På grund av bostadsbristen de senaste åren har byggbranschen varit tvungen att möta den höga efterfrågan på bostäder. Ett sätt att underlätta det tryck som skapats på grund av den höga efterfrågan är att rekonstruera byggnader avsedda för annan användning än bostäder till bostadshus. Ett problem som har uppstått vid ombyggnation av till exempel ett kontorshus som består av spännarmerade pelardäck, är känsligheten för nya hål som krävs för nya installationer som går igenom de efterspända bjälklagen (bestående av betongplattor). Problematiken består av att håltagningar som vanligtvis är lokaliserade nära pelarna måste göras på ett större avstånd från pelaren på grund av de spännkablar som går över och nära plattans pelaranslutning. Efterspända kablar är normalt sett belägna över plattans pelaranslutning enligt dagens dimensioneringsnormer för att bidra till plattornas genomstansningskapacitet.I detta examensarbete undersöktes det om det finns vetenskapligt stöd för att flytta kablarna till en längre distans från pelaren (än vad normerna rekommenderar) med hänsyn till genomstansningskapaciteten, och därmed förenkla vid en potentiell ombyggnation.Huvudsyftet med arbetet var att med hjälp av en litteraturstudie samt beräkningar jämföra ett experiment som utförts av Ghassem Hassanzadeh och Håkan Sundquist vid KTH 1997- 1998 (som visade att kablar på ett längre avstånd från pelaren ger ett visst bidrag till betongplattans genomstansningskapacitet) med dagens normer samt nyare studier. Dagens dimensioneringsnormer inkluderar inte bidraget till kapaciteten när spännkablarna placeras utanför det så kallade grundkontrollsnittet (området som undersöks vid dimensionering enligt normerna).Ett annat syfte med detta examensarbete var att studera och uppdatera de beräknade resultaten (enligt dåtidens normer) från studien. Denna rapport uppdaterar studien genom att undersöka rådande normernas beräknade resultat samt jämföra med liknande tester från andra forskare. Dimensioneringsnormerna som undersöktes var Eurokod 2, ACI 318 och MC2010Som del av litteraturstudien redovisas även en liknande försökserie från Portugal av A. Pinho Ramos, Valter J.G. Lúcio & Duarte M.V Faria samt en sammanställning av olika försök som genomfördes i Schweiz av Clément T, Ramos A.P, Fernández Ruiz M, Muttoni A. Sammanställning i Schweiz beräknade genomstansningskapaciteten för 74 olika plattor där plattorna från försöket vid KTH finns med. Den här studien tyder på att dagens dimensioneringsnormer har en säkerhetsmarginal vid approximationer (vid både normalfall och vid flytt av kablar), men att det fortfarande saknas tillräckliga belägg för att rättfärdiga en flytt av spännkablar.Rapporten är skriven för CBI Betonginstitutet där G. Hassanzadeh har varit handledare.

Sehnen übertragen die Muskelkräfte und ihre Eigenschaften beeinflussen unsere Bewegungsleistungen. Infolge mechanischer Belastungen adaptieren Sehnen. Die Effekte spezifischer Parameter des mechanischen Dehnungsstimulus sowie allgemeiner Belastungsbedingungen auf die Anpassung sind bisher ungeklärt und sollen durch die vorliegende Arbeit beleuchtet werden. Das adaptive Potential wurde durch einen Vergleich der Sehneneigenschaften zwischen beiden Beinen, in Bezug auf seitenabhängige Belastungen, experimentell untersucht. Um den Effekt verschiedener interventionsinduzierter Belastungen auf die Anpassung zu bestimmen, wurde ein systematischer Review nebst Metaanalyse durchgeführt. Der Einfluss spezifischer Parameter des Dehnungsstimulus (Rate und Dauer) wurde mittels zweier Trainingsinterventionen untersucht. Der Vergleich zwischen den Achillessehneneigenschaften des dominanten und nicht dominanten Beins zeigte einen signifikanten Unterschied des Young''s Modulus (Materialeigenschaften), mutmaßlich eine Folge seitenabhängiger Alltagsbelastungen. Die Metaanalyse ermittelte hohe Effektgrößen auf die mechanischen und Materialeigenschaften sowie eine niedrige Effektgröße auf die Morphologie, mit einem signifikanten Einfluss der unterschiedlichen Belastungen. Die beiden Interventionen belegten, dass eine hohe Rate der Dehnung und eine lange Dauer keinen übergeordneten Stimulus zur Sehnenanpassung im Vergleich zu einer hohen Magnitude und niedrigen Frequenz darstellen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Materialeigenschaften sensitiver gegenüber Belastungsänderungen sind