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In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of perioperative continuation of antithrombotic therapy on bleeding and complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and nephroureterectomy (LNU).This was a retrospective observational study. Patients who underwent LRN and LNU between January 2017 and July 2019 at our institution were recruited. All patients taking antithrombotic agents continued taking them during the perioperative phase (AA group). Surgical outcomes of patients in the AA group were compared with those of patients who were not taking antithrombotic agents (NA group). The primary outcome was the rate of bleeding complications. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, and complications for up to 90 days.A total of 100 patients were included in the analysis, with 36 and 64 patients assigned to the AA and NA groups, respectively. Patients in the AA group were found to have more severe comorbidities than those in the NA group, with a Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥5, totaling 14 (39%) and 12 (19%), respectively (P = .03). According to surgical outcomes, none of the patients in the AA group required secondary procedures for bleeding complications. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the groups in intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin deficit, rate of perioperative transfusion, readmission rate, or high-grade complications.These results indicate that perioperative use of antithrombotic agents does not increase the risk of bleeding and can be considered safe during LRN and LNU.

The quality and productivity of submerged arc welding (SAW) products are significantly influenced by the power source characteristics (i.e., direct current or alternating current power source). One of the latest developments in the SAW power sources is alternating current (AC) square. The square waveform provides fast polarity reversal from positive to a negative peak which resolves the problem of arc extinguish that occurs during polarity cross-over in sine or triangular waveform. This paper presents the parametric study of AC square waveform arc SAW of heat resistant steel. The effects of change in process variables, namely frequency, electrode negative (EN) ratio, current, and welding speed, on the process outcomes such as bead width, penetration depth, deposition rate, and flux consumption rate are observed through experimentation. All the outcomes follow a non-linear trend except deposition rate, which follows almost a linear trend with the variation in welding current. The bead width, penetration depth, and deposition rate increased with the increase of current, whereas the bead width decreased with the rise of EN ratio and welding speed. The deposition rate follows an increasing trend with an increased EN ratio and a decreasing trend with welding speed. A similar observation is noticed in the case of penetration depth which increases with the increase of welding speed and decreases with the increases of EN ratio. Concerning each parameter studied, the flux consumption rate shows a parabolic variation, i.e., first increases and then falls. The frequency does not have much impact on the process outcomes. A comparison of AC welds with those obtained with direct current is presented concerning the attributes mentioned above. The parametric study results in this investigation are corroborated with the physics of the process to make them more useful for industrial application. The key finding of this investigation is that the AC square arc welding can maintain penetration at a higher welding speed, which significantly improves the productivity.

Neutron response functions of a silicon sensor, which is applied to a new real-time personal albedo neutron dosemeter, have been simulated for low energy neutrons from 0.01 eV to 10 keV using the Monte Carlo technique. The angular neutron response functions were obtained by multiplying simulated neutron energy spectra crossing the neutron sensor and the cross-section of the 6Li(n,t)4He reaction. The neutron response functions have been closed to the dose conversion coefficient of personal doses, Hp(10) recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection by selecting neutrons incident from angles of 105° to 180° with respect to an axis perpendicular to an acrylic phantom surface. From these simulation results, the neutron energy response function has been improved by shielding the sensor with cadmium box without a face toward the phantom. The neutron sensor provides a good conformance to the Hp(10) conversion coefficients within 15% for low energy neutrons.

Dual-frequency ultrasonic cleaning with a diluted phosphoric acid solution was developed to remove oxide scales on surfaces of hot-stamped parts from uncoated steel sheets, and conventional shot blasting processes are omitted. The removal of the oxide scale by ultrasonic cleaning is accelerated by the phosphoric acid solution and the dual frequency. The removing time for the phosphoric acid solution was shorter than that for a hydrochloric acid solution, and rust appearing for leaving after cleaning was prevented by generating an iron phosphate layer. In dual-frequency ultrasonic cleaning with the diluted phosphoric acid solution, the oxide scale was dissolved, and then the oxide scales were exfoliated from the thin scale and high-pressure portions. The removing time decreased with decreasing pH and oxide scale thickness and with increasing solution temperature. The surface roughness and distortion of an ultrasonic-cleaned hot-stamped part were smaller than those for shot blasting, and the weldability and paintability were similar. The oxide scale of a hot-stamped part having a nonuniform distribution of oxide scale thickness was successfully removed by dual-frequency ultrasonic cleaning with the diluted phosphoric acid solution.

Submerged arc welding (SAW) is widely used for butt welding of thick plates in large steel structures because of its high deposition rate and high weld quality. With a thickness of 150 mm or more, ...

