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Drowned victims possibly obtain various pathogens from drowning sites. Using drowned renal donors to expand the donor pool still lacks consensus due to the potential risk of disease transmission. This retrospective study enrolled 38 drowned donor renal recipients in a large clinical center from August 2012 to February 2021. A 1:2 matched cohort was generated with donor demographics, including age, gender, BMI, and ICU durations. Donor microbiological results, recipient perioperative infections, and early post-transplant and first-year clinical outcomes were analyzed. Compared to the control group, drowned donors had significantly increased positive fungal cultures (36.84% vs.13.15%, p = 0.039). Recipients in the drowned group had significantly higher rates of gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and multidrug-resistant GNB infections (23.68% vs.5.26%, 18.42% vs. 3.95%, both p < 0.05). Other colonization and infections were also numerically more frequent in the drowned group. Drowned donor recipients receiving inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis had more perioperative bloodstream infections, higher DGF incidences, and more first-year respiratory tract infections and recipient loss than those receiving adequate prophylaxis (all p < 0.05). Clinical outcomes were similar between the adequate group and the control group. Drowned donors could be suitable options under wide-spectrum and adequate antimicrobial prophylaxis.

为评估死亡供肾血栓和其诱导的受体血栓性微血管病（dir-TMA）对受体移植肾功能的影响，我们回顾性分析了33例活检病理显示微血栓的供体信息及受体预后。根据血栓累及肾小球范围是否大于50%，将33例供体分为弥漫血栓组（n=18）和局灶血栓组（n=15）。结果显示，弥漫血栓组的移植物延迟复功（DGF）发生率显著高于局灶血栓组（P=0.027），肾移植术后1个月，肾小球滤过率（eGFR）估值水平显著低于局灶血栓组（P=0.042）。此外，根据受体是否发生了dir-TMA，将33例受体进一步分为dir-TMA组（n=20）和non-dir-TMA组（n=13）。结果显示，dir-TMA 组受体肾移植术后0至9天的血小板和术后4天至1年的血红蛋白明显低于non-dir-TMA组；dir-TMA受体的DGF发生率高于non-dir-TMA组（50.0% vs. 15.4%，P=0.067），且肾移植术后1月、3月、6月和12月的肾功能均显著差于non-dir-TMA组。此外，根据受体是否接受血浆治疗，将20例发生dir-TMA的受体分为血浆治疗亚组和无血浆治疗亚组。分析表明，血浆治疗亚组受体在移植术后1月、3月、6月和12个月的肾功能均显著差于无血浆治疗亚组。综上，供肾弥漫血栓会增加受体DGF风险，但不影响移植肾功能。临床需关注发生dir-TMA受体的血小板和血红蛋白下降及肾功能恶化，有必要采用更多研究用以评估血浆疗法的效果。

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is well known as a photoperiod-sensitive flowering plant. However, it has also evolved into a temperature-sensitive ecotype. Low temperature can promote the floral transition of the temperature-sensitive ecotype, but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we identified MADS AFFECTING FLOWERING 2 (CmMAF2), a putative MADS-box gene, which induces floral transition in response to low temperatures independent of day length conditions in this ecotype. CmMAF2 was shown to bind to the promoter of the GA biosynthesis gene CmGA20ox1 and to directly regulate the biosynthesis of bioactive GA

Conjugated polymers have attracted considerable attention for thermoelectric applications in recent years due to their plentiful resources, diverse structures, mechanical flexibility, and low thermal conductivity. Herein, we demonstrate a new strategy of modulating charge carrier concentration of chemical-doped polymer films by modifying the substrate with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The SAM with a trifluoromethyl terminal group is found to accumulate holes in the polymer thin films, while the SAM with an amino terminal group tends to donate electrons to the polymer films. Thermoelectric thin films of conjugated donor-acceptor copolymer exhibit high power factors of 55.6-61.0 μW m-1 K-2 on SAMs with polar terminal groups. These power factors are 49% higher than that on the SAM with the nonpolar terminal group and 3 times higher than that on pristine substrate. The high power factor is ascribed to the modulated charge carrier concentration and improved charge carrier mobility as induced by SAMs.

