The purpose of this work is to attempt determine the elastic spring constant for collagen and fibers (elastin) in skin if values these constants are similar those reported other tissues.We studied viscoelastic mechanical properties human dermis by measuring incremental stress-strain behavior. Elastic curves were used obtain elastin while fibril length was obtained from slope viscous curves.Our results suggest that about 4.0 MPa 4.4 GPa. former value calculated ligamentum nuchae latter 70%...

Electroactive hydrogels (EAH) that exhibit large deformation in response to an electric field have received great attention as a potential actuating material for soft robots and artificial muscle. However, their application has been limited due the use of traditional two-dimensional (2D) fabrication methods. Here we present robotic manipulation locomotion with 3D printed EAH microstructures. Through design precise dimensional control enabled by digital light processing (DLP) based micro...

Hyperpermeable tumor vessels are responsible for elevated interstitial fluid pressure and altered flow patterns within the microenvironment. These aberrant hydrodynamic stresses may enhance development by stimulating angiogenic activity of endothelial cells lining vasculature. However, it is currently not known to what extent shear forces affect organization or paracrine signaling during angiogenesis. The objective this study was develop a three-dimensional (3D), in vitro microfluidic...

Traumatic injuries can interrupt muscle contraction by damaging the skeletal and/or peripheral nerves. The healing process results in scar tissue formation that impedes function. Electrospinning and metal nanoparticles (Nps) create a scaffold will trigger cell elongation, orientation, fusion, striation. Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) gold (Au) Nps were electrospun to three composite scaffolds, 7% Au–PLLA, 13% Au–PLLA 21% compared PLLA alone. scaffolds had conductivity of 0.008 ± 0.003 S/cm for...

Abstract Skeletal muscle repair after injury usually results in scar tissue and decreased functionality. In this study, we coaxially electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, a hydrogel consisting of polyvinyl alcohol polyacrylic acid (PCL‐MWCNT‐H) to create self‐contained nanoactuating scaffold for skeletal replacement. This was then compared PCL PCL‐MWCNT scaffolds. All scaffolds displayed some conductivity; however, MWCNT incorporation increased the conductivity....

Although successful remission has been achieved when cancer is diagnosed and treated during its earliest stages of development, a tumor that established neovascularization poses significantly greater risk mortality. The inability to recapitulate the complexities maturing in vivo microenvironment an vitro setting frustrated attempts identify test anti-angiogenesis therapies are effective at permanently halting progression. We have angiogenesis model driven solely by paracrine signaling...

Abstract We have studied the strain‐rate dependency of viscoelastic mechanical properties human dermis from young (23‐year‐old) and old (87‐year‐old) donors using incremental stress–strain measurements. The elastic spring constant for fibers was found to be age dependent, whereas that collagen only dependent. Fibril lengths were observed decrease with increased strain rates both fibers; however, large in fibril viscosity hypothesized a result thixotropy results when neighboring fibrils slide...

Collagen is a well known protein component that has the capacity to mineralize in variety of vertebrate tissues. In its mineralized form, collagen potentially can be utilized as biomimetic material for applications, including, example, augmentation and repair damaged, congenitally defective, diseased or otherwise impaired calcified tissues such bone cartilage. order effect an optimal response this regard, manner which becomes critically important understand. This paper provides details...

Animals store elastic energy in leg and foot tendons during locomotion. In the turkey, much of locomotive force generated by gastrocnemius muscle is stored as tendon deformation. Little storage occurs within muscle. During growth some avians, including mineralize portions distal to attached show increased tensile strength modulus a result. The purpose this study test hypothesis that degree mineralizing turkey directly related mineral content. To hypothesis, stress−strain behavior was...

Abstract Reciprocal growth factor exchange between endothelial and malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment may directly stimulate neovascularization; however, role of host vasculature in regulating cell activity is not well understood. While previous studies have examined angiogenic response to tumor‐secreted factors, few explored cells. Using an vitro co‐culture system, we investigated influence on phenotype breast cancer Specifically, VEGF, ANG1, ANG2 gene protein expression were...

Collagen type I is an extracellular matrix protein found in connective tissues such as tendon, ligament, bone, skin, and the cornea of eyes, where it functions to provide tensile strength; also serves a scaffold for cells other components. A single collagen molecule composed three amino acid chains that form triple helix most molecule's length; non-triple-helical extensions called N- C-telopeptides are located at amino/N-terminal carboxy/C-terminal ends molecule, respectively. In two chains,...

Background Proliferative therapy, or prolotherapy, is a controversial treatment method for many connective tissue injuries and disorders. It involves the injection of proliferant, irritant solution, into site injury, which causes small-scale cell death. This therapeutic trauma theorized to initiate body's wound-healing cascade, perhaps leading repair. The immediate effects these proliferants are poorly characterized, as cellular responses them; here, we sought evaluate two common (dextrose...

Abstract Advancements in tissue engineering and biomaterial development have the potential to provide a scalable solution problem of large‐volume skeletal muscle defects. Previous research on scaffolds for regeneration has focused strategies increasing conductivity, which improved satellite cell attachment differentiation. However, these usually increase scaffold stiffness, some studies suggest may be detrimental myoblast development. In this study, polymers polypyrrole (PPy)...

Abstract With over 500,000 bone grafting procedures performed annually in the United States, advancement of regeneration technology is at forefront medical research. Many tissue‐engineered approaches have been explored to develop a viable synthetic graft substitute, but major challenge achieving load‐bearing that appropriately mimics mechanical properties native bone. In this study, sintered hydroxyapatite (HAp) was used structurally reinforce scaffold and yield comparable HAp packed into...