International Journal of Artificial Organs最新文献

We evaluated the viability of Vero and the osteogenic differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cells cultured on alpha-TCP-RL, SiTCP-RL, and SiTCP-RC bioceramic scaffolds. Viability of Vero cells and MSCs were evaluated by the MTT assay. The morphological pattern of the two cell types was analyzed by SEM. The functional activity of MSCs was evaluated by a cytochemical assay and osteogenic differentiation by Alizarin red staining and ALP activity. In the MTT assay, Vero cells showed high activity in the extract cytotoxicity test but low activity in the direct contact test. SEM morphological analysis showed the spread of cells with irregular and flattened morphology on the different substrates. We found a smaller number of MSCs than Vero cells on the ceramics. The cytochemical analysis revealed MSCs indicating high functional activity. We observed signs of osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by quantification of ALP activity and formation of mineralized organic matrix.

Introduction: Hemolysis, characterized by increased carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb) levels, is a complication of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods: This prospective single-center study aimed to investigate the correlation between COHb and MetHb levels and hemolysis during ECMO. This study included 32 patients requiring ECMO for circulatory or respiratory failure. Plasma-free hemoglobin (pfHb), COHb, and MetHb levels were measured simultaneously within 6 h of ECMO induction, daily during ECMO, within 6 h after decannulation, and 2 days after decannulation unless death occurred before. Patients were classified into hemolysis and non-hemolysis groups based on whether the maximum pfHb level during ECMO was ⩾50 mg/dL.

Results: No significant difference in maximum COHb levels during ECMO (COHb_ECMO) was observed between the hemolysis and non-hemolysis groups (2.15% [interquartile range (IQR) = 1.83, 2.60] vs 1.65% [IQR = 1.40, 2.10], p = 0.159). However, maximum MetHb levels during ECMO (MetHb_ECMO) were significantly higher in the hemolysis group (1.35% [IQR = 1.12, 1.78] vs 1.10% [IQR = 0.90, 1.37], p = 0.045). The Spearman's correlation coefficients for COHb_ECMO and MetHb_ECMO were 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.456-0.649) and 0.66 (95% CI = 0.404-0.820), respectively.

Conclusion: Elevated MetHb levels in patients undergoing ECMO may be associated with hemolysis.

Objective: Neurodegenerative diseases are a class of nervous system disorders characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration and loss of function. Among emerging therapeutic approaches, microfluidic-enabled stem cell encapsulation and transplantation has gained recognition as a promising strategy for mitigating neuronal damage. In this work, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), isolated from trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue, were successfully encapsulated and differentiated into neural-like cells via a microfluidic platform to demonstrate their potential for neural repair applications.

Materials and methods: The isolated mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on a microfluidic system (fabricated by soft lithography methods) and treated with medium containing DMEM supplemented with RA, IBMX, and forskolin for 7 days. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to analyze differentiated TM-MSC and their expression of neural-like specific markers such as Nestin and b-tubulin 3.

Results: qPCR analysis revealed the presence of genes characteristic of neural cells (Nestin and β-tubulin 3) in cells differentiated both within a microfluidic system and on traditional tissue culture plates (TCPS). qPCR result showed that cells on 1.5% alginate showed higher expression of β-tubulin 3 compared to those on 1% alginate, 2% alginate, and TCPS (p < 0.0001). In contrast, Nestin expression showed no statistically significant differences across all pairwise comparisons (p > 0.05 for all groups).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that mesenchymal stem cells derived from the trabecular meshwork (TM-MSCs) may serve as promising candidates for cell-based therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, the microfluidic platform implemented in this study exhibits potential utility as a delivery vehicle for TM-MSCs in therapeutic interventions targeting neurological disorders.

Introduction: To the best of our knowledge, the potential predictive association between systemic coagulation-inflammation index (SCI) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) thrombosis following proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery has not yet been investigated. Thus, in this study, we investigated the predictive value of SCI on postoperative early-term AVG thrombosis in patients undergoing proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery for hemodialysis access.

Methods: A total of 118 hemodialysis patients undergoing proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery were enrolled to this retrospective observational cohort study. The patients were categorized into two groups in accordance with whether postoperative early-term AVG thrombosis developed; as thrombosed AVG group (n = 37) and non-thrombosed AVG group (n = 81). Basic clinical features and laboratory test results of the patients were recorded and compared between the groups.