Background and objectives: Post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common complication following kidney transplantation that significantly impacts long-term clinical outcomes. The current study aimed to develop a practical model for predicting the risk of PTDM based on glucose status on day 3 after kidney transplantation.Methods: This study enrolled 300 kidney transplant recipients between October 2018 and July 2019. All recipients were randomly assigned to either development or validation cohorts in a 2:1 ratio. Univariate logistic regression was used for predictor selection. The nomogram was created using a multivariate logistic regression model and calibrated by the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), the calibration curves, and the decision-curve analysis. The validation model externally validated the model.Results: The cumulative probability of developing PTDM within one-year of a kidney transplant was 11%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified hyperglycemia on day 3 (OR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.34-3.07, p < 0.001) and recipient age (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15, p = 0.007) as independent risk factors for PTDM. The calculated potential predictive risk for PTDM was found to be in perfect agreement with the observed prevalence of PTDM. When compared to the previously used glucose statute on day 5, our model had better predictive performance. Moreover, higher risk of PTDM was associated with a lower recovery rate of graft function.Conclusion: Our study confirmed that the prediction model based on day 3 blood glucose levels can provide an early and accurate prediction of PTDM. This model will assist our clinicians in identifying and intervening in high-risk patients on time to prevent PTDM.

The effect of short-time heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a joint welded by friction stir welding (FSW) was investigated in a 7075 Al alloy. Short-time post-solution and aging treatment promoted recrystallization in the thermal–mechanical affect zone and did not lead to severe grain coarsening in the nugget zone (NZ) of the FSW joint. Solution treatment for 10 min and subsequent aging treatment for 3 h led to the precipitation of high-density η′ phases in the FSW joint. Short-time post-solution and aging treatment enhanced the hardness of HAZ and NZ of the FSW joint and improved the strength of this joint. The yield strength of the FSW joint after solution and aging treatments reached 465 MPa, and its welding efficiency was 89.2%.

Background To evaluate the outcome of kidney recipients with ureteral stenosis after treatment with open surgery under magnetic resonance urography (MRU) localization. Methods We assessed 2,256 consecutive kidney transplant recipients between October 2010 and December 2018. Ureteral stenosis was detected by ultrasound, confirmed and positioned by Magnetic Resonance Urography. All patients underwent open ureteral reconstruction. The ureteral stenosis was located according to the location on the MRU during the operation. Surgical complications and recurrence rate were recorded in the stenosis group. Outcomes were compared with those of a matched control group of transplant recipients with no history of ureteric stenosis. Results The incidence of ureteral stenosis in our center was 3.1% (70/2,256). Sixty-four cases (91.4%) were confirmed to have distal stenosis and were reconstructed with ureterovesical re-implantation; six cases (8.6%) were confirmed to have mid-distal stenosis and were subjected to ureteroureterostomy with the use of native ureter. The overall success rate was 100% and the graft function was salvaged in all cases. There was no recurrence of stenosis after a mean follow-up of 38.9±26.3 months. The complication rate was 5.7%. The 110-month graft survival and patient survival were not significantly different between the stenosis and control groups.Conclusions: MRU is an effective method for non-invasive and accurate diagnosis of ureteral stenosis in kidney transplant recipients. Open ureteral reconstruction surgery under MRU localization for treatment of ureter stenosis after kidney transplantation had a high success rate, low recurrence rate and high safety.

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is a major cause of dysfunction and loss of transplanted kidney. The current treatments for ABMR involve nonspecific inhibition and clearance of T/B cells or plasma cells. However, the prognosis of patients following current treatment is poor. T follicular helper cells (Tfh) play an important role in allograft-specific antibodies secreting plasma cell (PC) development. Tfh cells are therefore considered to be important therapeutic targets for the treatment of antibody hypersecretion disorders, such as transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. Tacrolimus (Tac), the primary immunosuppressant, prevents rejection by reducing T cell activation. However, its administration should be closely monitored to avoid serious side effects. In this study, we investigated whether Tac delivery to helper T (CD4 + ) cells using functionalized mesoporous nanoparticles can block Tfh cell differentiation after alloantigen exposure. Results showed that Tac delivery ameliorated humoral rejection injury in rodent kidney graft by suppressing Tfh cell development, PC, and donor-specific antibody (DSA) generation without causing severe side effects compared with delivery through the drug administration pathway. This study provides a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing humoral rejection in solid organ transplantation. The specific and controllable drug delivery avoids multiple disorder risks and side effects observed in currently used clinical approaches.

