The friction stir lap welding of AISI304 stainless steel to AA7075 aluminium alloy was investigated using the conventional friction stir welding (C-FSW) and the reverse dual rotation friction stir welding (DR-FSW) pro...The friction stir lap welding of AISI304 stainless steel to AA7075 aluminium alloy was investigated using the conventional friction stir welding (C-FSW) and the reverse dual rotation friction stir welding (DR-FSW) processes. In order to reduce the heat input, a dual rotation tool with a lower shoulder rotating speed was used. The results showed that both processes provide welds with excellent appearance and free of internal defects. The use of the DR-FSW process with the tool shoulder rotating reversely at low speed results in larger grain refinement in the nugget and less change in the microstructure of the aluminium alloy than using the C-FSW. The use of DR-FSW process at low speed of rotation allows to reduce the amount of intermetallic compounds in the welding interface, but does not prevent their formation. Although DR-FSW welding exhibits tensile strength superior to that achieved with the conventional process (C-FSW), both exhibit brittle behaviour with fracture at the weld interface.展开更多
AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of three tubeguides with electrical conductivity associated to mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) on neuro-muscular regeneration after neurotmesis.METHODS: Rats with 10-mm gap nerve inju...AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of three tubeguides with electrical conductivity associated to mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) on neuro-muscular regeneration after neurotmesis.METHODS: Rats with 10-mm gap nerve injury were tested using polyvinyl alcohol(PVA), PVA-carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and MSCs, and PVA-polypyrrole(PPy). The regenerated nerves and tibialis anterior muscles were processed for stereological studies after 20 wk. The functional recovery was assessed serially for gait biomechanical analysis, by extensor postural thrust, sciatic functional index and static sciatic functionalindex(SSI), and by withdrawal reflex latency(WRL). In vitro studies included cytocompatibility, flow cytometry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and karyotype analysis of the MSCs. Histopathology of lung, liver, kidneys, and regional lymph nodes ensured the biomaterials biocompatibility. RESULTS: SSI remained negative throughout and independently from treatment. Differences between treted groups in the severity of changes in WRL existed, showing a faster regeneration for PVA-CNTs-MSCs(P < 0.05). At toe-off, less acute ankle joint angles were seen for PVA-CNTs-MSCs group(P = 0.051) suggesting improved ankle muscles function during the push off phase of the gait cycle. In PVA-PPy and PVA-CNTs groups, there was a 25% and 42% increase of average fiber area and a 13% and 21% increase of the "minimal Feret's diameter" respectively. Stereological analysis disclosed a significantly(P < 0.05) increased myelin thickness(M), ratio myelin thickness/axon diameter(M/d) and ratio axon diameter/fiber diameter(d/D; g-ratio) in PVA-CNT-MSCs group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results revealed that treatment with MSCs and PVA-CNTs tube-guides induced better nerve fiber regeneration. Functional and kinematics analysis revealed positive synergistic effects brought by MSCs and PVA-CNTs. The PVA-CNTs and PVA-PPy are promising scaffolds with electric conductive properties, bio- and cytocompatible that might prevent the secondary neurogenic muscular atrophy by improving the reestablishment of the neuro-muscular junction.展开更多
Several authors have shown the beneficial role to incorporate silicon into hydroxyapatite lattice, although, the mechanism behind the enhanced bioactivity of this Si-hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) is poorly understood. The in...Several authors have shown the beneficial role to incorporate silicon into hydroxyapatite lattice, although, the mechanism behind the enhanced bioactivity of this Si-hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) is poorly understood. The incorporation of Si into the HA lattice alters the surface charge of HA, leading to more negative values. Due to the importance of the surface properties on the interaction between biomaterials, physiological fluids, and the host tissue, it is important to further characterize the surface of Si-HA by determining its surface energy and wettability. Our results showed that the incorporation of Si increased the hydrophilicity of HA, leading to a higher interfacial tension. Another important property for osteointegration is the formation of an apatite layer. The dissolution of Si-HA in the presence of serum-free simulated body fluid (SBF) started at early time points and using atomic force microscopy (AFM) it was possible to observe the dissolution at the grain boundaries and grains, therefore an apatite layer was formed in a short period of time. As the dissolution-precipitation process is much more complex in vivo, we tried to mimic the initial stages of the in vivo reaction by incubating the Si-HA in serum-SBF. It was shown that the dissolution kinetics in serum-SBF was slower when compared to the dissolution in serum free-SBF. At the same time point, no significant dissolution features were observed or apatite layer was visualized. The phase imaging AFM indicated the presence of a layer on top of these materials that could be a proteinaceous layer, as XPS analysis detected an increase on the concentration of nitrogen on the surface of the samples incubated in the presence of proteins.展开更多
基金funding support of Babol Noshirvani University of Technology(No.BNUT/370167/97)support of programme COMPETE+1 种基金Programa Operacional Factores de CompetitividadeFCT-Fundacao Portuguesa para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,under the project UID/EMS/00285/2013.