Noncoding genetic variation is a major driver of phenotypic diversity but determining the underlying mechanisms and the cell types in which it acts remain challenging problems. Here, we investigate the impact of natural genetic variation provided by phenotypically diverse inbred strains of mice on gene expression and epigenetic landscapes of Kupffer cells. Analysis of gene expression in Kupffer cells and other liver cell types derived from C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ and A/J mice provided evidence for strain-specific differences in environmental factors influencing Kupffer cell phenotypes, including preferential Leptin signaling in BALB/cJ Kupffer cells. Systematic analysis of transcriptomic and epigenetic data from F1 hybrids of these mice, and transcriptomic data from strain-specific Kupffer cells engrafted into a common host enabled quantitative assessment of cis versus trans effects of genetic variation on gene expression and an estimate of cell autonomous versus non cell autonomous effects. Under homeostatic conditions, trans effects of genetic variation were dominant, with the majority of trans regulation being non cell autonomous. In contrast, strain specific responses to acutely administered LPS were primarily associated with genetic variation acting in cis to modify response elements for lineage determining and signal dependent transcription factors. Collectively, these findings reveal cell intrinsic and environmental effects of natural genetic variation on gene expression, demonstrate the use of enhancers as detectors of trans effects of genetic variation, and provide a new resource for understanding the impact of genetic variation on gene expression in Kupffer cells.

ispartof: Sustainable Materials and Technologies vol:33 status: Published online

The generation mechanism of the residual stress at press-blanked and laser-blanked edges of a 1.5 GPa ultra-high strength martensite steel sheet was investigated. The residual stress at the press-blanked edges of the 1.5 GPa sheet is highly tensile, whereas the residual stress at the laser-blanked edges is compressive. The high tensile residual stress causes the occurrence of hydrogen-induced delayed cracking and the reduction in fatigue strength. In press blanking of the 1.5 GPa sheet, considerably high compressive stress was generated under the punch corner just before the separation due to a small critical punch stroke, and high tensile residual stress on the fracture surface of the blanked edge was induced by releasing this high compressive stress for the separation. Not only the high strength of the 1.5 GPa sheet but also the low ductility influences the generation of the high tensile residual stress on the fracture surface because of the small critical stroke. On the other hand, the compressive residual stress at the laser-blanked edges of the 1.5 GPa sheet was generated by the volume increase of the martensite transformation at a comparatively low temperature. In addition, an approach for determining the allowable amount of hydrogen for the occurrence of delayed cracking at the edges was proposed, and the relationship between the critical residual stress and the amount of hydrogen for the 1.5 GPa sheet was obtained.

In this study, welding phenomena during submerged arc welding (SAW) were revealed with X-ray observation. In the experiment, the test coupon was placed between the X-ray source and high-speed camer...

A punching test for simply estimating the tensile strength and total elongation of steel sheets and formed parts was proposed. The tensile strength and total elongation were estimated from the shear stress at the maximum punching load and percentage of the burnished depth at the sheared edge of the slug measured without cutting, respectively. For a variety of steel sheets with a range of the tensile strength from 360 to 1500 MPa, linear functions for the estimation were experimentally obtained. The correlation of the estimated tensile strength of the steel sheets with the measured one from the uniaxial tensile test was considerably high, and the correlation of the estimated total elongation was high. The distributions of tensile strength and total elongation for hot- and cold-stamped parts were estimated. The proposed punching test is available under not only a laboratory environment but also a factory environment.

Objectives To assess the impact of continued perioperative anticoagulant drug administration on bleeding and complications in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Methods Between January 2014 and January 2020, 620 patients with prostate cancer underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomies and were retrospectively reviewed. Fourteen patients who discontinued antithrombotic therapy were excluded. Among the 606 included patients, 31 continued anticoagulant therapy during the perioperative phase ( anticoagulant group). The anticoagulant group outcomes were compared with those of patients who continued clopidogrel and prasugrel ( thienopyridine group=13), aspirin monotherapy ( aspirin group=61), and no chronic antithrombotic agent ( Control group=501). The primary outcome was the incidence of bleeding complications requiring transfusion, additional intervention, or readmission. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of thrombotic complications, estimated blood loss, and overall complication rates. Results Among the 31 patients in the anticoagulant group, 20 (65%) used directed oral anticoagulants, 11 (35%) used warfarin, and five used combined aspirin. Only one (3%) patient in the anticoagulant group required postoperative transfusion, and none required additional interventions or readmission. No significant differences were detected between the anticoagulant and other groups ( anticoagulant vs. thienopyridine , aspirin , and control groups) regarding bleeding complications (3% vs. 8%, p=0.51; 0%, p=0.34; 0.4%, p=0.17, respectively), thrombotic complications (3% vs. 0%, p=0.70; 2%, p=0.56; 0.2%, p=0.11, respectively), estimated blood loss (200 vs. 100 ml, p=0.63; 175 ml, p=0.64; 165 ml, p=0.74, respectively), or other high-grade complications (6% vs. 0%, p=0.49; 2%, p=0.26; 3%, p=0.24, respectively). Conclusions Perioperative continuation of anticoagulant use is feasible for patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

