Refine
Year of publication
Institute
- IfB - Institut für Bioengineering (690) (remove)
Document Type
- Article (451)
- Conference Proceeding (152)
- Part of a Book (37)
- Doctoral Thesis (20)
- Report (10)
- Book (8)
- Lecture (3)
- Other (3)
- Habilitation (2)
- Patent (2)
Keywords
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (7)
- Limit analysis (6)
- Clusterion (5)
- Shakedown analysis (5)
- solar sail (5)
- Air purification (4)
- Einspielen <Werkstoff> (4)
- Hämoglobin (4)
- Lipopolysaccharide (4)
- Luftreiniger (4)
- Plasmacluster ion technology (4)
- Raumluft (4)
- Sonde (4)
- CellDrum (3)
- Eisschicht (3)
- GOSSAMER-1 (3)
- Kohlenstofffaser (3)
- MASCOT (3)
- Technische Mechanik (3)
- lipopolysaccharides (3)
- shakedown analysis (3)
- Analytischer Zulaessigkeitsnachweis (2)
- Biocomposites (2)
- Bruchmechanik (2)
- Einspiel-Analyse (2)
- Erythrozyt (2)
- FEM (2)
- Fibroblast (2)
- Iterative learning control (2)
- Mars (2)
- Natural fibres (2)
- Pflanzenphysiologie (2)
- Pflanzenscanner (2)
- Polymer-matrix composites (2)
- Shakedown (2)
- Solar sail (2)
- Spacecraft (2)
- Stickstoffmonoxid (2)
- Stiffness (2)
- Stress concentrations (2)
- Trajectory Optimization (2)
- bacterial cellulose (2)
- biopotential electrodes (2)
- carbonized rice husk (2)
- celldrum technology (2)
- damage (2)
- locomotion (2)
- multiple NEA rendezvous (2)
- muscle fascicle behavior (2)
- nanostructured carbonized plant parts (2)
- nanostrukturierte carbonisierte Pflanzenteile (2)
- nitric oxide gas (2)
- plant scanner (2)
- prebiotic (2)
- ratchetting (2)
- shakedown (2)
- small spacecraft (2)
- ultrasound (2)
- ultrasound imaging (2)
- Achilles tendon (1)
- Adaptive control (1)
- Adsorption (1)
- Ageing (1)
- AlterG (1)
- Alternating plasticity (1)
- Alzheimer's disease (1)
- Analysis (1)
- Anastomose (1)
- Anastomosis (1)
- Anastomotic leakage (1)
- Anatomy (1)
- Annulus Fibrosus (1)
- Antarctic Glaciology (1)
- Antarctica (1)
- Architectural gear ratio (1)
- Arthosetherapie (1)
- Assistive technology (1)
- Asteroid Deflection (1)
- Attitude dynamics (1)
- Aufschlagversuch (1)
- Autofluoreszenzverfahren (1)
- Autolysis (1)
- Automated Optimization (1)
- Automatic control (1)
- Axialbelastung (1)
- Axially cracked pipe (1)
- Bacillus sp (1)
- Bacterial cellulose (1)
- Bakterien (1)
- Biomechanical simulation (1)
- Biomechanics (1)
- Biomechanik (1)
- Biomedizinische Technik (1)
- Bioreaktor (1)
- Biosolubilization (1)
- Bladder (1)
- Blutzellenlagerung (1)
- Bone quality and biomechanics (1)
- Bone sawing (1)
- Carbon sources (1)
- Cardiac myocytes (1)
- Cardiac tissue (1)
- Cell permeability (1)
- Cellular force (1)
- Cellulose nanostructure (1)
- Cement infiltration (1)
- Cementoblast (1)
- Chance constrained programming (1)
- Circular Dichroism (1)
- Coal (1)
- Coefficient of ocular rigidity (1)
- Collagen fibrils (1)
- Compression (1)
- Computational biomechanics (1)
- Connective tissues (1)
- Constitutive model (1)
- Contractile tension (1)
- Corneo-scleral shell (1)
- Cost-effectiveness (1)
- Culture media (1)
- DLR-ESTEC GOSSAMER roadmap for solar sailing (1)
- Damage mechanics theory (1)
- Dattel (1)
- Decomposition (1)
- Deformation (1)
- Dekontamination (1)
- Design-by-analysis (1)
- Differential tonometry (1)
- Disc Degeneration (1)
- Discontinuous fractures (1)
- Distorsion des oberen Sprunggelenks (1)
- Druckbeanspruchung (1)
- Druckbehälter (1)
- Druckbelastung (1)
- Drug simulation (1)
- Dry surfaces (1)
- EEG (1)
- ES-FEM (1)
- Einspiel-Kriterium (1)
- Einspielen (1)
- Elastostatics (1)
- Electromechanical modeling (1)
- Elektrodynamik (1)
