Organ-on-chip devices have provided the pharmaceutical and tissue engineering worlds much hope since they arrived and began to grow in sophistication. However, limitations for their applicability were soon realized as they lacked real-time monitoring and sensing capabilities. The users of these devices relied solely on endpoint analysis for the results of their tests, which created a chasm in the understanding of life between the lab the natural world. However, this gap is being bridged with sensors that are integrated into organ-on-chip devices. This review goes in-depth on different sensing methods, giving examples for various research on mechanical, electrical resistance, and bead-based sensors, and the prospects of each. Furthermore, the review covers works conducted that use specific sensors for oxygen, and various metabolites to characterize cellular behavior and response in real-time. Together, the outline of these works gives a thorough analysis of the design methodology and sophistication of the current sensor integrated organ-on-chips.
Electrospinning as an effective and accessible method is known to yield scaffolds with desired physical, chemical, and biological properties for tissue engineering. In the present study, captopril (CP)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL)/carbon quantum dots (CQDs) nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated for bone tissue regeneration. The microstructure and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity ratio of scaffolds were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and wettability test, respectively. The results showed that the presence of CQDs and CP in the scaffolds decreased the fiber diameter (1180 ± 281.5-345 ± 110 nm) and also it led to an increase in the surface hydrophilicity (137-0) of scaffolds. Evaluation of the scaffolds' functional groups was performed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The ultimate tensile strength of scaffolds was in the range of 6.86 ± 0.00 to 22.09 ± 0.06 MPa. Distribution of CQDs in the scaffolds' fibers was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent spectrometer. The cell viability, attachment, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of scaffolds were assessed in vitro. Based on the overall results, the scaffold containing CQDs and CP led to a significant increase in the cells' proliferation and ALP activity. Therefore, the PCL/CQDs/CP is recommended as a potential nanocomposite scaffold for bone tissue regeneration.
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