Article
Engineering, Chemical
Huaan Luo, Yinlong Zhu, Haifeng Zhao, Luqiang Ma, Jingjing Zhang
Summary: This study proposed an apparatus for conducting equibiaxial planar tension tests on hyperelastic electroactive polymer membranes and used experimental data and nonlinear material models for evaluation. ABAQUS finite element software was also employed for simulation and investigation of the impact of clamping mode and point number on test accuracy and deformation uniformity. The conclusions drawn from the experiments and simulations provide insights for design and analysis of equibiaxial planar tension test rigs.
ADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Keenan A. Ramsey, Anna G. M. Rojer, Luke D'Andrea, Rene H. J. Otten, Martijn W. Heymans, Marijke C. Trappenburg, Sjors Verlaan, Anna C. Whittaker, Carel G. M. Meskers, Andrea B. Maier
Summary: Higher levels of physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior in older adults are associated with better upper and lower body muscle strength and muscle power. These associations are particularly significant in the chair stand test.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jens Lamsfuss, Swantje Bargmann
Summary: Skeletal muscle has high damage tolerance due to its high toughness, which allows it to withstand cracks while maintaining most of its strength. This study focuses on analyzing the damage behavior in muscle fibers and fascicles, where most serious muscle injuries occur. The results show that the endomysium does not transfer high strains, providing protection to adjacent undamaged fibers. Additionally, titin plays a significant role in stabilizing pre-damaged muscle fibers, resulting in minimal reduction in macroscopic strains of fascicles.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Niudong Han, Xiaoxu Wang, Diantang Zhang
Summary: ZPR honeycomb metamaterials have become a popular research topic for realizing the one-dimensional deformation of morphing wings due to their lightweight, low in-plane modulus, and high out-of-plane strength. A ZPR honeycomb metamaterial made from CF/PEEK material was prepared by 3D printing and its mechanical properties were tested. The results showed that the optimized metamaterial can achieve significant in-plane elastic deformation and has certain bending resistance. A new test method for evaluating the cyclic deformation behavior of flexible morphing wings was proposed.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Amar Mezidi, Ratiba Mitiche Kettab, Hamid Hamli Benzahar, Mahfoud Touhari
Summary: The study investigated the behavior of concrete made with dune sand and ordinary concrete modified with various weight percentages of crumb rubber. Results showed that the optimal percentage of crumb rubber is 3% and concrete made with dune sand had weaker elasticity modulus and compressive strength compared to modified ordinary concrete. The results suggest that modified ordinary concrete is suitable for use in structural elements, while dune sand only aggregate concrete modified by crumb rubber may have limitations in certain structural applications.
ADVANCES IN CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Malcolm J. Jackson, Natalie Pollock, Caroline Staunton, Samantha Jones, Anne McArdle
Summary: Research has shown that reactive oxygen species are generated in skeletal muscle during exercise and play important roles in muscle adaptations. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of the redox signaling roles of these species in mediating muscle responses to contractile activity, with a focus on the effects of aging. Additionally, evidence is provided suggesting that disruption of muscle mitochondria's redox status due to age-associated denervation may contribute to a weakening of muscle responses to contractile activity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Changmin Pyo, Younghyun Kim, Jaewoong Kim, Sungwook Kang
Summary: A Python program was developed to estimate the equivalent property of materials with pores, and its matching was verified through comparison with measurement results. By assuming circular or elliptical pores, efficient calculation of mechanical properties of porous materials was achieved, contributing to the design and development of products in the industrial field.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Markus Mehnert, Mokarram Hossain, Paul Steinmann
Summary: The study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation on the behavior of electro-active polymers under thermo-electro-mechanical loads, aiming to develop a coupled model that closely replicates the polymer's response. The model is calibrated and validated with experimental data, showing excellent agreement with findings.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alvaro Navarrete, Pablo Varela, Miguel Lopez, Claudio M. Garcia-Herrera, Diego J. Celentano, Bernardo Krause
Summary: This study presents a characterization of the active response of the carotid artery of guinea pig fetuses using experiments, modeling, and numerical simulation. The experimental measurements are used to calibrate a coupled mechanochemical model, which accurately describes the influence of smooth cell behavior on the passive and active mechanical response of the vascular tissue. The model is validated and optimized by performing finite element numerical simulations. The main strengths of the model lie in its ability to predict the stationary state of the tissue's active mechanical response through a realistic representation of the mechanochemical process at the cellular level.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Junyan Li, Marco A. Marra, Nico Verdonschot, Yongtao Lu
Summary: The study found that contraction in the gluteus medius muscle is highly non-uniform during abduction, internal and external rotation, with the entire muscle being activated during abduction while only specific subdivisions are primarily involved in internal and external rotation. The active contractile stress in a subdivision during abduction was found to increase if its proportion in the muscle was expanded. Cost functions of minimizing the sum of active contractile stresses squared/cubed provide similar qualitative predictions of trends in results.
