Carbon-metal carbide composites are a novel family of materials with potential application in heat dissipation due to the lightness and thermal-mechanical properties. Within these composites, those ...of graphite-chromium carbide have been still few studied. Therefore, this research focuses on both the influence of the powder preparation method (mechanical mixing (MM) and colloidal synthesis (CS)) and the spark plasma sintering (SPS) temperature (1600, 1700, 1800, 1900 and 2000 °C) in the properties of the composite graphite-7 vol. Cr. Results indicate that the composites sintered from powders processed by CS exhibit better properties, which can be explained by the better dispersion of the chromium carbide, formed during the sintering process, in the matrix of composite. Apart from the powder preparation method, sintering temperature has influence on the properties of the composite: 1900 °C is the best in the case of the route CS + SPS, while 2000 °C is the best option in the route MM + SPS. The thermal conductivity in-plane is 1.75 times greater in the CS than in the MM route, which suggests a better performance in the composite processed by colloidal route in heat dissipation applications.
Color Shift Keying (CSK) is a new modulation scheme for visible light communication systems using RGB LEDs which has been standardized in the PHY III level of the IEEE 802.15.7. This paper proposes ...some modifications so as to include multiuser capabilities provided by a time-based multiplexing, with the modulation constellation symbols being adapted to encode data with the luminux powers of the red, green and blue color bands respectively. This is achieved by employing a simple and low-complexity time-based pulse signals structure to separate the users' data symbols, while a three-dimensional signal constellation design is merged to improve data throughput. Numerical simulations are carried out to assess the performance of this novel architecture. The statistical properties of the transmitted RGB signals ensure dimming capabilities and that the illumination function is unaffected by flickering.
Alumina/molybdenum nanocomposites were prepared by colloidal synthesis from alumina powder and molybdenum (V) chloride using ethanol as dispersion medium. Modified alumina was calcined at 450 °C in ...air atmosphere to remove chlorides, and then treated in a tubular furnace at 850 °C under Ar/H2 to reduce the MoO3 formed in the previous stage and obtain Al2O3 with molybdenum nanoparticles on the surface. Three different molybdenum contents were proposed (1, 5 and 10 wt % Mo), and pure alumina was used as reference, that were sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS) under vacuum atmosphere at 1400 °C for 3 min with an applied pressure of 80 MPa. Composites were characterized by microstructure, hardness, toughness, and three-point bending test. The presence of molybdenum nanoparticles resulted in a fine-grained structure promoted by the presence of molybdenum at grain boundaries and triple points, as well as by the utilization of the SPS equipment. Hardness is at least a 20% greater and fracture toughness 30% larger in the composites than in the monolithic alumina.
The INMUNOSUN trial had the objective of prospectively evaluating the efficacy and safety of sunitinib as a pure second-line treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who have ...progressed to first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies.
A multicenter, phase II, single-arm, open-label study was carried out in patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of mRCC with a clear-cell component who had progressed to a first-line regimen of ICI-based therapies. All patients received sunitinib 50 mg once daily orally for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest period following package insert instructions. The primary outcome was the objective response rate.
Twenty-one assessable patients were included in the efficacy and safety analyses. Four patients 19.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3% to 35.8% showed an objective response (OR), and all of them had partial responses. Additionally, 14 (67%) patients showed a stable response, leading to clinical benefit in 18 patients (85.7%, 95% CI 70.7% to 100%). Among the four assessable patients who showed an OR, the median duration of the response was 7.1 months (interquartile range 4.2-12.0 months). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.6 months (95% CI 3.1-8.0 months). The median overall survival (OS) was 23.5 months (95% CI 6.3-40.7 months). Patients who had better antitumor response to first-line ICI-based treatment showed a longer PFS and OS with sunitinib. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events were diarrhea (n = 11, 52%), dysgeusia (n = 8, 38%), palmar–plantar erythrodysesthesia (n = 8, 38%), and hypertension (n = 8, 38%). There was 1 patient who exhibited grade 5 pancytopenia, and 11 patients experienced grade 3 adverse events. Eight (38%) patients had serious adverse events, four of which were considered to be related to sunitinib.
Although the INMUNOSUN trial did not reach the pre-specified endpoint, it demonstrated that sunitinib is active and can be safely used as a second-line option in patients with mRCC who progress to new standard ICI-based regimens.
•ICI-based combinations have become the first-line treatment for mRCC.•We evaluated sunitinib as a second-line treatment in patients with mRCC who progressed to first-line ICI-based treatment.•OR was achieved by 4/21 patients (19.0%, 95% CI 2.3% to 35.8%). Median PFS was 5.6 months (95% CI 3.1-8.0 months).•The toxicity profile of sunitinib was consistent with previously reported data. No new safety signals were detected.•Sunitinib is active and can be safely used as second-line therapy in patients with mRCC who progress to ICI-based regimens.
Antimicrobial therapy is a useful tool to control infectious diseases in general and rising antibiotic resistant microorganisms in particular. Alternative strategies are desirable, and antimicrobial ...peptides (AMP) represent attractive control agents. Mexican avocado (Persea americana var. drymifolia) is used in traditional medicine; however, the AMP production has not been reported in this plant. We obtained a cDNA library from avocado fruit and clone PaDef was identified, which has a cDNA (249 bp) encoding a protein (78 aa) homologous with plant defensins (>80%). We expressed the defensin PaDef cDNA (pBME3) in the bovine endothelial cell line BVE-E6E7. Polyclonal and clonal populations were obtained and their activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. E. coli viability was inhibited with 100 μg/mL of total protein from clones (>55%). Also, S. aureus viability was inhibited from 50 μg/mL total protein (27–38%) but was more evident at 100 μg/mL (52–65%). This inhibition was higher than the effect showed by polyclonal population (~23%). Finally, we did not detect activity against C. albicans. These results are the first report that shows antimicrobial activity of a defensin produced by avocado and suggest that this AMP could be used in the control of pathogens.
•Fatigue lifetime improvement through deep rolling treatment over notched specimens.•Effect of deep rolling parameters in terms of in-depth compressive residual stress.•Comparison of notch ...sensitivity between two steels after the same treatment conditions.•Fatigue response of steels used in crankshaft manufacturing after deep rolling.
Deep rolling is a type of surface treatment which allows increasing the lifetime under cyclic loads through compressive residual stress induced in the outer layers, improving this way the fatigue strength of the treated components. It is used in several sectors, such asaeronautic industry, wind turbines, as well as in vehicle components, among others. Deep rolling process enables to reduce the notch effect in those zones where fatigue damage could take place.
Fatigue behaviour improvement is achieved through the enhancement of the surface finish, surface hardening and, mainly, due to the external layer of compressive residual stresses originated in the deep rolling process. In this way, fatigue crack initiation is retarded and the crack propagation rate is reduced.
The increase of the endurance limit in two different D38MnV5S steels used in the manufacture of forged crankshafts was studied in this work. Notched specimens were employed in this study and the behaviour of those materials under cyclic loads before and after a deep rolling process was analysed and compared with the results obtained using smooth specimens. Furthermore, residual stress profiles were evaluated for different deep rolling process parameters by means of X-ray diffraction.
OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to compare two different soft tissue replacement grafts in their ability to treat gingival recession defects and successfully integrate with the surrounding tissues. ...METHODOLOGYNine beagle dogs were included and followed up to 10 weeks. Sites for intervention were allocated to one of the grafting materials investigated. Treatment consisted of coronally advanced flap combined with one of the two soft tissue substitutes on a previous surgically created defect. Materials employed were porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix (ADM) Novomatrix™ (Test) and collagen-based matrix (CBM) Mucograft® (Control). Animals were sacrificed at 2, 6, and 10 weeks postoperatively and compared using descriptive histology and histomorphometric outcomes. RESULTSMacroscopic findings were similar between test and control groups at all intervals. After 10 weeks, both groups demonstrated successful incorporation of the grafting materials without signs of rejection and with comparable tissue integration. The histomorphometric data were similar between groups at 2 weeks; however, the test group provided greater root coverage and increase in tissue thickness than the control at 6- and 10-weeks post surgically. CONCLUSIONSBoth porcine-derived ADM and CBM revealed similar histological outcomes with successful integration and absence of adverse events. Test group provided superior outcomes regarding root coverage and increase in tissue thickness.
•The secretion profile of PC3 cancer prostate cells induces a phenotypic change in macrophages from M1 to M2.•This phenomenon is related to phosphorylation of the transcription factor ...STAT3.•Macrophages treated with a STAT3 inhibitor were induced towards an M1 phenotype.
Transcription factor STAT3 has a prominent innate immunity effect on cancer progression. We determined the regulation of STAT3 in the immunophenotype modulation of macrophages from M1 into M2 induced by the cell-culture supernatant of the Prostate-Cancer line PC3.
Monocytes-macrophages from healthy donors were cultured in the supernatant of PC3 cells, membrane proteins, and intracytoplasmic and phosphorylated STAT3 were measured using flow cytometry, while cytokines and growth factors were studied using luminescence. Cytotoxicity and nitric oxide were evaluated via colorimetric assays.
The supernatant of PC3 prostate-tumor cells effectively induced macrophages toward an M2 profile, and the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 in the monocytes-macrophages notably increased, and mainly related to IL-10. In the group of monocytes-macrophages treated with a STAT3 inhibitor, the macrophages were induced toward an M1 phenotype.
In this study, we showed that the secretion profile of PC3 prostate-cancer cells induces a change in macrophage phenotype from M1 into M2, and that the phenomenon is related to phosphorylation of transcription factor STAT3 and IL-10.
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