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Biodegradable Mg alloys are a new class of temporary implant materials for musculo-skeletal surgery. Recent studies show that Mg-based alloys can be biocompatible and there is a high demand to design Mg alloys with adjustable corrosion rates and suitable mechanical properties. An approach to solving this challenge might be the use of Mg metal matrix composites (Mg-MMC). In this study, a Mg-MMC composed of ZK60 was investigated as the base material and hydroxyapatite (HA) particles were added for tailoring its properties. The composite was produced by high-energy ball milling followed by hot extrusion. This processing route was chosen, as HA in contact with molten Mg releases a toxic gas (phosphine – PH3). The HA particles were homogeneously distributed in the ZK60 matrix after ball milling and the composite was consolidated by hot extrusion. This work presents the influence of different amounts of HA on corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of the composite. Corrosion properties were evaluated by immersion and electrochemical measurements in physiological media at 37 °C. A slight improvement in the corrosion resistance was observed for Mg-MMC due to the presence of more stable corrosion products. Compression tests were used to measure the mechanical properties. Under compression, samples showed a slight increase in the compressive yield strength with the addition of HA, while the ultimate strength did not change significantly.

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Introduction: Magnesium has attracted much attention for its potential use in trauma and orthopedics fields due to its mechanical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability and the possible ability to stimulate bone formation. It is desirable for magnesium-based alloys to have a low toxicity rate so the fractured bone heals before the implant resorbs. Materials and methods: Corrosion properties of Mg2Ag, Mg10Gd, WE43 and 99.99% pure Mg were studied under physiological conditions. The samples were placed in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and corrosion was studied after immersion and by gas evolution tests. The corrosion rate (CR), osmolality, pH and Ca 2+ concentrations, as well as surface changes in the form of average surface roughness (Sa), developed surface area ratio (Sdr) and summit density (Sds), were determined. Results: WE43 showed the highest CR of all the materials tested-1.057 mm/year, which is almost twice as high as in the other samples. The lowest mean CR was in the Mg2Ag group. All alloys made pH more alkaline and decreased the concentration of free Ca 2+ in the solution. Osmolality decreased in all samples after day 7. Pure Mg had the most constant S a and S dr while WE43 had the most stable S ds of all materials over the observation period. Conclusion: The surface of alloys changed as the implants corroded: the summits became lower with time, while the pitting corrosion progressed. Mg2Ag was the most promising of all the studied materials with regard to toxicity.

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For analysis of multidrug resistance, a major barrier to effective cancer chemotherapy, we profiled mRNA expression of the 48 known human ABC transporters in 60 diverse cancer cell lines (the NCI-60) used by the National Cancer Institute to screen for anticancer activity. The use of real-time RT-PCR avoided artifacts commonly encountered with microarray technologies. By correlating the results with the growth inhibitory profiles of 1,429 candidate anticancer drugs tested against the cells, we identified which transporters are more likely than others to confer resistance to which agents. Unexpectedly, we also found and validated compounds whose activity is potentiated, rather than antagonized, by the MDR1 multidrug transporter. Such compounds may serve as leads for development.

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In situ synchrotron diffraction experiments were performed during Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of AS31, AS33 and AS35 alloys. The samples were encapsulated in stainless steel crucibles during the measurement using an empty crucible as the reference. The samples were heated up to 680°C, melted and solidified in the beginning of the experiment in order to fill the crucible. This short cycle was followed by three subsequent cycles between 400°C and 680°C with 5, 10 and 20 K/min heating and cooling rates with 5 min of holding time in the molten state. The diffraction patterns were recorded every 6 s during the DSC program by a Perkin-Elmer XRD 1622 Flatpanel detector including an acquisition time of 3 s and the collection of reference images. The endothermic and exothermic peaks are in correlation with the dissolution and formation of new diffraction patterns, respectively. During cooling from the liquid state, first, α-Mg dendrites solidify, followed by the formation of Mg2Si and Mg17Al12 intermetallics. The results are correlated with those obtained by thermodynamic simulations performed with the software Pandat.