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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Experimental validation of a finite element model of the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: A 2-dimensional finite model of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was previously developed to provide a way of studying the specific roles of individual components as well as the overall dynamics of joint motion. This study was undertaken to show that the previously reported finite element model provides results that are consistent with the experimentally obtained results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The upper compartment of a TMJ of a fresh cadaver specimen was exposed to allow the insertion of a small strip of pressure-sensitive film. Measured loads were applied to the chin and angle of the mandible, pressing the condyle into the glenoid fossa. The resulting stresses in the joint stained the film, providing a way to determine their magnitude. Similar loads were applied to the finite element model and the stresses in the TMJ were mathematically calculated. RESULTS: Experimental results were successfully obtained in 4 separate attempts, recording maximum stresses of 5.6, 8.6, 6.4, and 9.9 MPa (megapascals), respectively. The corresponding finite element model predictions were 7.3, 6.9, 6.4, and 8.2 MPa, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the results of the previously reported finite element model of the TMJ provide a reasonable approximation of the actual physical situation.

Aged↗

Integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to reveal the potential mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ginsenoside Rg1 (GS Rg1), a natural flavonoid exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, holds significant potential for treatment chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the role and potential mechanism of GS Rg1 in the treatment of COPD using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation.Targets related to GS Rg1 and COPD were screened from public databases, and the potential common targets were then imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to identify key signaling pathways. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding interactions between GS Rg1 and core targets. A BEAS-2B cell model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and cigarette smoke extract(CSE) was used to explore the protective mechanisms of GS Rg1. Western blot analysis was conducted to validate the critical targets and pathways involved in the anti-COPD effects of GS Rg1. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 105 common targets between GS Rg1 and COPD. The EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathways were selected for further validation. GS Rg1 was demonstrated to effectively inhibit inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in vitro models of COPD. Western blot results showed that GS Rg1 treatment significantly downregulated the expression of proteins involved in the EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway, consistent with the network pharmacology findings. CSE/LPS exposure induces inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD by disrupting the EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathways, and GS Rg1 significantly alleviates these effects, which may be partially through regulating the EGFR/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Ginsenosides↗

Modelling of the binding site of the human m1 muscarinic receptor: experimental validation and refinement.

Our model of the human m1 muscarinic receptor has been refined on the basis of the recently published projection map of bovine rhodopsin. The refined model has a slightly different helix arrangement, which reveals the presence of an extra hydrophobic pocket located between helices 3, 4 and 5. The interaction of series of agonists and antagonists with the m1 muscarinic receptor has been studied experimentally by site-directed mutagenesis. In order to account for the observed results, three-dimensional models of m1 ligands docked in the target receptor are proposed. Qualitatively, the obtained models are in good agreement with the experimental observations. Agonists and partial agonists have a relatively small size. They can bind to the same region of the receptor using, however, different anchoring receptor residues. Antagonists are usually larger molecules, filling almost completely the same pocket as agonists. They can usually produce much stronger interactions with aromatic residues. Experimental data combined with molecular modelling studies highlight how subtle and diverse receptor-ligand interactions could be.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of time to peak ankle torque on balance stability boundary: experimental validation of a biomechanical model.