- End-to-end colorectal anastomosis (1)
- Endothelial cells (1)
- Endothelial dysfunction (1)
- Endothelzelle (1)
- Environmental impact (1)
- Epithel (1)
- Evolution of damage (1)
- Evolutionary Neurocontrol (1)
- Exact Ilyushin yield surface (1)
- Experiment (1)
- Extension fracture (1)
- Extension strain criterion (1)
- External knee adduction moments (1)
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) (1)
- Extraterrestrial Glaciology (1)
- Eyeball (1)
- FGF23 (1)
- FS-FEM (1)
- Fehlerstellen (1)
- Finite element analysis (1)
- Finite element analysis (FEA) (1)
- Finite element method (1)
- Finite element modelling (1)
- First Order Reliabiblity Method (1)
- First-order reliability method (1)
- Fließgrenze (1)
- Force (1)
- Forces (1)
- Fracture configuration (1)
- Fracture simulation (1)
- Freeze–thaw process (1)
- Frequency adaption (1)
- Fußball (1)
- Geriatric (1)
- Glaciological instruments and methods (1)
- Glaucoma (1)
- Global and local collapse (1)
- Gonarthrose (1)
- Gossamer (1)
- Gossamer structures (1)
- Grenzwertberechnung (1)
- Growth modelling (1)
- H2 (1)
- Haemodialysis (1)
- Handbike (1)
- Harnleiter (1)
- Heart tissue culture (1)
- Hemoglobin structure (1)
- Hip fractures (1)
- Hodgkin–Huxley models (1)
- Homogenization (1)
- Human-Computer interaction (1)
- Hybrid Propellants (1)
- Hydrodynamik (1)
- Hydrogel (1)
- Hydrogenotrophic methanogens (1)
- Hämoglobinstruktur (1)
- Ice melting probe (1)
- Ice penetration (1)
- Icy moons (1)
- Impedance Spectroscopy (1)
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (1)
- Inotropic compounds (1)
- Interplanetary flight (1)
- Interstellar objects (1)
- Intervertebral Disc (1)
- Intradiscal Pressure (1)
- Inverse dynamic problem (1)
- Inverse kinematic problem (1)
- Ion channels (1)
- Jupiter (1)
- Kinematics (1)
- Kinetics (1)
- Klotho (1)
- Knee (1)
- Kniegelenkarthrose (1)
- Knochen (1)
- Knochenbildung (1)
- Knochenchirugie (1)
- Knochendichte (1)
- Körpertemperatur (1)
- LPS (1)
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1)
- Lichtstreuungsbasierte Instrumente (1)
- Liver (1)
- Load modeling (1)
- Long COVID (1)
- Low-Thrust Propulsion (1)
- MBST (1)
- Machine learning (1)
- Manipulated variables (1)
- Mechanical simulation (1)
- Mechanical stability (1)
- Mechanics (1)
- Mechanische Beanspruchung (1)
- Mechanotransduction (1)
- Medusomyces gisevi (1)
- Methane (1)
- Methanogenesis (1)
- Microbial adhesion (1)
- Microcirculation (1)
- Mild cognitive impairment (1)
- Missions (1)
- Mohr–Coulomb criterion (1)
- Multimode failure (1)
- Multiphase (1)
- Muscle (1)
- Muscle Fascicle (1)
- Muscle Force (1)
- Muscle fibers (1)
- Musculoskeletal model (1)
- Musculoskeletal system (1)
- Myocardial infarction and cardiac death (1)
- NONOate (1)
- Natriumhypochlorit (1)
- Niacin (1)
- Nitric Oxide (1)
- Nitric Oxide Donor (1)
- Non-linear optimization (1)
- Non-parallel fissures (1)
- Nucleus Pulposus (1)
- Ocean worlds (1)
- Ocular blood flow (1)
- Orbital dynamics (1)
- Organkultur (1)
- Osteoporose (1)
- Osteoporosis (1)
- PFM (1)
- PHILAE (1)
- PTH (1)
- Paralympic sport (1)
- Passive stretching (1)
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (1)
- Pelvic muscle (1)
- Permeability (1)
- Permeabilität (1)
- Pflanzenstress (1)
- Pharmacology (1)
- Phosphate (1)
- Physiology (1)
- Planetary Protection (1)
- Planetary exploration (1)
- Plastizität (1)
- Post-COVID-19 syndrome (1)
- Pressure loaded crack-face (1)
- Pressure-volume relationship (1)
- Prevention (1)
- Progressive plastic deformation (1)
- Prophylaxis (1)
- Proteine (1)
- Proximal humerus fracture (1)
- Pulsations (1)
- RVA (1)
