In vitro degradation behavior and cytocompatibility of Mg–Zn–Zr alloys

Zinc and zirconium were selected as the alloying elements in biodegradable magnesium alloys, considering their strengthening effect and good biocompatibility. The degradation rate, hydrogen evolution, ion release, surface layer and in vitro cytotoxicity of two Mg–Zn–Zr alloys, i.e. ZK30 and ZK60, and a WE-type alloy (Mg–Y–RE–Zr) were investigated by means of long-term static immersion testing in Hank’s solution, non-static immersion testing in Hank’s solution and cell-material interaction analysis. It was found that, among these three magnesium alloys, ZK30 had the lowest degradation rate and the least hydrogen evolution. A magnesium calcium phosphate layer was formed on the surface of ZK30 sample during non-static immersion and its degradation caused minute changes in the ion concentrations and pH value of Hank’s solution. In addition, the ZK30 alloy showed insignificant cytotoxicity against bone marrow stromal cells as compared with biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HA) and the WE-type alloy. After prolonged incubation for 7 days, a stimulatory effect on cell proliferation was observed. The results of the present study suggested that ZK30 could be a promising material for biodegradable orthopedic implants and worth further investigation to evaluate its in vitro and in vivo degradation behavior

Competição inicial entre Cyperus esculentus e arroz irrigado em condições de casa-de-vegetação Competition between Cyperus esculentus and irrigated rice under green house conditions

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito competitivo de Cyperus esculentus sobre o crescimento inicial da cultura do arroz irrigado, foi instalado um experimento em casa-devegetação, na Estação Experimental da Faculdade de Agronomia - UNITINS, no munícipio de Gurupi-TO. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi um fatorial 5x4 com três repetições completamente casualizado. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco períodos de convivência do arroz com C. esculentus (15, 25, 35, 45 e 60 dias após a emergência da cultura) e quatro densidades de C. esculentus (0, 2, 4 e 8 tubérculos/vaso), correspondentes a 0; 71; 142 e 286 plantas de C. esculentus por m2, respectivamente. No final de cada período foram avaliados na cultura do arroz os seguintes parâmetros: matéria seca de plantas/vaso; área foliar/planta; matéria seca de perfilhos/vaso; n.º de perfilhos/vaso e altura média de plantas. Os resultados mostraram que o efeito da presença de C. esculentus foi mais marcante nas densidades de quatro e oito tubérculos/vaso a partir dos 35 dias de convivência. O parâmetro mais afetado foi a matéria seca de plantas/vaso, como resultado do decréscimo do número de perfilhos/vaso. A altura das plantas de arroz irrigado não foi afetada pela presença da planta daninha em nenhum período de convivência.<br>With the objective of evaluating the competitive effect of Cyperus esculentus on the growth and production of the culture of irrigated rice, experiments were installed in green house, in the Experimental Station of the School of Agronomy - UNITINS, in Gurupi, State of Tocantins, Brazil. The statistical design used in the experiments was a factorial plot 5x4 with three replications, completely randomized. The treatments consisted of five periods of coexistence of the rice with Cyperus esculentus (15, 25, 35, 45 and 60 days after the emergency - D.A.E, of the rice) and four densities of C. esculentus (0, 2, 4 and 8 tuber/pots) corresponding to 0; 71; 142 e 286 plants of Cyperus/m2, respectively. In the end of each period the following parameters in the rice culture were appraised: dry matter of plants/pot; leaf area/plant; tiller/pot dry matter; tiller/pot number and height of plants. The results showed that the effect of the of C. esculentus, was more pronounced in the densities of four and eight tuber/pot, in the periods of coexistence of 45 and 60 D.A.E. The most affected parameter was the dry matter of plant/pot, as a result of the reduction of the tiller/pot number. The height of the plants of irrigated rice was not affected by the presence of the weed in any coexistence period