und im Vergleich zur Morphologie zeitiger adaptieren. Die Interventionsresultate lassen den Schluss zu, dass eine hohe Dehnungsmagnitude, eine adäquate Dauer und repetitive Belastung essentiell für einen effektiven Stimulus sind. Die Ergebnisse liefern wichtige Erkenntnisse bezüglich einer Verbesserung von Sehneneigenschaften im Kontext der athletischen Leistung sowie Verletzungsprävention und -rehabilitation. / Tendons transmit the force exerted by a muscle and their properties influence human locomotor performance. Furthermore, tendons adapt to mechanical loading. The effect of specific parameters of the mechanical strain stimulus as well as general loading conditions on tendon adaptation is not completely understood and, therefore, the focus of research in the present thesis. Adaptive responses were investigated by means of a comparison of tendon properties between both legs to assess the effect of side-dependent loading pattern. A systematic review and meta-analysis was applied to examine the influence of various intervention-induced loading conditions on the magnitude of adaption. To investigate specific parameters of the mechanical strain stimulus (rate and duration), two controlled exercise interventions were conducted. The comparison of the Achilles tendon properties between the non-dominant and dominant leg revealed a significant difference of the Young''s modulus (i.e. material properties), likely a result of side-dependent daily loading pattern. The meta-analysis revealed high intervention effect sizes on the tendon mechanical and material properties and a low effect size on the morphology, with a notable effect of the various loading conditions. The two exercise interventions showed that a higher rate of strain and longer duration did not provide a superimposed effect for tendon adaptation compared to high magnitude and low frequency. The findings indicate that the material properties seem to be more sensitive and quicker in response to changes in the loading conditions compared to the morphological properties. The results of the two interventions suggest that a high strain magnitude, an appropriate strain duration and repetitive loading are essential for an effective stimulus. These findings provide valuable information with regard to the improvement of tendon properties in the context of athletic performance as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation.

External post-tensioning is an attractive technique for strengthening reinforced concrete structures because of its ability to actively control stresses and deflections, speed of installation, minimum interruption for the existing structure, and ease of inspection under service conditions. However, external prestressing implies exposing the tendons to the environment outside the concrete section, which may lead to corrosion in steel tendons. Therefore, the interest in using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tendons, which are corrosion resistant, has increased. The present work investigated, experimentally and analytically, the flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with externally post-tensioned Carbon FRP (CFRP) tendons, under monotonic and fatigue loadings. Initially, tensile fatigue tests were carried out on CFRP tendon-anchor assemblies to assess their response under repeated cyclic loads, before implementing them in the beam tests. New wedge-type anchors (Waterloo anchors) were used in gripping the CFRP specimens. The assemblies exhibited excellent fatigue performance with no premature failure occurring at the anchorage zone. The fatigue tests suggested a fatigue limit of a stress range of 10% of the tendon ultimate capacity (approximately 216 MPa). Monotonic and fatigue experiments on twenty-eight beams (152x254x3500 mm) were then undertaken. Test parameters included the tendon profile (straight and double draped), the initial loading condition of the beam prior to post-tensioning (in-service and overloading), the partial prestressing ratio (0.36 and 0.46), and the load ranges applied to the beam during the fatigue life (39% to 76% of the yield load). The CFRP tendons were post-tensioned at 40% of their ultimate capacity. The monotonic tests of the post-tensioned beams suggested that overloading the beam prior to post-tensioning increased the beam deflections and the strains developed