A Review of Basic Mechanical Behavior of Laminated Bamboo Lumber

Over the past decade, the physical and mechanical performances of laminated bamboo lumber (LBL)–a bamboobased structural material, have been extensively studied using experimental, analytical, and numerical approaches. This paper presents a review of existing knowledge in the literature about the mechanical properties of LBL. The paper involved the review of the response of LBL to different types of loading such as tension, bending, compression, and shear. Based on results of the literature reviewed, the strength of LBL parallel to grain was 90–124 MPa with MOE of 10700 MPa in tension, 29.55–72.60 MPa, and MOE of 8396–11022 MPa in compression, 63.87– 128.4 MPa, and MOE of 8320–10912 MPa in bending, and 7.15–17.5 MPa in shear. The average strength of LBL was similar and in some cases exceeded the average values of bamboo- or wood-based materials, while the variability of its mechanical parameters was lower. The variability in strength values of LBL was affected by bamboo species, density and thickness of bamboo strips, growth portion, type of treatment, strips arrangements, and type of adhesive which in turn calls for classification of LBL by strength grades, degree of hardness, the capability of impregnation and penetration, as well as by areas of application in construction. The study provided and discussed concluding observations, the current research gap, and future research directions on the mechanical properties of LBL

Targeting oxidative stress for improving cardiovascular performance in the elderly

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of several cardiovascular diseases, as evidenced by correlation between oxidative stress markers and Heart Failure (HF) and by direct molecular evidence for an etiological role of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS play an important role in signalling processes, but their overproduction generates oxidative stress. Previous studies demonstrated that HF was associated with antioxidant deficit as well as increased oxidative stress. Furthermore, these changes correlated with the hemodynamic function, suggesting their role in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction. An important mechanism involved in cellular cardiovascular response is represented by sirtuins. SIRT1 inhibition determines suppression of genes ac tivated by exposure to heat shock, on the contrary, SIRT1 activation enhances the heat shock response. Then the ability of SIRT1 to modulate stress resistance is multifaceted and not only linked to oxidative stress, but also to other stressful stimuli. Recently several studies have demonstrated the capability of physical activity to induce SIRT1 activity and, in turn, the ability of this enzyme to mediate the favourable antioxidant effects of the exercise training. Other agents able to induce SIRT1 activity have demonstrated some effects on cardiac function. Resveratrol supplementation has been shown to decrease cardiovascular risk factors, and the positive effect of resveratrol on training response and aerobic capacity in rats to be mediated via SIRT1. The future research should be addressed to better clarify the possible role of the antioxidants therapy in clinical studies, in particular defining a standardization of procedures, doses and duration of treatment

Antioxidant Supplementation in the Treatment of Aging-Associated Diseases

Oxidative stress is generally considered as the consequence of an imbalance between pro- and antioxidants species, which often results into indiscriminate and global damage at the organismal level. Elderly people are more susceptible to oxidative stress and this depends, almost in part, from a decreased performance of their endogenous antioxidant system. As many studies reported an inverse correlation between systemic levels of antioxidants and several diseases, primarily cardiovascular diseases, but also diabetes and neurological disorders, antioxidant supplementation has been foreseen as an effective preventive and therapeutic intervention for aging-associated pathologies. However, the expectations of this therapeutic approach have often been partially disappointed by clinical trials. The interplay of both endogenous and exogenous antioxidants with the systemic redox system is very complex and represents an issue that is still under debate. In this review a selection of recent clinical studies concerning antioxidants supplementation and the evaluation of their influence in aging-related diseases is analyzed. The controversial outcomes of antioxidants supplementation therapies, which might partially depend from an underestimation of the patient specific metabolic demand and genetic background, are presented

Sex/Gender- and Age-Related Differences in β-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling in Cardiovascular Diseases

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) are often recognized from experimental and clinical studies examining the prevalence, manifestations, and response to therapies. Compared to age-matched men, women tend to have reduced CV risk and a better prognosis in the premenopausal period. However, with menopause, this risk increases exponentially, surpassing that of men. Although several mechanisms have been provided, including sex hormones, an emerging role in these sex differences has been suggested for β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling. Importantly, β-ARs are the most important G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), expressed in almost all the cell types of the CV system, and involved in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Consistent with their role, for decades, βARs have been considered the first targets for rational drug design to fight CVDs. Of note, β-ARs are seemingly associated with different CV outcomes in females compared with males. In addition, even if there is a critical inverse correlation between β-AR responsiveness and aging, it has been reported that gender is crucially involved in this age-related effect. This review will discuss how β-ARs impact the CV risk and response to anti-CVD therapies, also concerning sex and age. Further, we will explore how estrogens impact β-AR signaling in women

