Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Low Frequency Oscillations Of Hemodynamic Parameters As A Novel Diagnostic Measure For Traumatic Brain Injury, Andrea Gomez Carrillo

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There is a need to improve methods of monitoring patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in hospital settings. Current monitoring techniques and diagnosis methods are expensive, invasive, do not provide continuous measures, expose the patient to radiation, are ambiguous in the information they provide, and/or cannot be implemented at the bedside. These techniques measure imperative markers of brain function including intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and oxygenation in the brain, among others. Hospitals not only require a practical method for real-time monitoring of patients at the bedside, but also meaningful metrics that characterize TBIs, since the variety of …

Altered Skeletal Muscle Excitation-Contraction Coupling In The R6/2 Transgenic Mouse Model For Huntington's Disease, Daniel R. Miranda

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Huntington’s disease (HD) has classically been categorized as a neurodegenerative disorder. However, the expression of the disease-causing mutated huntingtin gene in skeletal muscle may contribute to the symptoms of HD, namely those that involve involuntary muscle contraction. In the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD, we previously observed ion channel defects that could contribute to involuntary muscle contraction. Here, in R6/2 muscle we investigated the consequence of these ion channel defects on action potentials (APs), the first step in excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. We found that the ion channel defects were associated with depolarizing the baseline membrane potential during AP trains. …

Biom 4110/6110: The Science Of Medicine (Syllabus), Bradford D. Pendley

Biomedical Engineering Syllabi Archive

Course Description: Integration of fundamental principles from physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, and applications of these principles to solve problems in medicine.

Biom 1720: Introduction To Biomedical Engineering Tools (Syllabus), Stephen Strain

Biomedical Engineering Syllabi Archive

Course Description: Use of computer tools for data analysis, presentation, documentation; introduction to programming; individual and group design projects.

Rational Design Of Advanced Functional Materials For Electrochemical Devices, Shun Lu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, there has been a fast-growing trend in developing urea (CO(NH2)2) as a substitute H2 carrier in energy conversion due to its high energy density, nontoxicity, stability, and nonflammability. Urea, a byproduct in the metabolism of proteins and a frequent contaminant in wastewater, is an abundant compound that has demonstrated favorable characteristics as a hydrogen-rich fuel source with 6.7 wt % gravimetric hydrogen content. Also, there is 2-2.5 wt % urea from mammal urine; therefore, 0.5 million ton of additional fuels will be produced per year just from human urine (240 million ton each year). Electrochemical oxidation has …

Biomechanical Investigation Of Plant Vascular Tissue For Bio-Inspired Design And Flexible Composites, Mukesh Roy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the inception of evolution, nature has continuously optimized all the natural materials. These optimizations are so efficient that scientists and engineers have started taking inspiration from nature. Such inspiration-based solutions provide sustainable development of new materials with enhanced structural properties and functionalities (such as stiffness, stability, toughness, self-healing etc.). This variety of properties and functionalities is mainly due to the hierarchical organization of such components. Abstraction of the hidden cues of the hierarchical organization, principles and underlying structure-function relations are some of the critical approaches of bioinspired materials design. Inspiration from animals and plants has helped develop the design …

Picosecond Pulsed Electric Fields And Promise In Neurodegeneration Research, Martina Zamponi, Ross Petrella, Peter A. Mollica

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

The delivery of pulsed electric fields to biological cells for regenerative research and therapeutic applications is a field that has been widely explored. Picosecond pulsed electric fields have been shown to induce intracellular effects and directly target cell membrane proteins as well as being able to induce cell permeabilization and death by apoptosis. Additionally, ultrashort pulses can be focused and delivered in a noncontact manner for possible targeting of deep and inaccessible tissues. The unique characteristics of picosecond pulses make them a possible approach for treatment of Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases, both characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration and death, and …

2-Ns Electrostimulation Of Ca2+ Influx Into Chromaffin Cells: Rapid Modulation By Field Reversal, Josette Zaklit, Gale L. Craviso, Normand Leblanc, P. Thomas Vernier, Esin B. Sözer

