Stating Failure Modelling Limitations of High Strength Sheets: Implications to Sheet Metal Forming.

This article discusses the fracture modelling accuracy of strain-driven ductile fracture models when introducing damage of high strength sheet steel. Numerical modelling of well-known fracture mechanical tests was conducted using a failure and damage model to control damage and fracture evolution. A thorough validation of the simulation results was conducted against results from laboratory testing.

Wnt-4 potently inhibits capillary outgrowth from rat aorta in 3D culture.

Regulation of angiogenesis involves tight cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular-matrix interactions. Various reports demonstrate that the Wnt signaling pathways participate in this regulation. Using a three-dimensional aortic ring culture combined with an ex vivo retroviral infection approach, we evaluated the effects of two Wnt growth factors, Wnt-1 and Wnt-4, on the formation and growth of new capillaries.

Methods for imaging Renin-synthesizing, -storing, and -secreting cells.

Renin-producing cells have been the object of intense research efforts for the past fifty years within the field of hypertension. Two decades ago, research focused on the concept and characterization of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system. Early morphological studies led to the concept of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, a minute organ that links tubulovascular structures and function at the single nephron level.

Effect of heavy metals and water content on the strength of magnesium phosphate cements.

In this paper the mechanical properties of magnesium potassium phosphate cements used for the Stabilization/Solidification (S/S) of galvanic wastes were investigated. Surrogate wastes (metal nitrate dissolutions) were employed containing Cd, Cr(III), Cu, Ni, Pb or Zn at a concentration of 25 g dm(-3) and different water-to-solid (W/S) ratios (0.3, 0.

Contrasting effect of exercise and angiotensin II hypertension on in vivo and in vitro cardiac angiogenesis in rats.

Cardiac vessel density (beta-actin immunolabeling) and angiogenic capacity of coronary artery explants (culture in collagen gel) was determined in hypertrophied heart obtained by exercise training (10 wk) or ANG II infusion for 10 days. A group of rats received ANG II the last 10 days of training. The heart weight index was similarly elevated after exercise, and ANG II-hypertension compared with controls (3.

Renal function and structure in a rat model of arterial calcification and increased pulse pressure.

Clinical studies suggest a strong link between tissue calcification and pressure hyperpulsatility in end stage renal disease patients. Using a Wistar rat model of arterial elastocalcinosis and hyperpulsatility [vitamin D and nicotine (VDN) treatment], we evaluated the relative importance of tissue calcification and hyperpulsatility in the etiology of renal failure. VDN rats showed significant increases in aortic wall calcium content (50 times; 992+/-171 vs.

Topology of Schwann cells and sympathetic innervation along preglomerular vessels: a confocal microscopic study in protein S100B/EGFP transgenic mice.

Schwann cells (Sc), associated axons, and nearby vascular endothelium constitute a functional trilogy of major importance during the development and regrowth of peripheral vascular nerves. The goal of the present study is to provide a technique of triple fluorescence confocal imaging of these cell types along renal preglomerular vessels. We took advantage of a protein S100B/EGFP transgenic mouse to visualize Sc.

Pioglitazone improves aortic wall elasticity in a rat model of elastocalcinotic arteriosclerosis.

Specific treatment of age-related aortic wall arteriosclerosis and stiffening is lacking. Because ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma have beneficial effects on the arterial wall in atherosclerosis, via an antiinflammatory mechanism, we investigated whether long-term pioglitazone (Pio) treatment protects against another form of vascular wall disease, arteriosclerosis. We evaluated, in a rat model of elastocalcinotic arteriosclerosis (hypervitaminosis D and nicotine [VDN]), whether Pio (3 mg .

Cardiorenal abnormalities associated with high sodium intake: correction by spironolactone in rats.

Reversal by the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone on cardiac and renal abnormalities, associated with long-term (since weaning) administration of a high (2 and 8% NaCl chow, HS2 and HS8) sodium diet, was assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats. At the age of 5 mo, spironolactone (20 or 100 mg/kg, gavage) or placebo were given for 14 days to HS2 and HS8 rats. A group fed a regular diet (0.

Increased shear stress-released NO and decreased endothelial calcium in rat isolated perfused juxtamedullary nephrons.

Background: Nitric oxide is an important vasodilator released from endothelial cells by the calcium-dependent endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS). We considered it important to investigate how shear stress/perfusion pressure influenced endothelial cell calcium concentration, nitric oxide release, and autoregulation of the afferent arteriole, since this arteriole controls glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renin release.

Methods: We used an isolated perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation and measured calcium with Fura 2, nitric oxide with 4-amino-5 methylamino-2', 7'-difluorescein (DAF-FM) and diameter with an imaging system.

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor mapping in rat kidney. Effects of angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

Intrarenal distribution and function(s) of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) remain uncertain. The goals of this study were to (1) develop a specific anti-rat PBR antibody and (2) map intrarenal immunoreactive PBR (irPBR) in untreated rats and in rats that received chronic angiotensin II infusion (200 ng/kg per min, subcutaneously, 17 d). A polyclonal rabbit antibody was raised against the C-terminal end of rat PBR (aa 159 to 169).

Candesartan prevents L-NAME-induced cardio-renal injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats beyond hypotensive effects.

Our goal was to assess the cardiovascular and renal protection afforded by angiotensin II type 1-receptor blockade against NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-exacerbated hypertension in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), in comparison with the antihypertensive drug, hydralazine. Male SHR were assigned to four groups (n=8 per group): no treatment (controls); L-NAME-treated group (20 mg/kg/day, 10 days, orally); co-treatment with L-NAME and hydralazine (15 mg/kg/day, by gavage); co-treatment with L-NAME and candesartan cilexetil (10 mg/kg/day, by gavage), i.e.