Complete Loss Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF ANCHORING ON THE SEISMIC FRAGILITY OF BUCKLING IN LIQUID STORAGE TANKS CONSIDERING SOIL-TANK INTERACTION: A CASE STUDY FOR WINE STORAGE TANKS

In the last decades, numerous liquid storage tanks have been affected by strong earthquakes, the damage observed ranges from the partial collapse to the total collapse of the storage tanks. Elephant-foot buckling is one of the most common failures observed in these structures, which can provoke their collapse and complete loss of contents. While hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads typically impact the seismic response of tanks, the soil type on which they are built plays an important role in influencing their performance during earthquakes. However, the soil-tank interaction has not been considered in the seismic fragility analyses of continuously supported tanks. This research aims to evaluate the seismic fragility of a continuously supported wine storage tank with a particular focus on elephant-foot buckling considering the soil-tank interaction. A specific soil condition and a typical wine storage tank are evaluated utilizing pushover-based seismic analysis and the Capacity Spectrum Method (CSM). 3D nonlinear Finite Element (FE) models are developed considering the tank, foundation, and soil. Seven ground motion records compatible with the soil type are considered. The seismic fragility is estimated using the FE models and the ground motion records. Both unanchored and anchored conditions are evaluated. The obtained results show that for the considered case study, the anchored condition shows better seismic performance when compared to the unanchored condition. Keywords: liquid storage tanks, wine storage tanks, buckling, finite element models

LONGITUDINAL CHANGES OF POSTERIOR VORTEX VEINS IN HIGHLY MYOPIC EYES DETERMINED BY RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSES OF INDOCYANINE GREEN ANGIOGRAMS.

To assess the longitudinal changes of the posterior vortex veins (VVs) in highly myopic (HM) eyes. The medical records of 1,730 consecutive HM eyes that had undergone indocyanine green angiography were studied. Eyes that had posterior VVs and had undergone at least two indocyanine green angiography examinations with a minimum interval of 3 years were selected from this group. Ninety-one eyes of 78 patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 124 posterior VVs were identified. Over an average interval of 7.8 ± 5.0 years, 41 (33.1%) of the 124 posterior VVs had marked changes consisting mainly of an attenuation of vessels in 36 posterior VVs (87.8%) and alterations in the drainage course in 16 posterior VVs (39.0%). Fifteen posterior VVs had both types of changes. Most of the attenuations of the vessels occurred for smaller branches, but a complete loss of the entire trunk was seen in three eyes. Additionally, four eyes had posterior VV changes in association with changes of peripheral VVs. Posterior VV in highly myopic eyes can undergo changes with increasing time. The associated factors included the development and progression of myopic maculopathy lesions. In some cases, the blood drainage shifted from posterior VV to peripheral VV by forming anastomotic channels.

A novel ITGA2B double cytosine frameshift variant (c.1986_1987insCC) leads to Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in a cat.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) is a congenital platelet disorder affecting approximately 1:1 000 000 people globally and characterized by impaired platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Autosomal recessive, loss-of-function, variants in ITGA2B or ITGB3 of the αIIbβ3 receptor cause the disease in humans. A cat affected by Glanzmann's and macrothrombocytopenia was presented to the UC Davis VMTH. Severe thrombopathia in this cat has an underlying genetic etiology. A single affected patient, 2 age-matched clinically healthy controls, and a geriatric population (n = 20) of normal cats. Physical examination and clinical pathology tests were performed on the patient. Flow cytometry and platelet aggregometry analyses for patient phenotyping were performed. Patient and validation cohort gDNA samples were extracted for Sanger sequencing of a previously identified ITGA2B (c.1986delC) variant. Reverse transcriptase PCR was performed on patient and healthy control PRP samples to verify ITGA2B variant consequence. A novel c.1986_1987insCC autosomal recessive variant in ITGA2B was identified. This variant was absent in a population of 194 unrelated cats spanning 44 different breeds. Complete loss of ITGA2B transcript and protein expression was verified by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, explaining the underlying etiology of GT, and likely macrothrombocytopenia, in this cat. This study emphasizes the role of precision medicine in cardiovascular disease of cats and identified yet another variant that may be of utility for screening in the feline population. This study provides a small-volume, standardized, successful protocol for adequate platelet RNA isolation and subsequent molecular assessment of gene expression in cats.

