Nickel-based alloys containing high amount of Cr are desirable materials for the production of critical components that operate under high temperature and severe corrosion conditions. The description of flow behaviors for these alloys is key to designing the hot formation process for achieving the excellent mechanical properties of components. This work aims to study the flow behaviors of Ni-38Cr-3.8Al alloy during thermal deformation. A series of isothermal compression experiments were carried out at temperatures of 1148 K, 1223 K, 1298 K, 1373 K, 1448 K and 1523 K, and strain rates of 0.01 s-1, 0.1 s-1, 1 s-1 and 10 s-1. Results show that the obtained true stress-strain curves exhibit the softening characteristics of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and dynamic recovery (DRV). The flow stress decreases with temperature increasing and strain rate decreasing. To further quantitatively describe the flow behaviors, an improved segmented Arrhenius constitutive equation was developed according to the softening characteristics under different temperatures. In these equations, the variable coefficients, including activation energy Q and material constants (structure factor A, stress exponent n, stress parameters α), were fitted as the polynomial functions of true strain. Furthermore, a typical Arrhenius constitutive equation was also solved. The comparisons between experimental stress and predicted results obtained from the typical and improved constitutive equations were conducted, and the correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE) were calculated as 0.932, 15.83%, and 0.9963, 5.61%, respectively. It suggests that the improved constitutive equation can adeptly describe the flow behaviors of Ni-38Cr-3.8Al alloy.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is known to provide neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury (CIRI), but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study was conducted to investigate whether DEX pretreatment conferred neuroprotection against CIRI by inhibiting neuroinflammation through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed to establish a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model. Specific-pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham, I/R, DEX, DEX+IL-6, and AG490 (a selective inhibitor of JAK2) groups. The Longa score, TTC staining, and HE staining were used to evaluate brain damage. ELISA was used to exam levels of TNF-α. Western blotting was used to assess the levels of JAK2, phosphorylated-JAK2 (p-JAK2), STAT3, and phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3). Our results suggested that both pretreatment with DEX and AG490 decreased the Longa score and cerebral infarct areas following cerebral I/R. After treatment with IL-6, the effects of DEX on abrogating these pathological changes were reduced. HE staining revealed that I/R-induced neuronal pathological changes were attenuated by DEX application, consistent with the AG490 group. However, these effects of DEX were abolished by IL-6. Furthermore, TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the I/R group, accompanied by an increase in the levels of the p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. DEX and AG490 pretreatment down-regulated the expressions of TNF-α, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3. In contrast, the down-regulation of TNF-α, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 induced by DEX was reversed by IL-6. Collectively, our results indicated that DEX pretreatment conferred neuroprotection against CIRI by inhibiting neuroinflammation via negatively regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Improving the quality of life of patients with complete spinal cord injuries is an urgent objective of the Chinese Department of Health. For better management of spinal cord injuries, it is necessary to understand the background of the patients. A total of 392 patients aged ≥18 years with traumatic spinal cord injuries (≥1 year of history) were attending the rehabilitation center of the Institutes. A total of 7 (2%) patients reported low quality of life, 200 (51%) patients reported moderate quality of life, 181 (46%) patients reported good quality of life, and 4 (1%) patients reported excellent quality of life. Male patients (P=0.042), patients with college or more education (P=0.039), incomplete spinal cord injuries (P=0.045), paraplegia (P=0.046), and absence of pressure injury (P=0.047) were associated with higher quality of life. A total of 81 (21%) patients were dependent on the caregiver, 85 (22%) patients were highly dependent on the caregiver, 155 (40%) patients were moderately dependent on the caregiver, 60 (15%) patients were mildly dependent on the caregiver, and 11 (2%) patients were independent for activities of daily living. An incomplete spinal cord injury (P=0.045) and paraplegia (P=0.041) were associated with higher independence in activities of daily living of patients. The independence in activities of daily living and quality of life of the Chinese population with complete spinal cord injury and tetraplegia are poor (Level of Evidence: IV; Technical Efficacy Stage: 5).

