Texture Analysis in Research: Medical and surgical advances

Researchers from the University of Indonesia have been investigating a TUR-P phantom for resident surgical training – a food-based design as a human mimicking model of the prostate. 

The novel model aimed to be similar to the human prostate in terms of its texture profile, sensation upon resection, and anatomical hallmarks for resident transurethral resection of the prostate training. Ten phantom designs were proposed, using broadly available ingredients and a homemade protocol. They used their TA.XT2i Texture Analyser to measure the samples’ texture profile. The study successfully developed a cost-effective model from a food-based design. Read more

• Meanwhile, a novel simulation model for transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair is being investigated by Researchers from Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. TAPP inguinal hernia repair requires the surgeon to have good manual skills in laparoscopic surgery, as well as an understanding of the laparoscopic features of the groin anatomy. This is why TAPP is considered a more difficult surgical procedure compared to open techniques. A realistic training model for TAPP inguinal hernia repair would enhance surgeons’ skills before they enter into the operation room.

The aim of this study was to create a realistic, inexpensive, and easily reproducible model for laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repair and to assess its effectiveness. The applied TAPP inguinal hernia repair training simulator consists of a laparoscopic box and an inguinal region model placed in it. The model of the groin area is made of the porcine stomach and assembling materials. They used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to perform uniaxial tensile and T-peel tests to compare the mechanical properties of the porcine stomach and the human cadaver peritoneum. 

The study was successful in creating a model for TAPP inguinal hernia repair training made of inexpensive synthetic and biological materials similar to the human tissue. The model is easy to reproduce and can be used in the training programs of surgical residents. Read more 

• Cardiotoxicity is a common reason for drug withdrawal, but it is a difficult effect to measure. Animal experiments in this field are unethical and poor predictors of human toxicity, so a human cardiac tissue model is a good solution. 

Scientists from Tampere University have been researching the direct measurement of contraction force in a human cardiac tissue model using a piezoelectric cantilever sensor technique. To question the cardiotoxicity of a drug, a model such as this is used to measure the contraction force of cardiac muscle cells. They used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to measure the voltage vs force sensitivity of cantilever sensors. Development of the measurement method allowed very low forces to be determined, such as those that appear in biological small scale systems. Read more

• Meanwhile in the field of surgical progress, scientists from the National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, have been investigating underwater adhesive microparticle dressings composed of hydrophobically-modified Alaska Pollock gelatine for gastrointestinal tract wound healing. 

The goal of this study was to develop wound dressings with strong tissue-adhesive properties to living tissues for promoting wound healing after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Monodisperse microparticles composed of hydrophobically-modified Alaska pollock gelatine were prepared by self-assembly of gelatine in water-ethanol mixed solvents and thermal crosslinking. They used their TA.XT2i Texture Analyser to measure the adhesion strength and adhesion energy of samples according to ASTM F-2258-05. Optimal hydrophobic modification drastically improved underwater stability of microparticles. 

The in-vivo studies were performed to evaluate the ability of this colloidal wound dressing to suppress fibrosis. This new biomaterial has enormous potential to promote wound healing after ESD. Read more
 
• Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin have been researching polysaccharide-based films for the prevention of unwanted postoperative adhesions at biological interfaces. Postoperative adhesions protect, repair, and supply nutrients to injured tissues; however, such adhesions often remain permanent and complicate otherwise successful surgeries by tethering tissues together that are normally separated. An ideal adhesion barrier should not only effectively prevent unwanted adhesions but should be easy to use. 

However, those that are currently available have inconsistent efficacy and are difficult to handle or to apply. A robust hydrogel film composed of alginate and a photo-crosslinkable hyaluronic acid derivative represents a solution to this problem.

In this study, a sacrificial porogen (urea) was used in the film manufacture process to impart macropores that yield films that are more malleable and tougher than equivalent films produced without the sacrificial porogen. They used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to measure the puncture resistance of samples. The robust mechanical behaviour of these films directly facilitated handling characteristics of the barrier film. In a rat peritoneal abrasion model for adhesion formation, the polysaccharide films successfully prevented adhesions with statistical equivalence to the leading anti-adhesion technology on the market, Seprafilm®. Read more

• Texture analysis continues to be used in many other areas of the medical world.  Many patients suffer from traumatic peripheral nerve injuries every year. A considerable proportion of these patients are young people who constitute the main labour force of society. Nerve injuries cause dysfunction in the extremities and affect work and living abilities, which brings society a huge burden. The functional recovery of peripheral nerve injuries is associated with many factors, including the time interval between the injury and repair surgery. 

Researchers from the AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, have been investigating the regenerative capacities of a chitosan-nanoselenium conduit on transected sciatic nerves in diabetic rats. They used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to perform tensile tests on regenerated nerves. Chitosan-nanoselenium conduits were found to result in accelerated functional recovery. Read more

• Also in the field of eyes, researchers from the University of Iceland have been investigating in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of nepafenac-based cyclodextrin microparticles for treatment of eye inflammation. Inflammation of the eye and surrounding tissues is among the ocular pathologies with the highest incidence in ophthalmology, and when deprived of the appropriate treatment, can lead to visual loss. 

The aim of this study was to design and evaluate novel cyclodextrin (CD)-based aggregate formulations to efficiently deliver nepafenac topically to the eye structure, to treat inflammation and increase nepafenac levels in the posterior segment, thus attenuating the response of inflammatory mediators. They used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to measure mucoadhesion strength of eye drop samples on bovine corneas. The optimised formulations represented an opportunity for topical instillation of drugs to the posterior segment of the eye. Read more

• Scientists from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology have been researching nutrient selection and optimisation to formulate a nutrient bar stable on storage and specific to women at risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a silent but progressive disease affecting not only the bone mineral density but also the quality of one’s life, while greatly increasing fracture risk.

The current study was carried out with the objective of preparing a multi-nutrient supplement by selecting and characterising different food ingredients preferably from plant origin at optimised levels, to analyse their nutritional suitability and storage stability in the form of nutrition bars for improving the bone health of post-menopausal women. 

They used their TA.HDi Texture Analyser to perform textural profile analysis on samples. It was concluded that functional foods with healthy nutrients prepared for women at risk of osteoporosis not only aid in their bone health but are also commercially viable. Read more

To find out more about Texture Analysis of pharmaceutical products, contact Stable Micro Systems today.

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For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.

The TA.XTplus texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.

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