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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Induced Elastic Matrix Synthesis Within 3-Dimensional Collagen Constructs, Lavanya Venkataraman Dec 2012

Induced Elastic Matrix Synthesis Within 3-Dimensional Collagen Constructs, Lavanya Venkataraman

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Elastin, a primary component of elastic arteries, maintains structural stability of the cyclically recoiling artery, and critically regulates vascular cell behavior. Accelerated degradation of elastic matrix, such as that seen in vascular pathologies like abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), can therefore severely compromise vessel homeostasis. Tissue engineering and in-situ matrix repair strategies evaluated so far are primarily limited in inducing adult vascular cells to replicate the complex elastic matrix assembly process, and restore lost matrix integrity. Previously, our lab established the elastogenic benefits of concurrent delivery of TGF-β1 and HA-oligomers (together termed elastogenic factors, EFs), within 2D cultures of rat aortic …


Develop Novel Frap Techniques For Determining Anisotropic Solute Diffusion In Cartilaginous Tissues, Changcheng Shi Dec 2012

Develop Novel Frap Techniques For Determining Anisotropic Solute Diffusion In Cartilaginous Tissues, Changcheng Shi

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Cartilaginous tissue is a connective tissue composed of specialized cells (e.g., chondrocytes and fibroblasts) that produce a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM), which is comprised mostly of collagen fibers, abundant ground substance rich in proteoglycan, and elastic fibers. It is characterized by its avascular structures within the tissue, implying that nutrition for normal tissue cells, for maintaining a healthy ECM, is mainly supplied through diffusion from nearby vascularized tissues and synovial fluid. Poor nutritional supply to the cartilaginous tissue is believed to be an important factor leading to tissue degeneration. Moreover, due to the complex collagen fiber structures, the …


A Novel Haptic Simulator For Evaluating And Training Salient Force-Based Skills For Laparoscopic Surgery, Ravikiran Singapogu Aug 2012

A Novel Haptic Simulator For Evaluating And Training Salient Force-Based Skills For Laparoscopic Surgery, Ravikiran Singapogu

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Laparoscopic surgery has evolved from an 'alternative' surgical technique to currently being considered as a mainstream surgical technique. However, learning this complex technique holds unique challenges to novice surgeons due to their 'distance' from the surgical site. One of the main challenges in acquiring laparoscopic skills is the acquisition of force-based or haptic skills. The neglect of popular training methods (e.g., the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery, i.e. FLS, curriculum) in addressing this aspect of skills training has led many medical skills professionals to research new, efficient methods for haptic skills training.
The overarching goal of this research was to demonstrate …


Investigating The Role Of Mechanosensitive Ion Channels In Urothelial Cell Pressure Mechanotransduction, Shawn Olsen Aug 2012

Investigating The Role Of Mechanosensitive Ion Channels In Urothelial Cell Pressure Mechanotransduction, Shawn Olsen

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Overactive bladder (OAB) is a bladder disorder that is characterized by bladder storage symptoms of urgency with or without urge incontinence, frequency, nocturia, and, as of 2003, affected approximately 16.5% of adults in the United States with an annual treatment cost of over $65 billion. While therapies are available to mitigate the symptoms of OAB, there are no treatments for the cause of OAB, due to the lack of understanding of the etiology of the disorder. Recent research has provided evidence that the bladder urothelium is not just a passive barrier, but is also sensitive to various chemical and mechanical …


Surface Damage In Retrieved Total Knee Replacement Femoral Components, Estefania Alvarez May 2012

Surface Damage In Retrieved Total Knee Replacement Femoral Components, Estefania Alvarez

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The metallic femoral components of total knee replacements are subject to in vivo surface damage and roughening that can severely limit the service lifetime of the bearing system. To date, there are no national standards by which to characterize the severity and damage modes of these critical bearing surfaces, and therefore it remains difficult to accurately assess how femoral damage influences total joint replacement bearing longevity. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that severe surface damage of the femoral component can occur, however, there is still no defined test methodology that can identify or replicate the types of …