MEDICAL ENGINEERING & PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chih-Hsuan Chou, Elisabeth R. Barton
Summary: Glucose is a vital energy source for active skeletal muscles, and AMPK plays a crucial role in glucose uptake during muscle contraction. The study aimed to investigate the impact of increased muscle IGF-I on AMPK α phosphorylation and activity. The results demonstrated that high muscle IGF-I enhances glucose uptake under resting conditions but does not inhibit AMPK activity during muscle contraction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Guoli Wang, Ning An, Shanwen Sun, Jinxiong Zhou
Summary: The study presents finite element modeling of multi-step reconfiguration of soft mechanical metamaterials and elucidates the underlying mechanism of soft elasticity. The predicted stress-strain curve and folding angles of hinge elements show excellent agreement with experimental data, and the influence of reconfiguration and folding-induced internal stress on the bandgap distribution of mechanical metamaterials is explored. This work provides useful guidelines for the design and application of mechanical metamaterials in both static and dynamic situations.
MODERN PHYSICS LETTERS B
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qingqiao Xie, Yuandi Zhuang, Gaojun Ye, Tiankuo Wang, Yi Cao, Lingxiang Jiang
Summary: The authors report on a unique class of astral hydrogels that exhibit compression-stiffening and extension-softening behavior similar to tissues. These hydrogels are formed through hierarchical self-assembly of amphiphilic gemini molecules, with radial asters that interpenetrate to form a gel network. The mechanism of aster-aster interpenetration in these gels is highlighted as a potential new perspective for designing mechanically tissue-like materials.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Miroslav Gasparik, Fatemeh Rezaei, Elham Karami, Sumanta Das, Tomas Kytka, Lukas Vlk, Roberto Corleto, Gianluca Ditommaso
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effect of alternating freezing and high temperatures on the shear strength of adhesive-bonded wood. The results showed that the shear strength of the glued wood remained unchanged compared to the reference samples under different temperature conditions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Malgorzata Galczynska-Rusin, Malgorzata Pobudek-Radzikowska, Krzysztof Gawriolek, Agata Czajka-Jakubowska
Summary: Understanding the biomechanical properties of orofacial tissues is crucial for patients with increased activity of masticatory muscles like bruxism. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical properties of the masseter muscle using MyotonPRO in adults with probable bruxism and to examine gender relations. The results showed significant differences between genders in muscle tension and stiffness during muscle contraction, with women experiencing more frequent headaches and pain in the masseter muscles.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xinmin Yang, Ruwen Zhang, Tao Jin, Ping Zhu, Linbo Yao, Lan Li, Wenhao Cai, Rajarshi Mukherjee, Dan Du, Xianghui Fu, Jing Xue, Reynaldo Martina, Tingting Liu, Sayali Pendharkar, Anthony R. Phillips, Vikesh K. Singh, Robert Sutton, John A. Windsor, Lihui Deng, Qing Xia, Wei Huang
Summary: This study identified optimal blood glucose levels to define stress hyperglycemia in non-diabetic and diabetic acute pancreatitis patients and found a significant relationship between stress hyperglycemia and adverse clinical outcomes.
DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peter S. Russell, Jiwon Hong, Natalie L. Trevaskis, John A. Windsor, Niels D. Martin, Anthony R. J. Phillips
Summary: The lymphatic system is often overlooked as a potential drug target and a source of adverse effects from cardiovascular drugs. This study aimed to identify drugs that directly affect lymphatic contractions and drugs in clinical use that have positive or negative effects on lymphatic function. The findings suggest that certain drugs can either enhance or inhibit lymphatic contractile function.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Surgery
John A. Windsor
Review
Surgery
Navamayooran Thavanesan, Sophie White, Shiela Lee, Bathiya Ratnayake, Kofi W. Oppong, Manu K. Nayar, Linda Sharp, Asbjorn Mohr Drewes, Gabriele Capurso, Enrique De-Madaria, Ajith K. Siriwardena, John A. Windsor, Sanjay Pandanaboyana
Summary: This article presents a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of different analgesic modalities in acute pancreatitis (AP). The results suggest that epidural analgesia is most effective within the first 24 hours, while NSAIDs can be an effective alternative to opiates during the first day.
