Effect of anatomical fine structure on the dispersion of solutes in the spinal subarachnoid space.

The dispersion of a solute bolus is calculated for cerebrospinal fluid undergoing oscillatory flow in the subarachnoid space of the spine. The fine structure of the subarachnoid space (nerves and trabeculae) enhances both longitudinal and transverse dispersions five to ten times over a simple model with an open annular space. Overall, dispersion is >10(3) times simple molecular diffusion.

Effect of anatomical fine structure on the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal subarachnoid space.

The lattice Boltzmann method is used to model oscillatory flow in the spinal subarachnoid space. The effect of obstacles such as trabeculae, nerve bundles, and ligaments on fluid velocity profiles appears to be small, when the flow is averaged over the length of a vertebra. Averaged fluid flow in complex models is little different from flow in corresponding elliptical annular cavities.

A common haplotype in the complement regulatory gene factor H (HF1/CFH) predisposes individuals to age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly in developed countries. Our previous studies implicated activation of complement in the formation of drusen, the hallmark lesion of AMD. Here, we show that factor H (HF1), the major inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway, accumulates within drusen and is synthesized by the retinal pigmented epithelium.

3-D computational modeling of media flow through scaffolds in a perfusion bioreactor.

Media perfusion bioreactor systems have been developed to improve mass transport throughout three-dimensional (3-D) tissue-engineered constructs cultured in vitro. In addition to enhancing the exchange of nutrients and wastes, these systems simultaneously deliver flow-mediated shear stresses to cells seeded within the constructs. Local shear stresses are a function of media flow rate and dynamic viscosity, bioreactor configuration, and porous scaffold microarchitecture.

Posttranslational modifications of cardiac and skeletal muscle proteins by reactive oxygen species after burn injury in the rat.

Objective: To determine the involvement of oxidative damage in muscle wasting after burn injury.

Summary Background Data: Burn injury damages tissue at the site of the burn and also affects peripheral tissue. There is evidence to suggest that reactive oxygen species may be generated in increased amounts after burn, and these may contribute to wound healing and to posttranslational modifications of tissue constituents distant from the wound site.