scholarly journals Cervical Collagen Network Remodeling in Normal Pregnancy and Disrupted Parturition in Antxr2 Deficient Mice

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshida ◽  
Claire Reeves ◽  
Joy Vink ◽  
Jan Kitajewski ◽  
Ronald Wapner ◽  
...  

The remodeling of the cervix from a rigid barrier into a compliant structure, which dilates to allow for delivery, is a critical process for a successful pregnancy. Changes in the mechanical properties of cervical tissue during remodeling are hypothesized to be related to the types of collagen crosslinks within the tissue. To further understand normal and abnormal cervical remodeling, we quantify the material properties and collagen crosslink density of cervical tissue throughout pregnancy from normal wild-type and Anthrax Toxin Receptor 2 knockout (Antxr2-/-) mice. Antxr2-/- females are known to have a parturition defect, in part, due to an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the cervix, particularly collagen. In this study, we determined the mechanical properties in gestation-timed cervical samples by osmotic loading and measured the density of mature collagen crosslink, pyridinoline (PYD), by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). The equilibrium material response of the tissue to loading was investigated using a hyperelastic material model where the stresses in the material are balanced by the osmotic swelling tendencies of the glycosaminoglycans and the tensile restoring forces of a randomly-oriented crosslinked collagen fiber network. This study shows that the swelling response of the cervical tissue increased with decreasing PYD density in normal remodeling. In the Antxr2-/- mice, there was no significant increase in swelling volume or significant decrease in crosslink density with advancing gestation. By comparing the ECM-mechanical response relationships in normal and disrupted parturition mouse models this study shows that a reduction of collagen crosslink density is related to cervical softening and contributes to the cervical remodeling process.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e112391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshida ◽  
Hongfeng Jiang ◽  
MiJung Kim ◽  
Joy Vink ◽  
Serge Cremers ◽  
...  

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 4625
Author(s):  
Martina Scapin ◽  
Lorenzo Peroni

Three-dimensional printing technology using fused deposition modeling processes is becoming more and more widespread thanks to the improvements in the mechanical properties of materials with the addition of short fibers into the polymeric filaments. The final mechanical properties of the printed components depend, not only on the properties of the filament, but also on several printing parameters. The main purpose of this study was the development of a tool for designers to predict the real mechanical properties of printed components by performing finite element analyses. Two different materials (nylon reinforced with glass or carbon fibers) were investigated. The experimental identification of the elastic material model parameters was performed by testing printed fully filled dog bone specimens in two different directions. The obtained parameters were used in numerical analyses to predict the mechanical response of simple structures. Blocks of 20 mm × 20 mm × 160 mm were printed in four different percentages of a triangular infill pattern. Experimental and numerical four-point bending tests were performed, and the results were compared in terms of load versus curvature. The analysis of the results demonstrated that the purely elastic transversely isotropic material model is adequate for predicting behavior, at least before nonlinearities occur.


Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1041
Author(s):  
Eliseo Hernandez-Duran ◽  
Luca Corallo ◽  
Tanya Ros-Yanez ◽  
Felipe Castro-Cerda ◽  
Roumen H. Petrov

This study focuses on the effect of non-conventional annealing strategies on the microstructure and related mechanical properties of austempered steels. Multistep thermo-cycling (TC) and ultrafast heating (UFH) annealing were carried out and compared with the outcome obtained from a conventionally annealed (CA) 0.3C-2Mn-1.5Si steel. After the annealing path, steel samples were fast cooled and isothermally treated at 400 °C employing the same parameters. It was found that TC and UFH strategies produce an equivalent level of microstructural refinement. Nevertheless, the obtained microstructure via TC has not led to an improvement in the mechanical properties in comparison with the CA steel. On the other hand, the steel grade produced via a combination of ultrafast heating annealing and austempering exhibits enhanced ductility without decreasing the strength level with respect to TC and CA, giving the best strength–ductility balance among the studied steels. The outstanding mechanical response exhibited by the UFH steel is related to the formation of heterogeneous distribution of ferrite, bainite and retained austenite in proportions 0.09–0.78–0.14. The microstructural formation after UFH is discussed in terms of chemical heterogeneities in the parent austenite.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Marco Ferroni ◽  
Beatrice Belgio ◽  
Giuseppe M. Peretti ◽  
Alessia Di Giancamillo ◽  
Federica Boschetti

The menisci of the knee are complex fibro-cartilaginous tissues that play important roles in load bearing, shock absorption, joint lubrication, and stabilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between the different meniscal tissue components (i.e., the solid matrix constituents and the fluid phase) and the mechanical response according to the developmental stage of the tissue. Menisci derived from partially and fully developed pigs were analyzed. We carried out biochemical analyses to quantify glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content according to the developmental stage. These values were related to tissue mechanical properties that were measured in vitro by performing compression and tension tests on meniscal specimens. Both compression and tension protocols consisted of multi-ramp stress–relaxation tests comprised of increasing strains followed by stress–relaxation to equilibrium. To better understand the mechanical response to different directions of mechanical stimulus and to relate it to the tissue structural composition and development, we performed numerical simulations that implemented different constitutive models (poro-elasticity, viscoelasticity, transversal isotropy, or combinations of the above) using the commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics. The numerical models also allowed us to determine several mechanical parameters that cannot be directly measured by experimental tests. The results of our investigation showed that the meniscus is a non-linear, anisotropic, non-homogeneous material: mechanical parameters increase with strain, depend on the direction of load, and vary among regions (anterior, central, and posterior). Preliminary numerical results showed the predominant role of the different tissue components depending on the mechanical stimulus. The outcomes of biochemical analyses related to mechanical properties confirmed the findings of the numerical models, suggesting a specific response of meniscal cells to the regional mechanical stimuli in the knee joint. During maturation, the increase in compressive moduli could be explained by cell differentiation from fibroblasts to metabolically active chondrocytes, as indicated by the found increase in GAG/DNA ratio. The changes of tensile mechanical response during development could be related to collagen II accumulation during growth. This study provides new information on the changes of tissue structural components during maturation and the relationship between tissue composition and mechanical response.


