Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a prevalent and potentially life threatening disease. Many animal models have been developed to simulate the natural history of the disease or test preclinical endovascular devices and surgical procedures. The aim of this review is to describe different methods of AAA induction in animal models and report on the effectiveness of the methods described in inducing an analogue of a human AAA. The PubMed database was searched for publications with titles containing the following terms “animal” or ‘‘animal model(s)’’ and keywords “research”, “aneurysm(s)’’, “aorta”, “pancreatic elastase’’, “Angiotensin”, “AngII” “calcium chloride” or “CaCl2”. Starting date for this search was set to 2004, since previously bibliography was already covered by the review of Daugherty and Cassis (2004). We focused on animal studies that reported a model of aneurysm development and progression. A number of different approaches of AAA induction in animal models has been developed, used and combined since the first report in the 1960’s. Although specific methods are successful in AAA induction in animal models, it is necessary that these methods and their respective results are in line with the pathophysiology and the mechanisms involved in human AAA development. A researcher should know the advantages/disadvantages of each animal model and choose the appropriate model.
Exercise training-induced cardiac hypertrophy occurs following a program of aerobic endurance exercise training and it is considered as a physiologically beneficial adaptation. To investigate the underlying biology of physiological hypertrophy, we rely on robust experimental models of exercise training in laboratory animals that mimic the training response in humans. A number of experimental strategies have been established, such as treadmill and voluntary wheel running and swim training models that all associate with cardiac growth. These approaches have been applied to numerous animal models with various backgrounds. However, important differences exist between these experimental approaches, which may affect the interpretation of the results. Here, we review the various approaches that have been used to experimentally study exercise training-induced cardiac hypertrophy; including the advantages and disadvantages of the various models., Y. Wang, U. Wisloff, O. J. Kemi., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Fractures commonly existing in rocks flow on their elastic properties and hence on velocity of seismic waves propagating in the rock mass. This relation allows to use seismic methods to determine the fracture density and the orientation of fracture sets. This paper presents results of the research which concern directional changes of dynamic elastic moduli in sedimentary and igneous rocks from south part of Poland. These moduli depend on density of the rock matrix as well as density and orientation of cracks and flow on seismic wave velocity. The seismic equipment Terraloc MK6 (ABEM) was used for the measurements of seismic wave velocity in the surface layers of rock mass. The research was made along precise oriented radial seismic profiles. P-waves and S-waves ve locities were established from recorded seism ograms. The values of P and S waves velocity allowed to calculate values of dynamic elastic moduli for all profiles. The results were presented on diagrams of azimuth distribution of elastic moduli, and diagrams of dynamic elastic moduli versus P - wave velocity. The diagrams showed an anisotropy of elastic properties of the investigated rocks. The maximal values of moduli agree with maximal values of velocity and also with orientation of main crack sets or potential directions of weakening of rock mass. Obtained results point that the seismic methods allow to assign the directions of weakening of rocks what can be for example use during preliminary designing, constructing and exploitation of tunnels., Iwona Stan - Kleczek and Adam F. Idziak., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy