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Hydraulic oil leaks during mechanical maintenance, resulting in flushing wastewater contaminated with dispersed nano-oil droplets. In this study, 75 mg L−1 of polysilicate aluminum ferric (PSAF) was stirred at 350 rpm and the optimal chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was 71%. The increase of PSAF led to more hydrolysis of Fe, and 1,175 cm−1 hydroxyl bridged with negative oil droplets. At the same molar concentration, PSAF hydrolyzes cationic metals more rapidly than polymeric aluminum chloride (PAC). PSAF forms flocs of smaller complex structures with greater bridging. The Al–O and Si–O peaks occurred at 611 and 1,138 cm−1, indicating the formation of Si–O–Fe and Si–O–Al bonds on the flocs surface. Higher stirring speeds did not change the free energy of the flocs surface γTot, mainly because the decrease in the van der Waals force (γLW) offset the increase of Lewis acid–base force (γAB). Preserving the non-polar surface, in summary, owing to its bridging abilities and affinity for non-polar surfaces, PSAF demonstrates superior efficiency over PAC in capturing and removing oil droplets. HIGHLIGHTS 75 mg L−1 of PSAF was stirred at 350 rpm and the optimal COD removal was 71%.; PSAF bridging was superior to PAC in terms of Si–O–Fe and Si–O–Al bonds.; PSAF forms flocs of smaller complex structures with greater bridging.; Higher stirring speeds did not change the non-polar surface of PSAF flocs to have good adsorption.;

In this investigation, a Fe–20Mn–9Al-1.5C lightweight austenitic steel has been developed through strategic alloying with Ni and Cr elements coupled with the employment of a thermo-mechanical processing technique featuring ultra-fast cooling. This composition and treatment synergistically transcend the conventional trade-off between strength and ductility, positioning the mechanical performance of this steel notably above that of comparable low-density austenitic steels previously reported. The coordinated incorporation of Ni and Cr is key to modulating the precipitation threshold for nanoscale κ-carbides and LRO domains, achieving an optimal size for precipitate-induced strengthening. The incorporation of Cr specifically contributes to a dual enhancement mechanism: it fosters the generation of high-density dislocation arrays (HDDA) and refines the dynamic slip band (DSBR) during deformation, which in turn, elevates the strain hardenability and ductility. The remarkable synergy in strength and ductility is attributed to a combination of mechanisms including grain boundary reinforcement, solid solution hardening, the precipitation strengthening effect of nanoscale precipitates, and the activation of secondary slip system dislocations. This synergy is quantitatively reflected in the material's yield strength (YS) exceeding 1100 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) surpassing 1200 MPa, and a total elongation (TEL) exceeding 45%. The insights gained from this research provide critical guidance for the design and creation of austenitic low-density steels that do not compromise between strength and ductility, thereby offering superior overall performance.

Abstract Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) can lead to many adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the influencing factors remain unclear at present. This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 1815 pregnant women with ICP and evaluated the relationship between ICP subtypes, gestational age at onset, and pregnancy outcomes. The results of this study show that during pregnancy, the levels of biochemical indicators (TBA, DBIL and ALT) in the serum of pregnant women initially diagnosed with subtypes of ICP were noted to constantly change, and the subtype of ICP and its severity also changed. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes [meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), NICU transfer, Apgar score ≤ 7 at 1 min, and preterm birth] in patients with ICP1 (icteric type) was significantly higher than for patients with ICP2, ICP3 or ICP4. The preterm birth rate of early-onset ICP was higher than that of late-onset ICP in ICP1 and ICP3 subtypes. In conclusion, the outcome of pregnancy in women with ICP is closely related to the serum TBA level and ICP subtype, which should be recognized in the clinic.

Cu–Ag alloy wire with different deformations and Ag contents of 1%, 2%, and 4% are prepared using vacuum continuous casting technology combined with cold drawing and intermediate annealing processes. The evolution of microstructure, electrical properties, and mechanical properties of the Cu–Ag alloy wire is investigated, and a relationship model between wire diameter, Ag content, and alloy wire properties is established. The results showed that the directionally solidified billets exhibited good elongation and are suitable for drawing fine wire. As the Ag content increased, the twinning content inside the Cu–Ag alloy wire also increased significantly. It is found through Strain++ characterization that there is non-uniform deformation within the wire, and the tensile and compressive strains that exist interactively tend to aggregate within the twins. The properties of the Cu–Ag alloy wire with different diameters varied significantly at different stages of deformation, showing a pronounced size effect below 1 mm. With decreasing wire diameter or increasing Ag content, the DC resistance, resistivity, and tensile strength of the Cu–Ag alloy wire gradually increased, while the conductivity decreased. The effect of Ag content on elongation is not significant. Statistical analysis revealed that the established performance model had high predictive accuracy and could provide references for the optimization of production processes for Cu–Ag alloy wire.

Fe–20Mn–9Al-1.5C–2Ni–3Cr low-density steel is subjected to multi-stage heat treatment (MHT) to improve the toughness while maintaining high strength and ductility. The mechanical properties and fracture behavior of MHT steel are compared with those resulting from single-stage heat treatment (S1000 and S1050) usnig SEM, EBSD, and TEM microstructural characterization. The grain sizes of S1000, S1050 and MHT are 3.17, 3.84, and 7.31 μm, respectively. The proportion of “special” grain boundaries changes from 71.7 % to 68.3 % and finally to 71.2 % (by length). Simultaneously, dissolution of intergranular Cr7C3 precipitates in S1000. The half-size impact energy of MHT is 88.6 % higher than that of S1000, reaching 55.1 J, and the ultimate tensile strength and total elongation are maintained at approximately 1100 MPa and 50 %, respectively. As demonstrated by quantitative analysis, the yield strength is maintained at 910 MPa due to solution, grain boundary, and precipitation strengthening, whereas the increase in toughness is due to the rise in the crack propagation energy. The increased toughness is derived from the combined effect of reducing the number of intergranular precipitates and a high percentage of “special grain boundaries''.

Abstract Disulfidptosis is a condition where dysregulated NAPDH levels and abnormal accumulation of cystine and other disulfides occur in cells with high SLC7A11 expression under glucose deficiency. This disrupts normal formation of disulfide bonds among cytoskeletal proteins, leading to histone skeleton collapse and triggering cellular apoptosis. However, the correlation between disulfidptosis and immune responses in relation to glioblastoma survival rates and immunotherapy sensitivity remains understudied. Therefore, we utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas and The Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas to identify disulfidptosis-related immune checkpoint genes and established an overall survival (OS) prediction model comprising six genes: CD276, TNFRSF 14, TNFSF14, TNFSF4, CD40, and TNFRSF18, which could also be used for predicting immunotherapy sensitivity. We identified a cohort of glioblastoma patients classified as high-risk, which exhibited an upregulation of angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition as well as an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) enriched with tumor associated macrophages, tumor associated neutrophils, CD8 + T-cell exhaustion. Immunohistochemical staining of CD276 in 144 cases further validated its negative correlation with OS in glioma. Disulfidptosis has the potential to induce chronic inflammation and an immunosuppressive TME in glioblastoma.

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) increases the risk of death or adverse outcomes in patients with lung cancer. Therefore, early identification and treatment of high‐risk groups of VTE have been the research focus. In this systematic review, the risk assessment tools of VTE in patients with lung cancer were systematically analyzed and evaluated to provide a reference for VTE management. Methods Relevant studies were retrieved from major English databases (The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Medline) and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI] and WanFang Data) until July 2023 and extracted by two researchers. This systematic review was registered at PROSPERO (no. CRD42023409748). Results Finally, two prospective cohort studies and four retrospective cohort studies were included from 2019. There was a high risk of bias in all included studies according to the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment tool (PROBAST). In the included studies, Cox and logistic regression were used to construct models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the model ranged from 0.670 to 0.904, and the number of predictors ranged from 4 to 11. The D‐dimer index was included in five studies, but significant differences existed in optimal cutoff values from 0.0005 mg/L to 2.06 mg/L. Then, three studies validated the model externally, two studies only validated the model internally, and only one study validated the model using a combination of internal and external validation. Conclusion VTE risk prediction models for patients with lung cancer have received attention for no more than 5 years. The included model shows a good predictive effect and may help identify the risk population of VTE at an early stage. In the future, it is necessary to improve data modeling and statistical analysis methods, develop predictive models with good performance and low risk of bias, and focus on external validation and recalibration of models.

Due to the extensive genetic and antigenic variation in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), as well as its rapid mutability and evolution, PRRS prevention and control can be challenging. An expeditious and sensitive neutralization assay for PRRSV is presented to monitor neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in serum during vaccine research. Here, a PRRSV expressing eGFP was successfully rescued with reverse genetics based on the infectious clone HuN4-F112-eGFP which we constructed. The fluorescent protein expressions of the reporter viruses remained stable for at least five passages. Based on this reporter virus, the neutralization assay can be easily used to evaluate the level of NAbs by counting cells with green fluorescence. Compared with the classical CPE assay, the newly developed assay increases sensitivity by one- to four-fold at the early antibody response stage, thus saving 2 days of assay waiting time. By using this assay to unveil the dynamics of neutralizing antibodies against PRRSV, priming immunity through either a single virulent challenge or only vaccination could produce limited NAbs, but re-infection with PRRSV would induce a faster and stronger NAb response. Overall, the novel HuN4-F112-eGFP-based neutralization assay holds the potential to provide a highly efficient platform for evaluating the next generation of PRRS vaccines.

This review provides an overview of Cu–Ni–Sn alloys, which have great advantages as a potential substitute for beryllium bronze. The characteristics of spinodal decomposition in Cu–Ni–Sn alloys are thoroughly discussed by conducting a comprehensive analysis of thermodynamics and the phase diagram. The traditional casting process for Cu–Ni–Sn alloys is subject to several limitations, including segregation during solidification as a primary constraint. Another significant limitation is the occurrence of discontinuous precipitation during aging. Thus, the strategies to overcome these limitations are further elaborated. Commonly used methods include thermal-mechanical processing and composition design. Finally, the application of Cu–Ni–Sn alloys in friction and corrosion is discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the research progress and significant limitations encountered in Cu–Ni–Sn spinodal alloys. This includes a discussion of traditional casting methods as well as novel preparation techniques. The aim is to serve as a valuable reference for the development of new manufacturing methods and the future advancement of Cu–Ni–Sn spinodal alloys.

BackgroundPorcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), a novel swine enteropathogenic coronavirus, challenges the global swine industry. Currently, there are no approaches preventing swine from PDCoV infection.MethodsA new PDCoV strain named JS2211 was isolated. Next, the dimer receptor binding domain of PDCoV spike protein (RBD-dimer) was expressed using the prokaryotic expression system, and a novel nanoparticle containing RBD-dimer and ferritin (SC-Fe) was constructed using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system. Finally, the immunoprotection of RBD-Fe nanoparticles was evaluated in mice.ResultsThe novel PDCoV strain was located in the clade of the late Chinese isolate strains and close to the United States strains. The RBD-Fe nanoparticles were successfully established. Immune responses of the homologous prime-boost regime showed that RBD-Fe nanoparticles efficiently elicited specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Notably, high level PDCoV RBD-specific IgG and neutralizing antibody (NA) could be detected, and the histopathological results showed that PDCoV infection was dramatically reduced in mice immunized with RBD-Fe nanoparticles.ConclusionThis study effectively developed a candidate nanoparticle with receptor binding domain of PDCoV spike protein that offers protection against PDCoV infection in mice.

Abstract African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious and deadly virus that leads to high mortality rates in domestic swine populations. Although the envelope protein CD2v of ASFV has been implicated in immunomodulation, the molecular mechanisms underlying CD2v-mediated immunoregulation remain unclear. In this study, we generated a stable CD2v-expressing porcine macrophage (PAM-CD2v) line and investigated the CD2v-dependent transcriptomic landscape using RNA-seq. GO terms enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis revealed that CD2v predominantly affected the organization and assembly process of the extracellular matrix. Wound healing and Transwell assays showed that CD2v inhibited swine macrophage migration. Further investigation revealed a significant decrease in the expression of transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1) through inhibiting the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Notably, EGR1 knockout in swine macrophages restricted cell migration, whereas EGR1 overexpression in PAM-CD2v restored the ability of macrophage migration, suggesting that CD2v inhibits swine macrophage motility by downregulating EGR1 expression. Furthermore, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing for EGR1 and the histone mark H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac), and we found that EGR1 co-localized with the activated histone modification H3K27ac neighboring the transcriptional start sites. Further analysis indicated that EGR1 and H3K27ac co-occupy the promoter regions of cell locomotion-related genes. Finally, by treating various derivatives of swine macrophages with lipopolysaccharides, we showed that depletion of EGR1 decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines including TNFα, IL1α, IL1β, IL6, and IL8, which play essential roles in inflammation and host immune response. Collectively, our results provide new insights into the immunomodulatory mechanism of ASFV CD2v.

Objective To analyze the basic characteristics of whole blood donors from blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods After excluding invalid data, data related to the basic characteristics of whole blood donors collected from 26 blood stations in China during 2018 to 2021 were statistically analyzed, including the trend of total whole blood donors, the number of repeated blood donors, the frequency of blood donation, the average age of donors and the recruitment of first-time blood donors. Results Affected by the epidemic, 8 out of 14 indicators were with large variations, accounting for 57%. The overall growth rate of total whole blood donors during the epidemic was higher than before the epidemic (P

Kaihua paper is a type of precious hand-made paper in China that has been used throughout Chinese history. Due to its extraordinary whiteness and fine texture, it was adopted by the imperial palace in the reign of Emperor Kang Xi and Yong Zheng of the Qing Dynasty of China in the 17th and 18th century. It is stained by a special type of yellowish-brown spot after years of storage, which is called a “peachy spot.” The formation of such spots remains unclear, although complicated physicochemical processes or microbial activities might be involved. We performed nondestructive sampling and high-throughput sequencing on peachy spot surfaces, unstained areas, and air samples in the stack room to analysis the the bacterial and fungal communities, and performed prediction of functional genes of the bacterial communities. The results showed that peachy spot formation was mainly related to bacterial communities rather than fungal communities. Significantly more potential acid- producing, acidophilic or cellulase-producing bacteria, such as, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Lysinibacillus, and pigment-producing bacteria, such as Methylobacterium and Rubrobacter, were identified in the peachy spot samples. Prediction of the functional genes of the bacterial community also suggested the production of acidic substance pigments. These findings provide new insights into the pigment formation mechanism in ancient paper and open an opportunity to develop new strategies to preserve the ancient paper documents.

Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom affecting a significant proportion of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), often overshadowing even motor symptoms in its impact on quality of life. The accurate definition and assessment of mental fatigue in PD is crucial for both clinical management and research, yet it remains a challenge due to the subjective nature of the symptom and the heterogeneity of assessment scales. This systematic review examined the existing measures of self-reported mental fatigue in PD by searching through PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases using specific keywords from 2001 to 2024. Out of the 4182 articles found, 40 met the inclusion criteria, and 14 different scales were identified to measure self-reported fatigue in PD patients. However, most of these scales lack a consistent definition of fatigue, indicating a need for validated combinations of unidimensional and multidimensional scales to accurately assess mental fatigue in PD. The review found that it is best to use Fatigue Severity Inventory (FSI) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MdFI) to screen for severity of PD mental fatigue and Neuro-QoL Item Bank v1.0 (Neuro-QoL) to evaluate its impact on patients’ lives. Furthermore, multidimensional scales Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F) are frequently coupled with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Parkinson’s Fatigue Scale (PFS), and/or Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) due to their short length and holistic coverage of variables in patients’ quality of life. Combining fatigue scales can be used for screening and scoring methods. The review also recommends validating fatigue scales translation and combining them with biomarkers to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of fatigue assessment in clinical practice. Future research should analyze correlations between fatigue scales, expand language types, and explore the link between fatigue scales and the pathophysiological basis of PD. Our findings underscore the need for a standardized approach to the measurement of fatigue in PD and set the stage for future research to consolidate assessment tools that can reliably guide treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Single-crystal copper rods with high conductivity and mechanical properties are the decisive material for the production of microwires for chip bonding. To further improve the product of strength and elongation as well as electrical conductivity, rare earth Y is added to a single-crystal copper rod to adjust the microstructure and impurity state. The results show that Cu-0.03Y copper rods have excellent comprehensive properties. The electrical conductivity improves to 103.72 % IACS, and the product of strength and elongation improves to 8.772 GPa%. The precipitates in the Cu-0.03Y single crystal copper rod are nano-sized spherical particles composed of YP (NaCl type) and Cu5Y (Cu5Ca type) phases. The enthalpy of formation of Y and P is calculated using Miedema thermodynamics as ΔH = −173.45 kJ·mol−1. The precipitates formed by the preferential reaction of Y and P reduce the solid dissolved atoms in the copper, and the electrical conductivity increases accordingly. The 〈001〉 texture of a single-crystal copper rod decreases with the addition of Y, while the 〈101〉 texture increases with good plasticity, leading to an improvement in elongation.

IntroductionPrediabetes is a metabolic condition characterized by blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but do not meet the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. Individuals with prediabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and associated complications. However, limited epidemiological studies have investigated the association between flavonoids from plant-based diets and the risk of prediabetes, and the existing evidence from these studies is inconsistent.MethodsTherefore, we utilized data from 19,021 participants (mean age: 32.03 years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted during 2007–2010 and 2017–2018 to investigate the potential association between dietary flavonoid intake and prediabetes risk by weighted logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, the data from 3,706 participants (mean age: 35.98 years) from NHANES 2007–2010 were used to assess the correlation between concentrations of isoflavones and their metabolites in urine and prediabetes risk by weighted logistic regression analysis.ResultsOur findings revealed an inverse association between the intake of glycitein (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.82–0.96; p = 0.003), genistein (OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97–0.99; p = 0.004), daidzein (OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96–0.99; p = 0.009), and total isoflavones (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98–1.00; p = 0.005) with the risk of prediabetes. Moreover, we observed an inverse association between the concentration of daidzein in urine (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.73–0.96; p = 0.012) and the concentration of genistein in urine (OR:0.83; 95% CI: 0.75–0.93; p = 0.003) with the risk of prediabetes using weighted logistic regression.ConclusionIn conclusion, our findings suggest a potential protective effect of isoflavones against the development of prediabetes.

Abstracts: The effects of solution time and aging temperature on the microstructure and properties of C17300 beryllium copper alloy wire were studied by means of SEM, XRD, electronic universal tester and resistance tester. The results show that after solution treatment, the deformed twin structure disappears and the distorted crystal grows into equiaxed crystal. The optimum solution time is 90 min, and the hardness and resistivity are 115HV and 1.13 × 10−7 Ω m respectively. The optimum solution time is 90 min, and the hardness and resistivity are 115HV and 9.52 × 10−7 Ω m respectively. When the aging temperature is increased from 260 °C to 340 °C, the amount of grain boundary reaction is increased from 3.84% to 17.05%, and the precipitated phase changes from point to tumor-like distribution. When the aging temperature rises to 320 °C, the mechanical properties are the best, with tensile strength of 1192.86 MPa, hardness of 373.81HV and elongation of 5.16%. With the increase of aging temperature, the work hardening rate gradually increases, the number of dimples and micropores on the fracture surface decreases, and the granular precipitates at the bottom of dimples increase. In summary, the differences of microstructure and mechanical properties of beryllium bronze at different solution time and aging temperature are compared, which provides some basis for preparing high strength beryllium copper alloy microwires.

The influence mechanism of tensile stress and tensile stress annealing on the strength and residual stress of the C19400 alloy is proved. The results show that after annealing at 100 °C under 35 MPa tensile stress, the tensile strength is 428.2 MPa, and the TD and RD residual stresses are −2 MPa and −8 MPa, respectively, which are 94.4% and 87.9% lower than that of the untreated state. This treatment can significantly reduce the residual stress of the C19400 alloy while maintaining its original tensile strength. The main factor affecting strength is the interaction between the precipitates and dislocations. Interestingly, the tensile stress has not no obvious relationship with the overall texture strength, but is positively related to the volume fraction of Brass texture. In addition, this study find that under the same level of dislocation density, no direct correlation exists between the magnitude of the residual stress and that of dislocation density. The ordered arrangement of dislocations is conducive to reducing the residual stress of the alloy. The results provide a reference for improving the performance of C19400 alloy.

In this paper, we put a variety of elements into the Cu–Ni–Si alloy for smelting and processing, and systematically characterized and tested the microstructure, precipitates and service performance during the process. We found that adding Cr, Zr, Ti, and Mg led to grain refinement and produced some twin structures. In addition, based on Ni–Si precipitates, the generation of the nano-Cr3Si phase (50 nm in size) is promoted, and their distribution in the matrix is relatively uniform. The dispersed precipitates can effectively strengthen the service performance of the copper alloy, and the strength of the alloy exceeds 500 MPa while maintaining high conductivity. The research results of this paper can provide a basis for the design and development of copper alloy strips for new energy vehicle connections.