WORLD JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Armen A. Gharibans, Stefan Calder, Chris Varghese, Stephen Waite, Gabriel Schamberg, Charlotte Daker, Peng Du, Saeed Alighaleh, Daniel Carson, Jonathan Woodhead, Gianrico Farrugia, John A. Windsor, Christopher N. Andrews, Greg O'Grady
Summary: Chronic nausea and vomiting syndromes (NVSs) are prevalent and debilitating disorders. A medical device enabling noninvasive body surface gastric mapping (BSGM) was developed and applied to evaluate NVS pathophysiology. The study found that patients with NVS have impaired meal responses and can be divided into two distinct subgroups based on gastric motor abnormalities and psychological comorbidities.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Surgery
Daniel Joh, Mathew Morreau, Angela Lee, Sayali Pendharkar, Bruce Stokes, Roger Warren, Anthony Hickey, Anthony J. Phillips, John A. Windsor
Summary: Acute Mesenteric Ischaemic (AMI) is a rare and serious condition, and current treatments have limitations. This systematic review of experimental studies suggests that intraluminal oxygen delivery may be an effective treatment for AMI, but further research is needed to determine the optimal timing and formulation before clinical translation.
ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Lin Gao, Xiaojia Xiao, Lu Ke, Jiwon Hong, Lisa Brown, Anthony Phillips, John A. Windsor
GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Joshua Chung, Agne Tilunaite, David Ladd, Hilary Hunt, Christian Soeller, Edmund J. Crampin, Stuart T. Johnston, H. Llewelyn Roderick, Vijay Rajagopal
Summary: Calcium plays a critical role in the excitation-contraction coupling process of cardiomyocytes. In addition to ryanodine receptors (RyRs), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs) also contribute to calcium release and modulate excitation-contraction coupling. The localization of IP3Rs at dyads influences the occurrence of elementary calcium release events (Ca2+ sparks) and their modulatory effects on excitation-contraction coupling. A mathematical model incorporating the behavior of IP3Rs and RyRs suggests that IP3Rs elevate calcium levels in dyads, leading to increased Ca2+ spark formation. However, dyadic IP3R activity reduces calcium availability in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, resulting in Ca2+ sparks with lower amplitudes.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Tiago Bouca-Machado, Stefan A. W. Bouwense, Martin Brand, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Jens Brondum Frokjaer, Pramod Garg, Peter Hegyi, J. -Matthias Lohr, Enrique de-Madaria, Soren Schou Olesen, Sanjay Pandanaboyana, Jan Bech Pedersen, Vinciane Rebours, Andrea Sheel, Vikesh Singh, Martin Smith, John A. Windsor, Dhiraj Yadav, Asbjorn Mohr Drewes
Summary: Acute on chronic pancreatitis (ACP) is a common condition, but there are significant gaps in our knowledge about it. Through a systematic review and expert consensus, a new definition of ACP was reached. Despite the poor evidence base, this position statement provides a foundation for the management of ACP.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Linqian Li, Xiaoying Zhang, Guilan Cheng, Dingxi Wang, Shiyu Liu, Lan Li, Na Shi, Tao Jin, Ziqi Lin, Lihui Deng, Wei Huang, John A. Windsor, Guixiang Li, Qing Xia
Summary: This study aimed to optimize the technique for measuring intra-bladder pressure in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis. The results showed that measuring intra-bladder pressure at the iliac crest with a head of bed elevation of 15 degrees and instilling 25 mL of normal saline can be appropriate for monitoring intra-abdominal pressure in predicted severe acute pancreatitis patients. A bed elevation of 30 degrees significantly increased intra-bladder pressure.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Dhya Al-Leswas, Nesta Baxter, Wei B. Lim, Francis Robertson, Bathiya Ratnayake, Jayanta Samanta, Gabriele Capurso, Enrique de-Madaria, Asbjorn M. Drewes, John Windsor, Sanjay Pandanaboyana
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that epidural anesthesia (EA) is safe and effective in managing pain in acute pancreatitis (AP). EA can reduce pain severity, improve pancreatic perfusion, and decrease mortality in AP patients. The use of EA is associated with lower need for ventilatory support.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Wenjian Mao, Kang Li, Jing Zhou, Miao Chen, Bo Ye, Gang Li, Vikesh Singh, James Buxbaum, Xiaoyun Fu, Zhihui Tong, Yuxiu Liu, John Windsor, Weiqin Li, Lu Ke, CAPCTG
Summary: This study aimed to assess the performance of the Pancreatitis Activity Scoring System (PASS) and its modifications in predicting infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The mPASS-4 model had the best predictive performance and simplified the original PASS, increasing the likelihood of clinical implementation.