Results: Patients in thrombosed AVG group were significantly older than those in non-thrombosed AVG group. The mean WBC and neutrophil counts were significantly lower whereas the mean fibrinogen and median SCI values were significantly higher in thrombosed AVG group compared to non-thrombosed AVG group. In terms of other basic clinical features and laboratory tests, there were no significant differences between both groups in univariate analyses. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only age and SCI maintained their statistical significance and thus were accepted as independent predictors of AVG thrombosis. ROC analysis demonstrated that SCI of 47 g/L constituted the optimum cut-off value with 94.6% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity rates in predicting AVG thrombosis.

Conclusion: Our study revealed for the first time in the literature that SCI independently predicted postoperative early-term AVG thrombosis in hemodialysis patients undergoing proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery.

Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the maximum displacement resistance of silicone samples adhered to human skin using different adhesives. For this purpose, colorless silicone samples (A-4530-HCRA Silicone Gum HCR) pigmented with Functional Intrinsic II Silicone Coloring System were made and distributed into five groups (1. SA specific adhesive for maxillofacial prostheses: Drying Adhesive; 2. GHPG hair prosthesis glue; 3.GFEG semi-permanent fake eyelash glue; 4. GCLG colorless liquid glue; and 5. GDAT and denture adhesive tape). Four times were used, 30 min (T0), 240 (T1), and 480 min (T2) after the samples were adhered to the volunteer's forearm.

Results: The maximum silicone displacement force was greater for the Hair Prosthesis Glue group (GHPG) in the T0 and T2 periods.

Conclusion: The results show that hair glue (GHPG) would be an alternative option for use in maxillofacial prostheses and denture adhesive tape (GDAT) showed a lack of effective adhesion.

Background: Liver machine perfusion (MP) has emerged as a promising organ preservation modality. Recent studies have shown that the addition of the kidneys to the circuit improves the biochemical environment and could benefit liver preservation. The aim of this study was to explore the technical and anatomical feasibility of en bloc liver-pancreas-kidney MP. We also examined the safety of ex vivo perfusion with a nonoxygen carrier solution and its effects on acid-base and metabolic parameters using this novel multivisceral perfusion platform.

Methods: Five multivisceral allografts, including liver, pancreas, duodenum, and kidney, were perfused for 4 h with acellular perfusate. Hemodynamic and laboratory data were evaluated throughout the experiment.

Results: No system failure was reported. There were minimal changes in the acid-base parameters during the experiment. Lactate and glucose levels were stable throughout hypothermic perfusion. There was a mild increase in liver function parameters in the last hour of hypothermic perfusion. No changes in creatinine levels were observed throughout the study. The urine output increased steadily during the experiment, with an average of 155.6 mL/h.

Conclusion: We described an innovative multivisceral MP technique that could be further used as a platform for physiological studies and targeted therapeutic interventions. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate this ex vivo perfusion technique and provide insights into the feasibility of hypothermic acellular multivisceral MP in clinical scenarios.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to evaluate cognitive functions in Stage 4 and 5 CKD patients using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale, which objectively assesses cognitive dysfunction and various cognitive functions, and to compare them with a control group with normal kidney functions.

Methods: All participants in our case-control study were administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Test, and total scores, subscale scores, and the presence of cognitive dysfunction were recorded.

Results: When the groups were compared in terms of cognitive dysfunction (CD), 12.9% of the control group and 37.1% of the case group were found to have CD, which was statistically significant. When the groups were compared in terms of data and scale scores, the visual construction subscale score, naming, delayed recall subscale score, and total MoCA score were found to be significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Our study is the first to use the MoCA test with the correct reference range. The significant impairment observed in the cognitive functions of patients with advanced-stage CKD in our study suggests that the decision for renal replacement therapy should not be made by the patient alone, as it may be incorrect.

Utilizing magnetic coupling to drive the artificial heart blood pump in a non-contact and wireless manner offers a viable solution that can effectively avoid problems such as percutaneous lead infection. However, the existing magnetic drive blood pumps have problems such as low utilization efficiency and limited transmission torque due to significant leakage of permanent magnets. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a magnetic modulation-based magnetic drive blood pump, which uses salient pole iron sheets to modulate the magnetic field generated by permanent magnets, thereby minimizing leakage and enhancing the efficiency of permanent magnet utilization. Through finite element analysis of electromagnetic fields, the magnetic circuit structure of the magnetic modulation type magnetic drive blood pump is optimized. Additionally, the influence of the air gap distance of the magnetic drive blood pump on transmission performance is analyzed. Finally, a comprehensive experimental setup for blood pump is developed. By measuring the load torque and spatial magnetic flux density parameters of the magnetic drive blood pump and comparing them to the simulation outcomes, the effectiveness of the proposed magnetic modulation type blood pump is verified.