ATRICHIA WITH PAPULAR LESIONS : A CASE REPORT

Atrichia with papular lesions is a rare Autosomal recessive disorder characterized clinically by complete and irreversible hair loss shortly after birth, and is associated with the development of keratinfilled cysts all over the body. We present a 10 year old girl with extensive alopecia and papular lesions over scalp,upper limbs,lower limbs, abdomen and back . A clinical diagnosis of Atrichia with papular lesions was made after excluding Vit D dependent Rickets. An accurate diagnosis is important to prevent unnecessary treatment of APL with systemic steroids when misdiagnosed as alopecia universalis.

Evaluating Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase as a Suitable Target for Sleep Promotion in a Transgenic TauP301S Mouse Model of Neurodegeneration.

Sleep disruption is an expected component of aging and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sleep disruption has been demonstrated as a driver of AD pathology and cognitive decline. Therefore, treatments designed to maintain sleep may be effective in slowing or halting AD progression. However, commonly used sleep aid medications are associated with an increased risk of AD, highlighting the need for sleep aids with novel mechanisms of action. The endocannabinoid system holds promise as a potentially effective and novel sleep-enhancing target. By using pharmacology and genetic knockout strategies, we evaluated fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) as a therapeutic target to improve sleep and halt disease progression in a transgenic Tau P301S (PS19) model of Tauopathy and AD. We have recently shown that PS19 mice exhibit sleep disruption in the form of dark phase hyperarousal as an early symptom that precedes robust Tau pathology and cognitive decline. Acute FAAH inhibition with PF3845 resulted in immediate improvements in sleep behaviors in male and female PS19 mice, supporting FAAH as a potentially suitable sleep-promoting target. Moreover, sustained drug dosing for 5-10 days resulted in maintained improvements in sleep. To evaluate the effect of chronic FAAH inhibition as a possible therapeutic strategy, we generated FAAH-/- PS19 mice models. Counter to our expectations, FAAH knockout did not protect PS19 mice from progressive sleep loss, neuroinflammation, or cognitive decline. Our results provide support for FAAH as a novel target for sleep-promoting therapies but further indicate that the complete loss of FAAH activity may be detrimental.

First Edentulous Enantiornithine (Aves: Ornithothoraces) from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Avifauna

Among Mesozoic birds, enantiornithines exhibit great morphological variation, which likely reflects their species diversity, range, and overall success throughout the Cretaceous. The majority of enantiornithines come from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol deposits (130–120 Ma) in northeastern China. In contrast to living birds, most enantiornithines were fully toothed. However, the rostral lengths, appendicular proportions, and pedal morphologies of extant birds can still inform on possible diet, flight mode, and ecology. Both partial (e.g., Longipterygidae) and complete tooth loss (e.g., Yuornis, Gobipteryx) are observed among enantiornithines, with edentulous rostra previously restricted to Upper Cretaceous taxa. Here, we describe the first edentulous enantiornithine from the Lower Cretaceous, Imparavis attenboroughi gen. et sp. nov., indicating a toothless beak evolved in this group 48 Ma earlier than previously recognized. Additionally, we reinterpret Chiappeavis as edentulous which together with the discovery of Imparavis indicates the complete loss of teeth in enantiornithines was not uncommon although still less frequent than observed in ornithuromorphs. The absence of gastroliths in all known enantiornithines suggests that the loss of teeth evolved under different pressures in these two ornithothoracine clades. Differences in rostral occlusion between Imparavis and Chiappeavis suggest they utilized different foraging strategies and possibly diet. Appendicular morphology in Imparavis suggest the capacity for relatively high wing beat frequency and powerful take-off capabilities. Together with the morphology of the hindlimb, we suggest Imparavis was primarily a terrestrial forager that could utilize sudden bursts of flight to escape into arboreal settings as a prey evasion strategy.

