Scientists print first 3D heart using a patient's biological materials

In a major medical breakthrough, Tel Aviv University researchers have printed the world's first 3D vascularised engineered heart using a patient's own cells and biological materials. Until now, scientists in regenerative medicine have been successful in printing only simple tissues without blood vessels.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women. Heart transplantation is currently the only treatment available to patients with end-stage heart failure. Given the dire shortage of heart donors, the need to develop new approaches to regenerate the diseased heart is urgent.

For the research, a biopsy of fatty tissue was taken from patients. The cellular and a-cellular materials of the tissue were then separated. While the cells were reprogrammed to become pluripotent stem cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM), a three-dimensional network of extracellular macromolecules such as collagen and glycoproteins, were processed into a personalized hydrogel that served as the printing ink.

After being mixed with the hydrogel, the cells were efficiently differentiated to cardiac or endothelial cells to create patient-specific, immune-compatible cardiac patches with blood vessels and, subsequently, an entire heart.

According to researchers, the use of native patient-specific materials is crucial to successfully engineering tissues and organs.

The researchers are now planning on culturing the printed hearts in the lab and then plan to transplant the 3D-printed heart in animal models.

9 foods recommended by Ayurveda for a healthy liver

The liver is the engine of our body, but how many times do we pay attention to keeping it healthy? Our liver plays an important role in digesting, metabolizing and manufacturing essential compounds.  It is critical that we regularly detox our liver to keep it healthy and fighting fit. If toxins build up in the liver it can lead to sensitivity to allergens, cholesterol issues, digestive problems or fatigue. Ayurveda recommendations and practices help in taking care of our liver health, avoid ailments or damage and recover from ailments.   

Here are a few easily available food items that can help detox your liver naturally: 

1. Garlic:  Garlic helps the liver to activate enzymes that flush out toxins from our body. Also, it has high levels of allicin, which has antioxidants, antibiotic and antifungal properties, and Selenium, which increases the action of antioxidants. Both aid in the liver in cleansing.

2. Carrot: Carrots are very high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene, which stipulate and support the overall liver functions. Vitamin A in carrots prevents liver disease. 

3. Apple: Apples contain pectin that helps cleanse the body and release toxins from the digestive system. With fewer toxins, our liver can better manage its toxin load. Make sure you eat at least one apple a day.

4. Walnuts: An excellent source for amino acids, eating walnuts regularly helps to detox our liver. A study found that eating walnuts improved liver function tests in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. But make sure you eat only a handful of walnuts in a day and not more than that.

5. Green Tea: The plant-based antioxidants in green tea improve liver function.  According to the World Journal of Gastroenterology, green tea has high levels of antioxidants that help reduce body fat percentage and fat in the blood.

6. Leafy vegetables: High in chlorophyll, green leafy vegetables flush out the toxins from our bloodstream. They can neutralize heavy metals to protect the liver. Add more greens like palak (spinach), green peas, okra, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, etc. to your diet. 

7. Citrus fruits: Oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits boost the liver's cleansing ability, the detoxifying enzymes present in citrus fruits improve the liver's health and functionality. 

8. Turmeric: Turmeric is an excellent spice, which reduces the amount of radical damage in our liver. Turmeric helps in metabolizing fats and the production of bile juice, which acts as a natural detoxifier for our liver.

9. Beetroot: A good source for vitamin C, beetroot stimulates bile and boost enzymatic activity, just like citrus fruits. The best way to consume beetroot is to chop them and toss them in your salad or juice them and mix it in your vegetable soup or juice.

 

Eat these foods regularly to keep your liver healthy, especially when they are in season. Have a happy and healthy liver.

Potassium-rich foods that are a must for people with high blood pressure

Increasing potassium through diet is recommended for people with blood pressure above 120/80. Here are some potassium-rich foods that must be a part of your diet if you have high blood pressure.

Potassium-rich foods play an important role in the management of high blood pressure. This is because potassium reduces the effects of sodium. People with high blood pressure are recommended to avoid eating foods high in salt. Salt increases sodium in your bloodstream and wrecks the balance. It reduces water removing ability of kidneys. The result is high blood pressure because of extra fluid (thus extra strain) on blood vessels leading to kidneys. Speaking of benefits of potassium for high blood pressure, the more you eat it, the more sodium you lose through urine. Potassium also eases tension in your blood vessel walls, thus further helping lowering blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, increasing potassium through diet is recommended for people with blood pressure above 120/80. However, since increasing potassium intake can be harmful to kidney patients, you must consult your doctor before doing it.

4.7 gm is the daily recommended intake of potassium for an average adult. Fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, fish, banana, avocado, apricots, leafy green vegetables, peas, potatoes, mushrooms, prunes, raisins, dates, and tomatoes are all examples of foods rich in potassium.

However, apart from eating foods rich in potassium, a healthy diet and lifestyle are imperative for people with high blood pressure. Regular exercise, less stress, proper sleep, no smoking or drinking alcohol are all important for keeping your blood pressure under control.

Avoid excessive intake of potassium. It can be especially harmful to people with kidney disorders. Kidneys that are not functioning properly are less likely to be able to remove potassium from the blood. This may lead to building up of potassium.

High levels of potassium of hyperkalemia are not going to show symptoms. It will make you feel sick to your stomach and will also make you feel weak, low and irregular pulse. High levels of potassium can also make you faint.

Try increasing your potassium intake through food sources only. Do not take potassium supplements over-the-counter. Always consult a doctor before increasing potassium intake.

Scientists invent threads to detect gases when woven into clothing

Engineers from Tufts University, USA have developed a novel fabrication method to create dyed threads that change color when they detect a variety of gases. The researchers demonstrated that the threads can be read visually, or even more precisely by use of a smartphone camera, to detect changes of color due to analytes as low as 50 parts per million. Woven into clothing, smart, gas-detecting threads could provide a reusable, washable, and affordable safety asset in a medical, workplace, military, and rescue environments.

The study used a manganese-based dye, MnTPP, methyl red, and bromothymol blue to prove the concept. MnTPP and bromothymol blue can detect ammonia while methyl red can detect hydrogen chloride - gases commonly released from cleaning supplies, fertilizer and chemical and materials production. The thread is first dipped in the dye, then treated with acetic acid, which makes the surface coarser and swells the fiber. Finally, the thread is treated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which creates a flexible, physical seal around the thread and dye, which also repels water and prevents dye from leaching during washing. Importantly, the PDMS is also gas permeable, allowing the analytes to reach the optical dyes.

The team used simple dyes that detect gases with acid or base properties. The tested dyes changed color in a way that is dependent and proportional to the concentration of the gas as measured using spectroscopic methods. In between the precision of a spectrometer and the human eye is the possibility of using smartphones to read out and quantify the color changes or interpret color signatures using multiple threads and dyes. 

The threads even worked under water, detecting the existence of dissolved ammonia. Since repeated washing or use underwater does not dilute the dye, the threads can be relied upon for consistent quantifiable detection many times over, the researchers said.