- Random variable (1)
- Ratcheting (1)
- Ratchetting (1)
- Recombinant activated protein C (1)
- Reconstruction (1)
- Red blood cell storage (1)
- Rehabilitation Technology and Prosthetics (1)
- Rehabilitation engineering (1)
- Reliability analysis (1)
- Reliability of structures (1)
- Retinal vessel analysis (1)
- Retinal vessels (1)
- Reusable Rocket Engines (1)
- Riboflavin (1)
- Robotic rehabilitation (1)
- Rohr (1)
- Rohrbruch (1)
- Rotator cuff (1)
- Running (1)
- S-FEM (1)
- Sampling methods (1)
- Schienbeinschoner (1)
- Schwammknochen (1)
- Sensitivity (1)
- Sepsis (1)
- Septic cardiomyopathy (1)
- Sequence-Search (1)
- Shakedown criterion (1)
- Simulation (1)
- Skeletal muscle (1)
- Sleep EEG (1)
- Small Aral Sea (1)
- Small Solar System Body Lander (1)
- Small Spacecraft (1)
- Small spacecraft (1)
- Solar Power Sail (1)
- Solar Sail (1)
- Spacecraft Trajectory Optimization (1)
- Spleen (1)
- Sprunggelenkorthesen (1)
- Stahl (1)
- Statics (1)
- Stochastic programming (1)
- Strukturanalyse (1)
- Subclacial exploration (1)
- Subglacial lakes (1)
- SunRav BookEditor (1)
- Surface microorganisms (1)
- Surgical Navigation and Robotics (1)
- Surgical staplers (1)
- Swabbing (1)
- Tapered ends (1)
- Temperaturabhängigkeit (1)
- Tendon Rupture (1)
- Tendon properties (1)
- Tendons (1)
- Tension (1)
- Thiamine (1)
- Tissue Engineering (1)
- Traglastanalyse (1)
- Training (1)
- Trajectories (1)
- Ultrasound (1)
- Uniaxial compression test (1)
- Ureter (1)
- Variable height stapler design (1)
- Vascular response (1)
- Vasomotions (1)
- Vertebroplastie (1)
- Vertebroplasty (1)
- Viscous flow (1)
- Viskose Strömung (1)
- Viskosität (1)
- Visual field asymmetry (1)
- Vitamin A (1)
- Vitamin B (1)
- Vitamin D (1)
- Wasserbrücke (1)
- Wasserstoffperoxid (1)
- Wolff's Law (1)
- Wolffsches Gesetz (1)
- Wundheilung (1)
- Zug-Druck Belastung (1)
- achilles tendon (1)
- actin cytoskeleton (1)
- activated nanostructured carbon (1)
- adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) (1)
- adsorption (1)
- agility (1)
- aktivierte nanostrukturierte Kohlenstofffaser (1)
- alternierend Verformbarkeit (1)
- anaesthetic complications (1)
- anisotropy (1)
- ankle braces (1)
- ankle sprain (1)
- aortic perfusion (1)
- arthrosis therapy (1)
- asteroid lander (1)
- asteroid sample return (1)
- attitude dynamics (1)
- autofluorescence-based detection system (1)
- biaxial tensile experiment (1)
- biofilms (1)
- biomechanics (1)
- bone density (1)
- bone structure (1)
- burst pressure (1)
- burst tests (1)
- cancellous bone (1)
- cardiomyocyte biomechanics (1)
- cell aerosolization (1)
- cell atomization (1)
- cerebral small vessel disease (1)
- chance constrained programming (1)
- coculture (1)
- cognitive impairment (1)
- community dwelling (1)
- computational fluid dynamics analysis (1)
- connective tissue (1)
- constitutive modeling (1)
- constructive alignment (1)
- contractile tension (1)
- correlation (1)
- crop yield (1)
- cytosolic water diffusion (1)
- date palm tree (1)
- dental trauma (1)
- design-by-analysis (1)
- dialysis (1)
- difficult airway (1)
- distance learning (1)
- distorted element (1)
- double-lumen tube intubation (1)
- drop jump (1)
- e-books (1)
- e-issues (1)
- ecological structure (1)
- electromyography (1)
- endoluminal (1)
- energy absorption (1)
- energy dissipation (1)
- epithelization (1)
- examination (1)
- exopolysaccharides (1)
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (1)
- fibulare Bandruptur (1)
- finite element analysis (1)
- flaw (1)
- flotilla missions (1)
- force generation (1)
- forehead EEG (1)
- fortschreitende plastische Deformation (1)
