3D printing integrated trapezoidal spiral chip coupled with ICP-MS for single-cells analysis.

Recent Advances in Single-Cell Metabolomics Based on Mass Spectrometry

Previous studies generally focused on the cell colony and the obtained information was commonly the average of many cell individuals. However, each cell has a different behavior, which is known as cell heterogeneity. Single cell analysis can accurately obtain valuable information of each cell in the microenvironment and thus there is an urgent need for single cell analysis. Many methods have been successfully employed to single cell analysis, such as flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, capillary electrophoresis and microfluidic chips. In these methods, single cells are usually stained by a fluorescent label (e.g. fluorescein, quantum dots, green fluorescent protein, etc.) and then detected via the fluorescent signal. However, simultaneous analysis of multiple parameters in a single cell is always challenging because of the overlap in fluorescent spectrum. In addition, the linear range of the fluorescence method is relatively narrow, making difficulty for accurate quantification, especially when comparing signals with considerable difference. To meet these challenges, a new method based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has emerged for single cell analysis. Intracellular elements can be determined directly by ICP-MS at a single cell level. In combination with labeling techniques(e.g. element labeling of an antibody), biomolecules in single cells can also be determined via elements analysis by ICP-MS. This paper summaries both the ICP-MS-based methodology and selected applications in immunoassay, disease detection, drug screen, and nanoanalysis at a single cell level. A prospective of this method and its applications is also discussed.

Single cell analysis is a significant research field in recent years reflecting the heterogeneity of cells in a biological system. In this work, a facile droplet chip was fabricated and online combined with time-resolved inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) via a microflow nebulizer for the determination of zinc in single HepG2 cells. On the focusing geometric designed PDMS microfluidic chip, the aqueous cell suspension was ejected and divided by hexanol to generate droplets. The droplets encapsulated single cells remain intact during the transportation into ICP for subsequent detection. Under the optimized conditions, the frequency of droplet generation is 3-6 × 106 min-1, and the injected cell number is 2500 min-1, which can ensure the single cell encapsulation. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were used for the quantification of zinc in single cells, and the accuracy was validated by conventional acid digestion-ICPMS method. The ZnO NPs incubated HepG2 cells were analyzed as model samples, and the results exhibit the heterogeneity of HepG2 cells in the uptake/adsorption of ZnO NPs. The developed online droplet-chip-ICPMS analysis system achieves stable single cell encapsulation and has high throughput for single cell analysis. It has the potential in monitoring the content as well as distribution of trace elements/NPs at the single cell level.

Aim: To design and manufacture a patient-specific assistive device optimized for patient function after estimating the disability status of a patient with brain injury through 3D printing techniqueMaterials and methods: The left hand of a man with right-side hemiparesis was scanned with a three-dimensional scanner, and the left-hand image was flipped over to the right side to design the orthosis. To change devices easily, a connector was designed to connect the devices and was easily detachable with the orthosis by using the magnetics. To enable the writing, a round-shaped ring was attached to the orthosis to fix a pen. The Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) were evaluated one month after the application.Results: The JHFT score improved after application 3D printed devices. In most QUEST items, 3D printed devices showed better results than ready-made assistive devices. The typing speed became faster in 3D printed devices than in ready-made assistive devices. The patient was satisfied with the orthosis in writing a pen, eating food and typing keyboard because of its fitness to his hand and easy-to-use.Conclusion: We designed and manufactured a patient-specific assistive device optimized for patient function after estimating the disability status of a patient with brain injury through 3D printing techniques. We hope to provide low-cost, customized devices to disabled patients through 3D printing techniques.Implications for RehabilitationWe designed and manufactured a patient-specific assistive device optimized for patient function through 3D printing technique.We hope to provide low-cost, customized devices to disabled patients through 3D printing techniques