Characterization of phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance in selected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding material

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is the major common bean disease worldwide causing complete yield loss under favourable disease conditions. This study aimed to determine phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance for future use in breeding programmes. Twenty-two common bean varieties (CBVs) were selected basing on susceptibility to anthracnose, advanced breeding lines, improved variety resembling advanced breeding lines and the farmer variety widely grown in Tanzania. Selected varieties were planted in anthracnose hotspot fields and the same CBVs were planted in a screen house to validate resistance to anthracnose. Anthracnose infection score, leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole, plant vigour, canopy height and canopy width were recorded. Data on number of plants emerging; days to flowering; days to maturity; plant stands at harvest; and grain yield were also collected and analysed using R software. Phenotypic traits evaluated differed significantly among genotypes, environment and genotype by environment interaction. Seventy-five percent of phenotypic traits evaluated were positively correlated to anthracnose resistance.Highly-strong correlations to anthracnose were observed on number of days to maturity, plant stands at harvest, plant vigour and grain yield. Leaf length, leaf width, length of fifth internode, length of petiole and number of stands emerging were strongly correlated to anthracnose resistance. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis (AMMI) revealed highest contribution of environment on anthracnose infection-58.9% and grain yield −84.9% compared to genotype effects on anthracnose infection −32.7% and grain yield-15.7%. Based on these results, four traits – plant vigour, number of days to maturity, number of plant stands at harvest and grain yield – are recommended for selecting anthracnose-resistant varieties. NUA 48, NUA 64 and RWR 2154 were superior varieties, resistant to anthracnose and high yielding, while Sweet Violet and VTT 923-23-10 were most stable varieties across environments. Further on-farm research is suggested to assess their performance and identify traits preferred by farmers.

A Distant Fasciocutaneous Chest Wall Skin Flap for Necrotic Finger Post Reimplantation: A Case Report

The hand is often compromised by scars or potentially necrotic wounds. Complete loss of index finger will result in impairment of 20% of hand and 11% of whole-person. One of the most influential factors in consideration of tissue loss are defect size, site, depth, and orientation. In our case study, a 16-year-old male presented with sensations of tingling and pain in his finger subsequent to an accidental laceration. Examination revealed a necrotic wound located on the distal phalanx of the index finger, accompanied by mild atrophy and discoloration. Subsequently, the patient underwent graft harvesting from the right chest wall flap, followed by primary closure of the donor site on the right chest wall. Upon a three-month follow-up, the patient expressed satisfaction, demonstrating proficient daily activities despite the injury being localized to the left hand. Utilizing a chest wall flap is less prevalent than employing regional or free flaps. Anterior chest wall flaps are specifically crafted on the anterolateral chest wall or within the infraclavicular region. The choice of a chest wall flap was determined to offer a less cumbersome graft and aligns with the patient's preference. The main goal of soft tissue reconstruction is to restore functionality, encompassing tasks such as exploration, sensation, and manipulation of objects, while simultaneously preserving the original length. Nonetheless, achieving this goal remains a complex challenge. Keywords: Necrotic finger, Reimplantation, Chest Wall Skin Flap, Soft Tissue Reconstruction

Precise fine-turning of GhTFL1 by base editing tools defines ideal cotton plant architecture

BackgroundCRISPR/Cas-derived base editor enables precise editing of target sites and has been widely used for basic research and crop genetic improvement. However, the editing efficiency of base editors at different targets varies greatly.ResultsHere, we develop a set of highly efficient base editors in cotton plants. GhABE8e, which is fused to conventional nCas9, exhibits 99.9% editing efficiency, compared to GhABE7.10 with 64.9%, and no off-target editing is detected. We further replace nCas9 with dCpf1, which recognizes TTTV PAM sequences, to broaden the range of the target site. To explore the functional divergence of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1), we edit the non-coding and coding regions of GhTFL1 with 26 targets to generate a comprehensive allelic population including 300 independent lines in cotton. This allows hidden pleiotropic roles for GhTFL1 to be revealed and allows us to rapidly achieve directed domestication of cotton and create ideotype germplasm with moderate height, shortened fruiting branches, compact plant, and early-flowering. Further, by exploring the molecular mechanism of the GhTFL1L86P and GhTFL1K53G+S78G mutations, we find that the GhTFL1L86P mutation weakens the binding strength of the GhTFL1 to other proteins but does not lead to a complete loss of GhTFL1 function.ConclusionsThis strategy provides an important technical platform and genetic information for the study and creation of ideal plant architecture.

