Calibration of a constitutive model for the post-yield behaviour of cortical bone.

In this work, the post-yield behaviour of cortical bone is investigated using finite element modelling, nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy. Based on recent investigations, it is proposed that, since pressure dependent deformation mechanisms may contribute to yielding in bone, constitutive models attempting to capture its post-yield behaviour should also incorporate pressure dependence. Nanoindentation testing is performed using a spheroconical indenter tip, and subsequent atomic force microscopy at the indented site shows that bone does not exhibit surface pile-up.

Multi-axial mechanical stimulation of HUVECs demonstrates that combined loading is not equivalent to the superposition of individual wall shear stress and tensile hoop stress components.

Over the past 25 years, many laboratory based bioreactors have been used to study the cellular response to hemodynamic forces. The vast majority of these studies have focused on the effect of a single isolated hemodynamic force, generally consisting of a wall shear stress (WSS) or a tensile hoop strain (THS). However, investigating the cellular response to a single isolated force does not accurately represent the true in vivo situation, where a number of forces are acting simultaneously.

Plasma BDNF is reduced among middle-aged and elderly women with impaired insulin function: evidence of a compensatory mechanism.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a regulatory role in neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity and has been linked to glucose regulation and cognition. Associations among plasma BDNF, cognition, and insulin function were explored. Forty-one participants with impaired insulin function (IIF), ranging from insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), were matched with 41 healthy controls on gender, age, education, and IQ.

Polymorphisms of sepiapterin reductase gene alter promoter activity and may influence risk of bipolar disorder.

Objectives: In a previous investigation, we observed altered expression of sepiapterin reductase (SPR) in cultured neural cells chronically exposed to paroxetine. SPR is an enzyme, which catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). BH4 is an essential cofactor for synthesis of many neurotransmitters including serotonin.

Evaluation of human endothelial cells post stent deployment in a cardiovascular simulator in vitro.

Percutaneous stent implantation has revolutionized the clinical treatment of occluded arteries. Nevertheless, there is still a large unmet need to prevent re-occlusion after implantation. Consequently, a niche exists for a cost-effective pre-clinical method of evaluating novel interventional devices in human models.

Relationships between angry-impulsive personality traits and genetic polymorphisms of the dopamine transporter.

Background: The 9-repeat variable number tandem repeat allele of the dopamine transporter has recently been associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in depressed patients.

Methods: We investigated the association between the 9-repeat allele of the dopamine transporter and angry-impulsive personality traits in a family study with 512 subjects on the molecular genetics of depression and personality.

Results: Across the whole sample, the 9-repeat allele of the dopamine transporter was associated with angry-impulsive personality traits (p = .

Proteomic analysis of rat hippocampus exposed to the antidepressant paroxetine.

Antidepressant drugs can exert significant effects on the mood of a patient suffering major depression and other disorders. These drugs generally have pharmacological actions on the uptake or metabolism of the neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline and, to a lesser extent, dopamine. However, there are many aspects of antidepressant action we do not understand.

Cyclosporine promotes epstein-barr virus-infected human B-cell transformation assayed by three correlated assay methods.

We have reported that cyclosporine (CsA) has direct effect to promote Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation of human peripheral blood B lymphocytes. In this article, we have reported that CsA promoted EBV-infected, human B-cell transformation as assayed by three methods of colony number counting, cell number counting, and (3)H-thymidine incorporation. At first, we sought to correlate the three methods in EBV-infected human B-cell transformation, observing that they are convenient correlate with each other, and only vary in the degree when transformed cells are compared to the controls.

Obesity, diabetes, and smoking are important determinants of resource utilization in liver resection: a multicenter analysis of 1029 patients.

Objective: To investigate independent contributions of obesity, diabetes, and smoking to resource utilization in patients following liver resection.

Summary Background Data: Despite being highly resource-intensive, liver resections are performed with increasing frequency. This study evaluates how potentially modifiable factors affect measures of resource utilization after hepatectomy.

Finite element predictions compared to experimental results for the effective modulus of bone tissue engineering scaffolds fabricated by selective laser sintering.

A current challenge in bone tissue engineering is to create scaffolds with suitable mechanical properties, high porosity, full interconnectivity and suitable pore size. In this paper, polyamide and polycaprolactone scaffolds were fabricated using a solid free form technique known as selective laser sintering. These scaffolds had fully interconnected pores, minimized strut thickness, and a porosity of approximately 55%.