Bioelectrics Publications

Cellular effects of nanosecond pulsed electric field exposures can be attenuated by an electric field reversal, a phenomenon called bipolar pulse cancellation. Our investigations of this phenomenon in neuroendocrine adrenal chromaffin cells show that a single 2 ns, 16 MV/m unipolar pulse elicited a rapid, transient rise in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels due to Ca²⁺ influx through voltage-gated calcium channels. The response was eliminated by a 2 ns bipolar pulse with positive and negative phases of equal duration and amplitude, and fully restored (unipolar-equivalent response) when the delay between each phase of the bipolar pulse was 30 ns. Longer …

Fluid Model Of Plasma-Liquid Interaction: The Effect Of Interfacial Boundary Conditions And Henry's Law Constants, Yifan Liu, Dingxin Liu, Jishen Zhang, Bowen Sun, Santu Luo, Hao Zhang, Li Guo, Mingzhe Rong, Michael G. Kong

Bioelectrics Publications

Plasma–liquid interaction is a critical area of plasma science, mainly because much remains unknown about the physicochemical processes occurring at the plasma–liquid interface. Besides a lot of experimental studies toward the interaction, a few fluid models have also been reported in recent years. However, the interfacial boundary conditions in the models are different and the Henry's law constants therein are uncertain; hence, the accuracy and robustness of the simulation results are doubtable. In view of this, three 1D fluid models are developed for the interaction between a plasma jet and deionized water, each of which has a unique interfacial boundary …

Moderate Heat-Assisted Gene Electrotransfer As A Potential Delivery Approach For Protein Replacement Therapy Through The Skin, Chelsea Edelblute, Cathryn Mangiamele, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

Gene-based approaches for protein replacement therapies have the potential to reduce the number of administrations. Our previous work demonstrated that expression could be enhanced and/or the applied voltage reduced by preheating the tissue prior to pulse administration. In the current study, we utilized our 16-pin multi-electrode array (MEA) and incorporated nine optical fibers, connected to an infrared laser, between each set of four electrodes to heat the tissue to 43 °C. For proof of principle, a guinea pig model was used to test delivery of reporter genes. We observed that when the skin was preheated, it was possible to achieve …

Moderate Heat-Assisted Gene Electrotransfer For Cutaneous Delivery Of A Dna Vaccine Against Hepatitis B Virus, Chelsea Edelblute, Cathryn Mangiamele, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

An estimated 350 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide. Preventative HBV vaccination in infants has reduced the disease burden; however, insufficient immunization programs and access obstacles leave vulnerable populations at risk for infection in endemic regions. Gene electrotransfer (GET) using a noninvasive multielectrode array (MEA) provides an alternative platform for DNA vaccination in the skin. DNA vaccines are nonlive and nonreplicating and temperature stable unlike their counterparts. In addition, their simple engineering allows them to be manufactured quickly at a low cost. In the current work, we present the combination of GET and moderate heating …

Stobe Photography Mapping Of Cell Membrane Potential With Nanosecond Resolution, Allen S. Kiester, Bennett L. Ibey, Zachary N. Coker, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Joel N. Bixler

Bioelectrics Publications

The ability to directly observe membrane potential charging dynamics across a full microscopic field of view is vital for understanding interactions between a biological system and a given electrical stimulus. Accurate empirical knowledge of cell membrane electrodynamics will enable validation of fundamental hypotheses posited by the single shell model, which includes the degree of voltage change across a membrane and cellular sensitivity to external electric field non-uniformity and directionality. To this end, we have developed a high-speed strobe microscopy system with a time resolution of ~ 6 ns that allows us to acquire time-sequential data for temporally repeatable events (non-injurious …

Four Channel 6.5 Kv, 65 A, 100 Ns-100 Μs Generator With Advanced Control Of Pulse And Burst Protocols For Biomedical And Biotechnological Applications, Aleh Kandratsyeu, Uladzimir Sabaleuski, Luis Redondo, Andrei G. Pakhomov

Bioelectrics Publications

Pulsed electric fields in the sub-microsecond range are being increasingly used in biomedical and biotechnology applications, where the demand for high-voltage and high-frequency pulse generators with enhanced performance and pulse flexibility is pushing the limits of pulse power solid state technology. In the scope of this article, a new pulsed generator, which includes four independent MOSFET based Marx modulators, operating individually or combined, controlled from a computer user interface, is described. The generator is capable of applying different pulse shapes, from unipolar to bipolar pulses into biological loads, in symmetric and asymmetric modes, with voltages up to 6.5 kV and …

