The effect of quenching temperature on local atomic structure of Al85Ni5Co2Y8 metallic glass has been investigated in the present study. With increasing quenching temperature from 1273 K to 1573 K, ...the amount of medium range order (MRO) tends to decrease, while the structural unit size remains almost constant. The higher amount of MRO leads to movement of the crystallization nose of time-temperature-transformation (TTT) curve to a longer time scale by raising the viscosity of the liquid. On the other hand, quenched-in nuclei are present in the samples with higher quenching temperature, since the probability of intersecting the crystallization nose during cooling becomes higher with increasing quenching temperature. As a result, typical two types of as-quenched microstructure can be obtained, i.e. fully amorphous structure with higher amount of MRO and that with embedded quenched-in nuclei as well as relatively lower amount of MRO. The sample quenched at 1273 K without quenched-in nuclei exhibits the most fragile behavior, indicating that the fragility can be affected by the quenching temperature as well as the alloy composition in Al-based metallic glass.
•The amount of MRO and quenched in nuclei change with quenching temperature.•The sample with higher amount of MRO exhibits the most fragile behavior.•The fragility is affected by quenching temperature as well as by composition.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to compare growth performance, gut morphometry, and parameters of local and systemic immunity in broiler chickens fed for 22 consecutive days with a diet ...supplemented with Bacillus spp. as direct-fed microbials (DFM), a commercial product incorporating 3 DFM, or a nonsupplemented diet. Direct-fed microbials did not significantly modify BW gain and most failed to affect serum antibody levels in response to immunization with a recombinant Eimeria protein. However, altered intestinal morphometric measurements were readily apparent in DFM-fed chickens as revealed by increased villus height and crypt depth compared with non-DFM-fed controls. In addition, serum levels of α-1-acid glycoprotein as an inflammatory marker were reduced in DFM-fed birds, whereas splenic lymphocyte proliferation, intestine intraepithelial lymphocyte subpopulations, and cytokine mRNA levels in intraepithelial lymphocytes were increased, decreased, or unchanged compared with controls depending on the DFM used. These results provide a rational scientific basis for future studies to investigate DFM as immunomodulating agents to enhance host protective immunity against enteric pathogens in broiler chickens.
Fusion genes act as potent oncogenes, resulting from chromosomal rearrangements or abnormal transcription in many human cancers. Although multiple gastric cancer genomes have been sequenced, the ...driving recurrent gene fusions have not been well characterized. Here, we used paired-end transcriptome sequencing to identify novel gene fusions in 18 human gastric cancer cell lines and 18 pairs of primary human gastric cancer tissues and their adjacent normal tissues. Multiple samples revealed expression of PPP1R1B-STARD3 fusion transcript. The presence of PPP1R1B-STARD3 correlated with elevated levels of PPP1R1B mRNA. PPP1R1B-STARD3 fusion transcript was detected in 21.3% of primary human gastric cancers but not in adjacent matched normal gastric tissues. Based on reverse transcription PCR analysis of DNA, unlike other fusions described in gastric cancer, the PPP1R1B-STARD3 appears to be generated by RNA processing without chromosomal rearrangement. Overexpression of PPP1R1B-STARD3 in MKN-28 significantly increased cell proliferation and colony formation. This increased proliferation was mediated by activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling. Furthermore, expression of PPP1R1B-STARD3 fusion transcript enhanced the tumor growth of MKN-28 cells in athymic nude mice. These findings show that PPP1R1B-STARD3 fusion transcript has a key role in subsets of gastric cancers through the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling.
Galactic cosmic rays consist of protons, electrons and ions, most of which are believed to be accelerated to relativistic speeds in supernova remnants. All components of the cosmic rays show an ...intensity that decreases as a power law with increasing energy (for example as E-2.7). Electrons in particular lose energy rapidly through synchrotron and inverse Compton processes, resulting in a relatively short lifetime (about 105 years) and a rapidly falling intensity, which raises the possibility of seeing the contribution from individual nearby sources (less than one kiloparsec away). Here we report an excess of galactic cosmic-ray electrons at energies of ∼300-800 GeV, which indicates a nearby source of energetic electrons. Such a source could be an unseen astrophysical object (such as a pulsar or micro-quasar) that accelerates electrons to those energies, or the electrons could arise from the annihilation of dark matter particles (such as a Kaluza-Klein particle with a mass of about 620 GeV).
