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Purpose To analyze the utility of isolated-check visual evoked potential (icVEP) for discriminating between eyes with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and eyes with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) but not DON. Methods Forty-three eyes with TAO but not DON (as non-DON), fifty-three eyes with DON, and sixty healthy eyes (as controls) were included. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including best-corrected visual acuity, refraction, color vision test, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, RAPD, exophthalmometry measurements, pVEP test, icVEP test, standard automated perimetry, and clinical activity score classification of TAO, as well as demographic information, were collected and analyzed. Results In the DON group, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of icVEPs decreased significantly compared with that of the non-DON group as well as control (p p r = − 0.9 ~ − 0.6), papilledema (Y/N) (p r = − 0.8 ~ 0.4) and DON (Y/N) (p r = − 0.7 ~ − 0.5). The 8% DOM of icVEP had the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (0.842) for discriminating DON from non-DONs. Meanwhile, decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that patients clinically benefit most from 8% DOM of icVEP. Furthermore, the 8% DOM of icVEP combing with papilledema (Y/N) and BCVA (Model 1) has significantly larger AUC than the 8% DOM of icVEP (p = 0.0364), and has better clinical benefit in DCA analysis. Conclusions The SNR of 8% DOM from icVEP may represent a significant ancillary diagnostic method for DON detection. Furthermore, icVEP combined with papilledema (Y/N) and BCVA should be considered as a diagnostic model in future clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Pterygium is a common, benign ocular surface disease. Its characteristics, such as hyper-proliferation, anti-apoptotic behavior, and high recurrence rate, contribute to the tumourigenic-like features. Emerging evidence has shown that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a vital role in pterygium progression. YTHDF2, an m6A reader, is recognized as promoting targeted mRNA decay. However, the effect of YTHDF2 on pterygium fibroblasts is unknown and remains to be elucidated. METHODS: 42 pterygium tissues and 42 conjunctiva tissues were obtained from pterygium patients who were recruited from the 2nd Xiangya Hospital. The level of m6A modification was detected using an m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) compared the differential expression among binding proteins, methyltransferases, and demethylases. The expression and location of YTHDF2 were identified by immunofluorescence. Plasmid construction, Cell transfection, Western blotting, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and Scratch Wound Healing Assay were used to evaluate the effect of YTHDF2 on proliferation and migration of cultured human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs). RESULTS: Our research demonstrated that YTHDF2 expression was decreased in HPFs, and overexpression of YTHDF2 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of HPFs. Global m6A expression levels were related to the expression of multiple m6A-related proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that YTHDF2 might act as a suppressor to suppress the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts in pterygium. This finding provides additional insight into understanding the role of m6A modification in pterygium.

Anneal hardening has been one of the approaches to improve mechanical properties of solid solution alloys with the face-centered cubic (FCC) structure, whereby a considerable strengthening can be attained by annealing of cold-worked alloys below the recrystallization temperature (Trx). Microscopically, this hardening effect has been ascribed to several mechanisms, i.e. solute segregation to defects (dislocation and stacking fault) and short-range chemical ordering, etc. However, none of these mechanisms can well explain the anneal hardening recently observed in phase-pure and coarse-grained FCC-structured high-entropy alloys (HEAs). Here we report the observations, using high-resolution electron channeling contrast imaging and transmission electron microscopy, of profuse and stable dislocation substructures in a cold-rolled CoCrFeMnNi HEA subject to an annealing below Trx. The dislocation substructures are observed to be thermally stable up to Trx, which could arise from the chemical complexity of the high-entropy system where certain elemental diffusion retardation occurs. The microstructure feature is markedly different from that of conventional dilute solid solution alloys, in which dislocation substructures gradually vanish by recovery during annealing, leading to a strength drop. Furthermore, dilute addition of 2 at.% Al leads to a reduction in both microhardness and yield strength of the cold-rolled and subsequently annealed (≤500 °C) HEA. This Al induced softening effect, could be associated with the anisotropic formation of dislocation substructure, resulting from enhanced dislocation planar slip due to glide plane softening effect. These findings suggest that the strength of HEAs can be tailored through the anneal hardening effect from dislocation substructure strengthening.

