scholarly journals Multiscale Mechanical Evaluation of Human Supraspinatus Tendon Under Shear Loading After Glycosaminoglycan Reduction

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Fang ◽  
Spencer P. Lake

Proteoglycans (PGs) are broadly distributed within many soft tissues and, among other roles, often contribute to mechanical properties. Although PGs, consisting of a core protein and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) sidechains, were once hypothesized to regulate stress/strain transfer between collagen fibrils and help support load in tendon, several studies have reported no changes to tensile mechanics after GAG depletion. Since GAGs are known to help sustain nontensile loading in other tissues, we hypothesized that GAGs might help support shear loading in human supraspinatus tendon (SST), a commonly injured tendon which functions in a complex multiaxial loading environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether GAGs contribute to the response of SST to shear, specifically in terms of multiscale mechanical properties and mechanisms of microscale matrix deformation. Results showed that chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) treatment digested GAGs in SST while not disrupting collagen fibers. Peak and equilibrium shear stresses decreased only slightly after ChABC treatment and were not significantly different from pretreatment values. Reduced stress ratios were computed and shown to be slightly greater after ChABC treatment compared to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) incubation without enzyme, suggesting that these relatively small changes in stress values were not due strictly to tissue swelling. Microscale deformations were also not different after ChABC treatment. This study demonstrates that GAGs possibly play a minor role in contributing to the mechanical behavior of SST in shear, but are not a key tissue constituent to regulate shear mechanics.

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy D. Eekhoff ◽  
Fei Fang ◽  
Lindsey G. Kahan ◽  
Gabriela Espinosa ◽  
Austin J. Cocciolone ◽  
...  

Elastic fibers are present in low quantities in tendon, where they are located both within fascicles near tenocytes and more broadly in the interfascicular matrix (IFM). While elastic fibers have long been known to be significant in the mechanics of elastin-rich tissue (i.e., vasculature, skin, lungs), recent studies have suggested a mechanical role for elastic fibers in tendons that is dependent on specific tendon function. However, the exact contribution of elastin to properties of different types of tendons (e.g., positional, energy-storing) remains unknown. Therefore, this study purposed to evaluate the role of elastin in the mechanical properties and collagen alignment of functionally distinct supraspinatus tendons (SSTs) and Achilles tendons (ATs) from elastin haploinsufficient (HET) and wild type (WT) mice. Despite the significant decrease in elastin in HET tendons, a slight increase in linear stiffness of both tendons was the only significant mechanical effect of elastin haploinsufficiency. Additionally, there were significant changes in collagen nanostructure and subtle alteration to collagen alignment in the AT but not the SST. Hence, elastin may play only a minor role in tendon mechanical properties. Alternatively, larger changes to tendon mechanics may have been mitigated by developmental compensation of HET tendons and/or the role of elastic fibers may be less prominent in smaller mouse tendons compared to the larger bovine and human tendons evaluated in previous studies. Further research will be necessary to fully elucidate the influence of various elastic fiber components on structure–function relationships in functionally distinct tendons.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (04) ◽  
pp. 308-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf M. Al-Tahini ◽  
Carl H. Sondergeld ◽  
Chandra S. Rai

Summary The variability in mechanical properties measured on sands from the Jauf and Unayzah formations of Saudi Arabia is observed to be dependent upon cementation. Understanding the role of cementation in controlling the mechanical properties can improve the design of hydraulic-fracture treatments and, hence, improve reservoir performance. Strength measurements from triaxial-testing data and examination of core in thin sections were used to relate the detailed microstructure and cementation to the variation of mechanical properties. Strength and elastic moduli were determined for 65 samples cored from five different wells. Forty-seven samples were analyzed in thin sections and point counted to determine and quantify cementation. Cements in these two formations have variable composition and habits; both affect the mechanical properties and strength. It is not sufficient to know that cements exist; it is also necessary to know where the cement occurs. Pure quartz over growths play a major role in increasing strength, while clay coatings play a minor role. Simple linear correlations were found relating cement concentrations to strength. Introduction The Jauf and Unayzah reservoirs (Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia) are deep sequences of thin sandstones and shales saturated with condensate-rich gas. These reservoir rocks display a wide variation in both permeability and porosity (Fig. 1) (Al-Qahtani and Buhidma 2001). Hydraulic fracturing has been introduced to enhance productivity in the Jauf sandstones within the Ghawar reservoir. The complex nature of tectonic stresses, geomechanical properties, and geology leads to problems of sand production and wellbore stability in the Unayzah and Jauf formations. Such problems make the development of these reservoirs challenging. The variations of mechanical properties such as Young's modulus (E), Poisson's ratio, (u), and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) have a direct impact on hydraulic-fracture design. The variation of these properties affects fracture propagation and geometry and, consequently, gas production.