Phase I study of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, AG014699, in combination with temozolomide in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Purpose: One mechanism of tumor resistance to cytotoxic therapy is repair of damaged DNA. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 is a nuclear enzyme involved in base excision repair, one of the five major repair pathways. PARP inhibitors are emerging as a new class of agents that can potentiate chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

A finite element prediction of strain on cells in a highly porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold.

Tissue engineering often involves seeding cells into porous scaffolds and subjecting the scaffold to mechanical stimulation. Current experimental techniques have provided a plethora of data regarding cell responses within scaffolds, but the quantitative understanding of the load transfer process within a cell-seeded scaffold is still relatively unknown. The objective of this work was to develop a finite element representation of the transient and heterogeneous nature of a cell-seeded collagen-GAG-scaffold.

Downregulation of Ccnd1 and Hes6 in rat hippocampus after chronic exposure to the antidepressant paroxetine.

Objective: The mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs is not fully understood. Application of genomic methods enables the identification of biochemical pathways that are regulated by antidepressants, and this may provide novel clues to the molecular and cellular actions of these drugs. The present study examined gene expression profiles in the hippocampus of rats exposed to chronic antidepressant treatment.

Predictors of relapse to alcohol and illicit drugs after liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease.

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a common indication for transplantation worldwide. This study identifies factors predicting posttransplant recidivism.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed.

An in vitro study of liposomal curcumin: stability, toxicity and biological activity in human lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B-cells.

Curcumin is a multi-functional and pharmacologically safe natural agent. Used as a food additive for centuries, it also has anti-inflammatory, anti-virus and anti-tumor properties. We previously found that it is a potent inhibitor of cyclosporin A (CsA)-resistant T-cell co-stimulation pathway.

Seatbelt injury resulting in functional loss of a transplanted kidney.

The transplanted kidney, lying heterotopically in the iliac fossa, is especially vulnerable to damage from blunt trauma, particularly compression by vehicle seatbelt. We present a case wherein a functioning renal allograft lying in the right iliac fossa was severely injured by seatbelt compression, resulting in significant functional compromise and eventual loss. The patient later underwent successful retransplantation with a second living donor kidney.

Successful open pulmonary embolectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism in a recent kidney transplant recipient.

Background: Patients with acute massive pulmonary embolus have a high mortality even with treatment. For patients in whom thrombolytic intervention is contraindicated, surgical pulmonary embolectomy is a viable option.

Case Report: We present a patient who, four months after kidney transplantation, developed acute massive PE with cardiac arrest.

Inpatients' use, understanding, and attitudes towards traditional, complementary and alternative therapies at a provincial New Zealand hospital.

Aim: To assess the use and attitudes towards traditional, complementary and alternative medicine and therapies (TCAM) by inpatients of a provincial hospital.

Methods: Ninety-two Gisborne Hospital inpatients were interviewed face-to-face over a 4-week period using a standardised questionnaire.

Results: Of the 92 people interviewed, 84 patients (91%) had used an average of 6.

Finite element comparison of performance related characteristics of balloon expandable stents.

Cardiovascular stents are commonly made from 316L stainless steel and are deployed within stenosed arterial lesions using balloon expansion. Deployment involves inflating the balloon and plastically deforming the stent until the required diameter is obtained. This plastic deformation induces static stresses in the stent, which will remain for the lifetime of the device.

Cyclosporin A-induced lipid and protein oxidation in human B-cells and in Epstein-Barr virus-infected B-cells is prevented by antioxidants.

The incidence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) has increased since cyclosporin A (CsA) became the mainstay of transplant immunosuppression. We have previously shown that, in addition to its potent immunosuppressive property, CsA-induced oxidative stress plays an important role in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related PTLD. Using lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde as markers of lipid oxidation, and protein carbonyls as markers of protein oxidation, we further investigated the in vitro effect of CsA on human B cells and EBV-infected human B cells.

Heterogeneous linear elastic trabecular bone modelling using micro-CT attenuation data and experimentally measured heterogeneous tissue properties.

High-resolution voxel-based finite element software, such as FEEBE developed at the NCBES, is widely used for studying trabecular bone at the micro-scale. A new approach to determine heterogeneous bone tissue material properties for computational models was proposed in this study. The specimen-specific range of tissue moduli across strut width was determined from nanoindentation testing.