System biology approach to delineate expressional difference in the blood mononuclear cells between healthy and Turner syndrome individuals

BackgroundTurner syndrome (TS) is a rare disorder associated either with complete or partial loss of one X chromosome in women. The information on the genotype–phenotype relationship in TS is inadequate. Comparing the healthy and Turner syndrome patients may help elucidate the mechanisms involved in TS pathophysiology. Gene expression differences between healthy and individuals with Turner syndrome were characterized using the systems-biology approach of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) on 182 microarray peripheral mononuclear blood samples (PBMC).ResultsThe coexpression networks of healthy and TS had scale-free topology that ensures network robustness. In the process, five modules were preserved between healthy and TS, which carry several genes common in each module. Two of them, SMCHD1 and PGK1, have already been reported to be involved in TS. Previously reported genes of TS, specifically, PTPN22, RPS4X, CSF2RA, and TIMP1, were missing in their respective modules. Dysfunction, differential expression, or absence of these genes could lead to a progressive disruption of molecular pathways leading to the pathophysiology of TS. Indeed, we observed a significant difference in the functions of these modules when compared within and across the healthy and TS samples. We identified four clusters in the PPI network constructed from the top 15 KME enriched in significant functions.ConclusionOverall, our work highlights the potential molecular functions, pathways, and molecular targets of TS that can be exploited therapeutically in the human healthcare system.

Diversity and Evolution of the Avirulence Gene AvrPi54 in Yunnan Rice Fields

Variance or complete loss of the avirulence gene (Avr) enables the pathogen to escape resistance protein (R) recognition. The field resistance effectiveness of the R gene is determined by its corresponding Avr gene in field isolates. To effectively deploy the rice blast R gene Pi54, the distribution, variation and evolution of the corresponding Avr gene, AvrPi54, were determined through PCR amplification, pathogenicity assay, gene sequences and evolutionary analysis. Among 451 Pyricularia isolates from rice and non-rice hosts, including Oryza rufipogon, Digitaria sanguinalis, Eleusine coracana, E. indica and Musa sp. in Yunnan province, the PCR amplification result showed that AvrPi54 alleles existed among 218 (48.3%) isolates including rice isolates, O. rufipogon isolates and E. coracana isolates. Pathogenicity assay showed that 336 (74.5%) isolates were avirulent to Tetep (holding Pi54). Five AvrPi54 haplotypes were identified among 142 isolates through the gene sequence. These haplotypes were determined to be avirulent to Pi54 through pathogenicity assay. Four novel haplotypes (H2 to H5) of the AvrPi54 gene would provide new target sites for rice blast control. Haplotype diversity analysis indicated that there existed a lower genetic diversity of AvrPi54 for P. oryzae populations (five haplotypes, Hd = 0.127, π = 2.9 × 10−4) in this study. Neutrality tests showed that AvrPi54’s genetic variation was affected by purified selection. Haplotype network and phylogeny analysis showed that H1 was an ancestral haplotype and was widely distributed in rice isolates and O. rufipogon isolates, while H5 diverged early and evolved independently. These results indicate that the gene evolves slowly and stably and is a comparatively conserved Avr gene.

Sequences at gene segment termini inclusive of untranslated regions and partial open reading frames play a critical role in mammalian orthoreovirus S gene packaging.

Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) is a prototypic member of the Spinareoviridae family and has ten double-stranded RNA segments. One copy of each segment must be faithfully packaged into the mature virion, and prior literature suggests that nucleotides (nts) at the terminal ends of each gene likely facilitate their packaging. However, little is known about the precise packaging sequences required or how the packaging process is coordinated. Using a novel approach, we have determined that 200 nts at each terminus, inclusive of untranslated regions (UTR) and parts of the open reading frame (ORF), are sufficient for packaging S gene segments (S1-S4) individually and together into replicating virus. Further, we mapped the minimal sequences required for packaging the S1 gene segment into a replicating virus to 25 5' nts and 50 3' nts. The S1 UTRs, while not sufficient, were necessary for efficient packaging, as mutations of the 5' or 3' UTRs led to a complete loss of virus recovery. Using a second novel assay, we determined that 50 5' nts and 50 3' nts of S1 are sufficient to package a non-viral gene segment into MRV. The 5' and 3' termini of the S1 gene are predicted to form a panhandle structure and specific mutations within the stem of the predicted panhandle region led to a significant decrease in viral recovery. Additionally, mutation of six nts that are conserved across the three major serotypes of MRV that are predicted to form an unpaired loop in the S1 3' UTR, led to a complete loss of viral recovery. Overall, our data provide strong experimental proof that MRV packaging signals lie at the terminal ends of the S gene segments and offer support that the sequence requirements for efficient packaging of the S1 segment include a predicted panhandle structure and specific sequences within an unpaired loop in the 3' UTR.