The mechanical properties of rigid polyelectrolyte-type polymers have been measured. Polymers studied include polyacrylic acid, copolymers of styrene and methacrylic acid, and their salts. Some of the test specimens were fabricated by a new technique involving the reaction of polyacids with metallic oxides in the form of mixed powders in a mould at high temperatures and pressures. Metallic salts of homopolymeric acids have no measurable softening temperature below their decomposition temperature, and they are characterized by elastic moduli several times greater than the corresponding moduli of ordinary organic polymers. Evidence is presented which indicates that hydrogen bonding plays a minor role in determining the mechanical and rheological properties of these polymers.


Author(s):  
Katherine Guérard ◽  
Sébastien Tremblay

In serial memory for spatial information, some studies showed that recall performance suffers when the distance between successive locations increases relatively to the size of the display in which they are presented (the path length effect; e.g., Parmentier et al., 2005) but not when distance is increased by enlarging the size of the display (e.g., Smyth & Scholey, 1994). In the present study, we examined the effect of varying the absolute and relative distance between to-be-remembered items on memory for spatial information. We manipulated path length using small (15″) and large (64″) screens within the same design. In two experiments, we showed that distance was disruptive mainly when it is varied relatively to a fixed reference frame, though increasing the size of the display also had a small deleterious effect on recall. The insertion of a retention interval did not influence these effects, suggesting that rehearsal plays a minor role in mediating the effects of distance on serial spatial memory. We discuss the potential role of perceptual organization in light of the pattern of results.


1958 ◽  
Vol 02 (05/06) ◽  
pp. 462-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Verstraete ◽  
Patricia A. Clark ◽  
Irving S. Wright

SummaryAn analysis of the results of prothrombin time tests with different types of thromboplastins sheds some light on the problem why the administration of coumarin is difficult to standardize in different centers. Our present ideas on the subject, based on experimental data may be summarized as follows.Several factors of the clotting mechanism are influenced by coumarin derivatives. The action of some of these factors is by-passed in the 1-stage prothrombin time test. The decrease of the prothrombin and factor VII levels may be evaluated in the 1-stage prothrombin time determination (Quick-test). The prolongation of the prothrombin times are, however, predominantly due to the decrease of factor VII activity, the prothrombin content remaining around 50 per cent of normal during an adequate anticoagulant therapy. It is unlikely that this degree of depression of prothrombin is of major significance in interfering with the coagulation mechanism in the protection against thromboembolism. It may, however, play a minor role, which has yet to be evaluated quantitatively. An exact evaluation of factor VII is, therefore, important for the guidance of anticoagulant therapy and the method of choice is the one which is most sensitive to changes in factor VII concentration. The 1-stage prothrombin time test with a rabbit lung thromboplastin seems the most suitable method because rabbit brain preparations exhibit a factor VII-like activity that is not present in rabbit lung preparations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (185) ◽  
pp. 621-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Siefkes

The ‘Fragment on Machines’ from Marx’s Grundrisse is often cited as an argument that the internal forces of capitalism will lead to its doom. But the argument that the progressive reduction of labor must doom capitalism lacks a proper foundation, as a comparison with the ‘Schemes of Reproduction’ given in Capital II shows. The latter, however, aren’t fully convincing either. In reality, more depends on the private consumption of capitalists than either model recognizes. Ultimately, most can be made of the ‘Fragment on Machines’ by reading it not as an exposure of capitalism’s internal contractions, but as a discussion of a possible communist future where labor (or work) will play but a minor role.


1986 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-291
Author(s):  
K. L. Oblizajek ◽  
A. G. Veith

Abstract Treadwear is explained by specific mechanical properties and actions of tires. Rubber shear stresses in the contact zone between the tire and the road become large at large slip angles. When normal stresses are insufficient to prevent sliding at the rear of the footprint, wear occurs at a rate that depends on test severity. Two experimental approaches are described to relate treadwear to tire characteristics. The first uses transducers imbedded in a simulated road surface to obtain direct measurements of contact stresses on the loaded, freely-rolling, steered tires. The second approach is developed with the aid of a simple carcass, tread-band, tread-rubber tire model. Various tire structural configurations; characterized by carcass spring rate, edgewise flexural band stiffness, and tread rubber shear stiffness; are simulated and lateral shear stress response in the contact zone is determined. Tires featuring high band stiffness and low carcass stiffness generate lower lateral shear stress levels. Furthermore, coupling of tread-rubber stiffness and band flexural rigidity are important in determining level of shear stresses. Laboratory measurements with the described apparatus produced values of tread-band bending and carcass lateral stiffness for several tire constructions. Good correlation is shown between treadwear and a broad range of tire stiffness and test course severities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Benvenga ◽  
Antonio Micali ◽  
Giovanni Pallio ◽  
Roberto Vita ◽  
Consuelo Malta ◽  
...  