2005 ◽  
Vol 898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devendra Verma ◽  
Rahul Bhowmik ◽  
Bedabibhas Mohanty ◽  
Dinesh R Katti ◽  
Kalpana S Katti

AbstractInterfaces play an important role in controlling the mechanical properties of composites. Optimum mechanical strength of scaffolds is of prime importance for bone tissue engineering. In the present work, molecular dynamics simulations and experimental studies have been conducted to study effect of interfacial interactions on mechanical properties of composites for bone replacement. In order to mimic biological processes, hydroxyapatite (HAP) is mineralized in presence of polyacrylic acid (PAAc) (in situ HAP). Further, solid and porous composites of in situ HAP with polycaprolactone (PCL) are made. Mechanical tests of composites of in situ HAP with PAAc have shown improved strain recovery, higher modulus/density ratio and also improved mechanical response in simulated body fluid (SBF). Simulation studies indicate potential for calcium bridging between –COO− of PAAc and surface calcium of HAP. This fact is also supported by infrared spectroscopic studies. PAAc modified surfaces of in situ HAP offer means to control the microstructure and mechanical response of porous composites. Nanoindentation experiments indicate that apatite grown on in situ HAP/PCL composites from SBF has improved elastic modulus and hardness. This work gives insight into the interfacial mechanisms responsible for mechanical response as well as bioactivity in biomaterials.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
O. I. Sekunowo ◽  
G. I. Lawal ◽  
S. O. Adeosun

Samples of the 6063 (Al-1.09Mg2Si) alloy ingot were melted in a crucible furnace and cast in metal and sand moulds, respectively. Standard tensile, hardness, and microstructural test specimens were prepared from cast samples, solution treated at 520∘C, soaked for 6 hrs, and immediately quenched at ambient temperature in a trough containing water to assume a supersaturated structure. The quenched specimens were then thermally aged at 175∘C for 3–7 hrs. Results show that at different ageing time, varied fractions of precipitates and intermetallics evolved in the specimens’ matrices which affect the resulting mechanical properties. The metal mould specimens aged for four hours (MTA-4) exhibited superior ultimate tensile strength of 247.8 MPa; microhardness, 68.5 HV; elongation, 28.2% . It is concluded that the extent of improvement in mechanical properties depends on the fractions, coherence, and distribution of precipitates along with the type of intermetallics developed in the alloy during ageing process.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096739112110313
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdel-Hakim ◽  
Soma A el-Mogy ◽  
Ahmed I Abou-Kandil

Blending of rubber is an important route to modify properties of individual elastomeric components in order to obtain optimum chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. In this study, a novel modification of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) is made by employing acrylic rubber (ACM) to obtain blends of outstanding mechanical, dynamic, and oil resistance properties. In order to achieve those properties, we used a unique vulcanizing system that improves the crosslink density between both polymers and enhances the dynamic mechanical properties as well as its resistance to both motor and break oils. Static mechanical measurements, tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness are improved together with dynamic mechanical properties investigated using dynamic mechanical analyses. We also proposed a mechanism for the improvement of crosslink density and consequently oil resistance properties. This opens new opportunities for using SBR/ACM blends in oil sealing applications that requires rigorous mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrycja Jutrzenka Trzebiatowska ◽  
Arantzazu Santamaria Echart ◽  
Tamara Calvo Correas ◽  
Arantxa Eceiza ◽  
Janusz Datta

Author(s):  
Marinela Peto ◽  
Oscar Aguilar-Rosas ◽  
Erick Erick Ramirez-Cedillo ◽  
Moises Jimenez ◽  
Adriana Hernandez ◽  
...  

Abstract Lattice structures offer great benefits when employed in medical implants for cell attachment and growth (osseointegration), minimization of stress shielding phenomena, and weight reduction. This study is focused on a proof of concept for developing a generic shoulder hemi-prosthesis, from a patient-specific case of a 46 years old male with a tumor on the upper part of his humerus. A personalized biomodel was designed and a lattice structure was integrated in its middle portion, to lighten weight without affecting humerus’ mechanical response. To select the most appropriate lattice structure, three different configurations were initially tested: Tetrahedral Vertex Centroid (TVC), Hexagonal Prism Vertex Centroid (HPVC), and Cubic Diamond (CD). They were fabricated in resin by digital light processing and its mechanical behavior was studied via compression testing and finite element modeling (FEM). The selected structure according to the results was the HPVC, which was integrated in a digital twin of the biomodel to validate its mechanical performance through FEM but substituting the bone material model with a biocompatible titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) suitable for prostheses fabrication. Results of the simulation showed acceptable levels of Von Mises stresses (325 MPa max.), below the elastic limit of the titanium alloys, and a better response (52 MPa max.) in a model with equivalent elastic properties, with stress performance in the same order of magnitude than the showed in bone’s material model.


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