The homeostasis of gut immunity and microbiota are associated with the health of the gut. Dechlorane 602 (Dec 602) with food web magnification potential has been detected in daily food. People who were orally exposed to Dec 602 may encounter increased risk of health problems in the gut. In order to reveal the influence of short-term exposure of Dec 602 on gut immunity and microbiota, adult female C57BL/6 mice were administered orally with Dec 602 (low/high doses: 1.0/10.0 μg/kg body weight per day) for 7 days. Lymphocytes were examined by flow cytometry. Gut microbiota was measured by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed that fecal IgA was upregulated after exposure to the high dose of Dec 602, suggesting that there might be inflammation in the gut. Then, changes of immune cells in mesenteric lymph nodes and colonic lamina propria were examined. We found that exposure to the high dose of Dec 602 decreased the percentages of the anti-inflammatory T regulatory cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. In colonic lamina propria, the production of gut protective cytokine interleukin-22 by CD4

Intravenous dexmedetomidine 30 µg reduces shivering after cesarean delivery but can result in sedation and dry mouth. We hypothesized that prophylactic administration of 10 µg of IV dexmedetomidine would reduce the patient-reported severity of shivering after cesarean delivery, without an increased incidence of side effects.After institutional review board approval and informed written consent, women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery with spinal or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia were randomized to receive either intravenous normal saline or dexmedetomidine 10 µg immediately after delivery. The primary outcome was a patient-rated subjective shivering score using a 10-cm visual analog scale at 30 and 60 min after arrival in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. Secondary outcomes included subjective scores for pain, nausea, itching, dry mouth, and sedation, as well as 24-h medication administration and investigator-rated observations of shivering, vomiting, pruritus, and sedation. Repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer multiple-comparison test was applied for primary outcomes.One hundred patients were enrolled, and 85 completed the study and were included in analysis. The mean ± SD shivering score in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly lower by repeated measures analysis than among controls across the first 60 min (P=0.0002), and individually at both 30 and 60 min (placebo 1.8 ± 2.6 vs. dexmedetomidine 0.6 ± 1.4 at 30 min; 1.2 ± 2.1 vs. 0.3 ± 0.6 at 60 min; both P0.01). Patient-rated and observer-rated side effects did not significantly differ between groups.Prophylactic administration of intravenous dexmedetomidine 10 µg after delivery reduces shivering without notable side effects.

Chlorinated flame-retardant dechloranes are emerging substitutes for restricted flame retardants. Recent studies have demonstrated that they are accumulated in wildlife and detectable in humans; however, their effects on human health are poorly understood. Here, for the first time, we revealed that widely used chlorinated flame-retardant dechlorane 602 (Dec 602) exacerbated airway inflammation in two mouse models induced by house dust mite (HDM) or IL-33, respectively. Deteriorated airway inflammation by Dec 602 was associated with a higher production of type 2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and IgE, accompanied by enhanced mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. Mechanistically, we found that Dec 602 directly potentiated mouse and human group 2 innate lymphoid cells and, as such, promoted airway inflammation even in the absence of conventional T cells in Rag -/- mice. These findings provide novel immunological insights necessary for further studies of the health impact of emerging flame-retardant dechloranes including Dec 602.

It is well known that vegetation shows the apparent spatial distribution characteristics in mountainous terrain at fine scales (tens of meters to kilometers). The micrometeorological data, like radiation and temperature, are intensely governed by local topography. The relationship between terrain and the distribution of vegetation, water, energy, and carbon fluxes at fine scales in terrestrial ecosystems is still unclear. This study aims at analyzing the eco-hydrological process at tens of meters scales in a typical humid hilly area, with varying altitudes, slopes, aspects, and soil textures causing the corresponding uneven micrometeorological conditions. We use the radiation and temperature data corrected by the micro-topography data to drive the eco-hydrological model (Ecosystem demography model version 2). Results showed that different regions have different micrometeorological conditions, the distribution of vegetation, water, energy, and carbon fluxes. Furthermore, the topographic heterogeneity, giving rise to the uneven soil texture and micrometeorological conditions, directly or indirectly affects the distribution of vegetation, water, energy, and carbon fluxes. The findings will improve our understanding of the eco-hydrological processes.

