Review
Urology & Nephrology
Mariana Murea, Carl R. Grey, Charmaine E. Lok
Summary: Shared decision-making (SDM) is important in vascular access planning for hemodialysis patients but is not widely practiced. There is a need to shift from a prescriptive approach to a patient-centered care model in this field.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Tushar J. Vachharajani, Jonathan J. Taliercio, Evamaria Anvari
Summary: Hemodialysis remains the most common treatment for kidney failure in the United States, with innovations in vascular access care greatly impacting practice patterns. Endovascular devices for creating arteriovenous fistulas offer a solution to barriers in initiating maintenance hemodialysis, while bioengineered grafts and drug-coated devices show promise in improving vascular access outcomes. The development of innovative techniques for managing central vein stenosis can potentially help patients with exhausted vasculature remain on hemodialysis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Michael Allon, Alian Al-Balas, Carlton J. Young, Gary R. Cutter, Timmy Lee
Summary: In CKD patients with an eGFR less than 15 ml/min per 1.73 m2, placement of an AV graft instead of an AV fistula reduces the likelihood of catheter use at the initiation of dialysis.
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
John Patrick Cuenca, Andrew Padalhin, Byong-Taek Lee
Summary: The study successfully generated small-diameter vascular grafts made of ECM and PCL with enhanced mechanical properties for potential cardiovascular applications. In vitro studies showed that the grafts had good biocompatibility and minimal blood coagulation behavior, promising future allogenic applications.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jiajie Liu, Dian Chen, Xiaoqiang Zhu, Nan Liu, Haibo Zhang, Rui Tang, Zhengni Liu
Summary: This study developed a 1.8-mm-diameter vascular graft composed of a decellularized human amniotic membrane (HAM) and polycaprolactone/silk fibroin composite. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the bioengineered graft promoted rapid endothelialization, resisted collagen deposition, and maintained patency with a stable remodeling structure. The findings suggest the potential application of this graft for small-diameter vascular regeneration.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jin-Oh Jeong, Young Min Ju, Hyun-Wook Kang, Anthony Atala, James J. Yoo, Sang Jin Lee
Summary: The development of innovative vascular substitutes is increasingly important due to the prevalence of vascular diseases. In this study, a biofunctionalized electrospun vascular scaffold was designed by chemically conjugating heparin molecules and an endothelial cell (EC)-specific antibody. The findings showed that a higher degree of heparin conjugation improved the antithrombotic properties of the vascular scaffold.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Rossella Dorati, Enrica Chiesa, Mariella Rosalia, Silvia Pisani, Ida Genta, Giovanna Bruni, Tiziana Modena, Bice Conti
Summary: This study aimed to formulate tubular grafts with a size < 6 mm incorporating vancomycin as an antimicrobial agent. The use of medical healthcare-grade polymers and solvents permitted by ICH Topic Q3C (R4) was successful in achieving controlled release of vancomycin, avoiding the onset of antibiotic resistance. By incorporating a surfactant into the polymer solution, the size, distribution, and orientation of fibers were affected, reducing precipitates of vancomycin on the fiber surface and achieving a controlled release over a period of 96 to 168 h.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Soma, Masaaki Murakami, Eiji Nakatani, Yoko Sato, Satoshi Tanaka, Kiyoshi Mori, Akira Sugawara
Summary: This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of brachial artery transposition (BAT) versus tunneled cuffed central venous catheter (tcCVC) in hemodialysis patients not suitable for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG). The results showed that BAT had better whole access circuit patency and fewer severe complications compared to tcCVC placement.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Ekaterina Fedorova, George Q. Zhang, Paula K. Shireman, Karen Woo, Caitlin W. Hicks
Summary: Preoperative vein mapping is associated with favorable configurations and outcomes of hemodialysis access. Patients who underwent preoperative vein mapping were more likely to receive AVF creation and choose forearm location compared to those who did not. Preoperative vein mapping also reduces the incidence of secondary access occlusion.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ali Mirza Onder, Md Abu Yusuf Ansari, Fang Deng, Matthew M. M. Grinsell, Larry Patterson, Jennifer Jetton, Sahar Fathallah-Shaykh, Daniel Ranch, Diego Aviles, Lawrence Copelovitch, Eileen Ellis, Vimal Chadha, Ayah Elmaghrabi, Jen-Jar Lin, Lavjay Butani, Maha Haddad, Olivera Marsenic, Paul Brakeman, Raymond Quigley, H. Stella Shin, Rouba Garro, Rupesh Raina, Craig B. B. Langman