in the steel reinforcing bars at any stage of loading. However, overloading had no significant effect on the yield load of the strengthened beam and the mode of failure at ultimate. It also had no discernable effect on the increase in the tendon stress at yielding. The maximum increase in the CFRP stress at yield load was approximately 20% of the initial post-tensioning stress, for the in-service and overloaded beams. A very good performance of the strengthened beams was observed under fatigue loading. The fatigue life of the beams was mainly governed by the fatigue fracture of the internal steel reinforcing bars at a flexural crack location. Fracture of the bars occurred at the root of a rib where high stress concentration was likely to occur. No evidence of wear or stress concentration were observed at the deviated points of the CFRP tendons due to fatigue. The enhancement in the fatigue life of the strengthened beams was noticeable at all load ranges applied. Post-tensioning considerably decreased the stresses in the steel reinforcing bars and, consequently, increased the fatigue life of the beams. The increase in the fatigue life was slightly affected by the loading history of the beams. At the same load range applied to the beam, increasing the amount of the steel reinforcing bars for the same post-tensioning level decreased the stress range in the bars and significantly increased the fatigue life of the strengthened beams. In the analytical study, a monotonic model that predicts the non-linear flexural response of the CFRP post-tensioned beams was developed and implemented into a computer program. The model takes into account the loading history of the strengthened beams prior to post-tensioning (in-service and overloading). Good agreement was obtained between the measured and the predicted monotonic results. A strain-life based fatigue model was proposed to predict the fatigue life of the CFRP post-tensioned beams. The model takes into consideration the stress-strain history at the stress raisers in the steel bars. It accounts for the inelastic deformation occurring at the ribs during cycling and the resulting changes in the local mean stresses induced. Good agreement between the experimental and predicted fatigue results was observed. A step-by-step fatigue design approach is proposed for the CFRP externally post-tensioned beams. General conclusions of the study and recommendations of future work are given.

The hands and feet account for half of the complexity of the musculoskeletal system, while the skin of the hand is specialised with many important structures. Much of the subtlety of the mechanism of the hand lies in the soft tissues, and the tactile and proprioceptive sensitivity depends on the large number of mechanoreceptors embedded in specific structures of the soft tissues. This thesis investigates synthetic materials and manufacturing techniques to enable building robots that reproduce the biomechanics and tactile sensitivity of vertebrates – histomimetic robotics. The material and mechanical anatomy of the hand is reviewed, highlighting difficulty of numerical measurement in soft-tissue anatomy, and the predictive nature of descriptive anatomical knowledge. The biomechanical mechanisms of the hand and their support of sensorimotor control are presented. A palate of materials and layup techniques are identified for emulating ligaments, joint surfaces, tendon networks, sheaths, soft matrices, and dermal structures. A method for thermoplastically drawing fine elastic fibres, with liquid metal amalgam cores, for connecting embedded sensors is demonstrated. The performance requirements of skeletal muscles are identified. Two classes of muscle-like bulk MEMS electrostatic actuators are shown theoretically to be capable of meeting these requirements. Means to manufacture them, and their additional application as mechanoreceptors are described. A novel machine perception algorithm is outlined as a solution to the problem of measuring soft tissue anatomy, CAD/CAE/CNC for layup of histomimetic robots, and sensory perception by such robots. The results of the work support the view that histomimetic robotics is a viable approach, and identify a number of areas for further investigation including: polymer modification by graft-polymerisation, automated layup tools, and machine perception.