Introduction Parasitic infections of the eye are a major cause of ocular-surface diseases globally. While most infections are treatable, parasites can cause varying levels of damage mostly due to late diagnosis or misdiagnosis as a result of doctors’ unfamiliarity with their characteristics of latency and crypsis, as well as lack of awareness by the patients. Case Reports In this study, we present three cases of phthiriasis palpebrarum, thelaziasis, and ophthalmomyiasis, respectively. Two of the cases were treated at the clinic and did not recur. One patient refused treatment and was lost to follow-up. Discussion By evaluating the natural histories, morphology, symptoms, clinical findings, and treatment of these parasitic diseases, we systematically analyzed several distinct and unique parasite characteristics, especially latency and crypsis. Furthermore, we have proposed specific examination techniques and methods as well as prevention and treatment strategies from these specific perspectives, aiming to prompt timely diagnoses and early interventions for these diseases by health care workers and improve the public’s awareness of parasitic infections. Conclusion Parasitosis on the ocular surface is a global infectious disease, and prevention strategies include maintaining personal and environmental hygiene and limiting contact with animals. We recommend that health care workers should enhance their ability to detect and diagnose these diseases while promoting the public’s awareness of them in the context of our new perspectives.

Flowability, particle size distribution and particle inner pore features for powders of Ti-6Al-4V, 316-steel, and Co-29Cr-6Mo alloys produced by plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) at various rotation speeds are analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (CT). The results show that powder flowability is related to particle size distribution, surface morphology and dynamic friction coefficient of the alloy itself. This results in the higher powder flowability at low rotation speed than that at high rotation speed. Average particle size is roughly proportional to the square root of the reciprocal of rotation speed. In addition, particle size has an important effect on the particle porosity and the number faction of hollow powder in coarse powder is obviously larger than that in fine powder. Meanwhile, the alloy composition also plays a key role on porosity due to the various surface tension of alloys.

BACKGROUND: High ventilatory frequencies increase static lung strain and possibly lung stress by shortening expiratory time, increasing intrathoracic pressure, and causing dynamic hyperinflation. We hypothesised that high intraoperative ventilatory frequencies were associated with postoperative respiratory complications. METHODS: In this retrospective hospital registry study, we analysed data from adult non-cardiothoracic surgical cases performed under general anaesthesia with mechanical ventilation at a single centre between 2005 and 2017. We assessed the association between intraoperative ventilatory frequency (categorised into four groups) and postoperative respiratory complications, defined as composite of invasive mechanical ventilation within 7 days after surgery or peripheral oxygen desaturation after extubation, using multivariable logistic regression. In a subgroup, we adjusted analyses for arterial blood gas parameters. RESULTS: A total of 102 632 cases were analysed. Intraoperative ventilatory frequencies ranged from a median (inter-quartile range [IQR]) of 8 (8–9) breaths min(−1) (Group 1) to 15 (14–18) breaths min(−1) (Group 4). High ventilatory frequencies were associated with higher odds of postoperative respiratory complications (adjusted odds ratio=1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–1.38; P

