| 1. |
- Andersson, Roger, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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Force to restore the shape of an asymmetric extracorporeal tube as the basis for non-invasive pressure measurements
- 2002
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Ingår i: International Journal of Artificial Organs. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 25:4, s. 281-289
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A zero-balance principle is described where intraluminal pressure is estimated from the counter force needed to restore the tube shape of an elastic extra corporeal tube. The aim was to optimise cross-sectional tube geometry for tube expansion due to pressure and to reduce the sensitivity to variation in mechanical tube characteristics using an experimental statistical and factorial design. The main application is pressure monitoring in blood and dialysate tubes during hemodialysis. Improving the monitoring of the dialysis process will reduce complications, such as sudden decreases in systemic blood pressure or occlusion at the artero-venous fistula. The factorial design indicated strong influence from the geometrical characteristics of the tube as well from the geometrical design parameters of the pressure transducer. We found a consistent relationship between the intraluminal pressure and the applied force needed to restore the tube shape. The modified cross-sectional tube geometry enhances measurement sensitivity and facilitates the desired behavior of tubes during pressure applications.
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| 2. |
- Doillon, CJ, et al.
(författare)
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A collagen-based scaffold for a tissue engineered human cornea: Physical and physiological properties
- 2003
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Ingår i: International Journal of Artificial Organs. - : Wichtig Editore. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 26:8, s. 764-773
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stabilized collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds for tissue engineered human corneas were characterized. Hydrated matrices were constructed by blending type I collagen with chondroitin sulphates (CS), with glutaraldehyde crosslinking. A corneal keratocyte cell line was added to the scaffolds with or without corneal epithelial and endothelial cells. Constructs were grown with or without ascorbic acid. Wound-healing was evaluated in chemical-treated constructs. Native, noncrosslinked gels were soft with limited longevity. Crosslinking strengthened the matrix yet permitted cell growth. CS addition increased transparency. Keratocytes grown within the matrix had higher frequencies of K+ channel expression than keratocytes grown on plastic. Ascorbic acid increased uncrosslinked matrix degradation in the presence of keratocytes, while it enhanced keratocyte growth and endogenous collagen synthesis in crosslinked matrices. Wounded constructs showed recovery from exposure to chemical irritants. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that our engineered, stabilized matrix is well-suited to function as an in vitro corneal stroma.
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| 3. |
- Fridolin, Ivo, et al.
(författare)
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On-line monitoring of solutes in dialysate using adsorption of ultraviolet radiation : technical description
- 2002
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Ingår i: International Journal of Artificial Organs. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 25:8, s. 748-761
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE:The aim of this work was to describe a new optical method for monitoring solutes in a spent dialysate using absorption of UV radiation.METHOD:The method utilises UV-absorbance determined in the spent dialysate using a spectrophotometrical set-up. Measurements were performed both on collected dialysate samples and on-line. During on-line monitoring, a spectrophotometer was connected to the fluid outlet of the dialysis machine, with all spent dialysate passing through a specially-designed cuvette for optical single-wavelength measurements. The concentrations of several substances of various molecular sizes, electrical charge, transport mechanism, etc. were determined in the dialysate and in the blood using standard laboratory techniques. The correlation coefficient between UV-absorbance of the spent dialysate and concentration of the substances in the spent dialysate and in the blood was calculated from data based on the collected samples.RESULTS:The obtained on-line UV-absorbance curve demonstrates the possibility to follow a single hemodialysis session continuously and to monitor deviations in the dialysator performance using UV-absorbance. The experimental results indicate a very good correlation between UV-absorbance and several small waste solutes removed such as urea, creatinine and uric acid in the spent dialysate and in the blood for every individual treatment at a fixed wavelength of 285 nm. Moreover, a good correlation between the UV-absorbance and substances like potassium, phosphate and beta2-microglobulin was obtained. The lowest correlation was achieved for sodium, calcium, glucose, vitamin B12 and albumin.CONCLUSIONS:A technique for on-line monitoring of solutes in the spent dialysate utilising the UV-absorbance was developed. On-line monitoring during a single hemodialysis session exploiting UV-absorbance represents a possibility to follow a single hemodialysis session continuously and monitor deviations in dialysis efficiency (e.g. changes in blood flow and clearance). The UV-absorbance correlates well to the concentration of several solutes known to accumulate in dialysis patients indicating that the technique can be used to estimate the removal of retained substances.
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| 4. |
- Jonsson, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Electrical current leakage during hemodialysis may increase blood-membrane interaction
- 2001
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Ingår i: International Journal of Artificial Organs. - : Wichtig Editore Srl. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 24:3, s. 136-139
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During hemodialysis blood - membrane interaction causes complement activation. During dialysis there may be an electrical current leakage to the dialyzer, especially if there is a broken ground or a defect in another electrical device coupled to the patient.This study investigated whether an electric current of 1.5 mA DC could alter blood membrane interaction as measured by changes in C3d in the blood. Such a high current leakage could occur because there is no protection in the dialysis machine (Class 1B) against auxiliary current leakage. Such a current could come from a defective external device in contact with the patient during hemodialysis.Materials: A dialysis machine (Fresenius 2008C) with a filled blood-line system containing about 350 ml whole blood from each of 8 different donors was used in vitro. Each of the eight test-runs also contained 1000 U added heparin. The dialysis procedure was performed using hemophan membranes (GFS +12, Gambro) with bicarbonate and potassium 3.0 (D210, Gambro) as dialysate. Two electric poles were placed in the blood line, before and after the dialyzer (connected in parallel) and the ground was placed at entry and exit of the dialysate fluid coming from the machine to the dialysis filter. C3d was measured before the start of “dialysis” and at 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, during dialysis. Thereafter the 1.5 mA current was switched on and additional samples were drawn at 75 and 90 min. The mean C3d values were calculated. Paired non-parametric statistical analyses were performed.Results: There was a significant and continuous increase in C3d as compared to the “predialysis” level. The increase during 0 to 30 minutes was greater than that from 30 to 60 minutes (p=0.018); the increase in C3d during 60 to 90 min, was greater than that from 30 to 60 min (p=0.018) and there was no difference between the 0 to 30 and the 60 to 90 min increases.Conclusions: A current, used in this study, was able to induce a blood membrane interaction during in vitro dialysis. Even a weaker current leakage might have such adverse effects and similar interactions seem possible during regular dialysis depending on the extent of the leakage.