Asma y actividad física. Revisión

El asma es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de elevada prevalencia a nivel mundial, siendo el colectivo más afectado el formado por niños y adolescentes. Su sintomatología se caracteriza por la aparición de tos, disnea, sibilancias, sensación de opresión en el pecho y broncoconstricción. Tradicionalmente se había pensado que el deporte y el ejercicio físico estaban contraindicados en pacientes asmáticos. Por otro lado, el paciente asmático suele presentar niveles de condición física y práctica deportiva menores que los sujetos sanos. Actualmente se ha propuesto la actividad física regular como un camino válido para mejorar la percepción y el autoconocimiento personal sobre esta enfermedad. Se aconseja la prescripción de actividad física como forma de mejorar su sintomatología y evolución. La práctica de una actividad física regular en pacientes asmáticos debería ser considerada dentro de los actuales y futuros programas de salud como un objetivo fundamental.Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of high prevalence worldwide, being the group comprised of children and adolescents the most affected. Its symptoms are characterized by cough, dysnea, wheezing, feeling of tightness in the chest and bronchoconstriction. Traditionally, it was thought that sport and physical exercise were contraindicated in asthmatic patients. Furthermore, the asthmatic patient usually presents less fitness levels and sport practice as well as healthy subjects. Currently regular physical activity has been proposed as a valid way to improve staff awareness and self-knowledge about the disease. It is recommended the prescription of physical activity as a way to improve their symptoms and evolution. Regular practice of physical activity in asthmatic patients should be considered within the current and future health programs as a main aim

Hydropinotherapy with sulphurous mineral water as complementary treatment to improve glucose metabolism, oxidative status, and quality of life

Hydropinotherapy is a salus per aquam (Spa) treatment suitable as a complementary approach to treat several diseases, which strongly affect the quality of life (QoL). Hydropinotherapy with sulphurous mineral water exerts benefits thanks to components, such as hydrogen sulphide, which is considered mainly responsible for antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects. Such properties, linked from each other, could favour an improvement in patients’ QoL. However, data on humans are scarce. This study aimed to investigate whether a cycle of sulphurous hydropinotherapy was able to modify plasma levels of glucose and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and improve QoL in patients suffering from several chronic disorders. A prospective, observational study involved patients with gastrointestinal diseases who received a prescription of a cycle of sulphurous hy-dropinotherapy (S-HT). Age-and sex-matched control group was enrolled (No S-HT). Glycaemia and plasma concentration of ROMs were measured in all subjects. The impact of spa treatment on the QoL was assessed using the Short Form 36 Health Status Survey questionnaire (SF-36). All parameters were measured at baseline and at the end of a 2-week treatment. Between the groups, no differences were found in glycaemia and ROMs at baseline. In the S-HT group, a reduction in glycaemia and ROMs, both in respect to baseline (p = 0.005 and p = 0.031, respectively) and to control group, as shown by the delta value calculated, as the difference between the values at 2 weeks and baseline (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.0001, respectively). In the S-HT, delta ROMs was the best predictor of delta glycaemia with a direct linear correlation (beta = 0.559, 95% CI 0.471 to 0.647, p < 0.0001). In the S-HT, the SF-36 total score was improved both when compared with baseline (p = 0.002) and with No S-HT (p = 0.001). Sulphurous hydropinotherapy induces a decrease in glycaemia and ROM levels, also ameliorating the patients’ QoL. Therefore, it could be considered a useful complementary therapeutic approach

Slenderness Ratio Effect on the Eccentric Compression Performance of Chamfered Laminated Bamboo Lumber Columns

Eccentric compression tests on 15 chamfered laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) columns with a height ranging from 600 to 3000 mm were conducted in order to study the eccentric mechanical performance. The failure of all specimens was caused by the crack of bamboo fiber in the tensile region. When the ultimate strength was reached, except specimens with a height of 600 mm, all other specimens could bear large deformation, showing good ductility. The lateral displacements of the specimens under eccentric compression were approximately parabolic in the direction of column height. The ultimate bending moment of LBL columns with different slenderness ratios under compression with the same initial eccentricity was a fixed value. The relationship between ultimate capacity, axial displacement, lateral displacement, and slenderness ratio was analyzed based on test results. It was found that the plane section assumption could be used to express the stress and strain distribution of chamfered LBL columns under eccentric compression. A method for calculating the ultimate bearing capacity was proposed using a constitutive model based on the Ramberg-Osgood relation and the empirical formula for calculating the ultimate capacity was given on the basis of the former research as well as the test results in this paper

Properties and Applications of Bamboo Fiber-A Current-State-of-the Art

Fibers are used in many forms in engineering applications–one of the most common being used as reinforcement. Due to its renewable short natural growth cycle and abundance of bamboo resources, bamboo fiber has attracted attention over other natural fibers. Bamboo fiber has a complex natural structure but offers excellent mechanical properties, which are utilized in the textile, papermaking, construction, and composites industry. However, bamboo fibers can easily absorb moisture and are prone to corrosion limiting their use in engineering applications. Therefore, a better understanding of bamboo fiber is particularly important. This paper reviews all existing research on the mechanical characterization of bamboo fiber with an emphasis on the extraction and treatment techniques, and their effect on relevant properties. The chemical composition of bamboo fibers has also been thoroughly investigated and presented herein. Current applications and future opportunities for bamboo fibers in various fields have been presented with a focus on research needs. This work can serve as a reference for future research on bamboo fiber