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Abstract: Au nano-particles doped α-Al2O3 composite coatings were successfully prepared on TiAl-based alloy by electrodeposition, using the Al2O3 sols with minor addition of HAuCl4 solution. The even distribution of Au nano-particles (<2.0wt.%) in the α-Al2O3 matrix has been observed. Isothermal oxidation tests of the samples coated with the as-prepared novel coatings at 900°C in static air for 200h shown that the oxygen inward diffusion can be effectively suppressed to a low level. The results of high-temperature cyclic oxidation test at 900°C in air revealed that the oxidation and spallation resistance of TiAl-based alloy were improved significantly under thermal cycling. In the as-prepared coatings, cracks were shielded by means of crack bridging and the fracture resistance of the formed scales can be improved by toughening effects of the composite structure. Surface scratching tests after the cyclic oxidation exhibited that the adhesion of the formed composite scale on TiAl-based alloy was remarkably improved by the Au nano-particles doped α-Al2O3 composite coating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Owing to its great market potential for food and health care, white Auricularia cornea , a rare edible fungus, has received increased attention in recent years. This study presents a high-quality genome assembly of A. cornea and multi-omics analysis of its pigment synthesis pathway. Continuous Long Reads libraries, combined with Hi-C-assisted assembly were used to assemble of white A. cornea . Based on this data, we analyzed the transcriptome and metabolome of purple and white strains during the mycelium, primordium, and fruiting body stages. Finally, we obtained the genome of A.cornea assembled from 13 clusters. Comparative and evolutionary analysis suggests that A.cornea is more closely related to Auricularia subglabra than to Auricularia heimuer . The divergence of white/purple A.cornea occurred approximately 40,000 years ago, and there were numerous inversions and translocations between homologous regions of the two genomes. Purple strain synthesized pigment via the shikimate pathway. The pigment in the fruiting body of A. cornea was γ-glutaminyl-3,4-dihydroxy-benzoate. During pigment synthesis, α-D-glucose-1P, citrate, 2-Oxoglutarate, and glutamate were four important intermediate metabolites, whereas polyphenol oxidase and other 20 enzyme genes were the key enzymes. This study sheds light on the genetic blueprint and evolutionary history of the white A.cornea genome, revealing the mechanism of pigment synthesis in A.cornea . It has important theoretical and practical implications for understanding the evolution of basidiomycetes, molecular breeding of white A.cornea , and deciphering the genetic regulations of edible fungi. Additionally, it provides valuable insights for the study of phenotypic traits in other edible fungi., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Ma, Lu, Yao, Fang, Wang, Meng, Shao, Sun and Zhang.)

The mathematical modeling of the cardiovascular system is a simple and noninvasive method to comprehend hemodynamics and the operating mechanism of the mechanical circulatory assist device. In this study, a numerical model was developed to simulate hemodynamics under different conditions and to evaluate the operating condition of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The numerical model consisted of a cardiovascular lumped parameter (CLP) model, a baroreflex model, and an LVAD model. The CLP model was established to simulate the human cardiovascular system including the left heart, right heart, systemic circulation, and pulmonary circulation. The baroreflex model was used to regulate left and right ventricular end-systolic elastances, systemic vascular resistance, and heart rate. The centrifugal pump HeartMate III used as an example to simulate the rotary pump dynamics at different operating speeds. Simulation results show that hemodynamics under normal, left ventricular failure and different levels of pump support conditions can be reproduced by the numerical model. Based on simulation results, HeartMate III operating speed can be maintained between 3600 rpm and 4400 rpm to avoid pump regurgitation and ventricular suction. Additionally, in the simulation system, the HeartMate III operating speed should be between 3600 rpm and 3800 rpm to provide optimal physiological perfusion. Thus, the developed numerical model is a feasible solution to simulate hemodynamics and evaluate the operating condition of continuous-flow LVAD.

Objective: As an important feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an excessive amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RA synovial lesions induces the proliferation of synovial fibroblasts, cartilage erosion and systemic inflammatory immune response. Wnt inhibitor, Dkk-1, contributes to joint remodeling. This study was conducted to explore the role of Dkk-1 in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion., Methods: Rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASF) were cultured from surgical synovial specimens and utilized at passages 4-8. For Dkk-1 silencing assay, Dkk-1-specific siRNA and control scrambled siRNA were transfected into RASF respectively. For Dkk-1 over-expression assay, Dkk-1 plasmid and control vector were transfected into RASFs respectively. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at pre- and post-transfection respectively. Differences between various groups were evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test., Results: After a treatment of Dkk-1-specific siRNA, RASF exhibited decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in association with down-regulated Dkk-1 levels while Dkk-1 over-expression could up-regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The effects were marked when RAFS was activated by TNF-α and IL-1β after transfection., Conclusion: Dkk-1 promotes the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RASF so as to exacerbate synovitis of RA. And targeting Dkk-1 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for RA.