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of mesenteric lymph drainage on the spleen injury and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines in splenic tissue in mice following hemorrhagic shock. Methods: Male C57 mice were randomly divided into the sham shock, shock and shock+drainage groups. The mice in both shock and shock+drainage groups suffered femoral artery bleeding, maintained mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40±2 mmHg for 90 min, and were resuscitated. And mesenteric lymph drainage was performed in the shock+drainage group at the time of resuscitation. After three hours of resuscitation, the splenic tissues were harvested for the histological observation and protein and mRNA expression analysis of cytokines. Results: The spleen in the shock group revealed a significantly structural damage and increased mRNA expressions of MyD88 and TRAF6 and protein expressions of TIPE2, MyD88, TRIF and TRAF3 compared to the sham group. By contrast, the splenic pathological injury in the shock+drainage group was alleviated significantly, and the mRNA and protein expressions of TIPE2, MyD88, TRIF, TRAF3 and TRAF6 were significantly lower than those in the shock group. Conclusion: These results indicate that post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph drainage alleviates hemorrhagic shock-induced spleen injury and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anatomic variations of the bifid median nerve, persistent median artery and persistent median vein in Chinese individuals and their relationship with carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: One hundred and sixty median nerves were examined using ultrasonography and colour Doppler ultrasonography. The location, shape, and size of the bifid median nerve, persistent median artery and persistent median vein were recorded. The cross-sectional area of the bifid median nerve (two trunks) was measured at the level of the pisiform. RESULTS: Among the 160 wrists examined, a bifid median nerve was observed in 15 (9.4%) wrists, and a persistent median artery was observed in 12 (7.5%) wrists. These two variations either coexisted or were observed independently, and the probability of coexistence (6.3%) was higher than the probability of existing independently (bifid median nerve only 3.1%, persistent median artery only 1.3%). The cross-sectional area of the radial trunk was greater than (13 in 15, 86.7%) the cross-sectional area of the ulnaris trunk. Persistent median vein was observed in 9 wrists (5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The persistent median artery and bifid median nerve tend to coexist, and the persistent median vein sometimes runs parallel to the persistent median artery. Their positional relationship in carpal tunnel is uncertain, and thus, preoperative ultrasound is necessary. These three variations do not present any additional risk for the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background Yeast strains are exposed to numerous environmental stresses during industrial alcoholic fermentation. High temperature accumulated acetic acid, enhanced the growth inhibition and decreased ethanol production. Results In this study the influence of high temperature on the cellular and mitochondrial membrane integrity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was investigated to understand the mechanisms of the high temperature fermentation process. However, increasing the temperature to 42°C resulted in a clear decrease in the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in intracellular ROS formation. It was also determined that the different thermostability between YZ1 and YF31 strains had a clear correlation with the yeast's intracellular trehalose content of the cell. Finally, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to explore the genome differences between the YZ1 and YF31 strains. Conclusions Thus, the stability of the mitochondrial membrane and subsequently, the clearance ROS ability could be important factors for the viability of S. cerevisiae at high temperatures.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of protein kinase G (PKG) in blocking post-shock mesenteric lymph (PSML) return ameliorating the calcium sensitivity in hemorrhagic shock rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, shock, shock+ligation (shock plus mesenteric lymph duct ligation (MLDL)), shock+drainage (shock plus PSML drainage) groups. After shock (hypotension 40mmHg) for three hours or corresponding times, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was taken out for detecting the PKG and phospho PKG (p-PKG) contents, and the vascular rings of SMA were prepared for assaying the calcium sensitivity using an isolated organ perfusion system. RESULTS: The PKG and p-PKG contents of SMA in shock group were significantly increased than that of sham group, and MLDL or PSML drainage reducing the levels of PKG and p-PKG. Meanwhile, the vascular calcium sensitivity in shock group was significantly lower than that of sham group, MLDL or PSML drainage enhanced the calcium sensitivity. After incubating with PKG regulators in shock+ligation and shock+drainage groups, the PKG agonist 8Br-cGMP reduced the contractility of vascular rings to gradient calcium ions and Emax and the PKG inhibitor agonist KT5823 elevated the calcium sensitivity significantly. CONCLUSION: Protein kinase G plays an important role in post-shock mesenteric lymph blockage improving vascular calcium sensitivity.

OBJECTIVE: An elevated red cell distribution width has been recognized as a predictor of various cardiovascular diseases. Slow coronary flow syndrome is an important angiographic clinical entity with an unknown etiology. This study aimed to examine the relationship between red cell distribution width and the presence of slow coronary flow syndrome. METHODS: In total, 185 patients with slow coronary flow syndrome and 183 age- and gender-matched subjects with normal coronary flow (controls) were prospectively enrolled in this study. Red cell distribution width and C-reactive protein were measured upon admission, and the results were compared between the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome and normal controls. RESULTS: Red cell distribution width levels were significantly higher in the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome than the normal controls. Moreover, the data showed that the plasma C-reactive protein levels were also higher in the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome than in the normal controls. In addition, a multivariate analysis indicated that C-reactive protein and red cell distribution width were the independent variables most strongly associated with slow coronary flow syndrome. Finally, the red cell distribution width was positively correlated with C-reactive protein and mean thrombosis in the myocardial infarction frame counts of the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrated that red cell distribution width levels are significantly higher and strongly positively correlated with both C-reactive protein and thrombosis in the myocardial infarction frame counts of patients with slow coronary flow syndrome. These findings suggest that red cell distribution width may be a useful marker for patients with slow coronary flow syndrome.

Background: As key gene regulators, microRNAs post-transcriptionally modulate gene expression via binding to partially complementary sequence in the 3? UTR of target mRNA. An accurate, rapid and quantitative tool for sensing and validation of miRNA targets is of crucial significance to decipher the functional implications of miRNAs in cellular pathways. Results: Taking advantage of an improved restriction-free cloning method, we engineered a novel built-in dual luciferase reporter plasmid where Firefly and Renilla luciferase genes were assembled in a single plasmid named ?pFila?. This design eliminates the transfection of a separate control plasmid and thus minimizes the time and labor required for miRNA-target sensing assays. pFila consistently produces Firefly and Renilla luciferase activities when transfected into human-, monkey- and mouse-derived mammalian cell systems. Moreover, pFila is capable of recapitulating the interaction of miR-16 and its known target CCNE1 in Hela cells. Additionally, pFila is shown to be a sensitive miR-biosensor by evaluating the inhibition efficiency of endogenous miRNA. Conclusions: pFila would facilitate miRNA target identification and verification in a rapid and simplified manner. Also, pFila is a sensitive biosensor for active miRNA profiling in vivo.