The effect of clinically elevated body mass index on physiological stress during manual lifting activities.

Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) classified as obesity constitute 27.7% of U.S.

Mechanobiological Approaches for Stimulating Chondrogenesis of Stem Cells.

Chondrogenesis is the process of differentiation of stem cells into mature chondrocytes. Such a process consists of chemical, functional, and structural changes which are initiated and mediated by the host environment of the cells. To date, the mechanobiology of chondrogenesis has not been fully elucidated.

Computational Modeling Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology: A Review.

Lower back pain is a medical condition of epidemic proportion, and the degeneration of the intervertebral disc has been identified as a major contributor. The etiology of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is multifactorial, depending on age, cell-mediated molecular degradation processes and genetics, which is accelerated by traumatic or gradual mechanical factors. The complexity of such intertwined biochemical and mechanical processes leading to degeneration makes it difficult to quantitatively identify cause-effect relationships through experiments.