In the present study, promoter hypermethylation of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1) was evaluated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues to assess the value of CDO1 as a novel biomarker to improve the diagnosis of NSCLC. Tumor tissue samples and corresponding normal lung tissue samples from 42 patients with NSCLC were obtained at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital (Changsha, China). Conventional methylation-specific PCR (cMSP) and methylation-on-beads followed by quantitative methylation-specific PCR (MOB-qMSP) were used to analyze the tumor and normal lung tissue samples. Using these two methods, promoter DNA hypermethylation of the CDO1 gene was detected in 59.4 and 71.0% of tumor tissues of patients with NSCLC and in 9.4 and 0% of normal lung tissue, respectively. Compared with the rate of methylation in the well-differentiated NSCLC tissues (15.4 and 55.6%, respectively), the rate of CDO1 gene promoter methylation was higher in the poorly differentiated tissues (89.5 and 92.3%, respectively). Overall, it was demonstrated that the MOB-qMSP method had a higher positive detection rate for CDO1 hypermethylation compared with the cMSP method. In conclusion, CDO1 gene promoter hypermethylation was more frequently observed in NSCLC tissues compared with in normal lung tissues, and a high methylation frequency of the CDO1 gene in biopsy specimens of NSCLC was associated with the degree of differentiation.

In this study, characteristics of powder for additive manufacturing from three typical alloys Ti-6Al-4V, 316-steel and Co-29Cr-6Mo produced by plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) at 4 rotation speeds are compared in details. The results indicate that for a given rotation speed, alloy with higher ratio of surface tension and density ( γ ρ ) is capable of producing powder with larger particle size and narrower particle size distribution δ (D90-D10). The formation mechanism of the satellite and irregular particle produced by PREP are discussed in detail. The satellite powder is confirmed to be formed by collisions between two particles, and the volume fraction of the satellite powder is lower in the alloy with higher ( γ ρ ) and high thermal conductivity. The formation of irregular powder is possibly related to the peeling of liquid film, which is strongly dependent on the thermal conductivity of alloy.

Evidence to guide clinical decision-making in pregnant women who are usually asymptomatic, but identified as heterozygote carriers of F11 mutations, is lacking. We hypothesized that women identified on prenatal screening as heterozygous for a mutation in the F11 allele would have minimal evidence of an in vitro coagulation abnormality.We prospectively enrolled women identified by prenatal screening as F11 mutation carriers and pregnant women who were presumed to be normal as controls. We collected blood during antepartum visits or at presentation for delivery and assessed Factor XI (FXI) coagulant activity level, as well as whole-blood coagulation, by thromboelastography.F11 mutation carriers had lower serum FXI activity levels than controls (51.2 ± 8.5% vs 94.1 ± 19.4%; P 0.0001). Thromboelastography values of all control subjects and F11 mutation carriers were within the normal range. The R-time was slightly longer in F11 mutation carriers (5.3 ± 1.0 s vs 4.2 ± 0.8 s, P 0.002), but no other statistically significant differences in thromboelastogram parameters were identified between groups.Despite lower FXI activity in the F11 mutation group, we found minimal differences in whole-blood measures of coagulation using thromboelastography. These findings support our hypothesis that a single copy of an F11 mutation does not produce significant evidence of an in vitro coagulation abnormality. Thromboelastography might be useful in determining the risk of neuraxial anesthesia in pregnant women, but additional work is required to establish the validity of this test.

Introduction: The performances of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were used to establish an efficient as well as non-invasive clinical technique for the diagnosis of extra-cranial internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Materials and methods: Thirty-six successive patients (11 women and 25 men, mean age: 65.0 ± 9.2, range: 43–78 years) with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis were tested by CEUS and DSA. These tests were carried out by means of Hitachi Preirus ultrasound machine for CEUS and Allura Xper FD20 system (Philips Medical Systems, Nederland B.V.) for DSA. 1.2 ml Son- oVue (Bracco, Switzerland) was used a s contrast agent. Results: The results clearly indicated that there were no noteworthy variations among the distributions recorded by CEUS as well as DSA for the four tested groups. The percentage of diameter stenosis calculated by CEUS was clearly in accordance with the DSA images. CEUS showed accurate results with good specificity and sensitivity at 50%, 70%, and 100%. Also, CEUS per- formance was relatively better than DSA in the diagnosis of ICA and suitability of CEA. Conclusion: CEUS proved to be a precise non-invasive testing method for the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis which is more feasible and well-tolerated in patients with various stages of carotid stenosis. Keywords: Carotid artery stenosis; CEUS; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; digital subtraction angiography.