Al–Mg–Si alloys with different heat treatment states were used as base metals (BMs) in investigating the effect of BM state on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si alloy friction stir-welded (FSW) joints. The Al grains and insoluble phases of the FSW joints were not affected by BM state, but the compositions of the precipitated phases in the heat-affected zones (HAZs) and nugget zones (NZs) depended on the phase compositions of the BMs. The FSW joint that was welded using the BM with water quenching (WQ) and artificial aging state exhibited the greatest hardness among the joints at the same zones because of the high densities of the β″ phases in the BM, the fine and high densities of the β′ phases in the HAZ, the high number of solution atoms, and the formation of Guinier–Preston zones in the NZ. Moreover, the joint exhibited the highest yield strength because of the high hardness of its HAZ, which is the fracture location in FSW joints. The FSW joint that was welded using the BM with WQ and natural aging state exhibited the highest ultimate tensile strength and tensile elongation because of its high structural uniformity.

Tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporine A (CsA) are widely used to protect graft function after renal transplantation. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the single nucleotide polymorphism of CYP3A5 is a predictive index of FK506 dose requirement, and also the selection yardstick of FK506 or CsA treatment.We tested archival peripheral blood of 218 kidney recipients for CYP3A5 genotyping with PCR-SSP. Meanwhile, the dose of FK506 and CsA was recorded, blood concentration of the drugs was measured, and graft outcome was monitored.These results indicate that CYP3A5*AA/AG carriers need higher FK506 dose than CYP3A5*GG homozygote to achieve the target blood concentration. For CYP3A5*GG carriers, taking FK506 or CsA are both advisable. CYP3A5*AA/AG carriers preferred to CsA treatment depending on the graft outcomes and drug costs. CYP3A5 genotyping is a new approach to detecting FK506 dose requirement and a predictive index for the FK506 or CsA treatment selection in kidney recipients.

In this study, 7xxx (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu) alloys with high Zn concentrations were fabricated by increasing the Zn contents of 7085 Al alloys. The hardness, quench sensitivity, and electrical conductivity of the alloys and a 7085 Al alloy under peak-aged state were studied. The high Zn concentration alloys had higher η′ phase densities and lower quantities of Mg solid atoms than the 7085 Al alloy and thus exhibited higher hardness and electrical conductivity. The high Zn concentration alloys also exhibited slightly higher quench sensitivity than 7085 Al alloy, and the depth of the quenching layer of the alloy with 11.27 wt% Zn content reached 100 mm. This work confirmed that the novel 7xxx alloy with high Zn concentration showed balanced performance, exhibiting enhanced hardness and conductivity and reasonable quench sensitivity compared with the 7085 commercial Al alloy.

Small organic molecules are promising as the next generation of thermoelectric materials due to their unique advantages, such as low cost, high mechanical flexibility, low thermal conductivity, and low toxicity. However, their low electrical conductivities seriously limit the realization of high power factors. Herein, naphthalene diimide derivatives (NDI-1 and NDI-2) carrying a radical substituent of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) are designed and complexed with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as both p-type and n-type thermoelectric composites. The introduction of the radical substituent remarkably improved the electrical conductivity by almost fifty percent compared to that of the NDI derivative without the radical substituent (NDI-0). The obtained radical-containing composites display greatly enhanced TE performance with highest power factors of 277.1 ± 5.4 μW m−1 K−2 for the p-type composite and 79.6 ± 1.7 μW m−1 K−2 for the n-type composite, respectively. Furthermore, the thermoelectric module based on NDI-1/SWCNT composite films consisting of five p–n junctions reaches a large output power of 2.81 μW under a 65 K temperature gradient. The enhanced electrical conductivities and TE performances of radical-containing NDI/SWCNT composite films are attributable to the improved doping level and charge transport process between the radical molecules and SWCNTs. This design strategy of introducing radical moieties into organic thermoelectric materials might be beneficial to the future application for high-performance p-type and n-type thermoelectric materials and devices.

