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A series of nano-sized particle materials containing ZrO2 was prepared and their compositions were determined by elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of particle size and crystal structure type (lattice and space group) on the ER performance of these materials was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Raman spectra, the particle size analysis and rheological measurement. Their electrorheological (ER) effects show that the ER activities of the ZrO2 materials doped with rare earth (RE=Y, La, Ce, Gd, Tb), whose grain sizes were less than that of pure ZrO2, were lower than that of pure ZrO2, which belongs to the tetragonal crystal system. The ER activity of Y2O3–ZrO2 is the strongest among all the RE-doped ZrO2 materials. The ER activity of the tetragonal phase ZrO2 is higher than that of the monoclinic phase ZrO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are the most abundant leukocytes and are among the first line of immune system defense. PMNs can form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in response to some pathogens. The release of NETs plays an important role in trapping and killing invading parasites. However, the effects of NETs on parasitic trematode infections remain unclear. In the present study, water buffalo NET formation, triggered by the newly excysted juveniles (NEJs) of Fasciola gigantica , was visualized by scanning electron microscopy. The major components of the structure of NETs were characterized by immunofluorescence. Viability of flukes incubated with water buffalo PMNs were examined under light microscopy. The results revealed that F. gigantic juveniles triggered PMN-mediated NETs. These NETs were confirmed to comprise the classic characteristics of NETs: DNA, histones, myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase. Although NETs were formed in response to viable larvae, the larvae were not killed in vitro. These results suggest that NET formation may serve as a mechanism to hamper the migration of large larvae to facilitate immune cells to kill them. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that parasitic trematode juveniles can trigger NET formation. • Fasciola gigantic juveniles triggered buffalo neutrophils-mediated NET formation. • DNA decorated with of NE, MPO and H3 within NET structures were detected. • F. gigantic juveniles were not killed after exposure to NETs in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]