A combined process of hot stamping and mechanical joining for producing ultra-high strength steel patchwork components was developed. The main blank and patch were uniformly heated side by side without overlapping in a furnace, and then, the overlapped main blank and patch were hot-stamped. An appropriate layer of intermetallic compounds was generated on the surface of the patchwork part by uniform heating. The main blank locally came in the space of the die step due to buckling, and interlocks for joining the main blank and patch were created. To increase the amount of interlock, both edges of the main blank are fixed with the stoppers in the latter stage of forming, and then, the main blank is compressed in the planar direction with the punch and die. For a length difference for main blank of 16 mm and a space length of die step of 5.1 mm, the gap between the main blank and patch was almost zero, the main blank and patch were successfully laser-welded, and the laser-welded patchwork part had sufficient collapse load and punch stroke. Tapered and zinc-coated patchwork parts were successfully produced. Another mechanical joining process using a punched patch was developed.

The phase transformation and mechanical properties of non-quenchable steels partnered with the quenchable boron steel in hot stamping of tailor-welded blanks were evaluated to produce tailored components with partially balanced strength and ductility. The effect of the forming start temperature after natural air cooling on the phase transformation and mechanical properties for 270 MPa mild steel, non-quenchable steel, 440 MPa high strength steel, and 22MnB5 steel sheets was examined, and the 270 MPa and non-quenchable sheets had enough ductility after hot stamping. Tailored components having a hardness of about 500 HV1 in the high strength zone and a total elongation of about 30% in the high ductility zone were hot-stamped from a tailor-welded blank composed of 22MnB5 and 270 MPa sheets. It was found that the 270 MPa mild steel sheet is sufficient as a partner sheet of tailor-welded blanks. In addition, the safety of hot-stamped components was heightened by welding a 22MnB5 main blank with a 270 MPa steel patch. Even if the main blank is fractured by a collision, the hot-stamped component is not separated by the 270 MPa patch having high ductility.

Hydrogen-induced delayed cracking of punched 1.5 GPa ultra-high strength steel sheets was prevented by ironing with a slug ejected from punching, because the risk of delayed cracking for sheared 1.5 GPa sheets is very high due to high tensile residual stress and large plastic deformation. To prevent the occurrence of delayed cracking, the sheet was punched, and then, the punched hole was ironed by passing the punched slug. Although the residual stress around the punched edge of the 1.5 GPa sheet was tensile, the stress was turned to compressive stress by slug ironing. In addition, the fracture surface of the sheared edge was changed to a smooth ironed surface. A cathode hydrogen charging test of the punched edge for delayed cracking was performed. Although delayed cracks were caused at the punched hole by hydrogen charging, no cracks occurred at the ironed hole for charging. It was found that slug ironing of the punched hole is effective in preventing delayed cracking.

A warm stamping process of 1 and 1.2 GPa ultra-high strength steel sheets at comparatively low temperatures using rapid resistance heating was investigated to produce high strength parts. The effects of the heating temperature and rate on mechanical and surface properties of warm-stamped parts were examined. For a rapid heat rate of 100 °C/s around a heating temperature of 300 °C, the hardness of the formed parts increased from that of the as-received sheets, and the hardness for the 1.2 GPa sheet approached that of conventional hot-stamped parts from 22MnB5 steel sheets. The increase in hardness appeared only for rapid heating, and not for slow heating using a furnace. The increase in hardness is due to the transformation of retained austenite into martensite at comparatively low temperatures using rapid resistance heating and cooling. For the comparative low heating temperature, the non-coated sheet hardly oxidised, and the galvannealed sheet having high corrosion resistance did not exhibit the exfoliation of the coating layer, whereas the springback did not improve.