- gait (1)
- gonarthrosis (1)
- habitability (1)
- healthy aging (1)
- heliosphere (1)
- hemoglobin (1)
- hemoglobin dynamics (1)
- hiPS cardiomyocytes (1)
- high-intensity exercise (1)
- human dermal fibroblasts (1)
- humic acid (1)
- hydrogel (1)
- hyper-gravity (1)
- hyperelastic (1)
- hypo-gravity (1)
- ice moons (1)
- icy moons (1)
- immobilization (1)
- impedance spectroscopy (1)
- in-ear EEG (1)
- intraclass correlation coefficient (1)
- ion propulsion (1)
- kontraktile Spannung (1)
- life detection (1)
- light scattering analysis (1)
- lignite (1)
- limit analysis (1)
- limit and shakedown analysis (1)
- linear kinematic hardening (1)
- lipopolysaccharide (1)
- load limit (1)
- long-term retention (1)
- low-rank coal (1)
- low-thrust (1)
- low-thrust trajectory optimization (1)
- material shakedown (1)
- mechanical buffer (1)
- metagenomics (1)
- microbial diversity (1)
- multimodal (1)
- muscle mechanics (1)
- near-Earth asteroid (1)
- non-simplex S-FEM elements (1)
- nonlinear kinematic hardening (1)
- orbit control (1)
- orbital dynamics (1)
- overload (1)
- parabolic flight (1)
- performance testing (1)
- physiology (1)
- pipes (1)
- planetary defence (1)
- plant stress (1)
- plasma generated ions (1)
- practical learning (1)
- prevention (1)
- probabilistic fracture mechanics (1)
- protein (1)
- psychosocial (1)
- pullulan (1)
- rehabilitation (1)
- reliability of structures (1)
- responsive space (1)
- retinal microvasculature (1)
- retinal vessels (1)
- rhAPC (1)
- running (1)
- rupture of the fibular ligament (1)
- sEMG (1)
- sailcraft (1)
- sample return (1)
- sarcomere operating length (1)
- second-order reliability method (1)
- sensors (1)
- series elastic element behavior (1)
- shotgun sequencing (1)
- shoulder (1)
- simulation (1)
- small solar system body characterisation (1)
- small spacecraft asteroid lander (1)
- small spacecraft solar sail (1)
- smooth muscle contraction (1)
- softs (1)
- soil amendment (1)
- soil health (1)
- soil remediation (1)
- solar sails (1)
- solar system (1)
- space missions (1)
- sprint start (1)
- standard error of measurement (1)
- stiffness (1)
- stochastic programming (1)
- strain energy function (1)
- stretch reflex (1)
- stretch-shortening cycle (1)
- subglacial aquatic ecosystems (1)
- subsurface ice (1)
- subsurface ice research (1)
- subsurface probe (1)
- surface modification (1)
- survival (1)
- system engineering (1)
- tendon rupture (1)
- tension–torsion loading (1)
- test-retest reliability (1)
- training simulator (1)
- tri-lineage differentiation (1)
- twin-fluid atomizer (1)
- ultrasonography (1)
- underwater vehicle (1)
- unloading (1)
- vessels (1)
- videolaryngoscopy (1)
- virgin passive (1)
- virtual reality (1)
- viscoelasticity (1)
- walking (1)
- walking gait (1)
- water bridge phenomenon (1)
- wound healing (1)
- yield stress (1)
Prosthetic textile implants of different shapes, sizes and polymers are used to correct the apical prolapse after hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). The selection of the implant before or during minimally invasive surgery depends on the patient’s anatomical defect, intended function after reconstruction and most importantly the surgeon’s preference. Weakness or damage of the supporting tissues during childbirth, menopause or previous pelvic surgeries may put females in higher risk of prolapse. Numerical simulations of reconstructed pelvic floor with weakened tissues and organ supported by textile product models: DynaMesh®-PRS soft, DynaMesh®-PRP soft and DynaMesh®-CESA from FEG Textiletechnik mbH, Germany are compared.
