Biomedical subjects

F Guilak

Publications and source records attributed to F Guilak.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Effects of coronally slotted femoral prostheses on cortical bone strain.

The photoelastic method was used to assess the effects on femoral cortical strain of total hip arthroplasty cementless femoral prostheses containing distal coronal slots. Eight cadaveric femurs were tested, although three were eliminated secondary to fractures. Loaded and unloaded cortical strains were determined at 72 points on the implanted femoral cortex and compared with the values obtained in the intact femur. Three different prostheses were sequentially implanted, in a random order, into each femur. The prostheses consisted of a standard solid stem, an identical stem with a coronal slot in its distal one fourth, and an identical stem with a coronal slot in its distal one half. The slotted stems did not enhance axial load transfer to the proximal medial femur but did result in increased proximal medial assembly strains and statistically significant (P < .05) decreased anterior and posterior assembly strains. The increased proximal medial assembly strains are hypothesized to enhance proximal medial femoral loading, while the decreased anterior and posterior assembly strains may minimize operative implantation fractures.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Correlation of bony ingrowth to the distribution of stress and strain parameters surrounding a porous-coated implant.

The ability of shear strains to inhibit bony ingrowth was investigated by use of a transcortical porous-coated cylindrical plug implant in a functionally isolated turkey ulna model in which the mechanical loading environment could be accurately controlled and rigorously defined. The distribution of ingrowth at the bone-implant interface was quantified following 8 weeks of in vivo loading consisting of 100 seconds per day of a 20 Hz sinusoidal stimulus sufficient to cause a local peak strain of approximately 100 microstrain in the cortex at the bone-implant interface in four turkeys. A nonuniform but repeatable pattern of bony ingrowth, from 33 +/- 6 to 72 +/- 6% (mean +/- SE), was observed. The mechanical environment in the vicinity of the bone-implant interface was calculated using a three-dimensional elastic orthotropic finite element model. The general stress-strain state of the bone as predicted by the finite element model was validated in two additional turkeys using four three-element rosette strain gauges, while high resolution moiré interferometry was used to determine the mechanical state of the region immediately adjacent to the implant itself. Shear strains and stresses were evaluated at the interface and correlated to the pattern of bony ingrowth circumscribing the implant interface. Linear regressions between ingrowth and both shear strain and shear stress were negative, with the values of R = -0.75 and R = -0.78 (p < 0.001), respectively, indicating significant inhibition of ingrowth where shear components were maximal. These results suggest that the minimization of shear stress and strain components is a major determinant in achieving successful ingrowth of bone into a prosthesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Collagenase in the treatment of Dupuytren's disease: an in vitro study.

The effects of clostridial collagenase on the tensile strength of Dupuytren's cords was studied in vitro to assess its potential efficacy as an agent for clinical enzymatic fasciotomy. Collagenase was injected into Dupuytren's cords from patients undergoing fascioctomy. Following a pilot experiment, in which a 3,600-unit dose of collagenase induced a 93% decrease in tensile modulus as compared with control cords, groups of five cords each were injected with 150, 300, and 600 units. These cords and a control group of five cords were tested by loading to failure in tension. The ultimate stress and strain to failure were recorded by a video capture technique. All specimens were stained for histologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin for collagen typing with sirrius red. Comparison of the ultimate stress values obtained with published values of extensor forces obtainable by the individual fingers of 40 normal hands indicated that a 300-unit dose of collagenase was sufficient for cord rupture within the average maximum force limits of the extensors of the index, long, ring, and small fingers (p < .02). All samples were in the residual disease stage histologically and contained type I collagen by sirrius red staining. These results indicate that collagenase may be effective in enzymatic fasciotomy of residual-stage Dupuytren's disease.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1996

Differentiation of the bone-tissue remodeling response to axial and torsional loading in the turkey ulna.

The ability of bone tissue to differentiate between axial and torsional loading was determined with use of a functionally isolated turkey-ulna model of bone adaptation. Surface modeling and intracortical remodeling were quantified after four weeks of 5000 cycles per day of axial loading sufficient to cause 1000 microstrain normal to the long axis of the bone (five ulnae), 5000 cycles per day of torsional loading sufficient to cause 1000 microstrain of shear strain (five ulnae), or disuse (six ulnae). Of these three distinct regimens, only disuse caused a significant change in gross areal properties (12 per cent loss of bone; p < 0.05) as compared with those in the contralateral, intact control ulnae (sixteen ulnae). This finding suggested that both axial and torsional loading conditions were suitable substitutes for functional signals normally responsible for bone homeostasis. However, the intracortical response was strongly dependent on the manner in which the bone was loaded. Axial loading increased the number of intracortical pores by a factor of seven as compared with that in the controls (246 +/- 40.5 compared with 36 +/- 8.5 pores); it also increased the area lost because of porosis as compared with that in the controls (1.39 +/- 0.252 compared with 0.202 +/- 0.062 square millimeter); however, the mean size of the individual pores was similar to that in the controls (0.00565 +/- 0.0019 compared with 0.00561 +/- 0.0029 square millimeter). Conversely, torsional loading failed to increase substantially the number of pores (67 +/- 22.6 pores), the area of bone lost because of porosis (0.352 +/- 0.114 square millimeter), or the size of the pores (0.00525 +/- 0.0035 square millimeter) as compared with those in the controls. Although disuse failed to increase substantially the number of intracortical pores (59 +/- 22.4 pores), significant area (1.05 +/- 0.35 square millimeters; p < 0.05) was lost within the cortex because of a threefold increase in the mean size of each pore (0.0178 +/- 0.0126 square millimeter). It appears that bone tissue can readily differentiate between distinct components of the strain environment, with strain per se necessary to retain coupled formation and resorption, shear strain achieving this goal by maintaining the status quo, and axial strain increasing intracortical turnover but retaining coupling. While it is clear that load influences bone mass and morphology, it is also clear that specific parameters within the strain environment have distinct strategic roles in defining this architecture.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1995

