Visualizing the Heterogeneity in Homogeneous Supramolecular Polymers.

The dynamic properties of supramolecular polymers enable new functionality beyond the limitations of conventional polymers. The mechanism of the monomer exchange between different supramolecular polymers is proposed to be closely associated with local disordered domains within the supramolecular polymers. However, a direct detection of such heterogeneity has never been experimentally probed.

Feeling of pulsations in artificial arteries with a real time haptic feedback laparoscopic grasper: a validation study.

Introduction: Despite the advancements in technology and organized training for surgeons in laparoscopic surgery, the persistent challenge of not being able to feel the resistance and characteristics of the tissue, including pulsations, remains unmet. A recently developed grasper (Optigrip®) with real time haptic feedback, based on photonic technology, aims to address this issue by restoring the tactile sensation for surgeons. The key question is whether pulsations can be detected and at what minimal size level they become clinical significant.

FLOW: Flow dysfunction of hemodialysis vascular access: A randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of surveillance of arteriovenous fistulas and grafts.

Introduction: It is assumed that identification and correction of asymptomatic stenoses in the vascular access circuit will prevent thrombosis that would require urgent intervention to continue hemodialysis treatment. However, the evidence base for this assumption is limited. Recent international clinical practice guidelines reach different conclusions on the use of surveillance for vascular access flow dysfunction and recommend further research to inform clinical practice.

Bisurea-Based Supramolecular Polymers for Tunable Biomaterials.

Water-soluble supramolecular polymers show great potential to develop dynamic biomaterials with tailored properties. Here, we elucidate the morphology, stability and dynamicity of supramolecular polymers derived from bisurea-based monomers. An accessible synthetic approach from 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) as the starting material is developed.

Hapten/Myristoyl Functionalized Poly(propyleneimine) Dendrimers as Potent Cell Surface Recruiters of Antibodies for Mediating Innate Immune Killing.

Recruiting endogenous antibodies to the surface of cancer cells using antibody-recruiting molecules has the potential to unleash innate immune effector killing mechanisms against antibody-bound cancer cells. The affinity of endogenous antibodies is relatively low, and many currently explored antibody-recruiting strategies rely on targeting over-expressed receptors, which have not yet been identified in most solid tumors. Here, both challenges are addressed by functionalizing poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers with both multiple dinitrophenyl (DNP) motifs, as anti-hapten antibody-recruiting motifs, and myristoyl motifs, as universal phospholipid cell membrane anchoring motifs, to recruit anti-hapten antibodies to cell surfaces.

Editor's Choice - Quality of Life after Stenting for Iliofemoral Venous Obstruction: A Randomised Controlled Trial with One Year Follow Up.

Objective: Deep venous obstruction (DVO) is a great burden on the healthcare system and patients' quality of life (QoL). Case series show stenting is safe and effective, however most studies lack control groups and QoL changes have not been compared with conventional treatment. The aim was to assess the difference in QoL changes from baseline to 12 months between stent and conventionally treated patients with DVO.

Male or female sterilization - the decision making process: Counselling and regret.

Objective(s): To analyze the decision-making process of both male and female sterilization in order to improve counselling and prevent regret after sterilization in the future.

Study Design: An online questionnaire regarding sterilization (counselling, sources of information and regret) was promoted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. A total of 1107 men and women who had undergone or considered sterilization in the Netherlands filled in the questionnaire.

Dilution-induced gel-sol-gel-sol transitions by competitive supramolecular pathways in water.

Fascinating properties are displayed by synthetic multicomponent supramolecular systems that comprise a manifold of competitive interactions, thereby mimicking natural processes. We present the integration of two reentrant phase transitions based on an unexpected dilution-induced assembly process using supramolecular polymers and surfactants. The co-assembly of the water-soluble benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA-EG) and a surfactant at a specific ratio yielded small-sized aggregates.

Duplex Analysis of Cannulated Vessels in Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) cannulas have major repercussions on vascular hemodynamics that can potentially lead to limb ischemia. Duplex ultrasound enables the non-invasive analysis of vascular hemodynamics. This study aims to describe the duplex parameters of the femoral vessels during V-A ECMO support, investigate differences between cannulated and non-cannulated vessels, and analyze the variations in the case of limb ischemia and intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs).

