@article{WeigelSchmitzPfisteretal.2018, author = {Weigel, Tobias and Schmitz, Tobias and Pfister, Tobias and Gaetzner, Sabine and Jannasch, Maren and Al-Hijailan, Reem and Sch{\"u}rlein, Sebastian and Suliman, Salwa and Mustafa, Kamal and Hansmann, Jan}, title = {A three-dimensional hybrid pacemaker electrode seamlessly integrates into engineered, functional human cardiac tissue in vitro}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {14545}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-32790-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-177368}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Pacemaker systems are an essential tool for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the immune system's natural response to a foreign body results in the encapsulation of a pacemaker electrode and an impaired energy efficiency by increasing the excitation threshold. The integration of the electrode into the tissue is affected by implant properties such as size, mechanical flexibility, shape, and dimensionality. Three-dimensional, tissue-like electrode scaffolds render an alternative to currently used planar metal electrodes. Based on a modified electrospinning process and a high temperature treatment, a conductive, porous fiber scaffold was fabricated. The electrical and immunological properties of this 3D electrode were compared to 2D TiN electrodes. An increased surface of the fiber electrode compared to the planar 2D electrode, showed an enhanced electrical performance. Moreover, the migration of cells into the 3D construct was observed and a lower inflammatory response was induced. After early and late in vivo host response evaluation subcutaneously, the 3D fiber scaffold showed no adverse foreign body response. By embedding the 3D fiber scaffold in human cardiomyocytes, a tissue-electrode hybrid was generated that facilitates a high regenerative capacity and a low risk of fibrosis. This hybrid was implanted onto a spontaneously beating, tissue-engineered human cardiac patch to investigate if a seamless electronic-tissue interface is generated. The fusion of this hybrid electrode with a cardiac patch resulted in a mechanical stable and electrical excitable unit. Thereby, the feasibility of a seamless tissue-electrode interface was proven.}, language = {en} } @article{MeiningerBlumSchameletal.2017, author = {Meininger, Susanne and Blum, Carina and Schamel, Martha and Barralet, Jake E. and Ignatius, Anita and Gbureck, Uwe}, title = {Phytic acid as alternative setting retarder enhanced biological performance of dicalcium phosphate cement in vitro}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {558}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-00731-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171047}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Dicalcium phosphate cement preparation requires the addition of setting retarders to meet clinical requirements regarding handling time and processability. Previous studies have focused on the influence of different setting modifiers on material properties such as mechanical performance or injectability, while ignoring their influence on biological cement properties as they are used in low concentrations in the cement pastes and the occurrence of most compounds in human tissues. Here, analyses of both material and biological behavior were carried out on samples with common setting retardants (citric acid, sodium pyrophosphate, sulfuric acid) and novel (phytic acid). Cytocompatibility was evaluated by in vitro tests with osteoblastic (hFOB 1.19) and osteoclastic (RAW 264.7) cells. We found cytocompatibility was better for sodium pyrophosphate and phytic acid with a three-fold cell metabolic activity by WST-1 test, whereas samples set with citric acid showed reduced cell number as well as cell activity. The compressive strength (CS) of cements formed with phytic acid (CS = 13 MPa) were nearly equal to those formed with citric acid (CS = 15 MPa) and approximately threefold higher than for other setting retardants. Due to a proven cytocompatibility and high mechanical strength, phytic acid seems to be a candidate replacement setting retardant for dicalcium phosphate cements.}, language = {en} }