Pai and Patton (1997), using a biomechanical model, determined a set of feasible center of mass (CM) velocity-position combinations (balance stability boundary) that guarantee upright stability. In their study, the magnitude of the restoring ankle torque was used to study the subject's ability to recover balance. Recent studies have suggested that the ability to maintain a stable posture depends not only on the magnitude of the restoring torque but also on the time to generate this torque. The objectives of the present study were: (1) to build a biomechanical model that predicts the balance stability boundary which includes time to peak ankle torque, (2) to determine the capability of the model to predict successful and failed experimental balance recovery trials, and (3) to compare the predictive capability of the biomechanical model with that of a statistical model (logistic regression). A single-link-plus-foot biomechanical model was used to determine a set of balance stability boundaries, computed from the combination of maximum CM velocity and related CM position, for various times to peak ankle torque. An experiment was conducted to validate the biomechanical model. The participants self-initiated a forward destabilization and were asked to regain balance using an ankle feet-in-place strategy. Also, a forward stepwise logistic regression (predictors: CM position and velocity and time to peak ankle torque) was used to discriminate between successful and failed experimental trials. (1) The outcomes of the biomechanical model confirmed that the time to peak ankle torque drastically constrained the stability boundaries. (2) The biomechanical model predicted 79.9% of the failed experimental trials and 74.5% of the successful experimental trials. (3) The stepwise logistic regression included all independent variables and predicted 57.2% of the failed and 93.7% of the successful experimental trials. Hence, the biomechanical model showed better predictive capability than the statistical model for identifying unsuccessful balance recovery. It is noteworthy that the balance stability boundaries constrained by the speed of ankle torque development predicted the outcome of the experimental trial earlier in the time series than balance stability boundary constrained by constant ankle torque. Overall, the present biomechanical model may serve as an assessment tool to develop specific interventions towards improving a patient's speed of ankle torque development and to possibly reduce falling frequency.

Accidental Falls↗

Mechanics of interstitial-lymphatic fluid transport: theoretical foundation and experimental validation.

Interstitial fluid movement is intrinsically linked to lymphatic drainage. However, their relationship is poorly understood, and associated pathologies are mostly untreatable. In this work we test the hypothesis that bulk tissue fluid movement can be evaluated in situ and described by a linear biphasic theory which integrates the regulatory function of the lymphatics with the mechanical stresses of the tissue. To accomplish this, we develop a novel experimental and theoretical model using the skin of the mouse tail. We then use the model to demonstrate how interstitial-lymphatic fluid movement depends on a balance between the elasticity, hydraulic conductivity, and lymphatic conductance as well as to demonstrate how chronic swelling (edema) alters the equipoise between tissue fluid balance parameters. Specifically, tissue fluid equilibrium is perturbed with a continuous interstitial infusion of saline into the tip of the tail. The resulting gradients in tissue stress are measured in terms of interstitial fluid pressure using a servo-null system. These measurements are then fit to the theory to provide in vivo estimates of the tissue hydraulic conductivity, elastic modulus, and overall resistance to lymphatic drainage. Additional experiments are performed on edematous tails to show that although chronic swelling causes an increase in the hydraulic conductivity, its greatly increased distensibility (due to matrix remodeling) dampens the driving forces for fluid movement and leads to fluid stagnation. This model is useful for examining potential treatments for edema and lymphatic disorders as well as substances which may alter tissue fluid balance and/or lymphatic drainage.

Animals↗

Computational inference and experimental validation of the nitrogen assimilation regulatory network in cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. WH 8102.

Deciphering the regulatory networks encoded in the genome of an organism represents one of the most interesting and challenging tasks in the post-genome sequencing era. As an example of this problem, we have predicted a detailed model for the nitrogen assimilation network in cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. WH 8102 (WH8102) using a computational protocol based on comparative genomics analysis and mining experimental data from related organisms that are relatively well studied. This computational model is in excellent agreement with the microarray gene expression data collected under ammonium-rich versus nitrate-rich growth conditions, suggesting that our computational protocol is capable of predicting biological pathways/networks with high accuracy. We then refined the computational model using the microarray data, and proposed a new model for the nitrogen assimilation network in WH8102. An intriguing discovery from this study is that nitrogen assimilation affects the expression of many genes involved in photosynthesis, suggesting a tight coordination between nitrogen assimilation and photosynthesis processes. Moreover, for some of these genes, this coordination is probably mediated by NtcA through the canonical NtcA promoters in their regulatory regions.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Numerical model for radio-frequency ablation of the endocardium and its experimental validation.

