Immunofluorescence microscopy in this study shows that GLUT-4 protein expression is fibre-type specific within a muscle. It is postulated that both fibre-type-dependent and fibre-type-independent factors affect GLUT-4 expression.
Skeletal muscle-related symptoms are common in both acute coronavirus disease (Covid)-19 and post-acute sequelae of Covid-19 (PASC). In this narrative review, we discuss cellular and molecular pathways that are affected and consider these in regard to skeletal muscle involvement in other conditions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, critical illness myopathy, and post-viral fatigue syndrome. Patients with severe Covid-19 and PASC suffer from skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance. Histological sections present muscle fibre atrophy, metabolic alterations, and immune cell infiltration. Contributing factors to weakness and fatigue in patients with severe Covid-19 include systemic inflammation, disuse, hypoxaemia, and malnutrition. These factors also contribute to post-intensive care unit (ICU) syndrome and ICU-acquired weakness and likely explain a substantial part of Covid-19-acquired weakness. The skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance associated with PASC are more obscure. Direct severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 viral infiltration into skeletal muscle or an aberrant immune system likely contribute. Similarities between skeletal muscle alterations in PASC and chronic fatigue syndrome deserve further study. Both SARS-CoV-2-specific factors and generic consequences of acute disease likely underlie the observed skeletal muscle alterations in both acute Covid-19 and PASC.
The research for alternatives to substitute cement in concrete increased in the last years to reduce the environmental impact. Geopolymers or alkali-activated materials are one of the options. The proposed project aims to obtain a wet cell based on a geopolymer with alginate and natural fibres. The wet cell will be a final prototype composed of panels for wet construction areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. There is a lack of biobased solutions for wet areas currently in the market. And the present project, together with companies of suppliers and users from the market, aims to provide a solution for a wet cell using biobased materials. The natural fibres added to the geopolymer will substitute a portion of sand and gravel, producing a lighter product than concrete. Also, the fibres increase the thermal and acoustic insulation. Natural fibres should be pretreated to increase the bond with other materials in the mixture. The chemical used in the alkali-activated materials is the same to pretreat the fibres. Also, alginates extracted from seaweeds can be used as binders, and alkali is used in the extraction process. One of the objectives is to develop the method and technique to produce geopolymer with alginates and pretreat the fibre simultaneously during the mixture. After defining the optimum mixture for the geopolymer, panels will be produced, and in the end, a wet cell will be constructed with the geopolymer panels.
Façades have a high environmental and economic impact: they contribute 10-30% to GHG emissions and 30-40% of the building investment of new buildings [1]. Modern façades are highly optimized complex systems that consist of multiple components with varying life cycles [2]; however, many of the materials they employ are critical, and have a high CO2 footprint [3, 4]. New bio-composite facades products have emerged (a) whose mechanical properties are comparable to those of aluminum or glass fibre; (b) have a lower energy footprint; and (c) can fully or partially biodegrade [5]. Moreover, primary material sourcing from different waste streams can significantly lower the end products’ pricing. Still, their aesthetic qualities have not been sufficiently explored, so the scalability of their production remains limited. This project will develop specific combinations of bio-composites using food waste fillers and a biopolymer resin. Sheet samples will be made from these combinations and further tested against their mechanical properties, water resistance, aging and weathering. A Life Cycle Analysis will further consolidate the samples’ energy footprint. A new facade cladding tile product system with complex geometry using the overall best performing material composition will be designed and prototyped [17]. Emphasis will be given to the aesthetical properties of the tiles and their demountability. The system tiles will be further applied and tested at 1:1 scale, at The Green Village. During the project, an advisory board consisting of several companies within the building industry will be systematically consulted and their feedback will help the overall design process and their respective end products.
RECURF onderzoekt eigenschappen en duurzaamheid van materialen waarin (textiele) restvezels en biobased plastics worden gecombineerd. De mogelijkheden worden verkend om met deze nieuwe materialen producten te ontwikkelen voor in- en exterieurgebruik. De ontwerpen worden geëvalueerd op technisch, economisch en ecologisch vlak. De bedrijven die restvezels leveren (?urban fibres?) treden ook op als launching customer voor de ontwikkelde producten. Het project leidt niet alleen tot kennis over nieuwe materialen en de toepassing daarvan, het onderzoekt ook circulaire business modellen waarin afvalstromen tot waardecreatie leiden.