The Role Of Reactive Oxygen Species In The Immunity Induced By Nano-Pulse Stimulation, Siqi Guo, Niculina I. Burcus, Megan Scott, Yu Jing, Iurii Semenov

Bioelectrics Publications

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are byproducts of tumor cells treated with Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS). Recently, ROS have been suggested as a contributing factor in immunogenic cell death and T cell-mediated immunity. This research further investigated the role of NPS induced ROS in antitumor immunity. ROS production in 4T1-luc breast cancer cells was characterized using three detection reagents, namely, Amplex Red, MitoSox Red, and Dihydroethidium. The efficiency of ROS quenching was evaluated in the presence or absence of ROS scavengers and/or antioxidants. The immunogenicity of NPS treated tumor cells was assessed by ex vivo dendritic cell activation, in vivo vaccination assay …

Oxygen Harvesting From Carbon Dioxide: Simultaneous Epoxidation And Co Formation, Han Xu, Muhammad Shaban, Sui Wang, Anas Alkayal, Dingxin Liu, Michael G. Kong, Felix Plasser, Benjamin R. Buckley, Felipe Iza

Bioelectrics Publications

Due to increasing concentrations in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide has, in recent times, been targeted for utilisation (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage, CCUS). In particular, the production of CO from CO₂ has been an area of intense interest, particularly since the CO can be utilized in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Herein we report that CO₂ can also be used as a source of atomic oxygen that is efficiently harvested and used as a waste-free terminal oxidant for the oxidation of alkenes to epoxides. Simultaneously, the process yields CO. Utilization of the atomic oxygen does not only generate a valuable product, …

Effect Of He Plasma Jet Versus Surface Plasma On The Metabolites Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells, Dehui Xu, Ning Ning, Yujing Xu, Wenjie Xia, Hai-Lan Chen, Michael G. Kong

Bioelectrics Publications

Cold atmospheric plasma, including plasma jet and surface plasma, can promote the apoptosis of cancer cells without causing significant damage to surrounding normal cells, which was hopeful to be applied to the clinical cancer therapy. However, experimental plasma devices used directly to clinical experiments has challenges in technology and methods, especially the difference in killing tumor cells efficiency of these two common plasma sources. Therefore, it is great necessity to explore the differences in treating tumors between different plasma sources. This paper achieved good killing efficiency by using two kinds of cold atmospheric plasma generating devices, namely plasma jet and …

Discharge Mode Transition In He/Ar Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet And Its Inactivation Effect Against Tumor Cells In Vitro, Bolun Pang, Zhijie Liu, Sitao Wang, Yuting Gao, Huaiyan Zhang, Feng Zhang, Xiamin Tantai, Dehui Xu, Dingxin Liu, Michael G. Kong

Bioelectrics Publications

Discharge characteristic comparisons between He and Ar plasma jets have been extensively reported, but is rarely reported for the comprehensive study of discharge mode transition from He jet to Ar jet, especially its induced liquid chemistry and biological effect. In this paper, we investigate the plasma jet mode transformation by varying the Ar contents in the He/Ar mixing working gas, particularly focusing on the effect of liquid chemistry of plasma activated water (PAW) and the corresponding inactivation effect against tumor cells in vitro. The mode transition process from He jet to Ar jet is characterized by the discharge images, …

Photodynamic Therapy Of Inorganic Complexes For The Treatment Of Cancer, Chloe B. Smith, Lindsay C. Days, Duaa R. Alajroush, Khadija Faye, Yara Khodour, Stephen J. Beebe, Alvin Holder

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medicinal tool that uses a photosensitiser and a light source to treat several conditions, including cancer. PDT uses reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as cytotoxic singlet oxygen ¹O₂ to induce cell death in cancer cells. Chemotherapy has historically utilized the cytotoxic effects of many metals, especially transition-metal complexes. However, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment so all cells in a patient's body are exposed to the same cytotoxic effects. Transition metal complexes have also shown high cytotoxicity as PDT agents. PDT is a potential localized method for treating several cancer types by using inorganic …