A theoretical model for the study of the radio-frequency (RF) ablation technique is presented. The model relies on a finite-element time-domain calculation of the temperature distribution in a block of tissue, resulting from the flow of RF (< 1MHz) electrical current. A thermal damage function is used to calculate the extent of the lesion on the basis of the temperature elevation and the duration of exposure. This work extends the model proposed by Haines [1] by including a more realistic and variable geometry, the cooling effect of the blook flow and a transient analysis. Furthermore, the nonlinearity caused by the temperature dependence of the tissue properties is also considered. The complexity of the model being appreciable, an experiment demonstrating its validity is also described. While remaining workable, the experiment is sophisticated enough to lead to convincing conclusions. It consists in measuring the temperature distribution and the time-dependent electrode resistance during "ablation" of a tissue-equivalent material. Various electrode configurations and electrical excitations are investigated. In all cases, the experimental results agree reasonably well with the numerical calculations. This confirms that the model is accurate for the investigation of RF ablation.

Catheter Ablation↗

Modeling and experimental validation of the signal transduction via the Escherichia coli sucrose phospho transferase system.

Bacterial signal processing was investigated concerning the sucrose phosphotransferase system (sucrose PTS) in the bacterium Escherichia coli as an example. The about 20 different phosphotransferase systems (PTSs) of the cell fulfill besides the transport of various carbohydrates, also the function of one signal processing system. Extra- and intracellular signals are converted within the PTS protein chain to important regulatory signals affecting, e.g. carbon metabolism and chemotaxis. A detailed dynamical model of the sucrose PTS was developed describing transport and signal processing function. It was formulated using a detailed description of complex formation and phosphate transfer between the chain proteins. Model parameters were taken from literature or were identified with own experiments. Simulation studies together with experimental hints showed that the dynamic behavior of phosphate transfer in the PTS runs within 1 s. Therefore a description of steady state characteristics is sufficient for describing the signaling properties of the sucrose PTS. A steady state characteristic field describes the degree of phosphorylation of the PTS protein EIIACrr as a function of the input variables extracellular sucrose concentration and intracellular phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):pyruvate ratio. The model has been validated with different experiments performed in a CSTR using a sucrose positive E. coli W3110 derivative. A method for determining intracellular metabolite concentrations has been developed. A sample preparation technique using a boiling ethanol buffer solution was successfully applied. The PTS output signal degree of phosphorylation of EIIACrr was also measured. Steady state conditions with varying dilution rate and dissolved oxygen concentration and dynamical variations applying different stimuli to the culture were considered. Pulse, and stop feeding experiments with limiting sucrose concentrations were performed. Simulation and experimental results matched well. The same holds for the expanded sucrose PTS and glycolysis model.

Cyclic AMP↗

Experimental validation of arthroscopic cartilage stiffness measurement using enzymatically degraded cartilage samples.

In order to evaluate the ability of the arthroscopic indentation instrument, originally developed for the measurement of cartilage stiffness during arthroscopy, to detect cartilage degeneration, we compared changes in the stiffness with the structural and constitutional alterations induced by enzymes on the tissue in vitro. The culturing of osteochondral plugs on Petri dishes was initiated in Minimum Essential Medium with Earle's salts and the baseline stiffness was measured. Then, the experimental specimens were digested using 50 microg ml(-1) trypsin for 24 h, 0.1 U ml(-1) chondroitinase ABC or 30 U ml(-1) purified collagenase (type VII) for 24 h or 48 h (n = 8-15 per group). The control specimens were incubated in the medium. After the enzyme digestion, the end-point stiffness was measured and the specimens for the microscopic analyses were processed. The proteoglycan (PG) distribution was analysed using quantitative microspectrophotometry and the quantitative evaluation of the collagen network was made using a computer-based polarized light microscopy analysis. Decrease (p < 0.05) of cartilage stiffness was found after 24 h trypsin (36%) and 48 h chondroitinase ABC (24%) digestion corresponding to a decrease (p < 0.01) of up to 80% and up to 30% in the PG content respectively. Decrease of the superficial zone collagen content or arrangement (78%, p < 0.001) after 48 h collagenase digestion also induced a decrease (30%, p < 0.001) in cartilage stiffness. We conclude that our instrument is capable of detecting early structural and compositional changes related to cartilage degeneration.

Animals↗

Experimental validation of intact and implanted distal femur finite element models.