by Chan Pui, Barbara. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-151). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

<p>Osnovni cilj rekonstrukcije prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena je dobijanje pune stabilnosti kolena u celom obimu pokreta. Bez obzira na razvoj operativne tehnike i rehabilitacije i dalje postoji jedan broj pacijenata koji nije u potpunosti zadovoljan rezultatom rekonstrukcije prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena, te je potrebno izvr&scaron;iti ponovnu operaciju. Smatra se da je najče&scaron;ći uzrok rane ponovne nestabilnosti lo&scaron;a pozicija kalema, tj. pozicija tunela koja nije na anatomskom mestu. Većina hirurga koji se bave ovom problematikom procenjuju poziciju kalema u golenjači na osnovu standardnih radiograma: prednje-zadnje i bočne projekcije, &scaron;to svakako nije dovoljno precizno. U ekonomski&nbsp; razvijenim zemljama poziciju kalema određuju analizirajući snimke kompjuterizovane tomografije (CT) ili magnetne rezonance (MRI). Prvenstveno zbog smanjenja doze zračenja kojoj se izlažu pacijenti prilikom kompjuterizovane tomografije, ali i iz ekonomskih razloga bilo bi korisno razvijanje jednog lako dostupnog, jeftinog ali preciznog i jednostavnog metoda određivanja položaja kalema u golenjači. Osnovni cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se dokaže značaj pozicije kalema u golenjači i mogućnost svakodnevne kliničke primene novorazvijenog kompjuterskog programa u cilju određivanja prostorne pozicije kalema u golenjači iz samo dva standardna radiograma. Studija je bila eksperimentalno-prospektivnog karaktera. Eksperimentalni deo istraživanja sproveden je na Fakultetu tehničkih nauka (FTN) u Novom Sadu na Departmanu za proizvodno ma&scaron;instvo gde je na osnovu standardnih RTG snimaka (prednje-zadnje i bočne projekcije) razvijen kompjuterski program za određivanje prostornog položaja kalema u golenjači. U cilju verifikacije novorazvijenog programa realizovano je prostorno određivanje položaja kalema u golenjači obradom standardnih RTG snimaka (prednje-zadnje i bočne projekcije) kod 10 pacijenata kod kojih je izvr&scaron;ena primarna rekonstrukcija prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena. Dobijeni rezultati su upoređeni sa položajem kalema na CT snimcima koji su obezbeđeni za sve pacijente. Na taj način je eksperimentalnim putem utvrđena preciznost novorazvijenog softvera u određivanju prostornog položaja kalema u golenjači. Drugi deo istraživanja bilo je prospektivno kliničko ispitivanje koje je sprovedeno na Klinici za ortopedsku hirurgiju i traumatologiju Kliničkog centra Vojvodine u Novom Sadu. Ispitivanu grupu je činilo 120 pacijenata, oba pola, sa prekidom prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta levog ili desnog kolena. Metodom slučajnog izbora pacijenti su podeljeni u četiri grupe od po 30 pacijenata prema veličini sagitalnog ugla (S) bu&scaron;enja kanala u golenjači (S 60&ordm;-69,9&ordm; i S 70&ordm;-80&ordm;) i prema veličini transverzalnog ugla (T) bu&scaron;enja kanala u golenjači (T 60&ordm;-69,9&ordm; i T 70&ordm;-80&ordm;). Grupa I 30 pacijenata (S 60&ordm;-69,9&ordm; i T 60&ordm;-69,9&ordm;), grupa II 30 pacijenata (S 60&ordm;-69,9&ordm; i T 70&ordm;-80&ordm;), grupa III 30 pacijenata (S 70&ordm;-80&ordm; i T 60&ordm;-69,9&ordm;), grupa IV 30 pacijenata (S 70&ordm;-80&ordm; i T 70&ordm;-80&ordm;). Svi pacijenti su godinu dana nakon operacije pro&scaron;li klinička ispitivanja po bodovnim skalama (Tegner bodovna skala, Lysholm bodovna skala i IKDC standard) i artrometrijska merenja. Rezultati dobijeni merenjem položaja kalema u golenjači, kliničkim ispitivanjima i artrometrijskim merenjima poređani su unutar svake grupe posebno, a izvr&scaron;eno je i poređenje dobijenih rezultata između svih grupa. U ispitivanje su uključeni samo oni pacijenti koji su dali potpisani informisani pristanak da učestvuju u ispitivanju nakon detaljnog upoznavanja sa planiranom procedurom. Svaki pacijent je bio informisan o svrsi i načinu sprovođenja istraživanja, kao i o pregledima i merenjima koja će biti vr&scaron;ena. Statističkom analizom rezultata utvrđeno je da veličina gre&scaron;ke prostornog određivanja položaja kalema u golenjači posle rekonstrukcije prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena novorazvijenim kompjuterskim programom nije statistički značajna, a kompjutersko određivanje položaja kalema u golenjači omogućava iste rezultate kao i CT snimci. Sumiranjem zaključaka nakon sveobuhvatne analize dobijenih rezultata istraživanja, može se zaključiti da pozicija kalema u golenjači posle rekonstrukcije prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena utiče na postoperativni funkcionalni rezultat.