Chondrocytes isolated from mature articular cartilage retain the capacity to form functional gap junctions.

The distribution, expression, and functionality of gap junctions was examined in bovine chondrocytes (BCs) isolated from mature articular cartilage. BC cells displayed immunoreactivity for connexin 43 (Cx43), a specific gap junction protein. Cx43 protein expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis, and Cx43 mRNA was detected by nuclease protection assay. Additionally, BCs were shown to be functionally coupled, as revealed by dye transfer studies, and octanol, a gap junction uncoupler, greatly attenuated coupling. Furthermore, confocal microscopy of fluo-3 loaded BC cells revealed that deformation-induced cytosolic Ca2+ ion (Ca2+) signals propagated from cell-to-cell via gap junctions. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence suggesting that chondrocytes isolated from adult articular cartilage express functional gap junctions.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Chondrocyte deformation and local tissue strain in articular cartilage: a confocal microscopy study.

It is well accepted that mechanical forces can modulate the metabolic activity of chondrocytes, although the specific mechanisms of mechanical signal transduction in articular cartilage are still unknown. One proposed pathway through which chondrocytes may perceive changes in their mechanical environment is directly through cellular deformation. An important step toward understanding the role of chondrocyte deformation in signal transduction is to determine the changes in the shape and volume of chondrocytes during applied compression of the tissue. Recently, a technique was developed for quantitative morphometry of viable chondrocytes within the extracellular matrix using three-dimensional confocal scanning laser microscopy. In the present study, this method was used to quantify changes in chondrocyte morphology and local tissue deformation in the surface, middle, and deep zones in explants of canine articular cartilage subjected to physiological levels of matrix deformation. The results indicated that at 15% surface-to-surface equilibrium strain in the tissue, a similar magnitude of local tissue strain occurs in the middle and deep zones. In the surface zone, local strains of 19% were observed, indicating that the compressive stiffness of the surface zone is significantly less than that of the middle and deep zones. With this degree of tissue deformation, significant decreases in cellular height of 26, 19, and 20% and in cell volume of 22, 16, and 17% were observed in the surface, middle, and deep zones, respectively. The deformation of chondrocytes in the surface zone was anisotropic, with significant lateral expansion occurring in the direction perpendicular to the local split-line pattern. When compression was removed, there was complete recovery of cellular morphology in all cases. These observations support the hypothesis that deformation of chondrocytes or a change in their volume may occur during in vivo joint loading and may have a role in the mechanical signal transduction pathway of articular cartilage.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Compression-induced changes in the shape and volume of the chondrocyte nucleus.

Changes in cell shape and volume are believed to play a role in the process of mechanical signal transduction by chondrocytes in articular cartilage. One proposed pathway through which chondrocyte deformation may be transduced to an intracellular signal is through cytoskeletally mediated deformation of intracellular organelles, and more specifically, of the cell nucleus. In this study, confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to perform in situ three-dimensional morphometric analyses of the nuclei of viable chondrocytes during controlled compression of articular cartilage explants from the canine patellofemoral groove. Unconfined compression of the tissue to a 15% surface-to-surface strain resulted in a significant decrease of chondrocyte height and volume by 14.7 +/- 6.4 and 11.4 +/- 8.4%, respectively, and of nuclear height and volume by 8.8 +/- 6.2% and 9.8 +/- 8.8%, respectively. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton using cytochalasin D altered the relationship between matrix deformation and changes in nuclear height and shape, but not volume. The morphology and deformation behavior of the chondrocytes were not affected by cytochalasin treatment. These results suggest that the actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in the link between compression of the extracellular matrix and deformation of the chondrocyte nuclei and imply that chondrocytes and their nuclei undergo significant changes in shape and volume in vivo.

Actins↗

PubMed1994

Compressive mechanical properties of the human anulus fibrosus and their relationship to biochemical composition.

To enhance understanding of the biomechanical role of the intervertebral disc, the compressive properties and biochemical composition of nondegenerate samples of anulus fibrosus were determined as a function of radial position, region, and level. Because of the large swelling propensity of this tissue, a method was developed to test excised specimens while maintaining their in situ geometry and hydration. Using an analysis based on linear biphasic theory, the compressive modulus, hydraulic permeability, and isometric swelling pressure of the anulus fibrosus were determined and correlated with the tissue composition. The findings indicate that the anulus fibrosus is inhomogeneous, with regional and radial variations in both material properties and biochemical composition. The results of this study suggest that both structural and compositional factors may determine the mechanical behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Mechanical and biochemical changes in the superficial zone of articular cartilage in canine experimental osteoarthritis.