The mechanical behavior of the large intestine beyond the ultimate stress has never been investigated. Stretching beyond the ultimate stress may drastically impair the tissue microstructure, which consequently weakens its healthy state functions of absorption, temporary storage, and transportation for defecation. Due to closely similar microstructure and function with humans, biaxial tensile experiments on the porcine large intestine have been performed in this study. In this paper, we report hyperelastic characterization of the large intestine based on experiments in 102 specimens. We also report the theoretical analysis of the experimental results, including an exponential damage evolution function. The fracture energies and the threshold stresses are set as damage material parameters for the longitudinal muscular, the circumferential muscular and the submucosal collagenous layers. A biaxial tensile simulation of a linear brick element has been performed to validate the applicability of the estimated material parameters. The model successfully simulates the biomechanical response of the large intestine under physiological and non-physiological loads.
Particularly multiparous elderly women may suffer from vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy due to weak support from lax apical ligaments. A decreased amount of estrogen and progesterone in older age is assumed to remodel the collagen thereby reducing tissue stiffness. Sacrocolpopexy is either performed as open or laparoscopic surgery using prosthetic mesh implants to substitute lax ligaments. Y-shaped mesh models (DynaMesh, Gynemesh, and Ultrapro) are implanted in a 3D female pelvic floor finite element model in the extraperitoneal space from the vaginal cuff to the first sacral (S1) bone below promontory. Numerical simulations are conducted during Valsalva maneuver with weakened tissues modeled by reduced tissue stiffness. Tissues are modeled as incompressible, isotropic hyperelastic materials whereas the meshes are modeled either as orthotropic linear elastic or as isotropic hyperlastic materials. The positions of the vaginal cuff and the bladder base are calculated from the pubococcygeal line for female pelvic floor at rest, for prolapse and after repair using the three meshes. Due to mesh mechanics and mesh pore deformation along the loaded direction, the DynaMesh with regular rectangular mesh pores is found to provide better mechanical support to the organs than the Gynemesh and the Ultrapro with irregular hexagonal mesh pores.
Insbesondere ältere, mehrgebährende Frauen leiden häufiger an einem Scheidenvorfall nach einer Hysterektomie aufgrund der schwachen Unterstützung durch laxe apikale Bänder. Es wird angenommen, dass eine verringerte Menge an Östrogen und Progesteron im höheren Alter das Kollagen umformt, wodurch die Gewebesteifigkeit reduziert wird. Die Sakrokolpopexie ist eine offene oder laparoskopische Operation, die mit prothetischen Netzimplantaten durchgeführt wird, um laxe Bänder zu ersetzen. Y-förmige Netzmodelle (DynaMesh, Gynemesh und Ultrapro) werden in einem 3D-Modell des weiblichen Beckenbodens im extraperitonealen Raum vom Vaginalstumpf bis zum Promontorium implantiert. Numerische Simulationen werden während des Valsalva-Manövers mit geschwächtem Gewebe durchgeführt, das durch eine reduzierte Gewebesteifigkeit modelliert wird. Die Gewebe werden als inkompressible, isotrop hyperelastische Materialien modelliert, während die Netze entweder als orthotrope linear elastische oder als isotrope hyperlastische Materialien modelliert werden. Die Positionen des Vaginalstumpfs, der Blase und der Harnröhrenachse werden anhand der Pubococcygeallinie aus der Ruhelage, für den Prolaps und nach der Reparatur unter Verwendung der drei Netze berechnet. Aufgrund der Netzmechanik und der Netzporenverformung bietet das DynaMesh mit regelmäßigen rechteckigen Netzporen eine bessere mechanische Unterstützung und eine Neupositionierung des Scheidengewölbes, der Blase und der Urethraachse als Gynemesh und Ultrapro mit unregelmäßigen hexagonalen Netzporen.
Virgin passive colon biomechanics and a literature review of active contraction constitutive models
(2022)
The objective of this paper is to present our findings on the biomechanical aspects of the virgin passive anisotropic hyperelasticity of the porcine colon based on equibiaxial tensile experiments. Firstly, the characterization of the intestine tissues is discussed for a nearly incompressible hyperelastic fiber-reinforced Holzapfel–Gasser–Ogden constitutive model in virgin passive loading conditions. The stability of the evaluated material parameters is checked for the polyconvexity of the adopted strain energy function using positive eigenvalue constraints of the Hessian matrix with MATLAB. The constitutive material description of the intestine with two collagen fibers in the submucosal and muscular layer each has been implemented in the FORTRAN platform of the commercial finite element software LS-DYNA, and two equibiaxial tensile simulations are presented to validate the results with the optical strain images obtained from the experiments. Furthermore, this paper also reviews the existing models of the active smooth muscle cells, but these models have not been computationally studied here. The review part shows that the constitutive models originally developed for the active contraction of skeletal muscle based on Hill’s three-element model, Murphy’s four-state cross-bridge chemical kinetic model and Huxley’s sliding-filament hypothesis, which are mainly used for arteries, are appropriate for numerical contraction numerical analysis of the large intestine.
