Construction of A Prediction Model for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure

Dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)is a common myocardial disease characterized by enlargement of the heart cavity and decreased systolic function,often leading to heart failure(HF)and arrhythmia.The occurrence of atrial fibrillation(AF)is closely related to the progression and prognosis of the disease.In recent years,with the advancement of medical imaging and biomarkers,models for predicting the occurrence of AF in DCM patients have gradually become a research hotspot.This article aims to review the current situation of AF in DCM patients and explore the importance and possible methods of constructing predictive models to provide reference for clinical prevention and treatment.We comprehensively analyzed the risk factors for AF in DCM patients from epidemiological data,pathophysiological mechanisms,clinical and laboratory indicators,electrocardiogram and imaging parameters,and biomarkers,and evaluated the effectiveness of existing predictive models.Through analysis of existing literature and research,this article proposes a predictive model that integrates multiple parameters to improve the accuracy of predicting AF in DCM patients and provide a scientific basis for personalized treatment.

Improving Vascular Regeneration Performance of Electrospun Poly(ε‑Caprolactone) Vascular Grafts via Synergistic Functionalization with VE‑Cadherin/VEGF

In vivo,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and vascular endothelial cadherin(VE-cadherin)co-regulate the dynamic organization of endothelial cells during vascular sprouting,balancing angiogenesis and vascular stability.In this study,a novel bioactive surface integrating human VE-cadherin-Fc and VEGF-Fc fusion proteins was innovatively developed for the modification of poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL)small-caliber electrospun fibrous grafts(VE-cad/VEGF-PCL)to promote the regeneration of functional endothelium and improve the patency of artificial vascular grafts.These fusion proteins self-assembled on the PCL fibers through the hydrophobic binding of Fc domains,improving surface hydrophilicity while reducing the adhesion of fibrinogen.In vitro results showed that the VE-cadherin/VEGF surface upregulated the expression of endogenous VE-cadherin and synergistically activated the VE-cadherin/VEGFR2/FAK/AKT/ERK signal transduction,which facilitated the functioning of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).Moreover,the VE-cadherin/VEGF surface significantly enhanced cellularization and capillary formation,then subsequently accelerated the regeneration of functional endothelium and smooth muscle in the VE-cad/VEGF-PCL grafts in a rat abdominal aorta replacement model.Together,these results highlight the advantages of VE-cadherin/VEGF surface in enhancing rapid endothelialization of electrospun vascular grafts and provide new insights into the design of cross-activating biomaterials.

Fractal Design Boosts Extrusion-Based 3D Printing of Bone-Mimicking Radial-Gradient Scaffolds

Although extrusion-based three-dimensional(EB-3D)printing technique has been widely used in the complex fabrication of bone tissue-engineered scaffolds,a natural bone-like radial-gradient scaffold by this processing method is of huge challenge and still unmet.Inspired by a typical fractal structure of Koch snowflake,for the first time,a fractal-like porous scaffold with a controllable hierarchical gradient in the radial direction is presented via fractal design and then implemented by EB-3D printing.This radial-gradient structure successfully mimics the radially gradual decrease in porosity of natural bone from cancellous bone to cortical bone.First,we create a design-to-fabrication workflow with embedding the graded data on basis of fractal design into digital processing to instruct the extrusion process of fractal-like scaffolds.Further,by a combination of suitable extruded inks,a series of bone-mimicking scaffolds with a 3-iteration fractal-like structure are fabricated to demonstrate their superiority,including radial porosity,mechanical property,and permeability.This study showcases a robust strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional EB-3D printers for the design and fabrication of functionally graded scaffolds,showing great potential in bone tissue engineering.

Cell-matrix reciprocity in 3D culture models with nonlinear elasticity

Three-dimensional(3D)matrix models using hydrogels are powerful tools to understand and predict cell behavior.The interactions between the cell and its matrix,however is highly complex:the matrix has a profound effect on basic cell functions but simultaneously,cells are able to actively manipulate the matrix properties.This(mechano)reciprocity between cells and the extracellular matrix(ECM)is central in regulating tissue functions and it is fundamentally important to broadly consider the biomechanical properties of the in vivo ECM when designing in vitro matrix models.This manuscript discusses two commonly used biopolymer networks,i.e.collagen and fibrin gels,and one synthetic polymer network,polyisocyanide gel(PIC),which all possess the characteristic nonlinear mechanics in the biological stress regime.We start from the structure of the materials,then address the uses,advantages,and limitations of each material,to provide a guideline for tissue engineers and biophysicists in utilizing current materials and also designing new materials for 3D cell culture purposes.

Fractal Design Boosts Extrusion-Based 3D Printing of Bone-Mimicking Radial-Gradient Scaffolds

Although extrusion-based three-dimensional(EB-3D)printing technique has been widely used in the complex fabrication of bone tissue-engineered scaffolds,a natural bone-like radial-gradient scaffold by this processing method is of huge challenge and still unmet.Inspired by a typical fractal structure of Koch snowflake,for the first time,a fractal-like porous scaffold with a controllable hierarchical gradient in the radial direction is presented via fractal design and then implemented by EB-3D printing.This radial-gradient structure successfully mimics the radially gradual decrease in porosity of natural bone from cancellous bone to cortical bone.First,we create a design-to-fabrication workflow with embedding the graded data on basis of fractal design into digital processing to instruct the extrusion process of fractal-like scaffolds.Further,by a combination of suitable extruded inks,a series of bone-mimicking scaffolds with a 3-iteration fractal-like structure are fabricated to demonstrate their superiority,including radial porosity,mechanical property,and permeability.This study showcases a robust strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional EB-3D printers for the design and fabrication of functionally graded scaffolds,showing great potential in bone tissue engineering.