via an optical method, by following the strain evolution with a camera. Simultaneously, AE monitoring was performed. The experiments showed that compressive Young’s modulus determined by crosshead strain is underestimated at 23% in comparison to optically determined strain. However, surface strain fields defined by DIC displayed steep strain gradients, which can be attributed to cancellous bone porosity and inhomogeneity. The cumulative number of events for the total AE activity recorded from the sensors showed that the activity started at a mean load level of 36% of the maximum load and indicated the initiation of micro-cracking phenomena. Further experiments, determining 3D strain with μCT apart from surface strain, are necessary to clarify the issue of strain inhomogeneity in cancellous bone

Recent Advancements in 3D Printing and Bioprinting Methods for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

Recent decades have seen a plethora of regenerating new tissues in order to treat a multitude of cardiovascular diseases. Autografts, xenografts and bioengineered extracellular matrices have been employed in this endeavor. However, current limitations of xenografts and exogenous scaffolds to acquire sustainable cell viability, anti-inflammatory and non-cytotoxic effects with anti-thrombogenic properties underline the requirement for alternative bioengineered scaffolds. Herein, we sought to encompass the methods of biofabricated scaffolds via 3D printing and bioprinting, the biomaterials and bioinks recruited to create biomimicked tissues of cardiac valves and vascular networks. Experimental and computational designing approaches have also been included. Moreover, the in vivo applications of the latest studies on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases have been compiled and rigorously discussed

Real‐world complication burden and disease management paradigms in transfusion‐related β‐thalassaemia in Greece: Results from ULYSSES, an epidemiological, multicentre, retrospective cross‐sectional study

Abstract Patients with transfusion‐dependent beta (β)‐thalassaemia experience a broad range of complications. ULYSSES, an epidemiological, multicentre, retrospective cross‐sectional study, aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of treatment and disease complications, capture disease management and identify predictors of complications in patients with transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassaemia, treated in routine settings in Greece. Eligible patients were adults diagnosed with β‐thalassaemia ≥12 months before enrolment and having received ≥6 red blood cell (RBC) units (excluding elective surgery) with no transfusion‐free period ≥35 days in the 24 weeks before enrolment. Primary data were collected at a single visit and through chart review. Between Oct 21, 2019, and Jun 15, 2020, 201 eligible patients [median (interquartile range, IQR) age 45.7 (40.2–50.5) years; 75.6% > 40 years old; 64.2% female] were enrolled, a mean (standard deviation) of 42.9 (7.8) years after diagnosis. Median (IQR) age at diagnosis and RBC transfusion initiation were 0.8 (0.4–2.8) and 1.3 (1.0–5.0) years, respectively. From diagnosis to enrolment, patients had developed a median of six (range: 1–55) complications; 19.6% were grade ≥3. The most represented complications were endocrine/metabolic/nutrition disorders (91.5%), surgical/medical procedures (67.7%) and blood/lymphatic system disorders (64.7%). Real‐world data generated by ULYSSES underscore the substantial complication burden of transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassaemia patients, routinely managed in Greece