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This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of LCN2 regulating aerobic glycolysis on abnormal proliferation of HCC cells. Based on the prediction of GEPIA database, the expression levels of LCN2 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues were detected by RT-qPCR analysis, western blot, and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. In addition, CCK-8 kit, clone formation, and EdU staining were used to analyze the effect of LCN2 on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Glucose uptake and lactate production were detected using kits. In addition, western blot was used to detect the expressions of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins. Finally, western blot was used to detect the expressions of phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. We found LCN2 was upregualted in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. CCK-8 kit, clone formation, and EdU staining results showed that LCN2 could promote the proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh7 and HCCLM3 cells). Western blot results and kits confirmed that LCN2 significantly promotes aerobic glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Western blot results showed that LCN2 could significantly upregulate the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. Our results indicated that LCN2 activated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, promoted aerobic glycolysis, and accelerated malignant proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy was prepared by directional solidification (DS) and upward continuous casting (UCC) to study the effect of different casting methods on the structure and properties of Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag. The results showed that the directionally solidified Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy had excellent mechanical properties and conductivity. After cold drawing and isothermal aging, the peak tensile strength (789 MPa) and peak conductivity (65.5 pct IACS) of directionally solidified Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy were 21 MPa and 4.7 pct IACS higher, respectively, than those that of the upward continuously casted Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy. Compared to upward continuously casted Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy, the Fe dendrites in directionally solidified Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy were much finer, more uniform, and arranged along the direction of the magnetic field. Cu and Ag formed a Cu-Ag eutectic structure at the edge of the directionally solidified Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy rod. After multi-stage thermomechanical treatment, Ag was mainly distributed around the material and formed a structure similar to Ag-clad Cu. The directionally solidified Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy had a smaller lattice constant and finer Fe fibers. The small lattice constant and Fe fibers and the special distribution of Ag lead to the excellent comprehensive performance of the directionally solidified Cu-Fe-Cr-Ag alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-crystal superalloys with different deviation angle are prepared by using the liquid metal cooling high-temperature gradient directional solidification furnace, and the orientation evolution of single-crystal superalloys under different solidification interface is studied. The results indicate that the increase of the deviation angle will make the planar interface unstable. With the increase of the solidification rate, the growth direction of the crystal will deviate from the direction of heat flow to the preferred orientation direction. Under the developed dendrite crystal growth, the branches of the dendrite will follow the preferred orientation, nearly free from the effect of the heat flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium alloys with different Sm contents, with research focus on ZK30 and AZ31, were prepared and their microstructures and thermal conductivities were investigated. Results of microstructure analysis showed that Sm element in the as-cast ZK series of magnesium alloys was mainly distributed along the grain boundaries in the form of (Mg, Zn)3Sm rare-earth phase. However, Sm element in AZ series of magnesium alloys was distributed over the grains and at grain boundaries in form of Al2Sm phase. The Al2Sm phase at the core acted as a nucleus to refine the grain of AZ series of magnesium alloys. The grain size of the as-extruded magnesium alloys was obviously smaller than that of the as-cast magnesium alloys. Moreover, the crushed secondary phases were arranged along the direction of extrusion. Results showed that thermal conductivity of magnesium alloys could be improved by increasing Sm content. Thermal conductivities of ZK series of magnesium alloys were obviously higher than those of AZ series of magnesium alloys. This was mainly attributed to the significantly smaller lattice distortion of ZK series of magnesium alloys compared to that of AZ series of magnesium alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]