ABSTRACT
Intervertebral disc degeneration induced by mechanical compression is an important issue in spinal disorder research. In this study, the biomechanical aspect of the rat tail model was investigated. An external loading device equipped with super-elastic TiNi springs was developed to apply a precise load to the rat tail. By using this device, rat tail discs were subjected to compressive stress of 0.5 or 1.0 MPa for 2 weeks. Discs in the sham group received an attachment of the device but no loading. After the experimental period, first the intact tail with peripheral tissues (PT) such as tendon and skin and then the retrieved disc without PT were subjected to a uniaxial tension-compression test; biomechanical characteristics such as range of motion (ROM), neutral zone (NZ), and hysteresis loss (HL) were evaluated. Furthermore, the load-bearing contribution of PT in the intact tail was estimated by comparing the load-displacement curves obtained by the mechanical tests performed with and without PT. The experimental findings revealed that the continuous compressive stress induced reduction in disc thickness. The intact tail demonstrated decreases in ROM and NZ as well as increases in HL. On the other hand, the retrieved disc demonstrated increases in ROM, NZ, and HL. Further, a significant increase in the load-bearing contribution of PT was indicated. These findings suggest that the load-bearing capacity of the disc was seriously deteriorated by the application of compressive stress of 0.5 or 1.0 MPa for 2 weeks.
Subject(s)
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/physiopathology , Stress, Mechanical , Tail/physiology , Animals , Biomechanical Phenomena , Disease Models, Animal , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/etiology , Male , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Weight-BearingABSTRACT
Absolute anchorages proved to be very effective for orthodontic tooth movements. We used a 3D digitizer to record each tooth on pre-treatment diagnostic and post-treatment predictive setup models and then 3D coordinate system conversion was performed to make the coordinate values comparable. An arithmetic calculation of vector and moment based on the orthodontic forces and the tooth displacement under preliminary premises undertaken to decide the most favorable position and number for absolute anchorages. Position--For two-dimensional and three-dimensional calculations, the most appropriate positions for absolute anchorages should theoretically be on the line of resultant force (2D) and the plane (3D) where the total moment effect tends to be zero. Number--As for the number of the absolute anchorages needed, it depends on the number of target teeth. Different combinations of target teeth provide different sets of results.
Subject(s)
Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Models, Biological , Orthodontic Appliance Design/methods , Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods , Tooth Movement Techniques/methods , Computer Simulation , Humans , Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted , Motion , Stress, Mechanical , TorqueABSTRACT
Novel composites of bioactive beta-tricalcium phosphate [Ca(3)(PO(4))(2)] and biodegradable copolymerized poly-L-lactide (CPLA) were prepared by a heat-kneading method. The mechanical and chemical changes of the composites were evaluated in vitro by soaking in physiological saline and Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline. When soaked in physiological saline, the 3-point mechanical strength decreased rapidly from 60 to 30 MPa in the initial 4 weeks and then gradually reached a plateau; the initial decrease in the mechanical strength was ascribed to the dissolution of beta-tricalcium phosphate from the surface. The mechanical properties evident at 8-12 weeks were sufficient for the composites to be used as a biodegradable material for regeneration of bone because the hydrolysis of CPLA was inhibited in both physiological saline and phosphate-buffered saline as a result of a pH-buffering effect. Composite membranes 250-microm thick were used to regenerate large bone defects in beagle dogs: 10 x 10 x 10 mm(3) in volume in the mandible and 20 mm in length in the tibia. The afflicted areas covered with the composite membranes were almost perfectly filled with new bone 12 weeks after the operation, whereas those covered with a CPLA membrane or without any membranes were invaded by soft tissue.