</p> / <p>The main goal of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee is to obtain complete knee stability in the full range of movement. Regardless of the development of operational techniques and rehabilitation, there is still a number of patients who are not completely satisfied with the result of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, and a re-operation is required. It is believed that the most common cause of the instability is the bad position of the graft, i.e. position of the tunnel that is not at the anatomical place insertion. Most surgeons who deal with this problem evaluate the position of the graft in the tibia based on standard radiograms: anterior-posterior and lateral projections, which is not precise enough. In economically developed countries, the position of the graft is determined by analyzing images of computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MRI). Primarily due to a decrease in the radiation dose exposed to patients during computerized tomography, but also for economic reasons, it would be useful to develop an easily accessible, inexpensive but precise and simple method for determining the position of the graft in the tibia. The main goal of this examination was to prove the significance of the position of the graft and the possibility of daily clinical use of the newly developed computer program in order to determine in-space position of the graft in only two standard radiograms. The study was experimental-prospective. The experimental part of the research was conducted at the Faculty of Technical Sciences (FTN) in Novi Sad at the Department of Production Engineering, where a computer program for determining in-space position of the graft in the tibia was developed on the basis of standard RTG images (anterior-posterior and lateral projections). In order to verify the newly developed program, in-space determination of the position of the graft in the tibia by processing standard RTG images (anterior-posterior and lateral projections) was performed in 10 patients in which the primary reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament was performed. The obtained results were compared with the position of the grafts on CT images provided to all patients. In this way, the accuracy of newly developed software in determining in-space position of the graft in the tibia was determined experimentally. The second part of the study was a prospective clinical trial conducted at the Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. The investigated group consisted of 120 patients, both sexes, with a break of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left or right knee. By random selection, patients were divided into four groups of 30 patients according to the size of the sagital angle (S) of the tunnel drilling in the tibia (S 60&ordm;-69,9&ordm; and S 70&ordm;-80&ordm;) and according to the transversal angle (T) of the drill tunnel in the tibia ( T 60&ordm;-69.9&ordm; and T 70&ordm;-80&ordm;). Group I 30 patients (S 60&ordm;-69.9&ordm; and T 60&ordm;-69.9&ordm;), group II 30 patients (S 60&ordm;-69.9&ordm; and T 70&ordm;-80&ordm;), group III 30 patients (S 70&ordm;-80&ordm; and T&ordm;60&ordm; -69.9&ordm;), group IV 30 patients (S 70&ordm;-80&ordm; and T 70&ordm;-80&ordm;). All of the patients underwent clinical trials by scales (Tegner score scale, Lysholm score scale and IKDC standard) and arthrometric measurements one year after surgery. The results obtained by measuring the position of the graft in the tibia, clinical trials and arthrometric measurements were classified separately in each group, and obtained results were compared between all groups. The study included only those patients who gave signed informed consent to participate in the study after being thoroughly informed about planned procedure. Each patient was informed about the purpose and method of conducting the research, as well as the examinations and measurements to be performed. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the size of the error in measuring in-space determination of the position of the graft in tibia after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee by a newly developed computer program was not statistically significant, and the computer determination of the position of the graft in the tibia provides the same results as the CT images. Summarizing the conclusions after a comprehensive analysis of the obtained results of the study, it can be concluded that the position of the graft in tibia after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament affects the postoperative functional result.</p>

The presented work is concerned with the development and application of an ultrasonic detection scheme suitable for the monitoring of muscle dynamics with high temporal - down to 5 µs - and spatial resolution - down to 0.78 µm. A differential detection scheme has been developed to monitor the variations of the velocity of longitudinal polarized ultrasound waves travelling in contracting and relaxing muscle, compensating for variations of the path length by referencing to a frame. The observed time dependent variations of the time-of-flight of the ultrasonic waves caused by variations in the muscle and in addition by minor deformations of the enclosure are detected each separately and synchronously and are evaluated differentially. Beside of the detected increase of the speed of sound observed for contracted muscle with respect to the relaxed state of about 0.6%, the recovery time from maximum isometric contraction is quantified and relaxation processes are observed for the recovery phase following the isometric contraction. The developed