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  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Osmotic Loading of in Situ Chondrocytes in Their Native Environment

    Rami K Korhonen∗,†, Sang-Kuy Han, Walter Herzog
    Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 125-134, 2010, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2010.007.125
    Abstract Changes in the osmotic environment cause changes in volume of isolated cells and cells in tissue explants, and the osmotic environment becomes hypotonic in cartilage diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). However, it is not known how cells respond to a hypotonic osmotic challenge when situated in the fully intact articular cartilage.
    A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to image chondrocytes of intact rabbit patellae in an isotonic (300 mOsm) and hypotonic (172 mOsm) immersion medium. Cell volumes were calculated before and 5, 15, 60, 120 and 240 minutes after the change in saline concentration. Local tissue strains and swelling… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    On p21 Tracking Property in Cancer Cell Unravelled Bio-Digitally in silico. Are Apoptosis Principles Universal?

    R. M. Ardito Marretta∗,†, G. Barbaraci
    Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 135-164, 2010, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2010.007.135
    Abstract Upon severe DNA damage, p21 acts in a dual mode; on the one hand, it inhibits the cyclin-CDK complex for arresting the G2/M transition and on the other hand, it indirectly becomes an apoptotic factor by activating - in sequence - the retinoblastoma protein, E2F1 and APAF1 expressions. But, in a cancer cells proliferation, the mechanisms of, and participants in, the apoptosis failure remain unclear. Since the p21/p53/Mdm2 proteins network normally involves a digital response in a cancer cell, through an original design of a cell signalling-protein simulator, we demonstrate,in silico, that apoptosis phase instability is fully reciprocated by p21mRNA… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Mechanical Stretch-Induced Changes in Cell Morphology and mRNA Expression of Tendon/Ligament-Associated Genes in Rat Bone-Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

    Guanbin Song∗,†,‡, Qing Luo*, Baiyao Xu*, Yang Ju
    Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 165-174, 2010, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2010.007.165
    Abstract It has been demonstrated that mechanical stimulation plays a vital role in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. However, little is known about the effects of mechanical stress on tendon/ligament development from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Here, using a custom-made cell-stretching device, we studied the effects of mechanical stretching on the cell morphology and mRNA expression of several key genes modulating tendon/ligament genesis. We demonstrate that bone-marrow-derived rat MSCs (rMSCs), when subjected to cyclic uniaxial stretching, express obvious detectable mRNAs for tenascin C and scleraxis, a unique maker of tendon/ligament formation, and significantly increased levels of type I… More >

  • Open AccessOpen Access

    ARTICLE

    Discrete Element Analysis in Musculoskeletal Biomechanics

    Chao EYS, Volokh KY, Yoshida H, Shiba N§, Ide T
    Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 175-192, 2010, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2010.007.175
    Abstract This paper is written to honor Professor Y. C. Fung, the applied mechanician who has made seminal contributions in biomechanics. His work has generated great spin-off utility in the field of musculoskeletal biomechanics. Following the concept of the Rigid Body-Spring Model theory by T. Kawai (1978) for non-linear analysis of beam, plate, and shell structures and the soil-gravel mixture foundation, we have derived a generalized Discrete Element Analysis (DEA) method to determine human articular joint contact pressure, constraining ligament tension and bone-implant interface stresses. The basic formulation of DEA to solve linear problems is reviewed. The derivation of non-linear springs… More >

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