Carbon-based materials have ascended as promising candidates for thermoelectric energy conversion. This study demonstrated charge transfer complexes (CTCs) as novel p-dopants for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which established reduced correlations between electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient compared with those of traditional p-dopants. The SWCNT films doped with 0.07 wt% CTCs of tetrathiafulvalene-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) exhibited a maximum power factor of 248 μW m−1 K−2 at room temperature, which was 51% higher than that of the undoped SWCNTs and 20% higher than that of the TCNQ-doped SWCNT films. Flexible thermoelectric generators solely from TTF-TCNQ-doped SWCNT films exhibited a maximum output power of 17.4 nW under a temperature bias of ΔT = 22.8 K from a device with 12 active modules, while the device composed of TCNQ-doped SWCNT films did not produce recordable output power. The more efficient thermoelectric conversion capability for the CTC-doped SWCNT could be explained by its lower amount of structural defects, higher carrier mobility and reduced charge transfer process between SWCNT and dopant molecules. This work demonstrated that charge transfer complexes were more superior p-dopants, which were generally applicable for SWCNT-based thermoelectric materials and generators.

Herein, a series of novel butterfly-shaped small-molecule organic semiconductors (OSCs) have been designed, synthesized and complexed with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as p-type thermoelectric materials. The butterfly-shaped molecules exhibit curved molecular structures, which tune their frontier molecular orbitals and increase their interactions with SWCNTs. A systematic study shows that the composites based on butterfly-shaped OSCs exhibit significantly improved thermoelectric performances compared with that of the composite based on the analoguous planar OSC. The enhanced thermoelectric performances are attributable to the higher activation energy, improved doping level and charge transport process between the organic molecules and SWCNTs. The butterfly-shaped OSC and SWCNT composite opens up a new avenue for the design of thermoelectric materials and devices.

The carotenoids biosynthesis pathway in plants has been studied extensively, yet little is known about the regulatory mechanisms underlying this process, especially for ornamental horticulture plants. In this study, a natural variation of chrysanthemum with orange coloration was identified and compared with the wild type with pink coloration; the content and component of carotenoids were largely enriched in the mutant with orange coloration. CmCCD4a-5, the DNA sequence in both 'Pink yan' and the mutant, was identified and shown to function as a carotenoid degradation enzyme. Compared with 'Pink yan', the mutant shows lower expression level of CmCCD4a-5. Furthermore, CmGATA4 was found to have an opposite expression trend to CmCCD4a-5, and it could directly bind with the CmCCD4a-5 promoter. Taken together, this study demonstrates that CmGATA4 acts as a negative regulator of CmCCD4a-5 and, furthermore, low expression of CmCCD4a-5 resulted in carotenoid accumulation in the mutant.

In order to improve the wear resistance of CoCrNi alloy, TiC was introduced into the alloy and wear-resistant CoCrNi/(TiC)x composites were designed. The effects of TiC contents on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance of CoCrNi matrix were investigated, respectively. It was found that the TiC produced dissolution and precipitation process in CoCrNi alloy, and a large number of needled and blocky TiC particles were precipitated in the composites. The compressive yield strength of CoCrNi/(TiC)x composites increased with the increasing TiC content. Compared with the CoCrNi alloy, the yield strength of CoCrNi/(TiC)x composites increased from 108 to 1371 MPa, and the corresponding strengthening mechanism contributed to the second phase strengthening. The wear resistance of CoCrNi/(TiC)x composites was also greatly improved due to the strengthening of TiC. Compared with the CoCrNi alloy, the specific wear rate of CoCrNi/(TiC)1.0 alloy was reduced by about 77%. The wear resistance of CoCrNi/(TiC)x composites was enhanced with the increasing content of TiC addition.

Friction stir processing (FSP) was conducted on an Al-Si casting alloy. The Si phase and Al grains of an Al-Si casting alloy were refined through FSP. Furthermore, FSP with high rotation rate led to the precipitation of Mg and Si atoms and the formation of Mg2Si phase in the Al-Si alloy. Precipitation improved the low-strain damping capacity but deteriorates high-strain damping capacity of the FSP sample at room temperature. At low rotation rate, the FSP sample exhibited excellent high-temperature damping capacity mainly because of its fine grain structure and the low density of its pinning points. The plastic instability of the Al-Si alloy was eliminated by FSP because of the refinement of the Si phase. The increase in the strength of each FSP sample was attributed to the increase in second-phase and boundary strengthening effects. Thus, the mechanical properties and damping capacity of Al-Si were enhanced after FSP.