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology holds great potential to fabricate complex constructs in the field of regenerative medicine. Researchers in the surgical fields have used 3D printing techniques and their associated biomaterials for education, training, consultation, organ transplantation, plastic surgery, surgical planning, dentures, and more. In addition, the universal utilization of 3D printing techniques enables researchers to exploit different types of hardware and software in, for example, the surgical fields. To realize the 3D-printed structures to implant them in the body and tissue regeneration, it is important to understand 3D printing technology and its enabling technologies. This paper concisely reviews 3D printing techniques in terms of hardware, software, and materials with a focus on surgery. In addition, it reviews bioprinting technology and a non-invasive monitoring method using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence, with special attention to the 3D-bioprinted tissue constructs. NIR fluorescence imaging applied to 3D printing technology can play a significant role in monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of 3D structures for clinical implants. Consequently, these techniques can provide individually customized products and improve the treatment outcome of surgeries.

Purpose: Evaluating retention of maxillary complete dentures fabricated by threedimensional (3D) printing technique compared to conventional technique. Subjects and Methods: Ten completely edentulous patients were selected from the outpatient clinic of Removable Prosthodontics Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University. Each patient received maxillary and mandibular dentures fabricated by conventional technique besides maxillary denture fabricated by 3D printing technique. All patients were divided equally into two groups; First group patients received conventional dentures first, then 3D printed ones. Second group patients received 3D printed dentures initially and conventional dentures later. Results: Regarding denture type, it was found that 3D printed dentures showed statistically significant higher retention at (P ≤ 0.05) compared to conventional dentures. Furtherly, pair-wise comparisons between follow up times revealed that there was a statistically significant increase in mean retention values after one month as well as from one to three months. Conclusion: Utilizing 3D printing technique in complete denture fabrication yielded better retention compared to conventional technique. Nevertheless, regardless of denture type, retention improves over time.

Background In order to ascertain the safety and therapeutic efficacy of preoperative simulation in conjunction with three-dimensional (3D) printing modalities for the surgical management of tibiofibular diaphyseal fractures. We postulate that preoperative simulation and three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques have a significant impact on reducing the mean operative time, diminishing intraoperative blood loss, and decreasing the frequency of fluoroscopic. Material and methods Sixty patients with tibiofibular diaphyseal fracture were divided into the conventional surgery group (n = 30) and the 3D printing group (n = 30). In the 3D printing group, preoperative equal-ratio fracture models prepared using the 3D printing technique were used to perform preoperative simulation, guide the real surgical operation, examine implant reduction and placement as well as preoperative plate/screw size. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, frequency of fluoroscopies, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Johner-Wruhs Scale were recorded. Results The operation time, blood loss, and the frequency of fluoroscopy during operation in the group with preoperative simulation and 3D printing were less than that in the conventional surgery group (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Johner–Wruhs Scale were also improved in both groups. Conclusion The findings indicated that preoperative simulation and three-dimensional (3D) printing may facilitate the treatment of tibiofibular diaphyseal fractures, potentially enhancing preoperative planning and contributing to the precision and personalization of the surgical procedure. Thus, the application of this technology possesses considerable promise for future utilization in clinical practice. Trial registry Name of the registry: This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100052379.

Three dimensional (3D) printing techniques for brain diseases have not been widely studied. We attempted to 'print' the segments of intracranial arteries based on magnetic resonance imaging. Three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed on two patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis. Using scale-adaptive vascular modeling, 3D vascular models were constructed from the MRA source images. The magnified (ten times) regions of interest (ROI) of the stenotic segments were selected and fabricated by a 3D printer with a resolution of 30 µm. A survey to 8 clinicians was performed to evaluate the accuracy of 3D printing results as compared with MRA findings (4 grades, grade 1: consistent with MRA and provide additional visual information; grade 2: consistent with MRA; grade 3: not consistent with MRA; grade 4: not consistent with MRA and provide probable misleading information). If a 3D printing vessel segment was ideally matched to the MRA findings (grade 2 or 1), a successful 3D printing was defined. Seven responders marked "grade 1" to 3D printing results, while one marked "grade 4". Therefore, 87.5% of the clinicians considered the 3D printing were successful. Our pilot study confirms the feasibility of using 3D printing technique in the research field of intracranial artery diseases. Further investigations are warranted to optimize this technique and translate it into clinical practice.