Accurate prediction of phenological development in maize (Zea mays L.) is fundamental to determining crop adaptation and yield potential. A number of thermal functions are used in crop models, but ...their relative precision in predicting maize development has not been quantified. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the precision of eight thermal functions, (ii) to assess the effects of source data on the ability to differentiate among thermal functions, and (iii) to attribute the precision of thermal functions to their response across various temperature ranges. Data sets used in this study represent >1000 distinct maize hybrids, >50 geographic locations, and multiple planting dates and years. Thermal functions and calendar days were evaluated and grouped based on their temperature response and derivation as empirical linear, empirical nonlinear, and process‐based functions. Precision in predicting phase durations from planting to anthesis or silking and from silking to physiological maturity was evaluated. Large data sets enabled increased differentiation of thermal functions, even when smaller data sets contained orthogonal, multi‐location and ‐year data. At the highest level of differentiation, precision of thermal functions was in the order calendar days < empirical linear < process based < empirical nonlinear. Precision was associated with relatively low temperature sensitivity across the 10 to 26°C range. In contrast to other thermal functions, process‐based functions were derived using supra‐optimal temperatures, and consequently, they may better represent the developmental response of maize to supra‐optimal temperatures. Supra‐optimal temperatures could be more prevalent under future climate‐change scenarios, but data sets in this study contained few data in that range.
Obesity is a major health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. NSAID-activated gene (NAG-1) is a TGF-β superfamily member reported to alter adipose tissue levels in mice. We ...investigated whether hNAG-1 acts as a regulator of adiposity and energy metabolism.
hNAG-1 mice, ubiquitously expressing hNAG-1, were placed on a control or high-fat diet for 12 weeks. hNAG-1-expressing B16/F10 melanoma cells were used in a xenograft model to deliver hNAG-1 to obese C57BL/6 mice.
As compared with wild-type littermates, transgenic hNAG-1 mice have less white fat and brown fat despite equivalent food intake, improved glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels and are resistant to dietary- and genetic-induced obesity. hNAG-1 mice are more metabolically active with higher energy expenditure. Obese C57BL/6 mice treated with hNAG-1-expressing xenografts show decreases in adipose tissue and serum insulin levels. hNAG-1 mice and obese mice treated with hNAG-1-expressing xenografts show increased thermogenic gene expression (UCP1, PGC1α, ECH1, Cox8b, Dio2, Cyc1, PGC1β, PPARα, Elvol3) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and increased expression of lipolytic genes (Adrb3, ATGL, HSL) in both white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT, consistent with higher energy metabolism.
hNAG-1 modulates metabolic activity by increasing the expression of key thermogenic and lipolytic genes in BAT and WAT. hNAG-1 appears to be a novel therapeutic target in preventing and treating obesity and insulin resistance.
Objective
The purposes of this study were to isolate and characterize stem cells from inflamed pulp tissue of human functional deciduous teeth (iSHFD) and to evaluate the influence of fibroblastic ...growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) on the regenerative potential.
Materials and methods
We successfully isolated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the inflamed dental pulp tissue of human deciduous teeth and demonstrated that their regenerative potential could be enhanced by the application of FGF‐2 (20 ng ml−1) during ex vivo expansion. Isolated stem cells expanded in FGF‐2 were characterized using a colony‐forming assay, proliferation, migration, in vitro differentiation, in vivo ectopic transplantation assay, and gene expression profiling.
Results
MSCs isolated from the inflamed pulp tissue of functional deciduous teeth potentially possess the qualities of those from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. FGF‐2 applied to iSHFD during expansion enhanced the colony‐forming efficiency of these cells, increased their proliferation and migration potential, and reduced their differentiation potential in vitro. However, the ectopic transplantation of iSHFD/FGF‐2 in vivo increased the formation of dentin‐like material.
Conclusion
FGF‐2 expansion of stem cells from inflamed pulp tissues of human deciduous teeth can be a good source of stem cells for future clinical applications and a novel way of using discarded inflamed tissues.
Evidence suggests that air pollution could trigger multiple health problems including dermatologic diseases. Particularly, atopic dermatitis (AD) are strongly associated with increased exposure to ...air pollution
. Strong link between eczematous dermatitis and air pollution has been suggested in several studies
. However, most studies were confined to a single center or a single city.
Abstract Background The efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery (NCS) has not been well-established in FIGO stage IB1 to IIA cervical cancer when compared with primary surgical treatment ...(PST). Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of NCS in patients with FIGO stage IB1 to IIA cervical cancer when compared with PST. Methods We searched Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library between January 1987 and September 2010. Since there was a relative lack of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we included 5 RCTs and 4 observational studies involving 1784 patients among 523 potentially relevant studies. Results NCS was related with lower rates of large tumor size (≥4 cm) (ORs, 0.22 and 0.10; 95% CI, 0.13–0.39 and 0.02–0.37) and lymph node metastasis (ORs, 0.61 and 0.38; 95% CI, 0.37–0.99 and 0.20–0.73) than PST in all studies and RCTs. Furthermore, NCS reduced the need of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in all studies (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33–0.98), and distant metastasis in all studies and RCTs (ORs, 0.61 and 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42–0.89 and 0.38–0.97). However, overall and loco-regional recurrences and progression-free survival were not different between the 2 treatments. On the other hand, NCS was associated with poorer overall survival in observational studies when compared with PST (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.12–2.53). Conclusions Although NCS reduced the need of adjuvant RT by decreasing tumor size and lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis, it failed to improve survival when compared with PST in patients with FIGO stage IB1 to IIA cervical cancer.
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