This study investigated the effect of 0.25 wt% Sc addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA 7055 alloy. The addition of Sc obviously refined the grains of AA 7055 alloy during casting, homogenizing, rolling, solution, and aging treatments due to the formation of primary and precipitate Al3(Sc,Zr) phase. The recrystallization and precipitation of AA 7055 alloy were inhibited during heat treatments by Sc addition. The Sc-containing AA 7055 alloy exhibited higher thermal stability than AA 7055 alloy during homogenizing treatment, because of the grain boundary pinning effect of nano-sized Al3(Sc,Zr) particles. Given its structure characteristics such as fine grains, fine η′ phase, and less η phase, AA 7055 alloy with added Sc showed good mechanical properties after aging at 120 °C for 24 h, with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 679 MPa and elongation (EL) of 14%. This work provides an effective strategy to fabricate Al–Zn–Mg(–Cu) series (7xxx) alloys with excellent mechanical properties.

Kidney transplantation is the most effective therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) threatens long-term survival of renal grafts. Although ABMR can be controlled by donor-specific antibody clearance and B- or (and) plasma-cells inhibition, the treatment often causes severe side effects in patients. Therefore, there is need to explore site-specific scavengers. In this study, a nanovehicle carrying an anti-inflammatory drug is developed with complement component 4d targeting, a specific biomarker expressed on allograft endothelium under ABMR. Moreover, the nanovehicle is endowed with photothermal properties to control drug release. Analysis through systematic in vitro and in vivo toxicity, non-invasive targeted imaging, and in situ remote controlled drug release show the nanovehicle specifically targets allograft kidney endothelium, releases an anti-inflammatory drug, methylprednisolone, locally upon laser irradiation, and promotes recovery of injured endothelium, without affecting systemic inflammation or innate immune responses. This strategy has the potential for future clinical application in ABMR treatment.

Grb10 is a key imprinted gene that is suspected to have a role in the adverse outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART), but little is known about the effects of ART on it. Primary ART techniques, including superovulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM), were analyzed in this study of the effects of ART on embryo quality and Grb10. Embryo development rates were determined. Blastocyst cell number and global methylation were analyzed at the single-embryo level, together with Grb10 methylation and mRNA expression of the imprinted genes. Lower blastocyst cell number, higher genome and Grb10 CGI1 methylation, and variable mRNA expression were observed in the ART groups compared with the control group. Whether fertilization was in vivo or in vitro, the changes in the genome and Grb10 CGI1 methylation level and Grb10 and H19 expression were similar in the groups with superovulation and more significant than the IVM group. These results suggest that superovulation had a greater impact than IVF or IVM on the genome and Grb10 DNA methylation level, and Grb10 and H19 expression.

Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a promising biomarker for monitoring allograft status. However, whether dd-cfDNA can reflect real-time anti-rejection treatment effects remains unclear. We prospectively recruited 28 patients with acute renal rejection, including 5 with ABMR, 12 with type IA or type IB rejection, and 11 with type IIA or IIB rejection. dd-cfDNA levels in peripheral blood were measured using human single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus capture hybridization. The percentage of dd-cfDNA (dd-cfDNA%) declined significantly from 2.566 ± 0.549% to 0.773 ± 0.116% (P < .001) after anti-rejection therapy. The dd-cfDNA% decreased steadily over the course of 3 days with daily methylprednisolone injections, but no significant difference in the dd-cfDNA% was observed between the end of anti-rejection therapy and 2 weeks later. Changes in the dd-cfDNA% (∆dd-cfDNA%) demonstrated a positive correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rates at 1 month (ρ = 2.570, P = .022), 3 months (ρ = 3.210, P = .027), and 6 months (ρ = 2.860, P = .019) after therapy. Thus, the dd-cfDNA assay shows prognostic capabilities in therapy outcome and allograft recovery; however, its ability is inhibited by methylprednisolone regardless of the types of rejection. Additionally, a reassessment of frequency intervals for testing is required.

Acute rejection (AR) can lead to allograft dysfunction following renal transplantation, despite immunosuppressive treatments. Accumulating evidence points out a role for epigenetic modification in immune responses. However, the mechanism and contribution of DNA methylation in allograft survival remain unclear. In this study, we followed up patients who successively experienced end‐stage renal disease, renal transplantation with allograft function or dysfunction, and hemodialysis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected at different time points for analysis of the DNA methylation. Epigenetic modifier analysis was also performed to explore its effect of methylation in a mouse model of AR. Compared with the allograft‐stable cohort, patients who experienced AR‐induced allograft dysfunction demonstrated more changes in methylation patterns. Pathway analysis revealed that the hypermethylated areas in the allograft dysfunction group were associated with genes related to the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Moreover, in the mouse AR model, treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor—decitabine regulated the Th1/2/17/regulatory T cell (Treg cell) immune response via its demethylating role in the suppressing the activity of the mTOR pathway, which ultimately ameliorated renal allograft‐related inflammatory injuries. These results revealed that changes in methylation accompany AR‐induced allograft dysfunction after renal transplantation. Epigenetics may provide new insights into predicting and improving allograft survival., Whole‐genome bisulfite sequencing explores epigenetic changes in renal transplant recipients, revealing enhanced hypermethylation of genes enriched in immune‐related pathways.

