719 research outputs found
Structural analysis of a Nb-based alloy for biomedical application
The purpose of research in the biomaterials field is to produce new materials with physical and chemical properties close to the tissue to be replaced with minimal toxic response to the foreign body. Among the various metallic materials, titanium and its alloys have this great combination of properties. The most promising alloys are those with niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, and zirconium as alloying elements added to titanium. Thus, this kind of alloys integrate a new class of alloys without aluminum and vanadium (which cause cytotoxicity) and have a low modulus of elasticity (below 100 GPa). The objective of this work is to analyze the structure and microstructure of a niobium-based alloy, Ti-50wt%Nb. This alloy was produced in an arc-melting furnace with an inert atmosphere of argon gas. After melting, the samples were characterized by density, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and hardness. The X-ray diffraction data shows the peaks corresponding to the beta phase (with body-centered cubic crystalline structure), corroborated by scanning electron microscopy images. The value of the lattice parameter of the body-centered cubic crystalline structure was 3.2868 Ă
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Superpulsed low-level laser therapy protects skeletal muscle of mdx mice against damage, inflammation and morphological changes delaying dystrophy progression.
Aim: To evaluate the effects of preventive treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on progression of dystrophy in mdx mice. Methods: Ten animals were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups treated with superpulsed LLLT (904 nm, 15 mW, 700 Hz, 1 J) or placebo-LLLT at one point overlying the tibialis anterior muscle (bilaterally) 5 times per week for 14 weeks (from 6th to 20th week of age). Morphological changes, creatine kinase (CK) activity and mRNA gene expression were assessed in animals at 20th week of age. Results: Animals treated with LLLT showed very few morphological changes in skeletal muscle, with less atrophy and fibrosis than animals treated with placebo-LLLT. CK was significantly lower (p = 0.0203) in animals treated with LLLT (864.70 U.lâ1, SEM 226.10) than placebo (1708.00 U.lâ1, SEM 184.60). mRNA gene expression of inflammatory markers was significantly decreased by treatment with LLLT (p<0.05): TNF-Îą (placebo-control = 0.51 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.12], - LLLT = 0.048 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.01]), IL-1β (placebo-control = 2.292 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.74], - LLLT = 0.12 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.03]), IL-6 (placebo-control = 3.946 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.98], - LLLT = 0.854 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.33]), IL-10 (placebo-control = 1.116 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.22], - LLLT = 0.352 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.15]), and COX-2 (placebo-control = 4.984 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 1.18], LLLT = 1.470 Âľg/Âľl [SEM 0.73]). Conclusion: Irradiation of superpulsed LLLT on successive days five times per week for 14 weeks decreased morphological changes, skeletal muscle damage and inflammation in mdx mice. This indicates that LLLT has potential to decrease progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Red (660 nm) and infrared (830 nm) low-level laser therapy in skeletal muscle fatigue in humans: what is better?
In animal and clinical trials low-level laser therapy (LLLT) using red, infrared and mixed wavelengths has been shown to delay the development of skeletal muscle fatigue. However, the parameters employed in these studies do not allow a conclusion as to which wavelength range is better in delaying the development of skeletal muscle fatigue. With this perspective in mind, we compared the effects of red and infrared LLLT on skeletal muscle fatigue. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial was performed in ten healthy male volunteers. They were treated with active red LLLT, active infrared LLLT (660 or 830Â nm, 50Â mW, 17.85Â W/cm2, 100Â s irradiation per point, 5Â J, 1,785Â J/cm2 at each point irradiated, total 20Â J irradiated per muscle) or an identical placebo LLLT at four points of the biceps brachii muscle for 3Â min before exercise (voluntary isometric elbow flexion for 60Â s). The mean peak force was significantly greater (pâ<â0.05) following red (12.14%) and infrared LLLT (14.49%) than following placebo LLLT, and the mean average force was also significantly greater (pâ<â0.05) following red (13.09%) and infrared LLLT (13.24%) than following placebo LLLT. There were no significant differences in mean average force or mean peak force between red and infrared LLLT. We conclude that both red than infrared LLLT are effective in delaying the development skeletal muscle fatigue and in enhancement of skeletal muscle performance. Further studies are needed to identify the specific mechanisms through which each wavelength acts
Prioritization of fish communities with a view to conservation and restoration on a large scale European basin, the Loire (France)
The hierarchical organization of important sites for the conservation or the
restoration of fish communities is a great challenge for managers, especially because of
financial or time constraints. In this perspective, we developed a methodology, which is
easy to implement in different locations. Based on the fish assemblage characteristics of
the Loire basin (France), we created a synthetic conservation value index including the
rarity, the conservation status and the species origin. The relationship between this new
synthetic index and the Fish-Based Index allowed us to establish a classification protocol
of the sites along the Loire including fish assemblages to be restored or conserved. Sites
presenting disturbed fish assemblages, a low rarity index, few threatened species, and a
high proportion of non-native species were considered as important for the restoration of
fish biodiversity. These sites were found mainly in areas where the assemblages are
typical of the bream zone, e.g. with a higher number of eurytopic and limnophilic
species. On the contrary, important sites for conservation were defined as having an
important conservation potential (high RI, a lot of threatened species, and few nonnatives
fish species) and an undisturbed fish assemblage similar to the expected community
if habitats are undisturbed. Important sites for conservation were found in the
Loire basinâs medium reaches which host assemblages typical for the grayling and the
barbell zones, e.g. with a higher number of rheophilic species. The synthetic conservation value index could be adapted and completed with other criteria according to
management priorities and capacities
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