The changes in the tensile mechanical properties and biochemical composition of the superficial zone of articular cartilage were examined in a canine model of early osteoarthritis generated by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Sixteen weeks following ligament transection, the tensile stiffness of the articular cartilage was decreased by 44% and the ion-induced stress relaxation of the tissue was increased by 57% compared with the contralateral control. Biochemical analyses indicated that the water content of the experimental tissue was increased by 13%, which was reflected as an apparent 37% decrease in the proteoglycan content and a 36% decrease in the collagen content (expressed per wet weight). The hydroxypyridinium crosslink density was decreased in the experimental tissue by 11%. A significant negative correlation was found between the ion-induced stress relaxation and the hydroxypyridinium crosslink density in both control tissue (R = -0.56) and experimental tissue (R = -0.70). No correlation was noted between the tensile stiffness and the biochemical composition of the tissue. These results suggest that, in the superficial zone of articular cartilage, the structure of the tissue may play a more important role than the composition in the determination of its mechanical properties. A major event observed in the model of early osteoarthritis appears to be the disruption and remodeling of the collagen network in the superficial zone of the articular cartilage.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

The effects of matrix compression on proteoglycan metabolism in articular cartilage explants.

The effects of compressive stress on the rate of proteoglycan synthesis and release were determined in bovine articular cartilage from 4-5-month-old animals. Full depth cartilage explants were compressed in an unconfined configuration at various stresses ranging up to 1.0 MPa. At mechanical equilibrium (after 24 h), no significant changes were detected in the rate of [35S]-sulfate (35SO4) incorporation at the low level of compressive stresses used (less than 0.057 MPa). At an intermediate level of compressive stress (0.057, 0.1, 0.5 MPa), 35SO4 incorporation rates were reduced to approximately 60% of control values. At the highest level compressive stress (1.0 MPa) studied, 35SO4 incorporation rates were further reduced to approximately 20% that of controls. Recovery experiments at intermediate stress levels showed increased rates of 35SO4 incorporation at 24 h after compression. In explants loaded for 24 h at stresses of 0.1 MPa or higher, there was a stress-dose dependent inhibition of proteoglycan release into the media (up to 61% at 1.0 MPa), and proteoglycan release rates did not return to control values following a 24 h recovery period. While cartilage composition and biosynthetic activity were found to vary significantly with depth in control cartilage, the observed suppression (% change) in biosynthetic activity was relatively uniform with depth in both loading and recovery experiments. The study indicates that compression of the tissue to physiological strain magnitudes serves as a signal to modulate chondrocyte biosynthetic and catabolic responses through the depth of cartilage, while prolonged compression at higher strains may be responsible for tissue and cell damage.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Volume and surface area measurement of viable chondrocytes in situ using geometric modelling of serial confocal sections.

This study describes a technique for noninvasive determination of the surface area and volume of chondrocytes using the confocal scanning laser microscope, and the fundamental limitations associated with its application. Using geometric modelling principles, an isointensity surface contour was formed from a series of optical sections recorded with the confocal microscope. Using a combined surface- and volume-based algorithm, the surface area, volume and other morphometric descriptions were calculated from a polygonal description of the cell surface. The high image contrast required for repeatable identification of the cell border was achieved through the use of a fluorescent dye, which was excluded from cells by an intact membrane. Calibration results indicated that the theoretical modelling algorithm is relatively precise when applied to simulated convex (ellipsoidal) cells, with overall errors of less than 0.5% in surface area and volume measurements. When applied to low-noise, high-contrast volume data recorded on the confocal microscope, typical coefficients of variation of 2-4% were determined for length measurements, 2-5% for volume measurements and 3-6% for surface area measurements either for latex microspheres or for chondrocytes. While the precision of the method is comparable to standard histological techniques, its accuracy is difficult to assess, as systematic errors are unpredictable and may be introduced from several sources.

Calibration↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of soccer shin guards in preventing tibia fracture.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a number of shin guards in protecting against tibia fracture in soccer players. A secondary purpose was to determine the relationship between the material and structural differences in shin guard design and the protection provided. Twenty-three commercially available shin guards were tested on a model leg containing a synthetic tibia that had been calibrated against human cadaver specimens. Each guard was categorized into one of four material types: plastic (N = 9), fiberglass (N = 6), compressed air (N = 4), and Kevlar (N = 4). The maximum combined force at the ends of the tibia, the principal strain on the posterior side of the tibia, and the contact time of the impact were measured using a drop track impact simulation. Shin guards provided significant protection from tibia fracture at all drop heights. The average guard reduced force by 11% to 17% and strain by 45% to 51% compared with the unguarded leg. At the higher drop heights, material composition and structural characteristics of the shin guards showed significant differences in protective abilities. These findings indicate that all shin guards provide some measure of protection against tibia fracture, although the level of protection may vary significantly among the different guards.

Adult↗