Heat Treated NiP–SiC Composite Coatings: Elaboration and Tribocorrosion Behaviour in NaCl Solution

Tribocorrosion behaviour of heat-treated NiP and NiP–SiC composite coatings was investigated in a 0.6 M NaCl solution. The tribocorrosion tests were performed in a linear sliding tribometer with an electrochemical cell interface. It was analyzed the influence of SiC particles dispersion in the NiP matrix on current density developed, on coefficient of friction and on wear volume loss. The results showed that NiP–SiC composite coatings had a lower wear volume loss compared to NiP coatings. However, the incorporation of SiC particles into the metallic matrix affects the current density developed by the system during the tribocorrosion test. It was verified that not only the volume of co-deposited particles (SiC vol.%) but also the number of SiC particles per coating area unit (and consequently the SiC particles size) have made influence on the tribocorrosion behaviour of NiP–SiC composite coatings

Toxoplasma Effector MAF1 Mediates Recruitment of Host Mitochondria and Impacts the Host Response

Recent information has revealed the functional diversity and importance of mitochondria in many cellular processes including orchestrating the innate immune response. Intriguingly, several infectious agents, such as Toxoplasma, Legionella, and Chlamydia, have been reported to grow within vacuoles surrounded by host mitochondria. Although many hypotheses have been proposed for the existence of host mitochondrial association (HMA), the causes and biological consequences of HMA have remained unanswered. Here we show that HMA is present in type I and III strains of Toxoplasma but missing in type II strains, both in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of F1 progeny from a type II×III cross revealed that HMA is a Mendelian trait that we could map. We use bioinformatics to select potential candidates and experimentally identify the polymorphic parasite protein involved, mitochondrial association factor 1 (MAF1). We show that introducing the type I (HMA+) MAF1 allele into type II (HMA-) parasites results in conversion to HMA+ and deletion of MAF1 in type I parasites results in a loss of HMA. We observe that the loss and gain of HMA are associated with alterations in the transcription of host cell immune genes and the in vivo cytokine response during murine infection. Lastly, we use exogenous expression of MAF1 to show that it binds host mitochondria and thus MAF1 is the parasite protein directly responsible for HMA. Our findings suggest that association with host mitochondria may represent a novel means by which Toxoplasma tachyzoites manipulate the host. The existence of naturally occurring HMA+ and HMA- strains of Toxoplasma, Legionella, and Chlamydia indicates the existence of evolutionary niches where HMA is either advantageous or disadvantageous, likely reflecting tradeoffs in metabolism, immune regulation, and other functions of mitochondria. © 2014 Pernas et al

The role of mechanically activated area on tribocorrosion of CoCrMo

Co-Cr-Mo alloys are among the most used alloys for orthopedic implants because of their excellent corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, biocompatibility. Although there is extensive literature on corrosion properties of Co-Cr-Mo alloys, fewer articles are focused on the synergistic effect of corrosion and wear in a simulated physiological solution. It is generally assumed that the current density measured during wear conditions for passive materials comes from the active area. However, there are no clear data supporting this statement. The current article correlates electrochemical measurements with the active area generated during sliding wear tests. Open circuit potential and current measurements, potentiodynamic scans, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out on samples under static and sliding wear conditions. These measurements showed the importance of the active area, where the current coming from the surface not being abraded is negligible. Finally, by combining the sliding wear and electrochemical tests, the synergistic effect of wear and corrosion was characterized for this alloy, documenting the metal carbide's detachment from the cobalt alloy matrix, which leads to a significant increase of total wear volume. © 2013 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International.Peer Reviewe

Simultaneous degradation by corrosion and wear of titanium in artificial saliva containing fluorides

he degradation of titanium-based oral rehabilitation systems can occur by corrosion and wear processes taking place simultaneously (tribocorrosion) and influenced by the presence of fluorides. In this study, the tribocorrosion behavior of titanium in artificial saliva solutions containing fluorides is investigated. Before sliding tests were started up, electrochemical measurements such as open circuit potential (OCP) and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed to get information on the corrosion behavior of titanium in artificial saliva solutions. Then, sliding wear tests were carried out at the OCP taken by the test sample. Scanning electron microscopy and weight loss measurements were performed after the tribocorrosion tests. The presence of a compact passive surface film on titanium immersed was demonstrated in artificial saliva free of fluorides and in presence of up to 227 ppm F−. However, a progressive degradation of titanium was observed at a F− concentration of 12,300 ppm. Additionally, the corrosion and wear resistance of the titanium oxide film formed at a F− concentration of 12,300 ppm differ from the ones obtained up to 227 ppm F− reflected by a decrease of the coefficient of friction although the material loss increased. The synergism between wear and corrosion processes on titanium needs thus to be further investigated to reach a reliable prediction of the long-term behavior of titanium-based prostheses and implants in the oral cavity.Flemish Science Foundation - WOG-FWO-VlaanderenAlBan Program - cod. E06D103407BR), e Flemish Science Foundation (WOG-FWO-Vlaanderen).Scientific research Community on Surface Modification of MaterialsFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - PTDC/CTM/67500/200