Artificial organs
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For many years it has been assumed that patients undergoing cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass accumulate an "oxygen debt" that requires a higher postoperative hemoglobin concentration for its reversal. Much of this evidence has now been discredited due to mathematical error with recent research suggesting critical levels of oxygen delivery are lower than previously thought. This article aims to explore the relationship between observed and critical oxygen delivery with an estimation of the minimal hemoglobin required. ⋯ Observed measurements of oxygen delivery were recorded and compared with calculated "critical" values adjusted for temperature. The hemoglobin value that represented critical oxygen delivery was compared with the observed value to identify any "hemoglobin reserve." At no perioperative time point did observed oxygen delivery or critical hemoglobin concentration significantly approach its corresponding critical value. Current transfusion practice in noncritically ill cardiac surgery patients may be considered excessive if systemic oxygen requirement is the sole parameter considered.
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There is increasing evidence showing that adult stem cells are useful for tissue regeneration. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are self-renewing and are potent in differentiating into multiple cells and tissues. To investigate the practicability of repairing burn wounds with tissue-engineered (TE) skin combined with bone MSCs, we established a burn wound model in the porcine skin. ⋯ When grafted to the burn wounds, the TE skin containing MSCs showed better healing and keratinization, less wound contraction, and more vascularization. Grafts proliferated well and contributed to the neo-tissues. These data suggest that TE skin containing MSCs in a burn defect can accelerate wound healing and receive satisfactory effects.
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Small animal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) model would be a valuable tool for investigating pathophysiological and therapeutic strategies on bypass. However, the rat CPB models have a number of technical limitations. Effective maintenance and control of core temperature by heat exchanger (HE) is among them. ⋯ Arterial blood gases and hematocrits showed no further significant findings. We confirmed the effect of rectal temperature maintenance and hypothermic control using an HE of cardioplegia system in CPB model for rats. This model would be a valuable tool for further use in hypothermic CPB experiments in rats.