Longjia Li^1,2, Tianbao Qian^2,3, Fei Hang^{1, 2, *}

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 221-234, 2017, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2017.014.221

Abstract Bone is an important natural hierarchical biomaterial which supports human body and protect organs. Its mechanical property has been researched extensively. In this experimental work, 3D microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to research crack expansion on bovine femur cortical bone transverse section. Softwares such as image J and Photoshop were used in image and data analyses. Our results suggested that the interface energy of extending through osteons is smaller than the interface energy of extending along cement lines. Cracks are more likely to extend through osteons. Further investigations are needed to reduce More >

Ruikai Chen¹, Delphine Dean^1,*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 153-169, 2017, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2017.014.153

Abstract Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role in regulating blood flow and pressure by contracting and relaxing in response to a variety of mechanical stimuli. A fully differentiated and functional VSMC should have both the ability to contract and relax in response to environmental stimuli. In addition, it should have the proper mechanical properties to sustain the mechanically active vascular environment. Stem cells can differentiate towards VSMC lineages and so could be used as a potential treatment for vascular repair. However, few studies have assessed the time it takes for stems cells to… More >

Pranav S. Sapkal^1,*, Abhaykumar M. Kuthe¹, Shantanu Mathankar², Akash A. Deshmukh

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 125-136, 2017, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2017.014.123

Abstract β-TCP-Zirconia scaffolds with different architectures were fabricated by means of 3D-Bioplotting in order to enhance the mechanical and in-vitro ability of the scaffold to heal large size bone defects. In the present study scaffold architecture with different strand orientations (0°-90°, 0°-45°-135°-180°, 0°-108°-216° and 0°-72°-144°-36°-108°) were fabricated, characterized and evaluated for mechanical strength and cell proliferation ability. β-TCP powder (25 µm) and PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) was acquired from Fisher Scientific, India. Zirconia (18 to 32 µm) was procured from Lobachemie, India. In brief 7.5%, PVA in distilled water was used as a binder and was mixed… More >

Tu D. Dan¹, Laura Doyle¹, Amar J. Raval², Andrew Pridjian², Leonard G. Gomella², Robert B. Den¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.23, No.3, pp. 8301-8305, 2016

Abstract Radium-223 dichloride is a first-in-class bone-directed radiopharmaceutical that has been shown to prolong survival in men with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Unlike other radiopharmaceuticals, radium-223 uniquely uses alpha-emission to deliver high intensity, short range cytoxic treatments resulting in minimal myelosuppression. Following the results of the ALSYMPCA trial, radium-223 (Xofigo) was FDA approved in the United States in May 2013 and approved by Health Canada in December 2013 for the treatment of mCRPC with symptomatic bone metastases and no visceral disease. This “How I do it” article describes the background of radium 223 as More >

Rajasree Pia Chowdry¹, Elisa Ledet², Lahiru Ranasinghe³, Alton Oliver Sartor²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.23, No.5, pp. 8483-8486, 2016

Abstract The mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) protein acts as a histone methyltransferase regulating multiple genetic elements. Rearrangements of the MLL gene result in expression of MLL-fusion proteins that occur in some acute leukemias and are associated with poor prognosis. The MLL protein complex has been shown to interact with the androgen receptor via the MLL-menin subunit, thus promoting gene activation. The presence of MLL translocation has not been previously reported in patients with castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We describe two cases of metastatic CRPC with a translocation in the MLL gene detected by a specific fluorescent More >

Joan S. Ko, Angela D. Gupta, Heather N. Di Carlo, Kathy Lue, John P. Gearhart

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.23, No.5, pp. 8476-8479, 2016

Abstract Bladder exstrophy and cloacal exstrophy are rare congenital defects of the genitourinary tract that require complex surgical reconstruction. Malrotation of the bony pelvis causes a characteristic diastasis of the pubic symphysis, which is surgically reduced at the time of initial bladder closure. For a successful primary closure without tension such that the bladder can be placed deep within the pelvis, pelvic osteotomy is often used. However, alternative techniques have been utilized to bring the pubic rami into apposition. The authors present four bladder/ cloacal exstrophy patients in which an intrapubic wire was used for pubic More >

M. L. Lambri^1,2, E. D. Giordano^2,3, P. B. Bozzano⁴, F. G. Bonifacich², J. I. Pérez-Landazábal^5,6, G. I. Zelada², D. Gargicevich², V. Recarte^5,6, O. A. Lambri^2*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.4, No.4, pp. 251-257, 2016, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2016.634111

Abstract The denaturation processes of collagen in the temperature range between 450 K and 670 K are revealed through studies performed on cow rib bones by means of mechanical spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The conformational change of the collagen molecules from a triple helix structure to a random coil was found at around 510 K. It was determined that the transformation is developed through the viscous movement of fibrils with an activation energy of (127 ± 8) kJ/mol. The second stage of massive bulk deterioration of the collagen was More >

Pranav S. Sapkal^1*, Abhaykumar M. Kuthe¹, Divya Ganapathy², Shantanu C. Mathankar³, Sudhanshu Kuthe⁴

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 115-136, 2016, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2016.013.131

Abstract Biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds with 20/80 HA/TCP ratio were fabricated using the 3D-Bioplotting system to heal critical size defects in rabbit tibia bone. Four different architectures were printed in a layer by layer fashion with lay down patterns viz. (a) 0°– 90°, (b) 0°– 45°– 90°– 135°, (c) 0°–108°– 216° and (d) 0°– 60°– 120°. After high-temperature sintering scaffolds were coated with collagen and were further characterized by (FTIR) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, (SEM) Scanning Electron Microscopy, (XRD) X-Ray diffraction, Porosity analysis and Mechanical testing. Scaffold samples were tested for its ability to induce cytotoxicity… More >

Rohini K. Hernandez¹, Karynsa Cetin¹, Melissa Pirolli², Jane Quigley², David Quach², Paul Smith³, Scott Stryker¹, Alexander Liede¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, No.4, pp. 7858-7864, 2015

Abstract Introduction: Canadian guidelines define castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) at high risk of developing metastases using PSA doubling time (PSADT) <8 months, whereby men may be offered more frequent bone scans/imaging. We evaluated PSA data from nonmetastatic (M0) prostate cancer patients treated at urology and oncology clinics across the United States (US) to describe the proportion and characteristics of patients who met CRPC and high-risk criteria.
Materials and methods: We identified M0 prostate cancer patients aged ≥18 years receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in 2011 from electronic health records (EHR), covering 129 urology and 64 oncology practices across… More >

Alexander C. Haab, Isabelle S. Keller, Christian Padevit, Hubert John

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, No.5, pp. 8009-8011, 2015

Abstract Ureteral stenosis due to reactivation of the BK virus (BKV) in a state of immunodeficiency is very rare. More common is the appearance of a hemorrhagic cystitis. This report not only shows bilateral ureteral stenosis after bone marrow transplantation, but also presents severe complications as chronic pelvic pain and impaired kidney function as well as irreparable damage to the whole urinary tract leading to nephroureterectomy, subtrigonal cystectomy and orthotopic ileal neobladder. Finally renal transplantation was required. To our knowledge this is the first case in the literature where such a severe course of BKV associated More >