Valproic acid exposure affects social visual lateralization and asymmetric gene expression in zebrafish larvae

Cerebral asymmetry is critical for typical brain function and development; at the same time, altered brain lateralization seems to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Zebrafish are increasingly emerging as model species to study brain lateralization, using asymmetric development of the habenula, a phylogenetically old brain structure associated with social and emotional processing, to investigate the relationship between brain asymmetry and social behavior. We exposed 5-h post-fertilization zebrafish embryos to valproic acid (VPA), a compound used to model the core signs of ASD in many vertebrate species, and assessed social interaction, visual lateralization and gene expression in the thalamus and the telencephalon. VPA-exposed zebrafish exhibit social deficits and a deconstruction of social visual laterality to the mirror. We also observe changes in the asymmetric expression of the epithalamic marker leftover and in the size of the dorsolateral part of the habenula in adult zebrafish. Our data indicate that VPA exposure neutralizes the animals’ visual field bias, with a complete loss of the left-eye use bias in front of their own mirror image, and alters brain asymmetric gene expression and morphology, opening new perspectives to investigate brain lateralization and its link to atypical social cognitive development.

Research on Evaluation Method of Wind Farm Wake Energy Efficiency Loss Based on SCADA Data Analysis

The large size of wind turbines and wind farm clustering aggravate the effect of wake on output power, resulting in a reduction in the economic benefits of wind farms. This paper took the actual operating turbines of an onshore wind farm in China as the research object and analyzed the influence of wake on energy efficiency loss by combining SCADA data. The research established a complete loss assessment method and proposed the corresponding evaluation criteria. The results showed that typical wind turbines seriously affected by wake accounted for 32.8% of the wind farm. The actual output power was only 84.2% of the theoretical output power at the lowest month, and the wake loss of the wind farm is serious. The economic efficiency of the wind farm is lower in the summer months (June–August). The study can provide a theoretical basis for the arrangement of wind farms and the development of an operation control strategy.

Тексты дневников В. Д. Касьянова в аспекте диахронического изучения сочетаемости слов

The research objective is to identify semantic shifts that occurred in word collocations, documented in the diaries of archpriest V. D. Kasyanov, and the nature of changes in collocability of certain prepositional-case forms. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying semantic changes that occurred over a century and a half and were not reflected in lexicographical sources, revealed through the analysis of word syntagmatic relationships. Additionally, for the first time, the collocational possibilities of some words and prepositional-case forms in the modern Russian language are compared with those in the 19th-century language. The study identified lexemes that have non-standard collocability according to contemporary Russian standards, indicating the presence of components in their meaning that were subsequently lost, corroborated by data from the National Corpus of the Russian Language. For some words, semantic shifts lead to a complete loss of lexical-syntactic expression of semantic valency or show a tendency towards such loss. The analysis also revealed that modern case forms "по + Dative case" and "от + Genitive case" demonstrate a more limited collocability compared to the 19th-century language.

Chemical (Alkali) Burn-Induced Neurotrophic Keratitis Model in New Zealand Rabbit Investigated Using Medical Clinical Readouts and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM).