ultrasonic calliper was employed to monitor both, the brain controlled and externally excited muscle dynamics with sampling intervals down to 10 ms synchronously with signals relating to the excitation. Monitored are the activation, hold, and relaxation phase for maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle. A so far not reported post tetanus overshoot and subsequent exponential recovery are observed. Both are attributed to the muscle as suggested by combined monitoring with EMG and are modelled with a lumped mechanical circuit containing an idealized bidirectional linear motor unit, ratchet, damper, and springs. Both, the rapid contraction and relaxation phases require a high order filter or alternatively a kernel filter, attributed to the nerve system as suggested by external electric stimulation. The respective response function is modelled by an electrical lumped circuit. Together with a reaction time and occasionally observed droops in the hold phase, both adjusted empirically, the monitored response is represented in close approximation by the combined electrical and mechanical lumped circuits. The respectively determined model parameters provide a refined evaluation scheme for the performance of monitored athletes. Valuable parameters relate to the latent period, the muscle response time, the activation and deactivation dynamics, a possible droop and other instabilities of the hold phase, and parameters characterizing the relaxation phase including the observed post tetanus overshoot and subsequent contraction. Monitored and modelled are also the different processes involved in active muscle dynamics including isotonic, isometric, and eccentric contraction or stretching. The developed technology provides time sequential observation of these processes and registration of their path in the extension and force parameter space. Under suitable conditions the closed-loop cycles of mind controlled human muscle movements proceed along characteristic lines coinciding with well identifiable elementary processes. The presentation of the monitored processes in the extension and force parameter space allows the determination of the mechanical energy expenditure for the observed different muscle actions. An elementary macroscopic mechanical model has been developed, suitable to express the basic features of the monitored muscle dynamics.

Background: Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) can be recovered from a variety of tissues in the body. Yet, their functional properties were shown to vary depending on tissue origin. While MSC have emerged as a favoured cell type for tendon regenerative therapies, very little is known about the influence of the MSC source on their properties relevant to tendon regeneration. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the expression of tendon extracellular matrix proteins and tendon differentiation markers in MSC derived from different sources as well as in native tendon tissue. MSC isolated from equine bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord tissue, umbilical cord blood and tendon tissue were characterized and then subjected to mRNA analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: MSC derived from adipose tissue displayed the highest expression of collagen 1A2, collagen 3A1 and decorin compared to MSC from all other sources and native tendon tissue (p < 0.01). Tenascin-C and scleraxis expressions were highest in MSC derived from cord blood compared to MSC derived from other sources, though both tenascin-C and scleraxis were expressed at significantly lower levels in all MSC compared to native tendon tissue (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the MSC source impacts the cell properties relevant to tendon regeneration. Adipose derived MSC might be superior regarding their potential to positively influence tendon matrix reorganization.

1 Abstract The aim is to investigate whether the distal femoral cartilage (DFC), Achilles tendon (AT) and plantar fascia (PF) were different between healthy young women wearing high-heel shoes (HHS) (> 5 cm) and flat shoes (< 1.4 cm). Measurements from aforementioned structures were obtained by using ultrasound. There were 910 measurement parameters analyzed in total. There were 34 women in the HHS group (mean age 31.1±6.4 years; BMI 21.6 ± 2.3 kg/m2 ) and 57 women in the control group (mean age; 29.5 ± 7.3 years; BMI 22.5 ± 3.4 kg/m2 ). Wearing HHS resulted in thickening of the right medial DFC (2.00 ± 0.41 mm) and left AT (4.07 ± 0.48 mm) in women wearing HHS compared to flat shoes (1.96 ± 0.35 mm, 3.76 ± 0.66 mm, respectively). This might be interpreted as secondary to chronic overload. PF thicknesses were similar both within and between group. Our findings have shown significant thickening of the right medial DFC and left AT in women wearing HHS and these changes might be interpreted as secondary to chronic overload. Further follow-up studies are definitely awaited to provide a better insight into understanding the musculoskeletal consequences of this "social" issue ever-existing in ladies lives. The secondary aim of the thesis comprises two case reports: 1. the first is describing the usefulness of MSK...