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is characterized by the failure of the levator ani (LA) muscle to maintain the pelvic hiatus, resulting in the descent of the pelvic organs below the pubococcygeal line. This chapter adopts the modified Humphrey material model to consider the effect of the muscle fiber on passive stretching of the LA muscle. The deformation of the LA muscle subjected to intra-abdominal pressure during Valsalva maneuver is compared with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of a nulliparous female. Numerical result shows that the fiber-based Humphrey model simulates the muscle behavior better than isotropic constitutive models. Greater posterior movement of the LA muscle widens the levator hiatus due to lack of support from the anococcygeal ligament and the perineal structure as a consequence of birth-related injury and aging. Old and multiparous females with uncontrolled urogenital and rectal hiatus tend to develop PFDs such as prolapse and incontinence.
A 3D finite element model of the female pelvic floor for the reconstruction of urinary incontinence
(2014)
To better understand what kinds of sports and exercise could be beneficial for the intervertebral disc (IVD), we performed a review to synthesise the literature on IVD adaptation with loading and exercise. The state of the literature did not permit a systematic review; therefore, we performed a narrative review. The majority of the available data come from cell or whole-disc loading models and animal exercise models. However, some studies have examined the impact of specific sports on IVD degeneration in humans and acute exercise on disc size. Based on the data available in the literature, loading types that are likely beneficial to the IVD are dynamic, axial, at slow to moderate movement speeds, and of a magnitude experienced in walking and jogging. Static loading, torsional loading, flexion with compression, rapid loading, high-impact loading and explosive tasks are likely detrimental for the IVD. Reduced physical activity and disuse appear to be detrimental for the IVD. We also consider the impact of genetics and the likelihood of a ‘critical period’ for the effect of exercise in IVD development. The current review summarises the literature to increase awareness amongst exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomic professionals regarding IVD health and provides recommendations on future directions in research.
Mechano-pharmacological testing of L-Type Ca²⁺ channel modulators via human vascular celldrum model
(2020)
Background/Aims: This study aimed to establish a precise and well-defined working model, assessing pharmaceutical effects on vascular smooth muscle cell monolayer in-vitro. It describes various analysis techniques to determine the most suitable to measure the biomechanical impact of vasoactive agents by using CellDrum technology. Methods: The so-called CellDrum technology was applied to analyse the biomechanical properties of confluent human aorta muscle cells (haSMC) in monolayer. The cell generated tensions deviations in the range of a few N/m² are evaluated by the CellDrum technology. This study focuses on the dilative and contractive effects of L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonists and antagonists, respectively. We analyzed the effects of Bay K8644, nifedipine and verapamil. Three different measurement modes were developed and applied to determine the most appropriate analysis technique for the study purpose. These three operation modes are called, particular time mode" (PTM), "long term mode" (LTM) and "real-time mode" (RTM). Results: It was possible to quantify the biomechanical response of haSMCs to the addition of vasoactive agents using CellDrum technology. Due to the supplementation of 100nM Bay K8644, the tension increased approximately 10.6% from initial tension maximum, whereas, the treatment with nifedipine and verapamil caused a significant decrease in cellular tension: 10nM nifedipine decreased the biomechanical stress around 6,5% and 50nM verapamil by 2,8%, compared to the initial tension maximum. Additionally, all tested measurement modes provide similar results while focusing on different analysis parameters. Conclusion: The CellDrum technology allows highly sensitive biomechanical stress measurements of cultured haSMC monolayers. The mechanical stress responses evoked by the application of vasoactive calcium channel modulators were quantified functionally (N/m²). All tested operation modes resulted in equal findings, whereas each mode features operation-related data analysis.
Hypertension describes the pathological increase of blood pressure, which is most commonly associated with the increase of vascular wall stiffness [1]. Referring to the “Deutsche Bluthochdruck Liga” this pathology shows a growing trend in our aging society. In order to find novel pharmacological and probably personalized treatments, we want to present a functional approach to study biomechanical properties of a human aortic vascular model.