文摘The friction stir lap welding of AISI304 stainless steel to AA7075 aluminium alloy was investigated using the conventional friction stir welding (C-FSW) and the reverse dual rotation friction stir welding (DR-FSW) processes. In order to reduce the heat input, a dual rotation tool with a lower shoulder rotating speed was used. The results showed that both processes provide welds with excellent appearance and free of internal defects. The use of the DR-FSW process with the tool shoulder rotating reversely at low speed results in larger grain refinement in the nugget and less change in the microstructure of the aluminium alloy than using the C-FSW. The use of DR-FSW process at low speed of rotation allows to reduce the amount of intermetallic compounds in the welding interface, but does not prevent their formation. Although DR-FSW welding exhibits tensile strength superior to that achieved with the conventional process (C-FSW), both exhibit brittle behaviour with fracture at the weld interface.
基金Supported by System of Incentives for Research and Technological development of QREN in the scope of project n°38853/2013-DEXGELERATION:"Solucoes avancadas de regeneracao ossea com base em hidrogeis de dextrin"the European Community FEDER fund through ON2-O Novo Norte-North Portugal Regional Operational Program 2007-2013+4 种基金Project n°34128-BEPIM II:"Microdispositivos biomédicos com capacidade osteointegrativa porμPIM"funded by Ad Ithe program COMPETE-Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade,projects Pest-OE/AGR/UI0211/2011PTDC/CVT/103081/2008CDRsp’s Strategic Project-UI-4044-2011-2012(Pest-OE/EME/UI4044/2011)funding from FCT
文摘AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of three tubeguides with electrical conductivity associated to mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) on neuro-muscular regeneration after neurotmesis.METHODS: Rats with 10-mm gap nerve injury were tested using polyvinyl alcohol(PVA), PVA-carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and MSCs, and PVA-polypyrrole(PPy). The regenerated nerves and tibialis anterior muscles were processed for stereological studies after 20 wk. The functional recovery was assessed serially for gait biomechanical analysis, by extensor postural thrust, sciatic functional index and static sciatic functionalindex(SSI), and by withdrawal reflex latency(WRL). In vitro studies included cytocompatibility, flow cytometry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and karyotype analysis of the MSCs. Histopathology of lung, liver, kidneys, and regional lymph nodes ensured the biomaterials biocompatibility. RESULTS: SSI remained negative throughout and independently from treatment. Differences between treted groups in the severity of changes in WRL existed, showing a faster regeneration for PVA-CNTs-MSCs(P < 0.05). At toe-off, less acute ankle joint angles were seen for PVA-CNTs-MSCs group(P = 0.051) suggesting improved ankle muscles function during the push off phase of the gait cycle. In PVA-PPy and PVA-CNTs groups, there was a 25% and 42% increase of average fiber area and a 13% and 21% increase of the "minimal Feret's diameter" respectively. Stereological analysis disclosed a significantly(P < 0.05) increased myelin thickness(M), ratio myelin thickness/axon diameter(M/d) and ratio axon diameter/fiber diameter(d/D; g-ratio) in PVA-CNT-MSCs group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results revealed that treatment with MSCs and PVA-CNTs tube-guides induced better nerve fiber regeneration. Functional and kinematics analysis revealed positive synergistic effects brought by MSCs and PVA-CNTs. The PVA-CNTs and PVA-PPy are promising scaffolds with electric conductive properties, bio- and cytocompatible that might prevent the secondary neurogenic muscular atrophy by improving the reestablishment of the neuro-muscular junction.
基金The authors acknowledge Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia,Portugal,for supporting Claudia Botelho grant(SFRHBPD/20987/2004).
文摘Several authors have shown the beneficial role to incorporate silicon into hydroxyapatite lattice, although, the mechanism behind the enhanced bioactivity of this Si-hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) is poorly understood. The incorporation of Si into the HA lattice alters the surface charge of HA, leading to more negative values. Due to the importance of the surface properties on the interaction between biomaterials, physiological fluids, and the host tissue, it is important to further characterize the surface of Si-HA by determining its surface energy and wettability. Our results showed that the incorporation of Si increased the hydrophilicity of HA, leading to a higher interfacial tension. Another important property for osteointegration is the formation of an apatite layer. The dissolution of Si-HA in the presence of serum-free simulated body fluid (SBF) started at early time points and using atomic force microscopy (AFM) it was possible to observe the dissolution at the grain boundaries and grains, therefore an apatite layer was formed in a short period of time. As the dissolution-precipitation process is much more complex in vivo, we tried to mimic the initial stages of the in vivo reaction by incubating the Si-HA in serum-SBF. It was shown that the dissolution kinetics in serum-SBF was slower when compared to the dissolution in serum free-SBF. At the same time point, no significant dissolution features were observed or apatite layer was visualized. The phase imaging AFM indicated the presence of a layer on top of these materials that could be a proteinaceous layer, as XPS analysis detected an increase on the concentration of nitrogen on the surface of the samples incubated in the presence of proteins.