Choline-Functionalized Supramolecular Copolymers: Toward Antimicrobial Activity against .

Dynamic binding events are key to arrive at functionality in nature, and these events are often governed by electrostatic or hydrophobic interactions. Synthetic supramolecular polymers are promising candidates to obtain biomaterials that mimic this dynamicity. Here, we created four new functional monomers based on the benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) motif.

Potential Value of Haptic Feedback in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Deep Endometriosis.

Laparoscopic treatment of deep endometriosis (DE) is associated with intra- and post-operative morbidity. New technological developments, such as haptic feedback in laparoscopic instruments, could reduce the rate of complications. The aim of this study was to assess the room for improvement and potential cost-effectiveness of haptic feedback instruments in laparoscopic surgery.

Recombinant Silk Hydrogel as a Novel Dermal Filler Component: Preclinical Safety and Efficacy Studies of a New Class of Tissue Fillers.

Background: Hyaluronic acid-based tissue fillers are commonly utilized in reconstructive surgery as well as for aesthetic augmentation. A new type of recombinant silk-based tissue filler might pose a beneficial alternative for surgeons and patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare injectability, reshaping, tolerability, and postimplantation behavior of dermal filler preparations containing recombinant silk hydrogel with a commercially available hyaluronic acid filler in 2 different animal models.

Architecture-Dependent Interplay between Self-Assembly and Crystallization in Discrete Block Co-Oligomers.

Access to versatile and stable nanostructures formed by the self-assembly of block copolymers in water is essential for biomedical applications. These applications require control over the stability, morphology, and size of the formed nanostructures. Here, we study the self-assembly in water of a library of fully discrete and sequence-controlled AB-type block co-oligomers (BCOs) of oligo(l-lactic acid)--oligo(ethylene glycol).

Long-term follow-up after successful Essure sterilization: evaluation of patient satisfaction, symptoms, and the influence of negative publicity.

Objective: To evaluate long-term patient satisfaction and symptoms after successful Essure sterilization and the influence of negative publicity on patients' opinion.

Design: Survey study.

Setting: Two nonacademic hospitals.

Performance of a Haptic Feedback Grasper in Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Pilot Comparison With Conventional Graspers in a Porcine Model.

Compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery is limited by reduced sensation of tissue properties. A laparoscopic grasper with integrated haptic feedback technology that improves the ability to sense tissue properties might provide a solution. The force reflecting operation instrument (FROI) is a new laparoscopic grasper, designed to provide information about the interaction forces between the instrument and tissue through resistance in the handle.

Algorithm of Transvaginal Ultrasound and/or Hysterosalpingogram for Confirmation Testing at 3 Months after Essure Placement.

Study Objective: To evaluate the algorithm of transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) and/or modified hysterosalpingogram (HSG) confirmation testing 3 months after Essure placement to determine if women can rely on the device for permanent birth control.

Design: Interim analysis of an ongoing 10-year, prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, single-arm, international trial (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Twenty study centers in the United States (n = 12), Canada (n = 1), The Netherlands (n = 6), and Spain (n = 1).

The effects of laparoscopic graspers with enhanced haptic feedback on applied forces: a randomized comparison with conventional graspers.

Background: Haptic feedback, which enables surgeons to perceive information on interaction forces between instrument and tissue, is deficient in laparoscopic surgery. This information, however, is essential for accurate tissue manipulation and recognition of tissue consistencies. To this end, a laparoscopic grasper with enhanced haptic feedback has been developed: the force reflecting operation instrument (FROI).

Ergonomics of laparoscopic graspers and the importance of haptic feedback: the surgeons' perspective.

Haptic feedback is drastically reduced in laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery. Introducing enhanced haptic feedback in laparoscopic instruments might well improve surgical safety and efficiency. In the design process of a laparoscopic grasper with enhanced haptic feedback, handle design should be addressed to strive for optimal usability and comfort.

Evaluation of Nickel Allergic Reactions to the Essure Micro Insert: Theoretical Risk or Daily Practice?

Study Objective: To evaluate whether de novo development of nickel sensitization is related to placement of the Essure device, and to evaluate whether the grade of reaction to nickel increased after device placement in patients with a confirmed nickel allergy.

Design: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Two nonacademic training hospitals in The Netherlands.