Imaging Potential In Saturation Recovery Methods For Sarcoidosis Patients With Medical Devices, Samantha Zhao

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a preferred imaging methodology due to its lack of ionizing radiation and ability to detect myocardial inflammation and fibrosis using quantitative T1 mapping techniques. Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is characterized as the formation of granulomas in the myocardium. Current methods for detection include measuring non-cardiac specific C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, or PET imaging, which uses ionizing radiation, therefore CMR would make an ideal imaging option. However, many CS patients have implanted cardiac devices which can cause degradation in image. The modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) method is widely used in quantitative T1 mapping with high …

Estimating Affective States In Virtual Reality Environments Using The Electroencephalogram, Meghan R. Kumar

Theses and Dissertations

Recent interest in high-performance virtual reality (VR) headsets has motivated research efforts to increase the user's sense of immersion via feedback of physiological measures. This work presents the use of electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements during observation of immersive VR videos to estimate the user's affective state. The EEG of 30 participants were recorded as each passively viewed a series of one minute immersive VR video clips and subjectively rated their level of valence, arousal, dominance, and liking. Correlates between EEG spectral bands and the subjective ratings were analyzed to identify statistically significant frequencies and electrode locations across participants. Model feasibility and …

Effect Of Stimulus Waveform On Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Metrics In Proximal And Distal Arm Muscles, Christopher Lynch

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of common transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) waveforms (monophasic and biphasic) on resting motor threshold (RMT), active motor threshold (AMT), and motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes in the biceps and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) because waveforms may affect motor targets differently. Additionally, we determined the test-retest reliability of TMS metrics for each stimulation type and muscle.

Methods: Ten individuals participated in two sessions of single-pulse TMS delivered to the motor cortex perpendicular to the central sulcus. MEPs were normalized to the maximum EMG signal during contraction and were recorded at …

Assessing Heart Rate Using Consumer Technology Association Standards, Joel D. Reece, Jennifer A. Bunn, Minsoo Choi, James W. Navalta

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

It is difficult for developers, researchers, and consumers to compare results among emerging wearable technology without using a uniform set of standards. This study evaluated the accuracy of commercially available wearable technology heart rate (HR) monitors using the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) standards. Participants (N = 23) simultaneously wore a Polar chest strap (criterion measure), Jabra Elite earbuds, Scosche Rhythm 24 armband, Apple Watch 4, and Garmin Forerunner 735 XT during sitting, activities of daily living, walking, jogging, running, and cycling, totaling 57 min of monitored activity. The Apple Watch mean bias was within ±1 bpm, and mean absolute percent …

Complementary Techniques To Study The Behavior Of Water And The Effect On Diffusion And Degradation In Hydrogels, Paige Rockwell

Master’s Theses

Hydrogels exhibit biocompatibility in a range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery. This thesis aims to develop complementary techniques to measure the diffusion and degradation behaviors within an injectable, hydrolytically degradable hydrogel, formed via the covalent crosslinking of ethoxylated trimethylolpropane tri-3- mercaptopropionate (ETTMP) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), to determine its suitability as a drug delivery matrix. The characterization of water as either free, within the network openings of the hydrogel, or bound, tightly associated with the polymer chains, was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The mobility of each type of water within the hydrogels was determined via nuclear …

Improved Biochar Based Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers For Sustainable Corn Production, Robiul Islam Rubel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an essential factor to increase crop yield. When conventional nitrogen fertilizer (e.g. Urea, Ammonium Sulphate, etc.) is applied in the field, generally over 50% of the N of these fertilizers may lose into the air due to vaporization, or run-off and leaching in rivers and lakes. The N losses lead to not only low NUE but also serious environmental problems. The consequence of N losses results in insufficient N available to meet the demand of crop growth at the growing stages. Lack of sufficient N for crop growth puts a threat of nutrient deficiency and …

A Step Closer To Elastogenesis On Demand; Inducing Mature Elastic Fibre Deposition In A Natural Biomaterial Scaffold, Francisco R. Almeida-González, Arlyng González-Vázquez, Suzanne M. Mithieux, Fergal J. O'Brien, Anthony S. Weiss, Claire Brougham