UNITED EUROPEAN GASTROENTEROLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Johanes K. Kasim, Jiwon Hong, Anthony J. R. Hickey, Anthony R. J. Phillips, John A. Windsor, Paul W. R. Harris, Margaret A. Brimble, Iman Kavianinia
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a debilitating disease with no effective treatments. Trichoderin A, a natural product, shows promise as an anticancer agent. It selectively kills pancreatic cancer cells under glucose deprivation, which is significant given the nutrient-deprived nature of the disease.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Evan V. Jenkins, Dhani Dharmaprani, Madeline Schopp, Jing Xian Quah, Kathryn Tiver, Lewis Mitchell, Martyn P. Nash, Richard H. Clayton, Kenneth Pope, Anand N. Ganesan
Summary: This study investigates the influence of phase singularity (PS) population size on the formation and destruction rates of PS in atrial and ventricular fibrillation (AF/VF). Results from computational simulations, human AF and human VF indicate that the changes in PS population affect the formation and destruction rates, suggesting the presence of inhibitory interactions between PS.
Article
Biophysics
Prashanna Khwaounjoo, Alexander W. Dixon, Amir Hajirassouliha, Emily J. Lam Po Tang, Mark W. Webster, Andrew J. Taberner, Poul M. F. Nielsen, Martyn P. Nash, Yusuf O. Cakmak
Summary: The researchers developed a non-contact imaging system to estimate carotid artery pressure displacement waveforms by calculating the vessel-induced deformation of the skin. Clinical study results showed high similarity between displacement waveforms and aortic catheter pressures, with no significant differences in pulse wave analysis metrics. These findings have important implications for diagnosing and conducting remote health screening for cardiac conditions.
PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Nathan D. Camarillo, Rafael Jimenez-Silva, Frances T. Sheehan
Summary: This article discusses the statistical dependence between multiple measurements from the same participant and provides recommendations for using these measurements when they are not independent.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
Article
Biophysics
J. Huet, A. -S. Boureau, A. Sarcher, C. Cornu, A. Nordez
Summary: Standard compression in freehand 3D ultrasound induces a bias in volume calculations, but minimal compression and gel pad methods have similar results. With a trained examiner and precautions, the bias can be minimized and become acceptable in clinical applications.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
Article
Biophysics
C. Lariviere, A. H. Eskandari, H. Mecheri, F. Ghezelbash, D. Gagnon, A. Shirazi-Adl
Summary: Recent developments in musculoskeletal modeling have focused on model customization. Personalization of the spine profile may affect estimates of spinal loading and stability. This study investigates the biomechanical consequences of changes in the spinal profile and finds that personalizing the spine profile has medium to large effects on trunk muscle forces and negligible to small effects on spinal loading and stability.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
Article
Biophysics
Luke T. Mattar, Arash B. Mahboobin, Adam J. Popchak, William J. Anderst, Volker Musahl, James J. Irrgang, Richard E. Debski
Summary: Exercise therapy fails in about 25.0% of cases for individuals with rotator cuff tears, and one reason for this failure may be the inability to strengthen and balance the muscle forces that keep the humeral head in the correct position. This study developed computational musculoskeletal models to compare the net muscle force before and after exercise therapy between successfully and unsuccessfully treated patients. The study found that unsuccessfully treated patients had less inferiorly oriented net muscle forces, which may increase the risk of impingement.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
Article
Biophysics
Natsuki Sado, Takeshi Edagawa, Toshihide Fujimori, Shogo Hashimoto, Yoshikazu Okamoto, Takahito Nakajima
Summary: The existing methods for predicting hip and lumbosacral joint centres in Japanese adults are biased and differ between sexes. We propose new regression equations that consider soft-tissue thickness, sex differences, and a height-directional measure, and validate them using leave-one-out cross-validation.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
Article
Biophysics
Peimin Yu, Xuanzhen Cen, Qichang Mei, Alan Wang, Yaodong Gu, Justin Fernandez
Summary: This study aimed to explore the intra-foot biomechanical differences among individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), copers, and healthy individuals during dynamic tasks. The study found that copers and CAI individuals had smaller dorsiflexion angles and copers presented a more eversion position compared to healthy participants. Copers also had greater dorsiflexion angles in the metatarsophalangeal joint and more inversion moments in the subtalar joint during certain tasks. These findings can help in designing interventions to restore ankle joint functions in CAI individuals.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
Article
Biophysics
Jon Skovgaard Jensen, Anders Holsgaard-Larsen, Anders Stengaard Sorensen, Per Aagaard, Jens Bojsen-Moller
Summary: This study investigates the biomechanical effects of robot-assisted body weight unloading (BWU) on gait patterns in healthy young adults. The results show that dynamic robot-assisted BWU enables reduced kinetic requirements without distorting biomechanically normal gait patterns during overground walking.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