Chemical eye injury is an acute emergency that can result in vision loss. Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is the most common long-term manifestation of chemical injury. NK due to alkali burn affects ocular surface health and is one of its most common causes. Here, we established a rabbit model of corneal alkali burns to evaluate the severity of NK-associated changes. Alkali burns were induced in NZ rabbits by treating the cornea with (i) a 5 mm circular filter paper soaked in 0.75 N NaOH for 10 s (Mild NK) and (ii) trephination using a guarded trephine (5 mm diameter and 150-micron depth), followed by alkali burn, with a 5 mm circular filter paper soaked in 0.75 N NaOH for 10 s (a severe form of NK). Immediately after, the cornea was rinsed with 10 mL of normal saline to remove traces of NaOH. Clinical features were evaluated on Day 0, Day 1, Day 7, Day 15, and Day 21 post-alkali burn using a slit lamp, Pentacam, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). NK-like changes in epithelium, sub-basal nerve plexus, and stroma were observed using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), and corneal sensation were measured using an aesthesiometer post alkali injury. After 21 days, pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated for inflammation through ELISA. Trephination followed by alkali burn resulted in the loss of epithelial layers (manifested using fluorescein stain), extensive edema, and increased corneal thickness (550 µm compared to 380 µm thickness of control) evaluated through AS-OCT and increased opacity score in alkali-treated rabbit (80 compared to 16 controls). IVCM images showed complete loss of nerve fibers, which failed to regenerate over 30 days, and loss of corneal sensation-conditions associated with NK. Cytokines evaluation of IL6, VEGF, and MMP9 indicated an increased angiogenic and pro-inflammatory milieu compared to the milder form of NK and the control. Using clinical parameters, we demonstrated that the alkali-treated rabbit model depicts features of NK. Using IVCM in the NaOH burn animal model, we demonstrated a complete loss of nerve fibers with poor self-healing capability associated with sub-basal nerve degeneration and compromised corneal sensation. This pre-clinical rabbit model has implications for future pre-clinical research in neurotrophic keratitis.

Effect of DON and ZEN and their metabolites DOM-1 and HZEN on B cell proliferation and antibody production.

The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), produced by Fusarium fungi, are frequently found in the cereal-rich diet of pigs and can modulate the immune system. Some enzymes or bacteria present in the digestive tract can de-epoxydize DON to deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) and biotransform ZEN into hydrolyzed ZEN (HZEN). The effects of these metabolites on immune cells, particularly with respect to the vaccine responses, are poorly documented. The aim of this study was to address the impact of DON and ZEN and their respective derivatives, on proliferation, and antibody production of porcine B cells in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), isolated from healthy pigs, were stimulated with the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8-agonist Resiquimod (R848) or the TLR/1/2-agonist Pam3Cys-SKKKK in combination with DON [0.1-1.6 µM] or DOM-1 [1.6 µM and 16 µM] and ZEN [2.5-40 µM] or HZEN [40 µM]. A strong decrease in B-cell proliferation was observed at DON concentrations equal to or exceeding 0.8 µM and at ZEN concentrations equal to or exceeding 20 µM. Treatment with 1.6 µM DON or 40 µM ZEN led to almost a complete loss of live CD79α+ B cells. Moreover, CD21 expression of proliferating IgG+ and IgM+ B-cell subsets was decreased at DON concentrations equal to and exceeding 0.4 µM and at ZEN concentrations equal to or exceeding 10 µM. ELISpot assays revealed a decrease of IgG-secreting B cells at concentrations of and exceeding 0.4 µM and at ZEN concentrations equal to and exceeding 10 µM. ELISA assays showed a decrease of IgM, IgG, and IgA secretion at concentrations equal to or exceeding 0.4 µM DON. ZEN reduced IgM secretion at 20-40 µM (both R848 and Pam3Cys-SKKKK), IgG secretion at 40 µM (both R848 and Pam3Cys-SKKKK) and IgA secretion at 20-40 µM. Our in vitro experiments show that while DON and ZEN impair immunoglobulin production and B-cell proliferation, this effect is abrogated by HZEN and DOM-1.