Background: Cadmium (Cd) impairs gametogenesis and damages the blood-testis barrier. Objective: As the primary mechanism of Cd-induced damage is oxidative stress, the effects of two natural antioxidants, myo-inositol (MI) and seleno-L-methionine (Se), were evaluated in mice testes. Methods: Eighty-four male C57 BL/6J mice were divided into twelve groups: 0.9% NaCl (vehicle; 1 ml/kg/day i.p.); Se (0.2 mg/kg/day per os); Se (0.4 mg/kg/day per os); MI (360 mg/kg/day per os); MI plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); MI plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 (2 mg/kg/day i.p.) plus vehicle; CdCl2 plus MI; CdCl2 plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 plus MI plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); and CdCl2 plus MI plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day). After 14 days, testes were processed for biochemical, structural and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: CdCl2 increased iNOS and TNF-α expression and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, lowered glutathione (GSH) and testosterone, induced testicular lesions, and almost eliminated claudin-11 immunoreactivity. Se administration at 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg significantly reduced iNOS and TNF-α expression, maintained GSH, MDA and testosterone levels, structural changes and low claudin-11 immunoreactivity. MI alone or associated with Se at 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg significantly reduced iNOS and TNF-α expression and MDA levels, increased GSH and testosterone levels, ameliorated structural organization and increased claudin-11 patches number. Conclusion: We demonstrated a protective effect of MI, a minor role of Se and an evident positive role of the association between MI and Se on Cd-induced damages of the testis. MI alone or associated with Se might protect testes in subjects exposed to toxicants, at least to those with behavior similar to Cd.


1985 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Vaňura ◽  
Emanuel Makrlík

Extraction of microamounts of Sr2+ and Ba2+ (henceforth M2+) from the aqueous solutions of perchloric acid (0.0125-1.02 mol/l) by means of the nitrobenzene solutions of dicarbolide (0.004-0.05 mol/l of H+{Co(C2B9H11)2}-) was studied in the presence of monoglyme (only Ba2+), diglyme, triglyme, and tetraglyme (CH3O-(CH2-CH2O)nCH3, where n = 1, 2, 3, 4). The distribution of glyme betweeen the aqueous and organic phases, the extraction of the protonized glyme molecule HL+ together with the extraction of M2+ ion and of the glyme complex with the M2+ ion, i.e., ML2+ (where L is the molecule of glyme), were found to be the dominating reactions in the systems under study. In the systems with tri- and tetraglymes the extraction of H+ and M2+ ions solvated with two glyme molecules, i.e., the formation of HL2+ and ML22+ species, can probably play a minor role. The values of the respective equilibrium constants, of the stability constants of complexes formed in the organic phase, and the theoretical separation factors αBa/Sr were determined. The effect of the ligand structure on the values of extraction and stability constants in the organic phase is discussed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 731-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
S H Hansen ◽  
K Sandvig ◽  
B van Deurs

The transfer of molecules from the cell surface to the early endosomes is mediated by preendosomal vesicles. These vesicles, which have pinched off completely from the plasma membrane but not yet fused with endosomes, form the earliest compartment along the endocytic route. Using a new assay to distinguish between free and cell surface connected vesicle profiles, we have characterized the preedosomal compartment ultrastructurally. Our basic experimental setup was labeling of the entire cell surface at 4 degrees C with Con A-gold, warming of the cells to 37 degrees C to allow endocytosis, followed by replacing incubation medium with fixative, all within either 30 or 60 s. Then the fixed cells were incubated with anti-Con A-HRP to distinguish truly free (gold labeled) endocytic vesicles from surface-connected structures. Finally, analysis of thin (20-30 nm) serial sections and quantification of vesicle diameters were carried out. Based on this approach it is shown that the preendosomal compartment comprises both clathrin-coated and non-coated endocytic vesicles with approximately the same frequency but with distinct diameter distributions, the average noncoated vesicle being smaller (95 nm) than the average coated one (110 nm). In parallel experiments, using an anti-transferrin receptor gold-conjugate as a specific marker for clathrin-dependent endocytosis it is also shown that uncoating of coated vesicles plays only a minor role for the total frequency of noncoated vesicles. Furthermore, after perturbation of clathrin-dependent endocytosis by potassium depletion where uptake of transferrin is blocked, noncoated endocytic vesicles with Con A-gold, but not coated vesicles, exist already after 30 and 60 s. Finally, it is shown that the existence of small, free vesicles in the short-time experiments cannot be ascribed to recycling from the early endosomes.


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