Iridium (Ir)-based materials are known to be state-of-the-art electrocatalysts for catalyzing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. However, it r...

A Cu-10 Ni-2Ti wt.% alloy has been fabricated by induction melting and casting. The microstructure evolutions of the studied alloy treated with thermal-mechanical treatment were characterized. After homogenized at 950 °C for four hours, hot rolling by 80% at 900 °C solid solution treated at 970 °C for four hours, cold-rolled by 50%, aged at 450 °C for one hour, the hardness, electrical conductivity, tensile strength, yield strength, and the elongation of the studied alloy approached 181 HV, 22.1% IACS, 576 MPa, 486 MPa, and 14.6%, respectively. The studied alloy shows large products of strength and elongation (15.4 GPa·%, 9.3 GPa·%, 8.41 GPa·%, and 10.1 GPa·% for the samples treated with a solid solution, under aged, peak aged, and over-aged states), which are much higher than those of other high strength conductive copper alloys. These findings are helpful in designing new high damage tolerance conductive materials. Keywords: Cu alloy, Damage tolerance, Precipitation, Strength, Microstructure

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major public health issue. Meanwhile, renal fibrosis caused by diabetic nephropathy can lead to CKD, regardless of the initial injury. It has been previously reported that silibinin or valsartan could relieve the severity of renal fibrosis. However, the effect of silibinin in combination with valsartan on renal fibrosis remains unclear. Material and methods Proximal tubular cells (HK-2) were treated with TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL) to mimic in vitro model of fibrosis. The proliferation of HK-2 cells was tested by CCK-8. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammation-related gene and protein expressions in HK-2 cells were measured by qRT-PCR and Western-blot, respectively. ELISA was used to test the level of TNF-αNF-A. Additionally, HFD-induced renal fibrosis mice model was established to investigate the effect of silibinin in combination with valsartan on renal fibrosis in vivo. Results Silibinin significantly increased the anti-fibrosis effect of valsartan in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells via inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, silibinin significantly enhanced the anti-fibrosis effect of valsartan on HFD-induced renal fibrosis in vivo through inactivation of TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Conclusion These data indicated that silibinin markedly increased anti-fibrosis effect of valsartan in vitro and in vivo. Thus, silibinin in combination with valsartan may act as a potential novel strategy to treat renal fibrosis caused by diabetic nephropathy.

The molecular mechanisms of regulation of myometrial contractility, and, hence, the mechanisms of regulation of the onset of labor and delivery during pregnancy have been an understudied area of research. This review covers recent advances in this field and summarizes the current knowledge of the role of pregnancy-dependent changes in the regulation of myometrial signaling pathways in the setting of maintenance of pregnancy and the subsequent onset of labor. Lastly, areas where future studies are needed are discussed.

In this study, the selective laser melting (SLM) technology has been employed to manufacture a nickel-based superalloy which was conventionally prepared through powder metallurgy (PM) route. The microstructural features and defects were systematically investigated both prior to and after heat treatment and compared with the PM counterpart. Both solidification cracking and liquation cracking were observed in the SLM specimen in which the grain misorientation and low melting point (γ + γ’) eutectic played a vital role in their formation mechanism. Columnar grains oriented along building direction were ubiquitous, corresponding to strong fiber texture. Solidification cell structures and melt pools are pervasive and no γ’ precipitates were detected at about 10 nm scale before heat treatment. After super-solvus solution and two-step aging treatments, high volume fraction γ’ precipitates emerged and their sizes and morphologies were comparable to those in PM alloy. texture is relieved and columnar grains tend to become more equiaxed due to static recrystallization process and grain boundary migration events. Significant annealing twins formed in SLM alloy and are clarified as a consequence of recrystallization. Our results provide fundamental understandings for the SLM PM nickel-based superalloy both before and after heat treatment and demonstrate the potential to fabricate this group of alloys using SLM technology.