In this method review we will give an overview of recent studies which were carried out with the CellDrum technology [2] and underline the added value to already existing standard procedures known from the field of physiology.
Herein described CellDrum technology is a system to measure functional mechanical properties of cell monolayers and thin tissue constructs in-vitro. Additionally, the CellDrum enables to elucidate the mechanical response of cells to pharmacological drugs, toxins and vasoactive agents. Due to its highly flexible polymer support, cells can also be mechanically stimulated by steady and cyclic biaxial stretching.
Background
Minor changes in protein structure induced by small organic and inorganic molecules can result in significant metabolic effects. The effects can be even more profound if the molecular players are chemically active and present in the cell in considerable amounts. The aim of our study was to investigate effects of a nitric oxide donor (spermine NONOate), ATP and sodium/potassium environment on the dynamics of thermal unfolding of human hemoglobin (Hb). The effect of these molecules was examined by means of circular dichroism spectrometry (CD) in the temperature range between 25°C and 70°C. The alpha-helical content of buffered hemoglobin samples (0.1 mg/ml) was estimated via ellipticity change measurements at a heating rate of 1°C/min.
Results
Major results were:
1) spermine NONOate persistently decreased the hemoglobin unfolding temperature T u irrespectively of the Na + /K + environment,
2) ATP instead increased the unfolding temperature by 3°C in both sodium-based and potassium-based buffers and
3) mutual effects of ATP and NO were strongly influenced by particular buffer ionic compositions. Moreover, the presence of potassium facilitated a partial unfolding of alpha-helical structures even at room temperature.
Conclusion
The obtained data might shed more light on molecular mechanisms and biophysics involved in the regulation of protein activity by small solutes in the cell.
As a deduction from these results, we can conclude that proteins mainly in vitro, denaturate totally at a temperature between 57°C -62°C, and they also affected by NO and different ions types. In which mainly, NO cause earlier protein denaturation, which means that, NO has a destabilizing effect on proteins, and also different ions will alter the protein denaturation in which, some ions will cause earlier protein denaturation while others not.
The importance of the availability of stored blood or blood cells, respectively, for urgent transfusion cannot be overestimated. Nowadays, blood storage becomes even more important since blood products are used for epidemiological studies, bio-technical research or banked for transfusion purposes. Thus blood samples must not only be processed, stored, and shipped to preserve their efficacy and safety, but also all parameters of storage must be recorded and reported for Quality Assurance. Therefore, blood banks and clinical research facilities are seeking more accurate, automated means for blood storage and blood processing.
Cement augmentation is an emerging surgical procedure in which bone cement is used to infiltrate and reinforce osteoporotic vertebrae. Although this infiltration procedure has been widely applied, it is performed empirically and little is known about the flow characteristics of cement during the injection process. We present a theoretical and experimental approach to investigate the intertrabecular bone permeability during the infiltration procedure. The cement permeability was considered to be dependent on time, bone porosity, and cement viscosity in our analysis. In order to determine the time-dependent permeability, ten cancellous bone cores were harvested from osteoporotic vertebrae, infiltrated with acrylic cement at a constant flow rate, and the pressure drop across the cores during the infiltration was measured. The viscosity dependence of the permeability was determined based on published experimental data. The theoretical model for the permeability as a function of bone porosity and time was then fit to the testing data. Our findings suggest that the intertrabecular bone permeability depends strongly on time. For instance, the initial permeability (60.89 mm4/N.s) reduced to approximately 63% of its original value within 18 seconds. This study is the first to analyze cement flow through osteoporotic bone. The theoretical and experimental models provided in this paper are generic. Thus, they can be used to systematically study and optimize the infiltration process for clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
Immunosuppression is often considered as an indication for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infections (SSI) while performing skin surgery. However, the data on the risk of developing SSI after dermatologic surgery in immunosuppressed patients are limited.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
All patients of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen in Aachen, Germany, who underwent hospitalization for a dermatologic surgery between June 2016 and January 2017 (6 months), were followed up after surgery until completion of the wound healing process. The follow-up addressed the occurrence of SSI and the need for systemic antibiotics after the operative procedure. Immunocompromised patients were compared with immunocompetent patients. The investigation was conducted as a retrospective analysis of patient records.