Abstract Background Young adulthood is an important period for smoking cessation; however, there is limited evidence of smoking-cessation interventions for young adults. The aims of this study were to identify evidence-based smoking-cessation strategies for young adults, examine gaps in the literature regarding smoking cessation among young adults, and discuss methodological issues/challenges related to smoking-cessation studies for young adults. Methods Studies tested interventions for smoking cessation among young adults (18 to 26 years old), excluding pilot studies. Five main search engines were used, including PubMed, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The search was conducted for articles published from January 2009 to December 2019. Intervention characteristics and cessation outcomes were reviewed, and methodological quality was evaluated. Results A total of 14 articles met inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled studies and repeated cross-sectional studies. Interventions included the following: text messaging (4/14, 28.6%), social media use (2/14, 14.3%), web-or app-based intervention (2/14, 14.3%), telephone counseling (1/14, 7.1%), in-person counseling (3/14, 21.4%), pharmacological (1/14, 7.1%), and self-help booklet (1/14, 7.1%). The intervention duration and frequency of contact with participants differed and yielded varied outcomes. Conclusions Multiple interventions have been examined to aid young adults in achieving smoking cessation. While several approaches seem promising, at the present time, the published literature is inconclusive about the type of intervention that is most effective for young adults. Future studies should compare the relative effectiveness of these intervention modalities.

The preparation method of integrated circuit lead frames has transitioned from stamping to etching, rendering them more sensitive to residual stress. Consequently, the dimensional deviations caused by residual stress become more pronounced, necessitating a thorough investigation into the copper strip processing process, particularly considering the high-precision requirements of the lead frame. A quasi in situ method was employed to monitor the deformation process, and quantitative analyses and graphical reconstructions of the residual stress were conducted. The results indicated that the orientation evolution did not exhibit a significant correlation with grain size or grain aspect ratio. However, the stored energy of the different grains was related to their orientations. Further analysis of slip traces revealed that single or multiple slipping may be activated in grain subdivisions, and the Schmid factor difference ratio (SFDR) value proved to be an effective tool for analyzing this deformation mode. An even more interesting finding was that the deformation mode directly affected the residual stress distribution in local regions. The relationship between residual stress, Schmid factor, and SFDR was further analyzed, and a clear correlation between SFDR and residual stress was found in this study.

The evolution of the mechanical characteristics, residual stresses, and microstructure of a Cu–Fe–P alloy during machining was investigated, and the influence mechanism of the microstructure on the residual stress and strength of the Cu–Fe–P alloy was confirmed. The findings suggest that the tensile strength, transverse direction (TD), and rolling direction (RD) residual stresses in the cold-rolled state are 516 MPa, −80 MPa and −36 MPa, respectively, which are 76.1%, 93.8%, and 72.2% higher than those in the hot-rolled state, respectively. In addition, after annealing at high temperatures, the tensile strength, TD, and RD residual stresses of the Cu–Fe–P alloy decreased to 344 MPa, −9 MPa and −24 MPa, respectively, which were 33.3%, 88.8%, and 33.3% smaller than those of the cold-rolled alloy, respectively. The strength and residual stress of the Cu–Fe–P alloy are intriguing. The primary influencing aspects of the strength and residual stress are dislocations, grain boundaries, and textures. The residual stress of the Cu–Fe–P alloy may be controlled while maintaining strength by appropriately increasing the proportion of recrystallized grains and decreasing the dislocation density and volume fraction of the Brass texture, respectively. These outcomes serve as a guide for improving the service performance of Cu–Fe–P alloys.

The φ16 mm single crystal copper rod was prepared by heated-mold horizontal continuous casting, and the φ16 mm polycrystalline copper rod was prepared by up-casting technology. Both of them were drawn to φ0.2 mm, the conductivity, strength, elongation, and microstructure evolution of single-crystal copper wire and polycrystal copper wire were compared and analyzed. The results show that the plasticity of as-cast single-crystal copper rod is 13.94% higher than that of as-cast polycrystalline copper rod. When drawing to φ0.2 mm, a single crystal copper wire with high strength (506 MPa) and high conductivity (98.01% IACS). At the same deformation amount, the single crystal copper wire obviously deforms more slowly and has a higher plastic deformation capacity; the texture transformation of single crystal copper wire is from soft → hard orientation, selective orientation to discrete distribution, while the weave transformation of polycrystalline copper wire is from soft → hard orientation, then from hard → soft orientation, and finally stabilizes to selective orientation. The microstructural evolution of single-crystal copper wire and polycrystalline copper wire during continuous deformation was observed: dislocation entanglement into dislocation cells by slip → microstrip structure → lamellar organization → twinning organization, single-crystal copper wire appears twinning later, single-crystal copper deformation coordination ability is better than polycrystalline copper. It is found that the increase of dislocation density, the decrease of grain width and the increase of texture are the main factors for the strength improvement of micro-nano pure copper wires.

Interface has been often neglected in exploring micro-alloying mechanisms in polycrystalline Cu–Cr–Zr alloys. In this study, interface structure modeling and first-principles calculations were carried out to explore the segregation behaviors of micro-alloying element Zr at nano-Cr particle interfaces and a series of low-Σ (Σ ≤ 11) Cu grain boundaries (GBs) in Cu–Cr–Zr alloys. The segregation effects on interface adhesion strength were also evaluated. Our results suggested that Zr can substitute the top-most Cu atoms at most nano-Cr particle interfaces (those with the Nishiyama–Wassermann orientation relation) with the maximal coverage of 1/3 ML. The segregation to other nano-Cr interfaces with the Kurdjumov–Sachs orientation relation is, however, energetically forbidden. At almost all the low-Σ GBs (except the Σ3 (111) only), Zr segregation can be consistently favored up to a full coverage (1 ML), which can improve the GB binding by ∼30%. Based on these results, the multi-fold benefits of Zr micro-alloying were discussed.

Abstract In this study, the hot rolled medium manganese steel containing titanium was solution treated at 1,000 °C and followed by aging treatment at 500, 550, and 600 °C. The influence of aging treatment on mechanical properties and wear resistance of medium manganese steel reinforced with Ti(C,N) particles was investigated. It was found that the matrix of medium manganese steel was austenite. The austenite grain size was refined, and Ti(C,N) particles were precipitated after aging treatment. Compared to that of the as-hot rolled sample, the initial hardness of 500 °C aged sample increased by 9.5% to 312.86 HV, whose impact energy was more than doubled to 148.5 J. As the aging temperature raised to 600 °C, the initial hardness changed slightly. However, the impact energy dropped significantly to 8 J due to the aggregation of Mn at the grain boundaries. In addition, the main wear mechanisms of the samples were fatigue wear and abrasive wear. It was worth noting that 500 °C aged sample exhibited the best wear resistance under a 300 N applied load, whose wear loss was just half of the as-hot rolled sample. The relationship between wear loss and mechanical properties indicated that the wear resistance of medium manganese steel was independent of the initial hardness. The large difference in the wear resistance was predominately due to the outstanding work hardening ability of 500 °C aged sample, whose strengthening mechanisms were contributed from transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect, dislocation strengthening, twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) effect, and precipitation strengthening.