Discovering new genetic mutations is vital for expanding genetic resources for exploring the functions and breeding applications of genes. In this study, we created new mutant populations of rice and evaluated its effectiveness by using a chemical mutagen diepoxybutane (DEB) with the expectation of manageably causing small-scale deletions that induce knock-out mutations. Compared with the more common mutagen, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), DEB exhibited approximately 160 times the adverse impact on the early growth of rice. At 0.3 mM, which was 1/160 the concentration of EMS in the control population, the heading date in the DEB-mutated population showed dispersion, albeit with a small standard deviation. Therefore, similar to EMS, DEB has been shown to induce DNA mutations. According to the screening of waxy mutants using the Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING) method, DEB-mutated populations had nearly similar mutation frequencies to those of EMS-mutated populations. Therefore, we successfully isolated five mutant lines from the DEB-mutated population. Some of these mutants exhibited a low-amylose phenotype, which is applicable to breeding leading to enhanced taste evaluation. To utilize these mutated alleles, we developed co-dominant DNA markers. In this study, EMS induced transition mutations, as previously reported. In contrast, DEB specifically induced transversion mutations rather than small-scale deletions contrary to our initial expectations. These results demonstrate that DEB has a novel point of action for mutation and is useful for expanding genetic resources for crops.

Because of the elastic deformation of rolling mills in rolling, the edge drop in thickness of rolled ultra-high strength steel sheet was remarkable, thus the thickness distribution was not uniform. The distribution of angle before and after unloading in V-bending of the ultra-high strength steel sheets having such a thickness distribution was measured. The bend angle was nonuniformly distributed by the insufficient bend angle at the bottom dead centre and springback during unloading. The effects of the bent angle and thickness distribution on the springback in thin and thick edges were discussed. The distribution of bend angle was reduced by bottoming with a three-piece die using a rubber pad. It was found that bottoming with a divided die using a rubber pad in bending is effective in improving the dimensional accuracy of ultra-high strength steel sheets having a thickness distribution by finite element simulation and experiment.

Protein kinase A promotes beige adipogenesis downstream from β-adrenergic receptor signaling by phosphorylating proteins, including histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) demethylase JMJD1A. To ensure homeostasis, this process needs to be reversible however, this step is not well understood. We show that myosin phosphatase target subunit 1- protein phosphatase 1β (MYPT1-PP1β) phosphatase activity is inhibited via PKA-dependent phosphorylation, which increases phosphorylated JMJD1A and beige adipogenesis. Mechanistically, MYPT1-PP1β depletion resulted in JMJD1A-mediated H3K9 demethylation and activation of the Ucp1 enhancer/promoter regions. Interestingly, MYPT1-PP1β also dephosphorylates myosin light chain which regulates actomyosin tension-mediated activation of YAP/TAZ which directly stimulates Ucp1 gene expression. Preadipocyte specific Mypt1 deficiency increases cold tolerance with higher Ucp1 levels in subcutaneous white adipose tissues compared to control mice, confirming this regulatory mechanism in vivo. Thus, we have uncovered new regulatory cross-talk involved in beige adipogenesis that coordinates epigenetic regulation with direct activation of the mechano-sensitive YAP/TAZ transcriptional co-activators.

Interleukin IL-17 cytokines are central regulators of mucosal homeostasis and disease. In mouse models of colonic tissue injury, IL-17A promotes epithelial barrier functions and restricts local inflammation. Here, we report that IL-17A production by the diverse T lymphocyte subsets is dynamically regulated at different stages of colitis pathogenesis. During the onset and peak of the disease, Tγδ17 cells are the major IL-17A producers, while Th17 activity is temporally restricted by long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Malat1. In response to IL-6 and TGFβ signaling, Malat1 is recruited to the Th17-specific cis-regulatory elements, CNS3 and CNS4, of the Il17a locus to fine-tune bivalent super-enhancer activities and repress local transcription. During the resolution phase of inflammation, Malat1 expression is down-regulated to enhance Th17 activities, allowing Th17 cells to emerge as the main producers of IL-17A in the colonic lamina propria. Genetic ablation of Malat1 potentiates IL-17A production in Th17 cells and improves disease outcomes in mouse models of colitis. These findings uncover a surprising role of a chromatin-associated lncRNA in regulating colonic Th17-specific responses to control the timing of inflammation resolution.Significance StatementT cells are critical modulators of mucosal barrier function and inflammation. The function of long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in T cells and their role in mucosal inflammation remain elusive. Here, we identify an essential role of the lncRNA Malat1 restricting transcription of the Il17a locus in Th17 cells encoding a cytokine implicated in epithelial barrier function post-injury. By controlling the activity of the bivalent super-enhancer at the Il17a locus, Malat1 regulates the timing of inflammation resolution in the intestine. The Malat1-Il17a pathway reveals new targets for combating mucosal diseases.Graphic Abstract