The dioxin-like substances polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) may trigger the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway. Although the crosstalk between AhR and the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathways is generally believed to occur, the exact mechanisms of the HIF-1 pathway in PHCZ toxicity have not been determined. We aimed to elucidate the effect of PHCZs on the HIF-1 pathway and its involvement in the regulation of target genes of HIF-1. Herein, we employed human HepG2 cells transiently transfected with a hypoxia response element (HRE) luciferase reporter to identify PHCZs that could influence HIF-1 pathway. We found that exposure to one of the four selected PHCZs, specifically 1,3,6,8-tetrabromo-9 H-carbazole (1368-BCZ), induced a significant enhancement of the activity of HRE activity. In silico data supported 1368-BCZ-induced HIF-1α activity preferentially. Moreover, 1368-BCZ significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1 target genes, including endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin. Importantly, the stimulated secretion of VEGF by 1368-BCZ promoted the angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Therefore, the present experimental and computational studies provide new and direct evidence of 1368-BCZ - HIF-1 interaction, which sheds light on the HIF-mediated cardiovascular toxicity and allows a knowledge-based risk assessment of emerging pollutants.

Developing a rechargeable metal-nitrogen battery is desirable for energy conversion and nitrogen fixation as well as an alternative route for a potential and mild ammonia synthesis. Herein, we realized a proof-of-concept for sodium-nitrogen (Na-N2) rechargeable batteries by introducing the alpha-MnO2 (α-MnO2) nanowire as a catalyst. In addition, we have also demonstrated a reversible reaction of 6Na + N2. ↔ 2Na3N. This system reveals an outstanding reversible capacity of 600 mAh g−1 at 50 mAg−1, runs ∼80 cycles with a controlled capacity of 400 mAh g−1 at discharge terminal voltage below 1.6 V and achieves a high actual specific energy density based on total active materials (about 4900 Wh/KgMnO2) at the current density of 100 mAg−1. In addition, a good efficiency of nitrogen fixation (∼26%) has been achieved. These attractive performances are mainly associated with the distinctive channel structure, high conductivity, and outstanding catalytic activity in terms of in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy investigations. The success of Na-N2 batteries not only provides an alternative strategy for the next-generation of electrochemical energy-storage devices, but also builds a new trajectory toward green recycling and utilization of N2.

Lymphopenia does not identify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among asymptomatic patients admitted to an obstetrics unit or among obstetric patients under investigation for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In recent decades, crude recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has caused serious pollution and threatened wild organisms in certain regions. It is therefore valuable to investigate the pollution-induced toxic effects in situ using native fish species. Unlike the death or decline observed in other species, Anabas testudineus can better adapt to severe e-waste pollution. Using it as a model, the true status of this wild organism was revealed. We collected A. testudineus from two polluted sites (st1 and st2) and conducted transcriptome analyses of the liver, gill, and kidney. Clear whole-transcriptome differences were found between polluted and clean sites and between differentially polluted sites (st1 and st2). Pathway analysis revealed that long-term e-waste pollution would cause significant hypoxia, oxidative stress, and potentially apoptosis. Accordingly, several defensive responses were elicited including ‘oxidation-reduction’ and the ‘unfolded protein response’. Certain biological processes, including ‘DNA repair’ and ‘endoplasmic reticulum stress response’, were altered in a tissue- or burden-specific pattern suggesting transcriptome plasticity in response to distinct burdens. This study revealed the toxic impacts of e-waste pollution on wild organisms using a native fish species. Additionally, due to its highly adaptive nature, A. testudineus could be a suitable test species for such severe conditions in the wild or otherwise.