Summary: The objective of this study was to examine the changes in serum ferritin levels after conversion to permanent vascular access (PVA) among children undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Retrospective chart reviews were conducted on 98 subjects from 20 pediatric HD centers. The results showed an increase in serum ferritin levels after conversion to PVA, which was not correlated with serum hematocrit levels. Further research is needed to investigate the correlation between serum transferrin saturation and ferritin levels in pediatric HD patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jan Malik, Cora de Bont, Anna Valerianova, Zdislava Krupickova, Ludmila Novakova
Summary: AVF is the hemodialysis access with the longest life expectations, but is at risk for complications such as stenosis. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography, when used by experienced professionals, is a precise method for diagnosing AVF complications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vera Chernonosova, Alexandr Gostev, Ivan Murashov, Boris Chelobanov, Andrey Karpenko, Pavel Laktionov
Summary: This study examined the properties and compatibility of electrospun 3D matrices for vascular grafts produced using different materials. The results showed good hemocompatibility of scaffolds with Gel and bivalirudin, as well as the advantages of Pel-80A grafts over ePTFE in terms of graft occlusion and calcification levels. Additionally, the introduction of bivalirudin into grafts inhibited platelet adhesion.
Article
Surgery
Abhisekh Mohapatra, Theodore H. Yuo, Mikayla N. Lowenkamp, Jason K. Wagner, Ellen D. Dillavou, Rabih A. Chaer, Efthymios D. Avgerinos
Summary: The study found that immediate-access arteriovenous grafts (IAAVGs) are a cost-effective alternative to standard grafts (sAVGs) with lower costs and better effectiveness. The reduced number of catheter days per patient with IAAVGs led to fewer access-related infections, supporting the hypothesis that IAAVGs ultimately save costs and improve outcomes.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tingting Yang, Han Xu, Congrui Zhao, Di Tang, Fan Mu, Hongjiang Lu, Zhoufeng Rao, Shufang Wang
Summary: This study prepared a series of PBSU/gelatin composites by electrospinning and evaluated their biomechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The results showed that the addition of gelatin improved the properties of PBSU, enhancing cell adhesion and promoting the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Fabrice Abbadie, George Kosmadakis, Didier Aguilera, Aurelien Piraud
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of duplex ultrasound-guided angioplasty for hemodialysis vascular accesses. The results showed successful outcomes in terms of anatomical, clinical, and hemodynamic aspects, with minor complications having no significant impact on the patency rates. Further research is suggested to define the threshold for duplex ultrasound parameters.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mia Kim, Corinna Rosenbaum, Nicolas Schlegel, Christian Grumaz, Kai Sohn, Christoph Isbert, Heike Walles, Marco Metzger
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COLORECTAL DISEASE
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niklas Gangloff, Marcel Hoeferth, Vladimir Stepanenko, Benedikt Sochor, Bernhard Schummer, Joachim Nickel, Heike Walles, Randolf Hanke, Frank Wuerthner, Ronald N. Zuckermann, Robert Luxenhofer
Article
Toxicology
Mario T. Schellenberger, Udo Bock, Jennifer Hennen, Florian Groeber-Becker, Heike Walles, Brunhilde Bloemeke
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tobias Schmitz, Maren Jannasch, Tobias Weigel, Claus Moseke, Uwe Gbureck, Juergen Groll, Heike Walles, Jan Hansmann
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Mader, Moritz Helm, Mingxia Lu, Martina H. Stenzel, Valerie Jerome, Ruth Freitag, Seema Agarwal, Andreas Greiner
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shuntaro Yamada, Mohammed A. Yassin, Tobias Weigel, Tobias Schmitz, Jan Hansmann, Kamal Mustafa
Summary: Various synthetic polyesters have been developed for tissue engineering with preferable properties for bone regeneration. However, the low cell affinity due to hydrophobic nature hinders cell seeding and dynamics. Surface activation with oxygen plasma improves wettability, promoting cell adhesion and elongation, and accelerating osteogenic differentiation in an osteoinductive environment.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tobias Weigel, Julian Brennecke, Jan Hansmann
Summary: Embedding 3D carbon nanofiber electrodes in extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesized by human fibroblasts can improve the compatibility with neuronal cells, enhance electrode flexibility and porosity, while promoting cell adhesion and aiding in neurite formation during cell differentiation. The modification prevents direct cell-electrode contacts, potentially shielding the electrode from immunological cells to reduce the foreign body reaction and improve tissue integration.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