Nanopillar Based Electrochemical Biosensor For Monitoring Microfluidic Based Cell Culture, Rajan Gangadharan May 2012

Nanopillar Based Electrochemical Biosensor For Monitoring Microfluidic Based Cell Culture, Rajan Gangadharan

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In-vitro assays using cultured cells have been widely performed for studying many aspects of cell biology and cell physiology. These assays also form the basis of cell based sensing. Presently, analysis procedures on cell cultures are done using techniques that are not integrated with the cell culture system. This approach makes continuous and real-time in-vitro measurements difficult. It is well known that the availability of continuous online measurements for extended periods of time will help provide a better understanding and will give better insight into cell physiological events.
With this motivation we developed a highly sensitive, selective and stable microfluidic …


Evaluation Of A Bisphosphonate Enriched Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene For Enhanced Total Joint Replacement Bearing Surface Functionality, Cassandra Wright-Walker May 2012

Evaluation Of A Bisphosphonate Enriched Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene For Enhanced Total Joint Replacement Bearing Surface Functionality, Cassandra Wright-Walker

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Each year in the United States there is an increasing trend of patients receiving total joint replacement (TJR) procedures. Approximately a half million total knee replacements (TKRs) are performed annually in the United States with increasing prevalence attributed to baby-boomers, obesity, older, and younger patients. This trend is also seen for total hip replacements (THRs) as well. The use of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) inserts in TJRs results in wear particle-induced osteolysis, which is the predominant cause for prosthesis failure and revision surgery. Sub-micron size particle generation is inevitable despite the numerous efforts in improving this bearing material. …


Quantitative, Spatial Imaging Based Measurements To Assess Cellular Health And Oxygenation In A Tissue Engineered Test System, Erik Bland May 2012

Quantitative, Spatial Imaging Based Measurements To Assess Cellular Health And Oxygenation In A Tissue Engineered Test System, Erik Bland

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Three-dimensional in vitro tissue test systems are employed to examine cell behavior, test responses to drugs and vaccines, and answer basic biological questions. These systems are more physiologically relevant than two-dimensional cell cultures, and are more relevant, easier and less expensive to maintain than animal models. However, methods used to measure cell behavior and viability have been developed specifically for two-dimensional cell cultures or animal models, and are often not optimally translated to three-dimensional in vitro test systems. The purpose of this work was to aid in the development of three-dimensional, spatially controlled in vitro test systems, and to develop …


Assembly And Disassembly Of Myofibrils In Dissociated Cardiomyocytes, Honghai Liu May 2012

Assembly And Disassembly Of Myofibrils In Dissociated Cardiomyocytes, Honghai Liu

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Significance
1) We have developed a hybrid TPEF-SHG imaging system with an onstage incubator for long-term living-cell imaging. Using the imaging system, the assembly of myosin filaments onto the myofibrils can be investigated without fluorescently labeling the specific proteins, which enabled us to study the dynamic process of the assembly and dedifferentiation of myofibrils in living cardiomyocytes without labeling any sarcomeric proteins for long time.
2) We observed the addition of new sarcomeres during myofibrillogenesis while neonatal cardiomyocytes were spreading on the substrate for up to 10 hours under the customized TPEF-SHG imaging system. New-sarcomere addition at both the ends …


Bioengineering Approach To Understanding Tmj Pathobiology, Jonathan Kuo May 2012

Bioengineering Approach To Understanding Tmj Pathobiology, Jonathan Kuo

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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a load-bearing joint consisting of the condyle of the mandibular bone, the fossa eminence of the temporal bone, and a fibrocartilaginous disc held in between the bone surfaces by ligaments. The TMJ disc serves to distribute stress, lubricate movement, and protect the articular surfaces of the joint. Over ten million Americans suffer from TMJ disorders (TMD) that affect the movement and function of the joint, making everyday tasks like talking and eating difficult and painful. A wide variety of treatments and surgeries have been proposed and undertaken with limited success based on the varying degree …