Three Ni-base powder metallurgy superalloys have been developed recently, and tensile tests at temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 815 °C were conducted on them. The results conformed their excellent tensile properties, in comparison with several other existed polycrystalline superalloys. In this work, by means of microstructure characterization, thermal dynamic calculations, and theoretical modeling, different strengthening mechanisms including precipitation strengthening, grain boundary strengthening, solid solution strengthening, and Orowan strengthening, were found to contribute to the yield strength in different degrees, which would help to further enhance the tensile properties of these alloys through composition design and processing optimization thereafter.

Field investigations have revealed the ability of the climbing perch Anabas testudineus to survive in highly contaminated water bodies. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway is vital in mediating the toxicity of aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants, and genotypic variation in the AhR can confer resistance to these contaminants. Thus, we characterized the AhR pathway in A. testudineus in order to understand the mechanism(s) underlying the resistance of this species to contaminants and to broaden current knowledge on teleost AhR. In A. testudineus, four AhRs, two AhR nuclear translocators (ARNTs), and one AhR repressor (AhRR) were found. Transient transfection assays revealed that AhR1a, AhR1b, and AhR2b were functional while AhR2a was poorly activated by the potent agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Two ARNTs (partner of AhR) and one AhRR (repressor of AhR) all were functional with each of the active AhR. As a major form, the insensitivity of AhR2a might serve as a potential mechanism for A. testudineus’ reduced sensitivity to severe contamination. We explored the key residues that may account for AhR2a’s insensitivity in silico and then functionally validated them in vitro. Two sites (VCS(322–324), M(370)) in its ligand-binding domain (LBD) were proved critical for its sensitivity to TCDD. This systematic exploration of the AhR pathway showed that most members have maintained their traditional functions as expected, while a non-functionalization event has occurred for AhR2a.

A TiNbTa0.5ZrAl0.5 refractory high entropy alloy was prepared by powder metallurgy and subsequently subjected to hot forging and annealing. Precipitation behavior and mechanical properties of the hot-worked TiNbTa0.5ZrAl0.5 alloy were investigated. Results show that the hot forging leads to a formation of (Zr, Al)-rich HCP precipitates in the initial BCC matrix. The precipitates have significant strengthening effect on the TiNbTa0.5ZrAl0.5 alloy after annealing at 1000 °C for 2 h. Owing to the precipitation strengthening, the hot-worked TiNbTa0.5ZrAl0.5 alloy exhibits a high compressive yield strength of 1740 MPa with a compressive stain of 20%. It is interesting that annealing at lower or higher temperatures than 1000 °C causes a degradation in compression properties, mainly due to the decomposition of the BCC matrix and the coarsening of the HCP precipitates.

Corrosion behaviours in hydrofluoric acid solution and mechanical performances of Ni-16Cr-11Mo-6Fe-2Cu and Ni-30Co-16Cr-11Mo-6Fe-2Cu alloys were investigated by using a variety of methods. No precipitate is observed in the present low Mo alloys, suggesting the excellent structural stability. Co leads to grain refinement and localized microstructure after hot rolling, resulting in significant enhancement in both hardness and tensile strength. Owing to the addition of Cu, all alloys with and without hot rolling show near weight loss rates after immersion. This is ascribed to the dominant passive film of Cu, which demonstrates the superior stability among the constitute elements of alloys.

The freshwater climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) can tolerate water environments contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The mechanisms underlying this tolerance are unknown. We used de novo transcriptomic analysis to investigate the defensive mechanisms of A. testudineus against POPs based on its genetic features and biological responses to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure. Our results revealed a specific expansion of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily, which may be involved in the elimination of certain POPs. In xenobiotic responses, the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway represents a critical signaling mechanism, and we characterized four AhR and two AhR nuclear translocator homologs and one AhR repressor (AhRR) gene in A. testudineus. TCDD-induced AhRR and CYP1A mRNA upregulation suggests that negative-feedback regulation of AhR signaling through AhRR helps avoid excessive xenobiotic responses. Furthermore, liver and gill transcriptomic profiles were markedly altered after TCDD exposure, with some of the altered genes being related to common defensive responses reported in other species. Based on the newly identified TCDD-altered genes, several A. testudineus-specific responses are proposed, such as enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation. The genetic features of CYP3A subfamily and AhR pathway and the TCDD-induced defensive biological processes elucidated here enhance our understanding of A. testudineus defensive responses against POPs.