M. Helm, S. A. B. Riedl, K. Gollner, U. Gollner, V Jerome, R. Freitag
Summary: The study presents a method for isolating primary B cells from both juvenile and adult tonsillar material, achieving purities >= 80% through nylon wool column separation. This method preserves all B cell subsets and provides high number of cells from tonsils, enhancing the comparability of results in subsequent experiments. The isolated B cells demonstrate proliferative capability and show a decline in proliferative response with donor age.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Max Wacker, Jan Riedel, Heike Walles, Maximilian Scherner, George Awad, Sam Varghese, Sebastian Schuerlein, Bernd Garke, Priya Veluswamy, Jens Wippermann, Joern Huelsmann
Summary: This study contrasted the effects of different surface coatings on the growth of human cells on bacterial nanocellulose small-diameter vascular grafts. It was found that fibronectin and heparin-chitosan coatings could positively impact endothelialization, potentially improving the longevity and reducing thrombogenicity of the vascular grafts in the future.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tobias Weigel, Christoph Malkmus, Verena Weigel, Maximiliane Wussmann, Constantin Berger, Julian Brennecke, Florian Groeber-Becker, Jan Hansmann
Summary: The extracellular matrix (ECM) of soft tissues in vivo has unique properties and can be rearranged via cellular remodeling. However, modern synthetic alternatives lack these key features. A refined electrospinning process has been developed to generate synthetic scaffolds with highly porous fibrous structures and enhanced fiber-to-fiber distances. This scaffold allows for cell migration, matrix remodeling, and ECM synthesis, making it an ideal platform for generating soft tissue equivalents.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Cornelia Wiese-Rischke, Rasika S. Murkar, Heike Walles
Summary: The review summarizes the development and application of airway models, ranging from cell line models to organoids. The function of mucus as a barrier component and the need for nondestructive characterization of barrier models using TEER measurements and live cell imaging are emphasized. Organ-on-a-chip technology presents a great opportunity for cultivating complex airway models.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bastian Christ, Walther Glaubitt, Katrin Berberich, Tobias Weigel, Jorn Probst, Gerhard Sextl, Sofia Dembski
Summary: The authors present a novel method of synthesizing fibers using the sol-gel process. They successfully prepared TiOx fibers using titanium ethylate as the precursor and lactic acid as a chelating ligand, and further processed the fibers into non-woven fleece. The study reveals a correlation between the lactic acid content and the dissolution behavior of the fibers. In vitro cell culture experiments demonstrated the potential suitability of the material as an open-mesh structured scaffold, even for advanced therapeutic medicinal products.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tobias Weigel, Bastian Christ, Sofia Dembski, Andrea Ewald, Dieter Groneberg, Jan Hansmann, Robert Luxenhofer, Marco Metzger, Heike Walles, Christian Willy, Florian Groeber-Becker, Joern Probst
Summary: This study presents a new approach where implants are connected covalently to a highly porous electrospun fleece, achieving a tight physiological connection and self-healing probabilities to prevent bacterial infections. The establishment of a durable covalent connection enables self-healing biomimetic integration into the surrounding skin.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Deyan Ivanov, Anika Hoeppel, Tobias Weigel, Razvigor Ossikovski, Sofia Dembski, Tatiana Novikova
Summary: This study investigated the impact of two thawing mechanisms on the microstructure of defrosted cryopreserved 3D tissue models using transmission Mueller microscopy and polarimetric analysis. The results showed that Mueller microscopy can be used as a fast complementary technique for assessing the microstructure of cryopreserved tissue after thawing.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Reem Al-Hejailan, Tobias Weigel, Sebastian Schuerlein, Constantin Berger, Futwan Al-Mohanna, Jan Hansmann
Summary: Compared to cell therapy, using cells seeded in a vascularized scaffold for the treatment of heart infarction offers advantages such as immediate nutrient supply and controlled localization. In this study, two decellularization protocols using sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium deoxycholate were optimized for a porcine heart scaffold. The sodium dodecyl sulfate protocol resulted in scaffolds with low DNA content, preserved extracellular matrix composition, and functionality demonstrated by coagulation assay and spontaneous contractions after seeding human cells. This customized decellularization protocol is a step towards preclinical evaluation of the scaffolds.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)