Al-35Zn and Al-35Zn-0.5Sc alloys were fabricated in this study. The addition of 0.5 Sc promoted the grain refinement of the Al-35Zn alloys during solidification, heat treatment, and hot rolling. Dynamic precipitation also occurred in the Al-35Zn and Al-35Zn-0.5Sc alloys during rolling. The damping capacity and mechanical properties of the Al-35Zn alloy were improved by the Sc addition and hot rolling. The rolled Al-35Zn-0.5Sc alloy with 90% reduction demonstrated better damping capacity than those of commercial Al alloys and some metallic materials with high damping capacity, which is mainly attributed to the high interface sliding capacity. Compared with the commercial Al alloys, the rolled Al-35Zn-0.5Sc alloy with 90% reduction showed balanced mechanical properties, including high strength and reasonable ductility. This work provided an effective strategy for preparing Al alloys with excellent damping capacity and mechanical properties.

BACKGROUND Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections are important complications in renal transplant recipients. METHODS Cases of NTM diseases post-renal transplantation published in English were identified in the PubMed database. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of these cases were reviewed. RESULTS One-hundred and fifteen cases of NTM infection in renal transplant recipients in 100 articles were identified. The median time of NTM infection from renal transplantation was 37 months (range, 3 d to 252 months). Disseminated disease (40.0%) was the most common manifestation of NTM infection in renal transplant recipients. The main diagnostic procedure was culture combined with histopathological examination (38.3%). Thirteen NTM species were identified; the most common pathogen was Mycobacterium chelonae (19.1%). The anti-Mycobacterium treatment lasted more than 12 months in 43.3% of the recorded patients. During the treatment, 30.2% of the recipients lost kidney graft function and 20.9% died from NTM infection and/or other complications, including cardiac death and respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS NTM infection is easily neglected. Physicians must keep a high suspicion for NTM infections in renal transplant recipients.

This study investigated the effects of friction stir processing (FSP) and addition of 0.25% (mass ratio) Sc on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and damping capacity of AA 7055 alloy. Microstructure analyses revealed that a low tool rotation rate of 300 rpm effectively inhibited the grain coarsening in the recrystallization of the alloy during FSP. Sc addition prevented the coarsening of grains and precipitated η phase and the annihilation of dislocations in the FSP AA 7055 alloy. After being subjected to FSP at 300 rpm, the AA 7055 alloy containing Sc exhibited good mechanical and damping properties, which were mainly attributed to the fine recrystallized grain structure, fine precipitated η phase, and large number of nano-sized Al3(Sc, Zr) particles located at the grain boundaries and dislocations. This work provides an effective strategy for preparing commercial Al alloys with excellent damping capacity and mechanical properties.

The Al particle reinforced 7075 Al matrix composites with the layered structure are prepared by hot rolling to improve the damping property of the alloy. Numerous interparticle interfaces are observed in the Al particle layer (reinforcement), and the traces of no interfacial reaction or elemental diffusion are found between the matrix and reinforcement layer. The tensile strength of the composite is 29% higher than that of the matrix. The internal friction values of the Alp/7075Al lamellar composite and the 7075 Al matrix are found to increase with the increase in temperature and strain, respectively. At 570 K, the internal friction values of the composites are found to be as high as 0.105, which is 337% higher than that of the matrix, and an internal friction peak (P2) appears in the composites due to the recrystallization of Al particles at high temperature. The comprehensive damping index of the composite is found to be about 2.9-fold of the 7075 Al matrix. The damping mechanism of the composite is mainly attributed to dislocation damping, grain boundary damping, and interface damping.