To summarize the current research progress of three-dimensional (3D) printing technique for spinal implants manufacture. The recent original literature concerning technology, materials, process, clinical applications, and development direction of 3D printing technique in spinal implants was reviewed and analyzed. At present, 3D printing technologies used to manufacture spinal implants include selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, and electron beam melting. Titanium and its alloys are mainly used. 3D printing spinal implants manufactured by the above materials and technology have been successfully used in clinical. But the problems regarding safety, related complications, cost-benefit analysis, efficacy compared with traditional spinal implants, and the lack of relevant policies and regulations remain to be solved. 3D printing technique is able to provide individual and customized spinal implants for patients, which is helpful for the clinicians to perform operations much more accurately and safely. With the rapid development of 3D printing technology and new materials, more and more 3D printing spinal implants will be developed and used clinically.

The study of effects of particle breakage on the mechanical properties of soil composed of porous particles is challenging due to the heterogeneity of the shape and inner void structure of individual particles, even for an identical soil sample, which imparts a compound effect on the mechanical properties. Advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing technique have enabled the replication of objects with the same shape but different inner structures. This study investigated the feasibility of replicating porous and non-porous particles with the same particle shape characteristics, such as form, waviness, and texture, using 3D printing technique. The particle shape characteristics were evaluated using image analysis. Single particle crushing and triaxial compression tests were conducted to characterize the mechanical properties of the 3D printed and porous volcanic soil particles. It is observed that the mechanical response in the single particle crushing test varies for volcanic soil, which may be attributed to the heterogeneity in the shape and porosity of the particles. However, for each type of 3D printed particle, the response has a high repeatability and varies based on particle porosity. Furthermore, the effects of porosity on the shear response are demonstrated through triaxial tests on 3D printed particles of different porosities. It is noted that although a quantitative comparison is not possible, a qualitative similarity is observed in the response of the 3D printed porous particles with natural porous volcanic soil. Thus, insights into the mechanical response of porous particles can be gained using 3D printed particles.

Microfluidic technology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that use micropipes to handle or manipulate tiny fluids in chemistry, fluid physics, microelectronics, new materials and biomedical engineering. As one of the rapid prototyping methods, three-dimensional (3D) printing technique with rapid and cost-effective and integrated molding characteristics has became one of the important manufacturing technologies of microfluidic chip. Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA), as an exceptional thermoplastic material, has found widespread application in the field of microfluidics. This paper presented a comprehensive process research on the fabrication of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing PMMA microfluidic chips (chips), encompassing finite element numerical analysis studies, orthogonal process parameter optimization experiments, and the application of 3D printing integrated microfluidic reactors in the reaction between copper ions and ammonia water. In the work, the thermal stress finite element model shown the printing platform temperature was a significant printing parameters to prevent warping and delamination in the 3D printing process. And a single printing molding technique was employed to fabricate microfluidic chips with square cross-sectional dimensions reduced to 200 μm, and the microchannels exhibited no clogging or leakage. The orthogonal experiment method of 3D printing PMMA microchannels was carried out, and the optimized printing parameters resulted in a reduction of the microchannel profile to Ra 1.077μm. Finally, a set of chemical reaction experiments of copper ions and ammonia water were performed in a 3D printed microreactor. And color datum graph of copper hydroxide were obtained. This works provided a cheap and high-quality research method for the future research in water quality detection and chemical engineering.

