Decreased CD90 expression in human mesenchymal stem cells by applying mechanical stimulation

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent cells which can differentiate along osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of mechanical force as a specific physiological stress on the differentiation of (MSC) to osteoblast-like cells. METHODS: Human MSC were cultured in osteoinductive medium with or without cyclic uniaxial mechanical stimulation (2000 μstrain, 200 cycles per day, 1 Hz). Cultured cells were analysed for expression of collagen type I, osteocalcin, osteonectin, and CD90. To evaluate the biomineral formation the content of bound calcium in the cultures was determined. RESULTS: After 14 days in culture immunfluorescence staining revealed enhancement of collagen type I and osteonectin expression in response to mechanical stimulation. In contrast, mechanically stimulated cultures stained negative for CD90. In stimulated and unstimulated cultures an increase in the calcium content over time was observed. After 21 days in culture the calcium content in mechanical stimulated cultures was significantly higher compared to unstimulated control cultures. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the influence of mechanical force on the differentiation of human MSC into osteoblast-like cells in vitro. While significant enhancement of the biomineral formation by mechanical stimulation is not detected before 21 days, effects on the extracellular matrix became already obvious after 14 days. The decrease of CD90 expression in mechanically stimulated cultures compared to unstimulated control cultures suggests that CD90 is only transiently expressed expression during the differentiation of MSC to osteoblast-like cells in culture

Simulated-Physiological Loading Conditions Preserve Biological and Mechanical Properties of Caprine Lumbar Intervertebral Discs in Ex Vivo Culture

Low-back pain (LBP) is a common medical complaint and associated with high societal costs. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is assumed to be an important causal factor of LBP. IVDs are continuously mechanically loaded and both positive and negative effects have been attributed to different loading conditions

A Dutch guideline for the treatment of scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Children with neuromuscular disorders with a progressive muscle weakness such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy frequently develop a progressive scoliosis. A severe scoliosis compromises respiratory function and makes sitting more difficult. Spinal surgery is considered the primary treatment option for correcting severe scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders. Surgery in this population requires a multidisciplinary approach, careful planning, dedicated surgical procedures, and specialized after care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The guideline is based on scientific evidence and expert opinions. A multidisciplinary working group representing experts from all relevant specialties performed the research. A literature search was conducted to collect scientific evidence in answer to specific questions posed by the working group. Literature was classified according to the level of evidence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For most aspects of the treatment scientific evidence is scarce and only low level cohort studies were found. Nevertheless, a high degree of consensus was reached about the management of patients with scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders. This was translated into a set of recommendations, which are now officially accepted as a general guideline in the Netherlands.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In order to optimize the treatment for scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders a Dutch guideline has been composed. This evidence-based, multidisciplinary guideline addresses conservative treatment, the preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care of scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders.</p

Compact low-temperature analogue of aero engine firecertification burner

The paper describes the compact low-temperature analogue burner designed for fire integrity testing. The low-temperature analogue burner has been improved in order to make the test procedures easier, faster and more accurate. The use of a thermally thin faceplate at the burner nozzle eliminates the requirement for a warm up phase that was previously required and thus negates the need for a shutter. Less helium and time is needed for the whole operation. The new compact burner also provides improved accessibility for instrumentation and camera views. A new image processing technique has been developed to simultaneously map the distributions of heat transfer coefficient (h) and adiabatic wall temperature (Taw) across the surface of the model using multiple liquid crystal coatings and varying gas temperatures. Measurements of h and Taw distributions made on a flat plate using the compact burner are reported. Copyright © 2001 by ASME

Detailed investigation of heat flux measurements made in a standard propane-air fire-certification burner compared to levels derived from a low-temperature analog burner

This paper presents detailed heat flux measurements on a flat plate subjected to the ISO2685 [The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1992, "Aircraft - Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment - Resistance to Fire in Designated Fire Zones," ISO2685:1992(E)] standard, propane fueled burner used throughout the industry in aero-engine fire-certification. The authors have developed a custom-built heat transfer gauge to measure the heat flux from the burner under isothermal wall conditions. The heat flux from the standard burner is normally calibrated using either a water-cooled copper tube or a Gardon gauge, each sited at a single position in the flame. There are no reports in the literature of a detailed survey of heat flux distribution for the burner and the results are of considerable interest to engineers involved in fire-certification. The reported measurements constitute the first, detailed distribution of heat flux from the actual burner flame during a fire test. These measurements provided benchmark data which allowed the heat flux distribution from the ISO burner to be compared to levels derived from the low-temperature analog burner developed by the authors. The analog burner uses liquid crystals to measure heat transfer coefficient and adiabatic wall temperature on scale models of engine components and provides key data to facilitate the successful design of components used in fire zones. The objective of this paper is to further validate the low-temperature analog burner technique developed by the authors which simulates the standard large propane-air burner for fire-certification in aero engine. Copyright © 2005 by ASME

A novel liquid crystal image processing technique using multiple gas temperature steps to determine heat transfer coefficient distribution and adiabatic wall temperature

This paper presents a novel experimental technique, which combines thermochromic liquid crystals with multiple steps in gas temperature, to determine heat transfer coefficient and adiabatic wall temperature distributions. The transient heat transfer experiments have been conducted on a flat plate using the low-temperature analogue of an ISO standard propane-air burner commonly used in aero-engine fire certification. The technique involves the measurement of the surface temperature response of an insulating model to a change in gas temperature. A coating comprising more than one thermochromic liquid crystal material is used to increase the range of the surface measurement and this is combined with multiple step changes in gas temperature. These measures induce several peaks in liquid crystal intensity throughout the transient experiment and these are shown to improve the accuracy. The current technique employs useful data from both the heating and cooling phases in the heat transfer test. To the authors' knowledge, this has not been investigated before and it is likely to be very useful for other applications of the liquid crystal transient heat transfer experiment. The uncertainties in all measurements have been quantified and are presented in this paper