Articles

Elastic fibres play a key role in bodily functions where fatigue resistance and elastic recovery are necessary while regulating phenotype, proliferation and migration in cells. While in vivo elastic fibres are created at a late foetal stage, a major obstacle in the development of engineered tissue is that human vascular smooth muscle cells (hVSMCs), one of the principal elastogenic cells, are unable to spontaneously promote elastogenesis in vitro. Therefore, the overall aim of this study was to activate elastogenesis in vitro by hVSMCs seeded in fibrin, collagen, glycosaminoglycan (FCG) scaffolds, following the addition of recombinant human tropoelastin. This combination …

Intrabodies Reveal Critical Steps Involved In Ricin's Interactions With The Ribosome, Timothy Francis Czajka

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Ricin is a highly lethal protein toxin derived from the seeds of the castor plant, Ricinus communis. It is a Type II ribosome inactivating protein (RIP), meaning it is a heterodimer with one subunit, ricin toxin B (RTB), that mediates cell surface attachment and intracellular trafficking and a second subunit, ricin toxin A (RTA), that irreversibly shuts down protein synthesis in the cytosol. During trafficking, RTA and RTB necessarily separate in the endoplasmic reticulum, wherein RTA unfolds and translocates into the cytosol where it refolds into an enzymatically active conformation. RTA is remarkably fast acting and efficient, with few molecules …

Mapping Of Auditory Cortical Functions Using Electrocorticography, James Robert Swift

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Communication is a dynamic process through which we translate our inner thoughts in such a way that they can be shared with another person. This complex neurological phenomenon is a key predictor of our productivity and health. When our ability to communicate is compromised, our quality of life suffers. Although numerous methods to investigate the neuroscientific underpinnings of human language exist, our understanding of this process remains incomplete. Improving our understanding of where, when, and how auditory cortical activity occurs can enhance diagnostic techniques and improve treatment methods for neurological conditions that can impact auditory processing, such as epilepsy, or …

Assessing Midbrain Abnormalities In Parkinson’S Disease Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Kiarash Ghassaban

Wayne State University Dissertations

Diagnosing early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its manifestations is still a clinical challenge. Previous imaging studies using iron, neuromelanin (NM) and the Nigrosome-1 (N1) measures in the substantia nigra (SN) by themselves have been unable to provide sufficiently high diagnostic performance for these methods to be adopted clinically. In this dissertation, we start by studying idiopathic PD patients at their intermediate stages of the disease to evaluate the role of global and regional iron in the major deep gray matter nuclei. Then, we only focus on the NM complex in the midbrain and how neuronal loss interact with iron overload …

Changes In Cerebral Volume And White Matter Integrity In Adults On Hemodialysis And Relationship To Cognitive Function, W. T. Richerson, L. G. Umfleet, Brian D. Schmit, D. F. Wolfgram

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) have a significant burden of cognitive impairment. Characterizing the cerebral structural changes in HD patients compared to healthy controls and evaluating the relationship of cerebral structural integrity with cognitive performance in HD patients can help clarify the pathophysiology of the cognitive impairment in HD patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, in-center HD patients ≥50 years of age underwent brain structural and diffusion MRIs and cognitive assessment using the NIH Toolbox cognition battery. The cerebral imaging measures of the HD participants were compared to imaging from age-matched controls. Gray matter volume, white matter volume, and white …

Als-Induced Excitability Changes In Individual Motorneurons And The Spinal Motorneuron Network In Sod1-G93a Mice At Symptom Onset, Christiana S.I. Draper

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motorneuron (MN) disease in adulthood. ALS is hallmarked by the progressive loss of MNs in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. Many hypotheses to explain the pathogenesis of ALS have been explored, but the exact mechanisms underlying the development of this disease remain unknown. However, abnormalities in MN excitability and glutamate excitotoxicity are the most widely studied. For decades, researchers have examined MN excitability in ALS, but the current literature is inconsistent, showing evidence of hyperexcitability, hypoexcitability, or no change in excitability of MNs in ALS. Many of these studies also focus …