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| 5. |
- Ronco, Claudio, et al.
(författare)
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Blood flow distribution in sorbent beds : analysis of a new sorbent device for hemoperfusion
- 2000
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Ingår i: International Journal of Artificial Organs. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 23:2, s. 125-130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A new polymer-based sorbent cartridge has been recently developed for enhancing middle molecule removal during hemodialysis. The cartridge (Betasorb, Renaltech, New York, USA) has been designed to be placed in series with the dialyzer in the blood circuit. It is therefore important to evaluate the distribution of flow into the blood compartment of the device in order to assess if the surface of the sorbent is utilized to the best. For this purpose, a special imaging technique was utilized. Cartridges were analyzed during a simulated in vitro circulation at 250 and 350 ml/min of blood flow and 25% and 40% hematocrit. Cartridges were placed in vertical position and a cross longitudinal section 1 cm thick was analyzed in sequence by a helical scanner. Dye was injected into the arterial inlet and the progressive distribution was evaluated by sequential densitometrical measures carried out automatically by the machine. The sequential images analyzed by the scanner demonstrated excellent distribution of the flow in the blood compartment with minimal difference between the central and the peripheral regions of the compartment. In particular the following flow velocity pattern could be observed under the different experimental conditions tested. We may conclude that the cartridge design is adequate and no channelling effects could be detected in the blood compartment. The flow distribution is slightly affected by changes in flow rate and hematocrit showing an optimal utilization of the available surface for molecule adsorption.
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| 6. |
- Stegmayr, Bernd, et al.
(författare)
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World apheresis registry
- 2004
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Ingår i: International Journal of Artificial Organs. - Milano : Wichtig Editore. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 27:7, s. 589-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 7. |
- Vanholder, R, et al.
(författare)
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Uremic toxicity: present state of the art
- 2001
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Ingår i: The International journal of artificial organs. - : SAGE Publications. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 24:10, s. 695-725
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The uremic syndrome is a complex mixture of organ dysfunctions, which is attributed to the retention of a myriad of compounds that under normal condition are excreted by the healthy kidneys (uremic toxins). In the area of identification and characterization of uremic toxins and in the knowledge of their pathophysiologic importance, major steps forward have been made during recent years. The present article is a review of several of these steps, especially in the area of information about the compounds that could play a role in the development of cardiovascular complications. It is written by those members of the Uremic Toxins Group, which has been created by the European Society for Artificial Organs (ESAO). Each of the 16 authors has written a state of the art in his/her major area of interest.
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| 8. |
- Yao, Q, et al.
(författare)
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Inhibition of the effect of high glucose on the expression of Smad in human peritoneal mesothelial cells
- 2004
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Ingår i: The International journal of artificial organs. - : SAGE Publications. - 0391-3988 .- 1724-6040. ; 27:10, s. 828-834
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As high glucose (HG) concentration in peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution is thought to contribute to peritoneal fibrosis, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) may have a key role in preventing fibrosis as they may inhibit the TGF- ß1–Smad pathway, the aims of this in vitro study were to investigate 1) if HG affects the expression of Smad in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) and 2) if ARB (losartan) can inhibit this effect. Methods HPMCs, obtained from non-renal patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, were stimulated by HG solutions with different concentrations (1.5%, 2.5%, 4.25%) of dextrose and mannitol, and by solutions containing combination with dextrose and losartan. The supernatant was assayed for TGF- ß1 by ELISA and cells were collected for the analysis of Smad family by RT-PCR and Western Blot. Results 1) HG up-regulated the expression of Smad2 on both gene and protein levels, especially in 2.5% and 4.25% dextrose groups (P&0.05), and also stimulated the expression of Smad4 in 4.25% dextrose group. However, the expression of Smad3 was not affected. 2) High osmolality as such (using mannitol) did not affect the TGF-ß1-Smad signaling pathway. 3) Losartan inhibited the expression of Smad2 on the gene level but not on the protein level. 4) HG up-regulated the level of TGF- ß1 with increasing dextrose concentration, while losartan partially inhibited this effect of HG on releasing of TGF-ß1. Conclusion A high glucose solution up-regulated the expression of Smad2 and Smad4, suggesting that the TGF- ß1-Smad pathway could be involved in the fibrosis of the peritoneum during PD. As losartan inhibited the expression of Smad2 on the gene level and reduced the concentration of TGF- ß1 in our study, the results of this in vitro study suggest that the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers might represent a possible way to prevent and treat peritoneal fibrosis in PD patients. However, further studies in vivo are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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