Yidan Chen^#,1, Kang Zhang^#,1, Juhui Qiu¹, Shicheng He¹, Junyang Huang², Lu Huang¹, Dongyu Jia³, Bo Ling¹, Da Sun⁴, Xiang Xie¹, Tieying Yin^*,1, Guixue Wang^*,1

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 83-100, 2017, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2017.014.081

Abstract Abnormal shear stress in the blood vessel is an important stimulating factor for the formation of angiogenesis and vulnerable plaques. This paper intended to explore the role of shear stress-regulated Id1 in angiogenesis. First, we applied a carotid artery ring ligation to create local stenosis in ApoE^-/- mice. Then, 3D geometry of the vessel network was reconstructed based on MRI, and our analysis of computational fluid dynamics revealed that wall shear stress of the proximal region was much higher than that of the distal region. In addition, results from histological staining of the proximal region found more vulnerable-probe plaques with… More >

Chunliu He¹, Jiaqiu Wang², Yuxiang Huang¹, Tongjing Zhu¹, Yuehong Miao¹, Zhiyong Li^1,2*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 23-36, 2016, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2016.013.027

Abstract Fibrous cap thickness (FCT) is seen as critical to plaque vulnerability. Therefore, the development of automatic algorithms for the quantification of FCT is for estimating cardiovascular risk of patients. Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) is currently the only in vivo imaging modality with which FCT, the critical component of plaque vulnerability, can be assessed accurately. This study was aimed to discussion the correlation between the texture features of OCT images and the FCT in lipid-rich atheroma. Methods: Firstly, a full automatic segmentation algorithm based on unsupervised fuzzy c means (FCM) clustering with geometric constrains was developed to segment the ROIs… More >

Jianhang Du^1,2,3, Liang Wang⁴

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 249-263, 2015, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2015.012.249

Abstract Growing evidences suggest that long-term enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) treatment can inhibit the initiation of atherosclerotic lesion by improving the hemodynamic environment in aortas. However, whether this kind procedure will intervene the progression of advanced atherosclerotic plaque remains elusive and causes great concern in its clinical application presently. In the current paper, a pilot study combining animal experiment and numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the acute mechanical stress variations during EECP intervention, and then to assess the possible chronic effects. An experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic porcine model was developed and the basic hemodynamic measurement was performed in vivo before and… More >

Ajith Rajapaksha^1,2, Michael Fink¹, Brian A. Todd¹

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 215-230, 2015, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2015.012.215

Abstract Delivery of therapeutic agents to the eye requires efficient transport through cellular and extracellular barriers. We evaluated the rate of diffusive transport in excised porcine corneal stroma using fluorescently labeled dextran molecules with hydrodynamic radii ranging from 1.3 to 34 nm. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) was used to measure diffusion coefficients of dextran molecules in the excised porcine corneal stroma. The preferential sensitivity of FCS to diffusion along two dimensions was used to differentially probe diffusion along the directions parallel to and perpendicular to the collagen lamellae of the corneal stroma. In order to develop an understanding of how size… More >

Tushar Kulkarni^1,2, Rashmi Uddanwadiker¹

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 147-195, 2015, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2015.012.147

Abstract Continuous growth in industrialization and lack of awareness in safety parameters the cases of amputations are growing. The search of safer, simpler and automated prosthetic arms for managing upper limbs is expected. Continuous efforts have been made to design and develop prosthetic arms ranging from simple harness actuated to automated mechanisms with various control options. However due the cost constraints, the automated prosthetic arms are still out of the reach of needy people. Recent data have shown that there is a wide scope to develop a low cost and light weight upper limb prosthesis. This review summarizes the various designs… More >

Francesca Cosmi^*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 87-105, 2015, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2015.012.087

Abstract Bone tissue is a complex multi-scale material and its morphological and functional characteristics are influenced during one’s life by constant changes, physiological and pathological. A recent technique can classify the mechanical response of trabecular bone by simulating the application of loads with a Cell Method model derived from plane radiographic images of the proximal epiphyses in the patient’s hand fingers, thus complementing the individual assessment with a low cost exam. The mesoscale pathological modifications (i.e. due to osteoporosis) can be detected and quantified, despite the simplification due to the use of radiograms. In this work, this approach is validated using… More >

R. Allena^*,†

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.11, No.3, pp. 185-208, 2014, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2014.011.185

Abstract Confined migration is a crucial phenomenon during embryogenesis, immune response and cancer. Here, a two-dimensional finite element model of a HeLa cell migrating across constricted–curved micro-channels is proposed. The cell is modelled as a continuum with embedded cytoplasm and nucleus, which are described by standard Maxwell viscoelastic models. The decomposition of the deformation gradient is employed to define the cyclic active strains of protrusion and contraction, which are synchronized with the adhesion forces between the cell and the substrate. The micro-channels are represented by two rigid walls and exert an additional viscous force on the cell boundaries. Five configurations have… More >

JA. Herzog^∗, TR. Leonard^†, A. Jinha^†, W. Herzog^†,‡

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 1-17, 2014, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2014.011.001

Abstract Titin is the third most abundant protein in sarcomeres and fulfills a number of mechanical and signaling functions. Specifically, titin is responsible for most of the passive forces in sarcomeres and the passive visco-elastic behaviour of myofibrils and muscles. It has been suggested, based on mechanical testing of isolated titin molecules, that titin is an essentially elastic spring if Ig domain un/refolding is prevented either by working at short titin lengths, prior to any unfolding of Ig domains, or at long sarcomere (and titin) lengths when Ig domain un/refolding is effectively prevented. However, these properties of titin, and by extension… More >

Idalba A. Hidalgo A.^∗, Felipe Sojo^†, Francisco Arvelo^†, Marcos A. Sabino^∗,‡

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 85-105, 2013, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2013.010.085

Abstract The electrospinning technique is a method used to produce nano and microfibers using the influence of electrostatic forces. Porous three dimensional networks of continuous and interconnected fibers as scaffolds were obtained from a poly (lactic acid) solution. The concentration of the polymeric solution, 12.5% m/w, as well as the conditions of voltage (V=11kV) and tip-metallic collector distance (H=13cm) were established to develop these scaffolds through the electrospinning process. The characteristics of the scaffolds, such as fiber diameter, sintering and the biomimetics of the characteristics of a native extra cellular matrix were verified by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The orientation induced… More >

G. Sciumè^∗,†, S.E. Shelton^‡, W.G. Gray^‡, C.T. Miller^‡, F. Hussain^§,¶, M. Ferrari^¶, P. Decuzzi^¶, B.A. Schrefler^∗,¶

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.9, No.3, pp. 193-212, 2012, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2012.009.193

Abstract Multiphase porous media mechanics is used for modeling tumor growth, using governing equations obtained via the Thermodynamically Constrained Averaging Theory (TCAT). This approach incorporates the interaction of more phases than legacy tumor growth models. The tumor is treated as a multiphase system composed of an extracellular matrix, tumor cells which may become necrotic depending on nutrient level and pressure, healthy cells and an interstitial fluid which transports nutrients. The governing equations are numerically solved within a Finite Element framework for predicting the growth rate of the tumor mass, and of its individual components, as a function of the initial tumor-to-healthy… More >