Comparative analysis of binder systems in copper feedstocks for metal extrusion additive manufacturing and metal injection moulding

In the realm of material innovation, the remarkable versatility of thermoplastic-based highly filled composites emerges as a pivotal advantage for fabricating metal parts, seamlessly integrating design flexibility. This study delves into the fusion of design and manufacturing, spotlighting the convergence of material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEX) and metal injection moulding (MIM) processes through the adept utilization of three distinct in-house developed copper-feedstocks. Each feedstock had a different composition that influenced their processability; two feedstocks were for solvent and thermal debinding, and one was only for thermal debinding. The sintering was carried out under the same conditions for all produced specimens to assess the effect of binder composition on the properties of the sintered components. Structural integrity evaluations of sintered specimens encompassed 3-point bending, hardness tests, and metallography. It was possible to perform MEX with all produced filaments and MIM with the pellets of the same feedstocks and to obtain acceptable-quality specimens. Regardless of the shaping method, specimens shaped with binders containing a soluble binder survived the thermal and sintering steps. The specimens produced from the feedstock intended solely for thermal debinding experienced a nearly complete loss of shape during the debinding process. For the specimens that could be debound and sintered without defects, a relative density between ∼88 and 94 % was measured for MEX components and ∼93 and 95 % for MIM components after sintering. All sintered components showed the same diffraction peaks as pure copper powder, confirming that the reductive hydrogen atmosphere provided protection from contamination and reduced the oxides that could have appeared during thermal debinding in air. Moreover, adequate shrinkage of ∼10–18 % was observed in the sintered specimens. Vickers microhardness of the MEX and MIM sintered components were ∼32 HV and ∼36 HV, respectively. Compared to MEX, MIM-produced sintered components showed a higher maximum stress (i.e., σmax = 79 ± 3.2 MPa). These results demonstrate that the binder composition plays a crucial role in determining the success of metal MEX and MIM processes. Having the possibility to choose between MEX and MIM allows for greater design flexibility for copper parts.

Current Status and Future Prospects of Stem Cell Therapy for Infertile Patients with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure, signifies the partial or complete loss of ovarian endocrine function and fertility before 40 years of age. This condition affects approximately 1% of women of childbearing age. Although 5-10% of patients may conceive naturally, conventional infertility treatments, including assisted reproductive technology, often prove ineffective for the majority. For infertile patients with POI, oocyte donation or adoption exist, although a prevalent desire persists among them to have biological children. Stem cells, which are characterized by their undifferentiated nature, self-renewal capability, and potential to differentiate into various cell types, have emerged as promising avenues for treating POI. Stem cell therapy can potentially reverse the diminished ovarian endocrine function and restore fertility. Beyond direct POI therapy, stem cells show promise in supplementary applications such as ovarian tissue cryopreservation and tissue engineering. However, technological and ethical challenges hinder the widespread clinical application of stem cells. This review examines the current landscape of stem cell therapy for POI, underscoring the importance of comprehensive assessments that acknowledge the diversity of cell types and functions. Additionally, this review scrutinizes the limitations and prospects associated with the clinical implementation of stem cell treatments for POI.

Progressive damage and fracture behavior of brittle rock under multi-axial prestress constraint and cyclic impact load coupling

To explore the progressive damage and fracture mechanics characteristics of brittle rock materials under combined dynamic-static loading. Taking account of the coupling effect of the constraint states of uniaxial stress (σ1 ≥ σ2 = σ3 = 0), biaxial stress (σ1 ≥ σ2 > σ3 = 0) and true triaxial stress (σ1 ≥ σ2 ≥ σ3 ≠ 0) and impact load, the strain rate effect and prestress constraint effect of dynamic mechanical characteristics of sandstone are studied. The progressive damage evolution law of sandstone under the coupling of true triaxial stress constraint and cyclic impact load is discussed. The results show that with the increase of axial stress σ1, the dynamic compressive strength and peak strain gradually decrease, and the strain rate gradually increases, resulting in crushing failure under high strain rate. When the axial stress is fixed, the lateral stress constraint reduces the damage degree of sandstone and improves the dynamic compressive strength. With the increase of strain rate, the sample changes from slight splitting failure to inclined shear failure mode. Under the true triaxial stress constraint, the intermediate principal stress σ2 obviously enhances the dynamic compressive strength of sandstone. Under the constraints of triaxial stress, biaxial stress and uniaxial stress, the enhancement effect of dynamic compressive strength and the deformation resistance of sandstone are weakened in turn. Under the coupling of true triaxial stress constraint and high strain rate, sandstone samples show obvious progressive damage evolution effect under repeated impacts, and eventually inclined shear failure occurs, resulting in complete loss of bearing capacity.