Four finite element (FE) models of intact and distal femur of knee replacements were validated relative to measured bone strains. FE models of linear tetrahedrons were used. Femoral replacements with cemented stemless, cemented and noncemented femoral stems of the PFC Sigma Modular Knee System were analyzed. Bone strains were recorded at ten locations on the cortex. The magnitude of the FE bone strains corresponded to the mean measured strains, with an overall agreement of 10%. Linear regression between the FE and mean experimental strains produced slopes between 0.94 and 1.06 and R(2) values between 0.92 and 0.99. RSME values were less than 12%. The FE models were able to adequately replicate the mechanical behavior of distal femur reconstructions.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Experimental validation of a computational fluid dynamics model for IAQ applications in ice rink arenas.

Many ice rink arenas have ice resurfacing equipment that uses fossil fuel as power. The combustion byproducts are a major source of contamination. Ventilation along with other pollution source control measures is the most widely applied strategy to lower the contaminant level below the threshold limit and maintain acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been developed and used to predict the contaminant concentrations, air velocity, and air temperature distributions in ice rinks. The numerical results agree reasonably with the corresponding experimental data for both steady-state and transient conditions. The CFD model is a useful and inexpensive tool to investigate ventilation parameters, such as air distribution methods, ventilation effectiveness, air exchange rates, and various ventilation control strategies.

Air Movements↗

TWODEE: the Health and Safety Laboratory's shallow layer model for heavy gas dispersion. Part 3: experimental validation (Thorney Island).

Part 1 of this three-part paper described the mathematical and physical basis of TWODEE, the Health and Safety Laboratory's shallow layer model for heavy gas dispersion. In part 2, the numerical solution method used to simulate the TWODEE mathematical model was developed; the flux correction scheme of Zalesak [S.T. Zalesak, Fully multidimensional flux-corrected transport algorithms for fluids, Journal of Computational Physics, 31 (1979) 335-362.] was used in TWODEE. This paper compares results of the TWODEE model to the experimental results taken at Thorney Island [J. McQuaid, B. Roebuck, The dispersion of heavier-than-air gas from a fenced enclosure. Final report to the U.S. Coast Guard on contract with the Health and Safety Executive. Technical Report RPG 1185, Safety Engineering Laboratory, Research and Laboratory Services Division, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK, 1985.]. There is no evidence to suggest that TWODEE predictions could be improved by changing any of the entrainment parameters from generally accepted values [R.K.S. Hankin, Heavy gas dispersion over complex terrain, PhD thesis, Cambridge University, 1997.]. The TWODEE model was broadly insensitive to the exact values of the entrainment parameters.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Formation of natural pH gradients in a microfluidic device under flow conditions: model and experimental validation.

A new isoelectric focusing technique has been developed that incorporates natural pH gradient formation in microfluidic channels under flowing conditions. In conjunction, a one-dimensional finite difference model has been developed that solves a system of algebraic-ordinary differential equations that describe the phenomena occurring in the system, including hydrolysis at the electrodes, buffering effects of weak acids and bases, and mass transport due to both diffusion and electrophoresis. A quantitative, noninvasive, optically based method of monitoring pH gradient formation is presented, and the experimental data generated by this method are found to be in good agreement with model predictions. In addition, the model provides a theoretical explanation for initially unexpected experimental results. Model predictions are also shown to match well with experimental results of microfluidic isoelectric focusing of a single protein species. Accounting for the nonuniform velocity profile, characteristic of pressure-driven flow in microfluidic channels, is found to improve predictions of dynamic pH changes close to the electrodes and overall time required to reach steady state, but to reduce the accuracy of dynamic pH change predictions in other regions of the channel.

Journal Article↗

A reagent-based strategy for the design of large combinatorial libraries: a preliminary experimental validation.