This paper reports a quasi in-situ study on the plastic deformation behavior of high purity tantalum, particularly the slip activation and slip transfer, using the electron backscatter diffraction method. We found that the rotation degree of grains is in the range of 0–15°; the rotation axes of slip-activated grains are mainly concentrated in the three corners, while the axes of slip-transfer ones are concentrated near {111} corner in the stereographic triangle. Microstructural parameters including grain size and grain aspect ratio were found to have no apparent relationships with the slip activation or slip transfer process. Most m' factors for the grains underwent slip-transfer are larger than 0.27, and most slip systems involved in the slip-transfer observations are associated with relatively high Schmid factors (SFs), indicating that slip would more easily transfer through the boundaries with large m' factors. In addition, according to the distribution of geometrical necessary dislocation density and the SF of slipping activated grains, we found the slip transfer process is affected by a combination of factors, including the SF, m' factor, and the strain concentration in local regions.

Summary: CD9 is a member of the tetraspanin protein family, which has been widely studied in inflammation and cancer, but not in pathological cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we found that the expression of CD9 was increased in transaortic constriction (TAC) myocardial tissue. Knockdown of CD9 alleviated damage to cardiac function in the TAC model and reduced heart weight, cardiomyocyte size, and degree of fibrosis, and vice versa. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation results showed that CD9 and GP130 can bind to each other in cardiomyocytes, and knockdown of CD9 can reduce the protein level of GP130 and the phosphorylation of STAT3 in vivo and in vitro, and vice versa. GP130 knockdown reversed the aggravating effects of CD9 on pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, we conclude that CD9 exacerbates pathological cardiac hypertrophy by regulating the GP130/STAT3 signaling pathway and may serve as a therapeutic target for pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

As a highly pathogenic large DNA virus, African swine fever virus (ASFV) has huge particles and numerous encoded proteins. At present, few of the existing studies on ASFV proteins have investigated the function of p17. Specific antibodies against p17 to promote the development of prevention techniques against African swine fever (ASF) are urgently needed. Herein, we successfully expressed ASFV p17 in CHO cells using a suspension culture system and generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against p17. The mAb recognized a novel linear epitope (8LLSHNLSTREGIK20) and exhibited specific reactivity, which was conducive to the identification of ectopically expressed p17, the recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus expressing p17, and the ASFV-SY18. The epitope was conservative among genotype I and genotype II ASFV strains. Overall, the mAb against p17 revealed efficient detection and promising application prospects, making it a useful tool for future vaccine research on ASF. Determination of the conserved linear epitope of p17 would contribute to the in-depth exploration of the biological function of ASFV antigen protein.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has seriously affected the viability of swine industries worldwide, and effective measures to control PRRSV are urgently required. Understanding the mechanisms of action of antiviral proteins is crucial for developing antiviral strategies. Interferon-induced bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2) can inhibit the replication of various viruses via different pathways. However, little is known about the effects of BST2 on PRRSV. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether the interferon-induced BST2 can inhibit PRRSV replication. We used western blotting and RT-qPCR techniques to analyze the effect of BST2 overexpression and knockdown on PRRSV replication. Overexpression of BST2 inhibited the replication of PRRSV, whereas knockdown of BST2 by small interfering RNA promoted PRRSV replication. Additionally, the expression of BST2 was upregulated during the early phase of PRRSV infection in porcine alveolar macrophages. Analysis of PRRSV proteins showed that BST2 restricted the expression of several non-structural viral proteins. BST2 downregulated the expression of Nsp12 through a proteasome-dependent pathway and downregulated the expression and transcription of E protein. These findings demonstrate the potential of BST2 as a critical regulator of PRRSV replication.

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a prominent health concern worldwide, leading to the high incidence of disability and mortality and bringing in heavy healthcare and social burden. Plant-based diets are reported associated with a reduction of DM risk. Plant-based diets are rich in flavonoids, which possess properties such as scavenging free radicals and exerting both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.PurposeHowever, whether dietary flavonoids are associated with the prevalence of DM remains controversial. The potential reasons for contradictory epidemiological outcomes on the association between dietary flavonoids and DM prevalence have not been determined.MethodsTo address these limitations, we employed data from 22,481 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to explore the association between the intake of flavonoids and DM prevalence by weighted Logistic regression and weighted restricted cubic splines.ResultsWe found that the prevalence of DM was inversely associated with the intake of total flavonoids in the second quartile [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.78 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.63, 0.97), p = 0.028], in the third quartile [0.76 (0.60, 0.97), p = 0.031], and in the fourth quartile [0.80 (0.65, 0.97), p = 0.027]. However, the p for trend was not significant [0.94 (0.88, 1.01), p = 0.096]. Moreover, the association between DM prevalence and the intake of total flavonoids was significantly influenced by race (p for interaction = 0.006). In Mexican Americans, there was a significant positive association between DM prevalence and total flavonoid intake within the third quartile [1.04 (1.02, 1.07), p = 0.003]. Total flavan-3-ol and subtotal catechin intake exhibited a non-linear U-shaped association with DM prevalence (p for non-linearity < 0.0001 and p for non-linearity < 0.0001, respectively). Compared to the first quartile of corresponding intakes, consumption within the third quartile of subtotal catechins [0.70 (0.55, 0.89), p = 0.005] and total flavan-3-ols [0.65 (0.50, 0.84), p = 0.002] was associated with a lower prevalence of DM.ConclusionTaken together, our study may provide preliminary research evidence for personalized improvement of dietary habits to reduce the prevalence of diabetes.

IntroductionDuring the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), health care workers wore personal protective equipment including masks, gloves and goggles for a long time. In order to reduce the transmission routes of the virus, public places were sprayed with disinfectant. Moreover, the body, hands and clothing were frequently disinfected and washed for hygiene purposes. Studies have shown that these practices could easily irritate the skin and damage the skin barrier. Long-term irritation or exposure to allergens may lead to the occurrence of contact dermatitis (CD).MethodsSubject headings were searched via the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and web of science databases: COVID-19; contact dermatitis; adverse skin reaction; PPE; dermatitis; mask; glory; hand hygiene, disinfection; face shield; goggle; protect cloth. A total of 246 and 646 articles were retrieved from the two databases, respectively. 402 articles remained after removing duplicates. Reviews, non-English articles, articles that could not be accessed to read or did not conform to our topic were excluded. Finally, a total of 32 cross-sectional studies, 9 case reports and 2 randomized controlled trials were included.DiscussionThis article reviews reports of CD caused by various prevention and hygiene measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of skin damage caused by COVID-19 prevention measures could be decreased by improved education about skin management.

BackgroundCoronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with high rates of restenosis and adverse clinical events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES).ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of drug-coated balloon (DCB)-only treatment for de novo lesions with and without CAC.MethodsPatients with de novo coronary disease treated with the DCB-only strategy were retrospectively enrolled from three centers and categorized into a CAC group and a non-CAC group. The primary endpoint was the target lesion failure (TLF) rate during the 3-year follow-up. Secondary endpoints included the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), target lesion revascularization (TLR), cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) and any revascularization. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to assemble a cohort of patients with similar baseline characteristics.ResultsA total of 1,263 patients with 1,392 lesions were included, and 243 patients were included in each group after PSM. Compared with the non-CAC group, the incidence rates of TLF (9.52% vs. 4.94%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.080; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.083–3.998, P = 0.034) and TLR (7.41% vs. 2.88%, OR: 2.642; 95% CI: 1.206–5.787, P = 0.020) in the CAC group were higher. The incidence rates of MACE (12.35% vs. 7.82%, OR: 1.665; 95% CI: 0.951–2.916, P = 0.079), cardiac death (2.06% vs. 2.06%, OR: 0.995; 95% CI: 0.288–3.436, P = 0.993), MI (1.23% vs. 0.82%, OR: 2.505; 95% CI: 0.261–8.689, P = 0.652) and any revascularization (12.76% vs. 9.67%, OR: 1.256; 95% CI: 0.747–2.111, P = 0.738) were similar between groups.ConclusionsCAC increased the incidence of TLF and TLR without a substantial increase in the risk of MACE, cardiac death, MI, or any revascularization in patients treated with DCB-only angioplasty during the 3-year follow-up.

In this paper, the prepared Cu-0.25Cr alloy and Cu-0.25Cr-0.03Ti alloy strips were treated with aging at 490 °C for different holding time. The electrical conductivity and the yield strength of the alloy were tested. The morphology, size, spacing and phase structure of Cr-rich precipitates in the copper matrix were observed by TEM. The results show that the evolution rule of Cr-rich precipitates in Cu-0.25Cr alloy is as follows: supersaturated solid solution→G. P region (Cr atom-rich region)→ Cr-rich precipitates with fcc structure→Cr-rich precipitates with ordered bcc structure. The precipitates of peak aged Cu-0.25Cr alloy consist of fcc Cr-rich precipitates and ordered bcc Cr-rich precipitates. The electrical conductivity and the yield strength is 93.5%IACS and 178 MPa, respectively. The strengthening mechanism is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of dislocation shear and dislocation bypass. Compared with Cu-0.25Cr alloy, the yield strength of Cu-0.25Cr-0.03Ti alloy at peak aging state increases by 31.5%, while the electrical conductivity remains at 82.4%IACS. The great increase in strength is mainly attributed to the refinement of bcc Cr-rich precipitates by adding trace Ti element. The addition of Ti promotes the nucleation of Cr-rich precipitates and refines the Cr-rich precipitates of bcc structure. The interaction mechanism is that there is a strong mutual attraction between Ti and Cr atoms, which promotes the formation of clusters between Ti and Cr. This research results can provide a theoretical basis for the development of copper alloy for high-performance electrical connectors in aerospace, new energy vehicles and other fields.

The microstructure evolution is very complex during the processing of tantalum sputtering target for integrated circuits, and the deformation mechanisms for this evolution is still unclear. This work aims to investigate the deformation mechanism in a quasi-in-situ way, particularly the activation of slip systems, lattice rotation, and strain concentration, utilizing the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) method. We found that the maximal orientation density increased after the deformation, especially the content of both the {111} and {100} components increased while the {110} orientations decreased after the deformation. The lattice rotation leads to misorientation between grain orientations before and after the deformation, and the misorientation axes seem to be randomly distributed during the deformation. The rotation behavior can be adequately described by the activation of both {110} and {112} slip systems, which were found to have no linear relationship with grain size or grain aspect ratio, but are related to the Schmid factors and strain concentration situations. In particular, the inhomogeneous geometrical necessary dislocations distribution indicates the complicated situation of flow stress, and the slip systems activated with smaller Schmid factors are associated with the local heterogeneous strain concentrations.

With the development trend of connectors to high-current and high-temperature service, copper alloy connectors are required to have superior stress relaxation resistance. In this work, the optimal aging parameter was explored via stress relaxation resistance, strength, microhardness, and conductivity. And the strengthening mechanism of stress relaxation was investigated through the TEM and EBSD microscopic characterization. The results show that the Cu–Cr–Ni alloy reached the peak aging state under 450 °C for 1 h and obtained excellent properties. Especially, the percentage of residual stress in the relaxation test reached 93.1%. The microhardness associated with aging strengthening showed a positive correlation with yield strength and stress relaxation resistance. Then the microhardness after aging can be used as a simple evaluation index of stress relaxation resistance. The Cu–Cr–Ni alloy with superior stress relaxation resistance is mainly related to dislocation strengthening, second phase strengthening, and the coexistence of spinodal decomposition and ordering.

By employing a quasi-in-situ method, we investigated the crystallographic texture evolution process of high purity tantalum during compression deformation. The influence of grain size, aspect ratio, and initial orientations on the crystallographic lattice rotation process was analyzed in-depth using the electron backscatter diffraction technique. It is found that the randomly distributed grain orientations mainly evolve toward {111} and {100} orientations during compression, forming the two typical deformation textures in body-centered cubic metals. Furthermore, the crystallographic rotation direction and degree have no apparent linear relationship with grain size or grain aspect ratio but are mainly related to the grain orientation. Especially, the slight crystallographic rotation angle for {100} grain is primarily associated with the activation of multiple slip systems. Multiple slip systems mean different slip planes and different slip directions, and it is difficult for {100} grains to be dominated by a certain slip system and rotate to a large extent like {111} grains. In comparison, the large crystallographic rotation angle for {110} grain is mainly related to the strain coordination in local regions. {110} grains are easier to active slip systems than grains with other crystal plane orientations inferred from the critical shear stress, thereby the rotation of grains and inhomogeneous deformation occurred during the compression process.

Abstract Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are relatively new tobacco products that are attracting public attention due to their unique features, especially their many flavor options and their potential as an alternative to cigarettes. However, uncertainties remain regarding the determinants and consequences of e-cigarette use because current research on e-cigarettes is made more difficult due to the lack of psychometrically sound instruments that measure e-cigarette related constructs. This systematic review therefore seeks to identify the instruments in the field that are designed to assess various aspects of e-cigarette use or its related constructs and analyze the evidence presented regarding the psychometric properties of the identified instruments. Methods This systematic review utilized six search engines: PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and EMBASE, to identify articles published in the peer-reviewed journals from inception to February 2022 that contained development or validation processes for these instruments. Results Eighteen articles describing the development or validation of 22 unique instruments were identified. Beliefs, perceptions, motives, e-cigarette use, and dependence, were the most commonly assessed e-cigarette related constructs. The included studies reported either construct or criterion validity, with 14 studies reporting both. Most studies did not report the content validity; for reliability, most reported internal consistencies using Cronbach’s alpha, with 15 instruments reporting Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70 for the scale or its subscales. Conclusions Twenty-two instruments with a reported development or validation process to measure e-cigarette related constructs are currently available for practitioners and researchers. This review provides a guide for practitioners and researchers seeking to identify the most appropriate existing instruments on e-cigarette use based on the constructs examined, target population, psychometric properties, and instrument length. The gaps identified in the existing e-cigarette related instruments indicate that future studies should seek to extend the validity of the instruments for diverse populations, including adolescents. Instruments that explore additional aspects of e-cigarette use and e-cigarette related constructs to help build a strong theoretical background and expand our current understanding of e-cigarette use and its related constructs, should also be developed.