To investigate the microstructure evolution of powder metallurgy (P/M) superalloys during high-strain-rate deformation, a P/M nickel-base superalloy is subjected to thermal compression at temperatures ranging from 1000 °C to 1100 °C and strain rates ranging from 1 s−1 to 10 s−1. The analysis regarding the flow behaviors and microstructure observation indicates that discontinuous softening is significant at high strain rates. Moreover, based on experimental measurement and theoretic estimation, the adiabatic heating under high-strain-rate deformation is hardly neglectable, which enhances the dynamic softening via dynamic recovery (DRV), dynamic recrystallization (DRX), and grain growth. In order to obtain refined and homogeneous grains, deformation at temperature range of 1025–1050 °C with strain rate rang of 1–10 s−1 or at 1000 °C/1 s−1 is suggested for high-strain-rate compression on the P/M superalloy, where DRX plays more dominating roles.

Type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are distributed in the gut and regulate inflammation by secreting cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17. The maintenance and function of ILC3s involve the activity of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a potent ligand of which is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most toxic dioxin congeners. Thus, TCDD exposure might affect ILC3s. To obtain in vivo evidence supporting this notion, we exposed female C57BL/6 mice orally to TCDD (low/high doses: 0.1/10 μg/kg body weight) during pregnancy and lactation periods, and after the exposure, evaluated the mothers and offspring for alterations in ILC3 differentiation and function in the colon. ILC3 frequency among colonic lamina propria lymphocytes was preferentially diminished in the offspring, and, in parallel, the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt, which is associated with ILC3 differentiation, was also decreased in ILC3s. Conversely, the percentages of two subsets of the cells, one positive for natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp46 and the other for IL-17a, were increased in TCDD-exposed mothers and offspring. Moreover, the percentage of IFN-γ+ ILC3s was increased specifically in the mothers, but this was in conjunction with a significant decrease in the MFI of IFN-γ, which suggests that the IFN-γ+ ILC3 subset was functionally altered. In conclusion, maternal exposure to TCDD suppresses ILC3 differentiation in the offspring and influences ILC3 function in distinct manners in the mother and offspring. Our study provides new insights into the intergenerational interference of dioxins in colonic ILC3s.

In this study, single and multi-step aging treatments (SAT and MAT) following a super-solvus solution treatment were employed to tailor the mechanical property of a prototypical powder metallurgy (PM) nickel-based superalloy. Vickers hardness and tensile test at room temperature were used to evaluate the mechanical properties after different heat treatments. Microstructural evolution after heat treatments and tensile tests were revealed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques. Our results show that the MAT with a stabilization at 650 °C for 24 h between the solution and aging assists to achieve the highest strength corresponding to microstructure of bimodal distribution of γ’ precipitates. The associated mechanism for variation in microstructures and mechanical properties are discussed based on thermodynamic calculations and precipitation strengthening theory. In addition, an empirical relationship between Vickers hardness and tensile strength of nickel-based superalloys is examined which is believed to be assistance for rapid evaluating mechanical response of materials with different microstructures.

In the present work, the effects of Mo/Cr addition on the microstructure and the resultant property of cemented carbides were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Vickers hardness test. The results show that addition of Mo/Cr elements contributed to a significant improvement of WC-Co cemented carbides hardness. The enhanced hardness is ascribed to the decreased grain size of WC with increasing Cr content. In addition, Cr element addition would promote the segregation of M7C3 phase surrounding the η-phase, which inhibits the growth of η-phase, and results in finer and more disperse η-phase. The evolution mechanism of η-phase and the segregation of M7C3 phase during sintering process were discussed systematically.