Combinatorial library design can be carried out at either the reagent or the product level. Various reports in the literature have come to conflicting conclusions in favor of one over the other. In this paper a reagent-based screening library design strategy is presented. The method relies on analysis of scaffolds and building blocks separately to define the overall diversity in a compound file. The primary diversity selection by properties relevant for molecular recognition and by redundancy is followed by the application of filters for molecular properties known to be relevant for drug-likeness. Filter properties are rapidly estimated at the product level using a fragmental estimation approach. Initial experimental data suggest that high diversity in vast screening libraries can be achieved by carefully applied reagent level analysis. A potential role of diverse screening libraries in chemical genomics (pharmacological knockouts) is also discussed.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Berberine potently inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B: investigation by docking simulation and experimental validation.

Berberine was investigated as an inhibitor of human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (h-PTP 1B) in an attempt to explain its anti-hyperglycemic activitiy. The investigation included simulated docking experiments to fit berberine within the binding pocket of h-PTP 1B. Berberine was found to readily fit within the binding pocket of h-PTP 1B in a low energy orientation characterized with optimal electrostatic attractive interactions bridging the isoquinolinium positively charged nitrogen atom of berberine and the negatively charged acidic residue of ASP 48 of h-PTP 1B. Experimentally, berberine was found to potently competitively inhibit recombinant h-PTP 1B in vitro (Ki value = 91.3 nM). Our findings strongly suggest that h-PTP 1B inhibition is at least one of the reasons for the reported anti-hyperglycemic activities of berberine.

Berberine↗

Bicycle drive system dynamics: theory and experimental validation.

Bicycle pedaling has been studied from both a motor control and an equipment setup and design perspective. In both cases, although the dynamics of the bicycle drive system may have an influence on the results, a thorough understanding of the dynamics has not been developed. This study pursued three objectives related to developing such an understanding. The first was to identify the limitations of the inertial/frictional drive system model commonly used in the literature. The second was to investigate the advantages of an inertial/frictional/compliant model. The final objective was to use these models to develop a methodology for configuring a laboratory ergometer to emulate the drive system dynamics of road riding. Experimental data collected from the resulting road-riding emulator and from a standard ergometer confirmed that the inertial/frictional model is adequate for most studies of road-riding mechanics or pedaling coordination. However, the compliant model was needed to reproduce the phase shift in crank angle variations observed experimentally when emulating the high inertia of road riding. This finding may be significant for equipment setup and design studies where crank kinematic variations are important or for motor control studies where fine control issues are of interest.

Bias↗

Adsorption of organic vapors to air-dry soils: model predictions and experimental validation.

Soil/air equilibrium partitioning has an important impact on the environmental distribution and fate of many organic chemicals. Modeling approaches that cover this process commonly assume that sorption in soil only occurs in soil organic matter. However, many researchers have already shown thatthis is not even correctfor nonpolar compounds in air-dry soils. Here, we extend the existing data set on sorption in air-dry soils by using a large and very diverse set of organic compounds covering many different functional groups for two standard soils and for relative humidity between 50 and 90%. The experimental data presented here as well as those from the literature are then used to examine two different modeling approaches: one that only considers absorption in soil organic matter and one that also considers adsorption to mineral surfaces. The results clearly show that sorption in air-dry soil cannot be explained when adsorption to mineral surfaces is ignored. Only the model that considers both sorbing phases, organic matter and mineral surfaces, gives good agreement for all experimental data. Our model for predicting adsorption to mineral surfaces does not require any further fitting with experimental data; thus, it can readily be incorporated into existing fate models in order to improve the description of the soil/air partition process.

Adsorption↗

[The biomechanical prerequisites and experimental validation of an arthroplastic method after the "rolling joint" principle].

The authors have proposed the idea of joint motion realization by means of rolling of one joint surface over the other one. It allows to pass over an unsolved yet problem of cartilage restoration and normal gliding in the affected joint. It has been developed a model at the knee joint of a dog, which provides for resection of the joint surfaces according to semicylinder and plane shape and introduction of lavsane bands to hold and direct movement of the articular ends. 34 dogs have been subjected to experimental operations. There was achieved good and satisfactory joint and limb function with 25 of them. Biomechanical investigation allowed to prove joint mobility and limb supporting ability.

Animals↗