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2948.pdf: 23947670 bytes, checksum: 9a003bcb76beeab320966ed23e79f8b6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-30 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vertical jump associated with anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) on the biochemical, biomechanical and morphological properties, and the expression of the main genes responsible for remodeling in the calcaneal tendon (CT), superficial flexor tendon (TFS) and deep flexor tendon (TFP) in rats Animals were divided into four experimental groups: Sedentary (S), Trained (T) (vertical jump, 50 80% body weight load, 7 weeks, 5 days/week), AAS-treated sedentary rats (AAS) (5 mg/kg of body mass, twice a week).), and AAS-treated and trained animals (AAST). The techniques performed were: zymography (to analyze the metalopeptidase activity - MMP-2); biomechanical test (cross-sectional area, displacement at maximum load, maximum stress, maximum strain, and elastic modulus); morphology and real time PCR. The training promoted an increased in MMP-2 activity in the three regions of TFS, while the AAS treatment or the combination of training and AAS decreased both MMP-2 concentration and active form in all regions of the SFT. The biomechanical test showed that AAS increased tendon rigidity (i.e., lower elasticity and capacity to resist load) and the effects were enhanced by the combination of AAS and training. The DFT was the most affected by training, AAS, and the interaction of both. Take together the morphology and stereology showed that training increases the vascularity and cellularity, while the AAS combined with training reduced these two parameters in the three evaluated tendons. Gene expression showed that training did not increase the main genes expression responsible for tissue resistance: collagen type I and III, but the AAS or the association with training promoted a downregulation of expression in these genes on all tendons regions. In conclusion, the exercise increased remodeling and differently modulates the genes expression related to ECM remodeling in tendon. The AAS administration and combination with exercise induce negative effects, providing a poor remodeling and increasing risk of tendons injury. / O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do salto vertical em associação com esteróide anabólico androgênico (EAA) nas propriedades bioquímicas, biomecânicas, morfológicas e a expressão dos principais genes responsáveis pelo remodelamento do tendão calcâneo (TC), tendão flexor superficial (TFS) e tendão flexor profundo (TFP) de ratos. Ratos Wistar foram divididos em quatro grupos experimentais: animais sedentários (S); animais sedentários com a administração de EAA (EAA) (5 mg/kg de peso corporal, duas vezes por semana); animais treinados (T) (salto vertical na água com carga de 50 a 80% do peso corporal do animal, duração de 7 semanas 5 dias/semana) e animais treinados com a administração de EAA (EAAT). Foram utilizadas as técnicas: de zimografia (para analisar a atividade da metalopeptidase - MMP-2); teste biomecânico (área de secção transversa, deslocamento até a carga máxima, tensão máxima, deformação máxima, e módulo de elasticidade); morfologia dos tendões e real time PCR. A zimografia mostrou que o treinamento aumentou a atividade da MMP-2 em todas as regiões do TFS enquanto o EAA ou associação de ambos reduziu a atividade da mesma em todas as regiões analisadas. O teste biomecânico mostrou que o EAA aumentou a rigidez dos tendões (baixa elasticidade e capacidade de resistir carga), e os efeitos foram reforçados pela associação de ambos, EAA e treino. O TFP foi o mais afetado pelo treinamento, EAA, e pela interação de ambos. A morfologia juntamente com a estereologia mostrou que o treinamento aumenta a vascularização e celularidade, enquanto o EAA associado ao treinamento reduz esses dois parâmetros nos 3 tendões avaliados. A expressão gênica mostrou que o treinamento não aumentou a expressão dos principais genes responsáveis pela resistência tecidual: colágeno tipo I e III, mas o EAA ou a associação com o treinamento promoveram uma redução na expressão desses genes em todas as regiões dos tendões. Assim, conclui-se que o exercício aumentou o remodelamento e modulou diferentemente a expressão de genes relacionados com o remodelamento da MEC no tendão. Já a administração de EAA e associação com o exercício acarretaram efeitos negativos no tendão, propiciando um remodelamento deficiente que pode estar relacionado com a ocorrência de lesões.