RESULTS
The authors performed 284 dermatologic surgeries in 177 patients. Nineteen percent (54/284) of the skin surgery was performed on immunocompromised patients. The most common indications for surgical treatment were nonmelanoma skin cancer and malignant melanomas. Surgical site infections occurred in 6.7% (19/284) of the cases. In 95% (18/19), systemic antibiotic treatment was needed. Twenty-one percent of all SSI (4/19) were seen in immunosuppressed patients.
CONCLUSION
According to the authors' data, immunosuppression does not represent a significant risk factor for SSI after dermatologic surgery. However, larger prospective studies are needed to make specific recommendations on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis while performing skin surgery in these patients.
The available data on complications after dermatologic surgery have improved over the past years. Particularly, additional risk factors have been identified for surgical site infections (SSI). Purulent surgical sites, older age, involvement of head, neck, and acral regions, and also the involvement of less experienced surgeons have been reported to increase the risk of the SSI after dermatologic surgeries.1 In general, the incidence of SSI after skin surgery is considered to be low.1,2 However, antibiotics in dermatologic surgeries, especially in the perioperative setting, seem to be overused,3,4 particularly regarding developing antibiotic resistances and side effects.
Immunosuppression has been recommended to be taken into consideration as an additional indication for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent SSI after skin surgery in special cases.5,6 However, these recommendations do not specify the exact dermatologic surgeries, and were not specifically developed for dermatologic surgery patients and treatments, but adopted from other surgical fields.6 According to the survey conducted on American College of Mohs Surgery members in 2012, 13% to 29% of the surgeons administered antibiotic prophylaxis to immunocompromised patients to prevent SSI while performing dermatologic surgery on noninfected skin,3 although this was not recommended by Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Advisory Statement. Indeed, the data on the risk of developing SSI after dermatologic surgery in immunosuppressed patients are limited. However, it is possible that due to the insufficient evidence on the risk of SSI occurrence in this patient group, dermatologic surgeons tend to overuse perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.
To make specific recommendations on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients in the field of skin surgery, more information about the incidence of SSI after dermatologic surgery in these patients is needed. The aim of this study was to fill this data gap by investigating whether there is an increased risk of SSI after skin surgery in immunocompromised patients compared with immunocompetent patients.
Recent analysis of scientific data from Cassini and earth-based observations gave evidence for a global ocean under a surrounding solid ice shell on Saturn's moon Enceladus. Images of Enceladus' South Pole showed several fissures in the ice shell with plumes constantly exhausting frozen water particles, building up the E-Ring, one of the outer rings of Saturn. In this southern region of Enceladus, the ice shell is considered to be as thin as 2 km, about an order of magnitude thinner than on the rest of the moon. Under the ice shell, there is a global ocean consisting of liquid water. Scientists are discussing different approaches the possibilities of taking samples of water, i.e. by melting through the ice using a melting probe. FH Aachen UAS developed a prototype of maneuverable melting probe which can navigate through the ice that has already been tested successfully in a terrestrial environment. This means no atmosphere and or ambient pressure, low ice temperatures of around 100 to 150K (near the South Pole) and a very low gravity of 0,114 m/s^2 or 1100 μg. Two of these influencing measures are about to be investigated at FH Aachen UAS in 2017, low ice temperature and low ambient pressure below the triple point of water. Low gravity cannot be easily simulated inside a large experiment chamber, though. Numerical simulations of the melting process at RWTH Aachen however are showing a gravity dependence of melting behavior. Considering this aspect, VIPER provides a link between large-scale experimental simulations at FH Aachen UAS and numerical simulations at RWTH Aachen. To analyze the melting process, about 90 seconds of experiment time in reduced gravity and low ambient pressure is provided by the REXUS rocket. In this time frame, the melting speed and contact force between ice and probes are measured, as well as heating power and a two-dimensional array of ice temperatures. Additionally, visual and infrared cameras are used to observe the melting process.
The problem of creation and use of sorption materials is of current interest for the practice of the modern medicine and agriculture. Practical importance is production of a biostimulant using a carbon sorbent for a significant increase in productivity, which is very relevant for the regions of Kazakhstan. It is known that a plant phytohormone—fusicoccin—in nanogram concentrations transforms cancer cells to the state of apoptosis. In this regard, there is a scientific practical interest in the development of a highly efficient method for producing fusicoccin from extract of germinated wheat seeds. According to the results of computer modeling, cleaning composite components of fusicoccin using microporous carbon adsorbents not suitable as the size of the molecule of fusicoccin more than micropores and the optimum pore size for purification of constituents of fusicoccin was determined by computer simulation.