The AlSi30p/5052Al composite with porous particle layer was successfully produced by hot rolling. Numerous interparticle interfaces and pores were seen in the particle layer. The dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the internal friction and the storage modulus of the composites are higher than that of the matrix. Due to the presence of an intermediate particle layer, dislocation and residual internal stress increase in the composites, and thereby improve the storage modulus of the composites. The comprehensive damping index of the composites is better than that of the matrix. The synergistic damping effect caused by the porous structure and a large number of interfaces between particles in the particle layer improve the damping capacity of the composites.

The crystallography and morphology of the nano-sized precipitate particles in a ternary Cu–Cr–Zr alloy were studied by transmission electron microscopy. A new type of face-centred-cubic (f.c.c) Cr-rich precipitate was observed. This precipitate is ordered and solute enriched on alternate {110} f.c.c planes, with an ellipsoid-shaped morphology. The new orientation relationship (OR) between the precipitate and Cu matrix satisfies [211]M//[011]p and [100]M//[111]p, {-111}M//{200}p and {02-2}M//{02-2}p. The difference between this new OR and the Nishiyama–Wasserman OR between body-centred-cubic (b.c.c) Cr and the Cu matrix can be detailed by Δg vectors in the diffraction patterns. Furthermore, the precipitation strengthening effect is increased greatly with the formation of these new precipitate particles when compared to binary Cu–Cr alloys.

A novel nanoindentation mapping technique was employed to correlate the microstructure, composition and mechanical properties of the fcc, laves and lamellae in CoCrNiMox high-entropy alloys with varying Mo content. The results suggest that the Young's modulus of the 3 constituents were comparable, averaging ≈230 GPa. Despite this, the hardness was quite different. The fcc phase in CoCrNiMox was mainly strengthened by a solute strengthening mechanism, and the hardness was increased from ≈3.98 GPa to ≈4.45 GPa, as the atomic percentage of Mo in fcc increased from ≈7.4% to 15.4%. A solute strengthening model a accounting lattice distortion was employed to correlate the strengthening effect in fcc with Mo content. The laves phase was rich in Mo composition (≈28.6%) and exhibited an ultrahigh hardness, ≈9.13 GPa, which was ≈2 times higher than that of fcc phase. Finally, the lamellae colonies, made up by alternative fcc and laves phases, had an intermediate hardness, ≈6.36 GPa. This was well explained by a rule-of-mixture model.

Al–Si–Mg alloys with 7% and 12% (mass ratio) Si contents were subjected to friction stir processing (FSP), warm rolling (WR), and heat treatment. The effects of process routes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Al–Si–Mg alloys were studied. FSP could break the eutectic structure and lead to the uniform distribution of the generated fine Si particles in the two Al–Si–Mg alloys. WR could effectively decrease the porosity of the Al–Si–Mg alloys. T6 could lead to the precipitation of the β'′ phases in these alloys. The structure characteristics, including fine grain and second phases, uniformly distributed Si particles, high density of β'′ phases, and low porosity, resulted in the satisfactory mechanical properties of the Al–Si–Mg alloys after FSP, WR, and T6 treatments.

Background: Little is known about the population pharmacokinetics (PPK) of daptomycin in kidney transplant patients. The present study established a pharmacokinetic model for daptomycin in kidney transplant patients in China and examinee the important factors affecting the pharmacokinetic parameters of daptomycin. Methods: The study population included 49 kidney transplant patients with 537 daptomycin concentrations. The PPK model of daptomycin was developed using a nonlinear mixed-effects model, a two-compartment structural model, and a mixed residual error model. The stability and predictive ability of the final model were evaluated based on bootstrapping, visual prediction checks and normalized prediction distribution errors. Results: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and total body weight significantly affected clearance, and body weight influenced the central volume of distribution. The average clearance of the population was 0.316 L/h, the central volume of distribution was 6.04 L, the intercompartmental clearance was 2.31 L/h, and the peripheral volume of distribution was 2.46 L. Based on the established model and the target of area under curve (AUC0-24h)/minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ≥666, we developed a recommended dose regimen for kidney transplant patients according to their renal function and weight. The daily doses were 4.0±0.31, 4.7±0.36, 5.1±0.40, 5.5±0.43, 5.8±0.45, and 6.1±0.48 mg/kg when the GFRs were 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Conclusion: This study provides a reference for individualized daptomycin administration in kidney transplant recipients, and it is a valuable resource for improving the treatment effect and reducing the toxic effects of daptomycin.