ObjectiveTo explore the optimal bolus dose of oxycodone for patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) without background dose in elderly patients after laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal cancer.MethodsIn this prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled study, we recruited patients aged 65 years or older. They underwent laparoscopic resection for gastrointestinal cancer and received PCIA after surgery. Eligible patients were randomly divided into 0.01, 0.02, or 0.03 mg/kg group according to the bolus dose of oxycodone in PCIA. The primary outcome was VAS scores of pain on mobilization at 48 h after surgery. Secondary endpoints included the VAS scores of rest pain, the total and effective numbers of press in PCIA, cumulative dose of oxycodone used in PCIA, the incidence of nausea, vomiting and dizziness, as well as patients’ satisfaction at 48 h after surgery.ResultsA total of 166 patients were recruited and randomly assigned to receive a bolus dose of 0.01 mg/kg (n = 55), 0.02 mg/kg (n = 56) or 0.03 mg/kg (n = 55) of oxycodone in PCIA. The VAS scores of pain on mobilization, the total and effective numbers of press in PCIA in 0.02 mg/kg group and 0.03 mg/kg group were lower than those in 0.01 mg/kg group (P 0.05).ConclusionFor elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal cancer, 0.02 mg/kg bolus dose of oxycodone in PCIA without background infusion may be a better choice.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) are two important pathogens, which cause serious impact on swine industry worldwide. In our previous research, rPRRSV-E2, the recombinant PRRSV expressing CSFV E2 protein, could provide sufficient protection against the lethal challenge of highly pathogenic PRRSV and CSFV, and could maintained genetically stable in vitro. Here, to evaluate the virulence reversion potential risk, rPRRSV-E2 had been continuously passaged in vivo, the stability of E2 expression and virulence of the passage viruses were analyzed. The results showed that no clinical symptoms or pathological changes could be found in the inoculated groups, and there were no significant differences of viraemia among the test groups. Sequencing and IFA analysis showed that the coding gene of exogenous CSFV E2 protein existed in the passaged viruses without any sequence mutations, deletions or insertions, and could expressed steadily. It could be concluded that the foreign CSFV E2 gene in the genome of rPRRSV-E2 could be maintained genetically stable in vivo, and rPRRSV-E2 strain had relatively low level of potential risk for virulence reversion.

The hair follicle is not only a critical penetration route in percutaneous absorption but also has been recognized to be a target for hair follicle-associated disorders, such as androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and acne vulgaris. Hair follicle-targeting drug delivery systems allow for controlled drug release and enhance therapeutic efficacy with minimal side effects, exerting a promising method for the management of hair follicle-associated dysfunctions. Therefore, they have obtained much attention in several fields of research in recent years. This review gives an overview of potential follicle-targeting drug delivery formulations currently applied based on the particularities of the hair follicles, including a comprehensive assessment of their preclinical and clinical performance.

Adequate intake of flavonoids may influence mortality, particularly of heart and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the importance of each flavonoid and its subclasses in preventing all-cause and disease-specific mortalities remain unclear. In addition, it is unknown which population groups would benefit from high flavonoid intake. Therefore, personalized mortality risk based on flavonoid intake needs to be estimated. The association between flavonoid intake and mortality among 14,029 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was examined using Cox proportional hazards analysis. A prognostic risk score and nomogram linking flavonoid intake and mortality were constructed. During a median follow-up of 117 months (9.75 years), 1,603 incident deaths were confirmed. Total flavonol intake was associated with a significantly reduced all-cause mortality [multivariable adjusted hazard ratio [HR] (95% confidence interval [CI]), 0.87 (0.81, 0.94), p for trend

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious infectious disease with high lethality which continuously threatens the global pig industry causing huge economic losses. Currently, there are no commercially available vaccines or antiviral drugs that can effectively control ASF. The pathogen of ASF, ASF virus (ASFV) is a double-stranded DNA virus with a genome ranging from 170 to 193 kb and 151 to 167 open reading frames in various strains, which encodes 150–200 proteins. An effective method of monitoring ASFV antibodies, and specific antibodies against ASFV to promote the development of prevention techniques are urgently needed. In the present study, pK205R of ASFV was successfully expressed in mammalian cells using a suspension culture system. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the purified pK205R was established and optimized. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) against pK205R recognized a conservative linear epitope (2VEPREQFFQDLLSAV16) and exhibited specific reactivity, which was conducive to the identification of the recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) expressing pK205R. The ELISA method efficiently detected clinical ASFV infection and revealed good application prospects in monitoring the antibody level in vivo for recombinant PRRSV live vector virus expressing the ASFV antigen protein. The determination of the conserved linear epitope of pK205R would contribute to further research on the structural biology and function of pK205R. The indirect ELISA method and mAb against ASFV pK205R revealed efficient detection and promising application prospects, making them ideal for epidemiological surveillance and vaccine research on ASF.

Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy is the best choice to replace beryllium bronze alloy. This alloy has unparalleled application value in aerospace, ocean engineering, electronic information, equipment manufacturing, and other fields. However, the application of Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy is challenged and limited because of a series of problems in its preparation and processing, such as easy segregation, difficult deformation, and discontinuous precipitation. It is an effective way to improve the comprehensive properties of Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy using alloying design and process optimization to control the as-cast, deformed, and heat-treated microstructures. At present, it is a hot spot for scholars to study. In this paper, the grade generation, system evolution, and preparation technology development of Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy are comprehensively reviewed. The phase transformation sequence of the Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy is discussed. The influence of the type, amount, and existing form of alloying elements on the strength of Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy and its mechanism are systematically summarized. Furthermore, the latest research progress on the effects of solid solution, cold deformation, and aging on the phase structure transformation and mechanical properties of Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy is summarized. Finally, the future development trend of the Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy is projected. The research results of this paper can provide a reference for the control of the microstructure and properties of high-performance Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloys used in key fields, as well as the optimization of the preparation process and alloy composition.

The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious and virulent enteric coronavirus that causes severe enteric disease in pigs worldwide. PEDV infection causes profound diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration in pigs of all ages, resulting in high mortality rates, particularly among neonatal piglets. The spike glycoprotein (S) of PEDV plays a crucial role in binding to the host cell receptor and facilitating fusion between the viral and host membranes. Pseudotyped viral particles featuring the PEDV S protein are valuable tools for investigating virus entry, identifying neutralizing antibodies, and developing small molecules to impede virus replication. In this study, we used a codon-optimized PEDV S protein to generate recombinant pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) particles (rVSV-ΔG-EGFP-S). The full-length S protein was efficiently incorporated into VSV particles. The S protein pseudotyped VSV exhibited infectivity towards permissive cell lines of PEDV. Moreover, we identified a new permissive cell line, JHH7, which showed robust support for PEDV replication. In contrast to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the removal of amino acids from the cytoplasmic tail resulted in reduced efficiency of viral pseudotyping. Furthermore, we demonstrated that 25-hydroxycholesterol inhibited rVSV-ΔG-EGFP-S entry, while human APN facilitated rVSV-ΔG-EGFP-S entry through the use of ANPEP knockout Huh7 cells. Finally, by transducing swine intestinal organoids with the rVSV-ΔG-EGFP-S virus, we observed efficient infection of the swine intestinal organoids by the PEDV spike-pseudotyped VSV. Our work offers valuable tools for studying the cellular entry of PEDV and developing interventions to curb its transmission.

