{"title":"Neuromodulation for the treatment of sexual dysfunction: An opportunity for the field","authors":"Tim M. Bruns , Lauren Zimmerman Hershey","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100564","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100564","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sexual dysfunction affects a substantial number of women and men. Currently there are no commercially available neuromodulation therapies for sexual dysfunction. Neuromodulation has long been used as a third-line therapy for bladder and bowel dysfunction, with frequent reports of utility for sexual dysfunction. Sacral neuromodulation has a robust literature showing benefits in sexual function for implant recipients. Tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) has seen a recent growth in studies for sexual dysfunction. Transcutaneous TNS provides a lower-barrier neuromodulation approach with potential efficacy for male and female sexual dysfunction. Other neuromodulation approaches, including spinal cord stimulation and dorsal genital nerve stimulation also have potential as therapies for sexual dysfunction. There is a considerable opportunity for one or more neuromodulation therapies to enter an open market space.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100564"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142656400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marta M. Iversen , Abby T. Harrison , Clay T. Stanley , Ashley N. Dalrymple
{"title":"Rehabilitation of motor and sensory function using spinal cord stimulation: Recent advances","authors":"Marta M. Iversen , Abby T. Harrison , Clay T. Stanley , Ashley N. Dalrymple","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spinal cord stimulation can improve function in neural injuries and disorders. Here, we review recent developments in epidural and transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (eSCS, tSCS) for motor and sensory rehabilitation. eSCS entails electrodes implanted epidurally over the dorsal spinal cord, while tSCS utilizes adhesive electrodes placed on the surface of the skin. eSCS and tSCS improve volitional motor control in conditions such as spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and spinal muscular atrophy. They likely improve volitional function by exciting dorsal root afferents which prime motoneurons for supraspinal and propriospinal inputs. Additionally, eSCS and tSCS evoke sensations in missing limbs post-amputation, providing sensory feedback and improving coordination and stability. Hardware advancements aim to optimize targeting and specificity for motor and sensory rehabilitation applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100566"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142707027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Computational modeling of autonomic nerve stimulation: Vagus et al.","authors":"Warren M. Grill, Nicole A. Pelot","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100557","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100557","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Computational models of electrical stimulation, block and recording of autonomic nerves enable analysis of mechanisms of action underlying neural responses and design of optimized stimulation parameters. We reviewed advances in computational modeling of autonomic nerve stimulation, block, and recording over the past five years, with a focus on vagus nerve stimulation, including both implanted and less invasive approaches. Few models achieved quantitative validation, but integrated computational pipelines increase the reproducibility, reusability, and accessibility of computational modeling. Model-based optimization enabled design of electrode geometries and stimulation parameters for selective activation (across fiber locations or types). Growing efforts link models of neural activity to downstream physiological responses to represent more directly the therapeutic effects and side effects of stimulation. Thus, computational modeling is an increasingly important tool for analysis and design of bioelectronic therapies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100557"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142172333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xibo Wang , Abdul Aziz , Xing Sheng , Liu Wang , Lan Yin
{"title":"Bioresorbable neural interfaces for bioelectronic medicine","authors":"Xibo Wang , Abdul Aziz , Xing Sheng , Liu Wang , Lan Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100565","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100565","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bioresorbable neural interfaces have the potential to significantly advance the treatment of neurological disorders and modulate the nervous system, as they can safely degrade into biologically benign end products after a specified operational period without requiring additional surgical interventions. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of recent developments in bioresorbable neural interfaces, including electrical, optical, electrochemical, mechano-electric, thermal, and magnetoelectric strategies for neuromodulation and regenerative medicine. Associated material options, fabrication techniques, and therapeutic applications will be discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100565"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142707028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Regeneration of interfaces bridging disparate tissues and systems of the human body","authors":"Melissa L.K. Tate, Helen H. Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100552","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100552","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100552"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141688761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What can protein circuit design learn from DNA nanotechnology?","authors":"Dingchen Yu , Xinwen Fan , Zibo Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Protein circuit design is still in its infancy in terms of programmability. DNA nanotechnology, however, excels at this property and its community has created a myriad of circuits and assemblies following modular hierarchical design rules. In this mini-review, we reason that the rationales behind DNA nanotechnology can nurture protein circuit design, and the unique versatility orchestrated by groups of proteins can be further exploited to program cells. Community efforts to develop databases and design algorithms for standardizing and customizing protein modules could bring the programmability of protein circuits to a level comparable to DNA nanotechnology, ultimately empowering modular hierarchical protein circuit design.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100556"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468451124000369/pdfft?md5=cf29dc67463354b598e20a7ff8da02c1&pid=1-s2.0-S2468451124000369-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142151105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlos A. Aldrete , Connie An , Connor C. Call , Xiaojing J. Gao, Alexander E. Vlahos
{"title":"Perspectives on synthetic protein circuits in mammalian cells","authors":"Carlos A. Aldrete , Connie An , Connor C. Call , Xiaojing J. Gao, Alexander E. Vlahos","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100555","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100555","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mammalian synthetic biology aims to engineer cellular behaviors for therapeutic applications, such as enhancing immune cell efficacy against cancers or improving cell transplantation outcomes. Programming complex biological functions necessitates an understanding of molecular mechanisms governing cellular responses to stimuli. Traditionally, synthetic biology has focused on transcriptional circuits, but recent advances have led to the development of synthetic protein circuits, leveraging programmable binding, proteolysis, or phosphorylation to modulate protein interactions and cellular functions. These circuits offer advantages including robust performance, rapid functionality, and compact design, making them suitable for cellular engineering or gene therapies. This review outlines the post-translational toolkit, emphasizing synthetic protein components utilizing proteolysis or phosphorylation to program mammalian cell behaviors. Finally, we focus on key differences between rewiring native signaling pathways and creating orthogonal behaviors, alongside a proposed framework for translating synthetic protein circuits from tool development to pre-clinical applications in biomedicine.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 100555"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142151104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kshitij Rai , Yiduo Wang , Ronan W. O'Connell , Ankit B. Patel , Caleb J. Bashor
{"title":"Using machine learning to enhance and accelerate synthetic biology","authors":"Kshitij Rai , Yiduo Wang , Ronan W. O'Connell , Ankit B. Patel , Caleb J. Bashor","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100553","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100553","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Engineering synthetic regulatory circuits with precise input–output behavior—a central goal in synthetic biology—remains encumbered by the inherent molecular complexity of cells. Non-linear, high-dimensional interactions between genetic parts and host cell machinery make it difficult to design circuits using first-principles biophysical models. We argue that adopting data-driven approaches that integrate modern machine learning (ML) tools and high-throughput experimental approaches into the synthetic biology design/build/test/learn process could dramatically accelerate the pace and scope of circuit design, yielding workflows that rapidly and systematically discern design principles and achieve quantitatively precise behavior. Current applications of ML to circuit design are occurring at three distinct scales: 1) learning relationships between part sequence and function; 2) determining how part composition determines circuit behavior; 3) understanding how function varies with genomic/host-cell context. This work points toward a future where ML-driven genetic design is used to program robust solutions to complex problems across diverse biotechnology domains.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100553"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142041166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Melanie Haffner-Luntzer , Stefan O. Reber , Markus Huber-Lang , Anita Ignatius
{"title":"Regeneration at the interface of mental and physical health after trauma","authors":"Melanie Haffner-Luntzer , Stefan O. Reber , Markus Huber-Lang , Anita Ignatius","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2024.100545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Trauma, both psychological and physical, represents a complex and pervasive challenge to individual well-being. This paper explores the dynamic interplay between mental and physical health in the context of trauma, shedding light on the processes of regeneration that occur at their interface. Drawing from a comprehensive review of basic, clinical and interdisciplinary research, this paper elucidates the bidirectional relationships between mental and physical health outcomes following traumatic experiences. Especially the influence of inflammation, gut microbiome, stress hormones and the activation of the HPA axis are explored in more detail. In conclusion, stress-related disorders and mental diseases should be taken into account when patients display a disturbed healing after physical injury. Awareness for the significant impact of mental health on trauma outcome should be increased among physicians.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article 100545"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468451124000254/pdfft?md5=fc5830e9ae927d2be644401d3b22fff4&pid=1-s2.0-S2468451124000254-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141133443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}