Levofloxacin implants with predefined microstructure fabricated by three-dimensional printing technique

This study adopted the latest self-developed bioabsorbable material lactide-glycolide-1,3-trimethylene carbonate (LA-GA-TMC) and applied the three-dimensional (3D) printing technique to manufacture the occluder for cardiac septal defects, so as to realize the individualized treatment of cardiac septal defects. At the same time, its biosafety was evaluated, with an aim to establish foundation for futural large-scale animal experiment and clinical trial. The traditional "one-pot synthesis" was modified, and the "two-step synthesis method" was utilized to synthesize the LA-GA-TMC terpolymer at the lactide: glycolide: trimethylene carbonate ratio of 6:1:1.7. Afterward, the synthesized terpolymer was used as the raw material to fabricate the occluder model via using 3D printing technique. Then, its biocompatibility was comprehensively evaluated through cytocompatibility, blood compatibility, and histocompatibility. The occluder made from LA-GA-TMC 3D printing had favorable ductility and recoverability; besides, it possessed the temperature-control feature, and the relative cell proliferation rates in extract liquids at various concentrations were all >70%, suggesting that it had favorable cytocompatibility. Moreover, hemolytic experiment revealed that its hemolytic rate was <5%, dynamic blood coagulation experiment demonstrated that the sample material moderately activated the blood coagulation, and the above findings suggested that it had good blood compatibility. In addition, implanting experiment in vivo revealed that its histocompatibility was superior to the traditional nitinol and the emerging poly-l-lactic acid. It is completely feasible to manufacture the cardiac septal defects occluder based on the novel absorbable material LA-GA-TMC, which has favorable biocompatibility, through 3D printing technique and it possesses broad prospects in large-scale animal experiment and clinical trial.

Three-dimensional printing using open source software and JPEG images from optical coherence tomography of an epiretinal membrane patient.

Objective To explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of customized porous tantalum acetabular patch made by three-dimensional (3D) printing technique in treating adult developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods Eight adult patients with CroweⅠtype DDH (2 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 43.75±7.81 years, range 33-58 years) who were treated with 3D printed customized porous tantalum acetabular patch hip reconstruction from January 2017 to September 2017 were included. The 3D printing technique was used for reconstructing and designing the optimal acetabular patch for the personalized hip joint of each patient. The acetabular patch was subjected to porous processing and finite element analysis until the biomechanical requirements were met. The 3D printing of porous tantalum acetabular patch and post-processing was subsequently performed. The acetabular patch was implanted through the anterior approach of the hip joint. The operative duration, intraoperative blood loss and complications were recorded. All the included patients were followed up at 1.5, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), and the hip joint function was evaluated using the Harris score and gait analysis. The patients underwent anterior-posterior radiography and 3D computed tomography of the hip joint aiming to observe the position of the acetabular patch and osteoarthritis progression. Results The mean operative duration was 1.13±0.23 h, and the mean blood loss was 114.17±41.22 ml. All patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months, with an average of 8.2 months. The mean lateral central-edge angle and anterior central-edge angle ranged from 9.83°±5.34° preoperatively to 32.67°±2.53° postoperatively and from 3.83°±2.79° preoperatively to 21.67°±1.87° postoperatively, respectively. The rate of acetabular coverage increased from 57.33%±7.97% preoperatively to 87.33%±4.56% postoperatively. The VAS and Harris scores ranged from 2.92±0.79 preoperatively to 0.83±0.72 postoperatively and from 69.67±4.62 preoperatively to 84.25±4.14 postoperatively with statistically significant difference, respectively. The results of gait analysis showed that the step speed, stride, the range of motion of hip and knee were better than that preoperatively. The images suggested a close contact between the tantalum acetabular patch and the iliac bone without loosening and progress of osteoarthritis in hip joint. Conclusion 3D printed customized porous tantalum acetabular patch could reconstruct the defect of acetabular, increase the coverage, and delay the progress of osteoarthritis of the hip joint. This method could reduce the difficulty of hip reconstruction, and the patients could obtain better joint function at the early stage. Key words: Bone diseases, development; Imaging, three-dimensional; Tantalum; Porosity