In this work, a reconfigurable ultra-wideband transmissive terahertz polarization rotator based on graphene metamaterial is proposed that can switch between two states of polarization rotation within a broad terahertz band by changing the Fermi level of graphene. The proposed reconfigurable polarization rotator is based on a two-dimensional periodic array of multilayer graphene metamaterial structure, which is composed of metal grating, graphene grating, silicon dioxide thin film, and a dielectric substrate. The graphene metamaterial can achieve high co-polarized transmission of a linearly polarized incident wave at the off-state of the graphene grating without applying the bias voltage. Once the specially designed bias voltage is applied to change the Fermi level of graphene, the polarization rotation angle of linearly polarized waves is switched to 45° by the graphene metamaterial at the on-state. The working frequency band with 45-degree linear polarized transmission remaining above 0.7 and the polarization conversion ratio (PCR) above 90% is from 0.35 to 1.75 THz, and the relative bandwidth reaches 133.3% of the central working frequency. Furthermore, even with oblique incidence at large angles, the proposed device retains high-efficiency conversion in a broad band. The proposed graphene metamaterial offers a novel approach for the design of a terahertz tunable polarization rotator and is expected to be applied in the applications of terahertz wireless communication, imaging, and sensing.

The present work investigates the Zr-containing precipitate evolution and its effect on the mechanical properties of a Cu–Cr–Zr alloy after solution treatment at 1253 K for 2 h and aging at 763 K for 0–6 h. The results show that the precipitation sequence of the Zr-containing precipitates in the Cu–Cr–Zr alloy is supersaturated solid solution→Zr-rich atomic clusters→Cu5Zr phase. Zr atoms first segregate at the {111} crystal plane of the copper and form coherent Zr-rich atomic clusters during the aging process, which are composed of Zr-rich atoms monolayers and exhibit plate-shaped. Some of the Zr-rich atomic clusters is transformed into the more stable phase of Cu5Zr phase as the aging time increases, the habit plane of which is the {111}Cu crystal plane. The contribution of Zr-rich atomic clusters and Cu5Zr precipitates to the yield strength of the alloy is calculated by coherency strengthening and Orowan strengthening, respectively. The total yield strength is very close to the experimentally measured strength.

Interferons (IFNs) including type I/III IFNs are the major components of the host innate immune response against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection, and several viral proteins have been identified to antagonize type I/III IFNs productions through diverse strategies. However, the modulation of PEDV infection upon the activation of the host’s innate immune response has not been fully characterized. In this study, we observed that various IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) were upregulated significantly in a time- and dose-dependent manner in LLC-PK1 cells infected with the PEDV G2 strain FJzz1. The transcriptions of IRF9 and STAT1 were increased markedly in the late stage of FJzz1 infection and the promotion of the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT1, implicating the activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway during FJzz1 infection. In addition, abundant type I/III IFNs were produced after FJzz1 infection. However, type I/III IFNs and ISGs decreased greatly in FJzz1-infected LLC-PK1 cells following the silencing of the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), including RIG-I and MDA5, and the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) adaptors, MyD88 and TRIF. Altogether, FJzz1 infection induces the production of type-I/III IFNs in LLC-PK1 cells, in which RLRs and TLRs signaling pathways are involved, followed by the activation of the JAK-STAT signaling cascade, triggering the production of numerous ISGs to exert antiviral effects of innate immunity.

Objective To study the protective effect and mechanism of icaritin (ICT) in a SH-SY5Y cells with virus-loaded TAR DNA-binding domain protein 43(TDP-43) by examining the effect of ICT on the expression of autophagy-related proteins in TDP-43-infected SH-SY5Y cells. Methods A TDP-43-induced neuronal cell injury model was established by transfecting well-growing SH-SY5Y cells with virus loaded with the TDP-43 gene. The changes in cell viability were detected by the CCK-8 method. After successful transfection, the establishment of the model was verified by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot methods. After the cells were subjected to drug intervention with ICT, the changes in the expression levels of TDP-43, cleaved Caspase-3, LC3 II/I, Beclin-1 and p62 were detected by Western blotting. Results After ICT intervention, it was found that compared with that of the TDP-43 group, the cell viability of the TDP-43+ICT group increased, the expression level of TDP-43 decreased, and the expression levels of the apoptotic protein cleaved Caspase-3, autophagy protein Beclin-1, and LC3-II/I decreased, while the expression level of the autophagy protein p62 increased. Conclusion ICT has a protective effect on the SH-SY5Y cell injury model transfected with TDP-43. This protective effect may be related to reducing the protein expression of TDP-43 and inhibiting autophagy.

In conventional T cells, OX40 has been identified as a major costimulating receptor augmenting survival and clonal expansion of effector and memory T cell populations. In regulatory T cells, (Treg) OX40 signaling suppresses cellular activity and differentiation. However, clinical trials investigating OX40 agonists to enhance anti-tumor immunity, showed only limited success so far. Here we show that platelets from breast cancer patients express relevant levels of OX40L and platelet OX40L (pOX40L) inversely correlates with platelet-expressed immune checkpoint molecules GITRL (pGITRL) and TACI (pTACI). While high expression of pOX40L correlates with T and NK cell activation, elevated pOX40L levels identify patients with higher tumor grades, the occurrence of metastases, and shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS). Of note, OX40 mRNA levels in breast cancer correlate with enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic, immune-suppressive, and tumor-promoting mRNA gene signatures. Our data suggest that OX40L on platelets might play counteracting roles in cancer and anti-tumor immunity. Since pOX40L reflects disease relapse better than the routinely used predictive markers CA15-3, CEA, and LDH, it could serve as a novel biomarker for refractory disease in breast cancer.

A duplicate diet collection method was used to estimate dietary exposure to glutamates in children aged 2–5 years in selected provinces of China. Daily duplicate diet samples were collected from 86 healthy toddlers over three consecutive days. Glutamates were analyzed using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography–MS/MS (UHPLC–MS/MS). Results showed that the highest glutamates content was found in mixed meals, at 5.12 mg/kg, followed by powdered formula (3.89 mg/kg), and milk and dairy products (2.29 mg/kg). The total mean daily dietary exposure for subjects was 0.20 mg/kg BW, and P95 daily dietary exposure was 0.44 mg/kg BW, both below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) (120 mg/kg BW) recommended by the Joint (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the ADI (30 mg/kg BW) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Hence it can be considered that glutamates exposure would cause low risk in this group.