First 3D-printed human corneas can aid transplants
London, May 30: In a first, British scientists have 3D printed human corneas that could cut down shortage of eye donors available for transplant.
In the research, researchers from Britain's Newcastle University, mixed stem cells (human corneal stromal cells) from a healthy donor cornea with alginate and collagen to create a solution that could be printed or a "bio-ink".
Using a simple low-cost 3D bio-printer, the bio-ink was successfully extruded in concentric circles to form the shape of a human cornea. It took less than 10 minutes to print.
"Our unique gel -- a combination of alginate and collagen -- keeps the stem cells alive whilst producing a material which is stiff enough to hold its shape but soft enough to be squeezed out the nozzle of a 3D printer," said lead author Che Connon, a professor at the varisty.
The results published in the journal, Experimental Eye Research, also stated that the stem cells could culture -- or grow.
"...we have a ready to use bio-ink containing stem cells allowing users to start printing tissues without having to worry about growing the cells separately," Connon added.
According to the researchers, there is a significant shortage of corneas available to transplant, with 10 million people worldwide requiring surgery to prevent corneal blindness as a result of diseases such as trachoma, an infectious eye disorder.
Further, the study also demonstrated that the cornea could also be built to match a patient's unique specifications.
The dimensions of the printed tissue were originally taken from an actual cornea. By scanning a patient's eye, they could use the data to rapidly print a cornea which matched the size and shape, the team explained.
"...what we have shown is that it is feasible to print corneas using coordinates taken from a patient eye and that this approach has potential to combat the world-wide shortage," Connon said.
However, the researchers admitted that further investigations on 3D printed corneas are needed before they could be used in transplants.
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UP Police saves man attempting suicide after Meta alert
Shahjahanpur (UP), Nov 15: A 24-year-old man in Shahjahanpur was prevented from dying of sleeping pills, an act he livestreamed on Instagram, after Meta alerted police, authorities said on Friday.
The Bhudia village native was rushed to a hospital by police and was discharged after treatment.
According to an officer, the man attempted suicide because he was upset with his parents' scolding him.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh S said, "Mohan (name changed) posted a live video on Instagram late Thursday night, saying, 'Oh God, take me with you. When will I die!' He held six sleeping pills in his hand and consumed them during the video."
The alert was flagged by Meta's Social Media Center and forwarded to the UP police headquarters with the video and the user's location at 11.05 pm.
Meta relayed the information to Shahjahanpur Police at 11.17 pm. The local Katra police team reached Bhudia village, 9 km away, in just 12 minutes, the officer said.
"Google estimated 16 minutes for the route, but our team arrived faster," the SP said.
Police found Mohan in an unconscious state and immediately transported him to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Katra.
