Exceptional enhancement of mechanical properties in high-entropy alloys via thermodynamically guided local chemical ordering.

Understanding the local chemical ordering propensity in random solid solutions, and tailoring its strength, can guide the design and discovery of complex, paradigm-shifting multicomponent alloys. First, we present a simple thermodynamic framework, based solely on binary enthalpies of mixing, to select optimal alloying elements to control the nature and extent of chemical ordering in high-entropy alloys (HEAs). Next, we couple high-resolution electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, hybrid Monte-Carlo, special quasirandom structures, and density functional theory calculations to demonstrate how controlled additions of Al and Ti and subsequent annealing drive chemical ordering in nearly random equiatomic face-centered cubic CoFeNi solid solution. We establish that short-range ordered domains, the precursors of long-range ordered precipitates, inform mechanical properties. Specifically, a progressively increasing local order boosts the tensile yield strengths of the parent CoFeNi alloy by a factor of four while also substantially improving ductility, which breaks the so-called strength-ductility paradox. Finally, we validate the generality of our approach by predicting and demonstrating that controlled additions of Al, which has large negative enthalpies of mixing with the constituent elements of another nearly random body-centered cubic refractory NbTaTi HEA, also introduces chemical ordering and enhances mechanical properties.

Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Good Death Research from 2001-2021.

Quantitative analysis via bibliometric field analyses is a recent, gradually emerging method. We conducted a bibliometric study to investigate the authors' scientific influence and contributions and evaluate trends and research foci in good death-related literature using the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection. A total of 1,157 publications were selected for the analysis. There was a significant increase in annual publications per year (R2 = 0.79). The publication (317, 27.4%) and average citation (29.2) numbers were highest in the USA. Controlling for population number and GDP, the Netherlands had the highest number of articles per million persons (5.89) and US$ 1010 GDP (1.02). North American and Western European countries are leaders in the field, but some East Asian countries (Japan and Taiwan) perform well. Current research focuses on patient perspectives of good death and advance care planning among patients, families, and health care providers.

CFM6 is an Essential CRM Protein Required for the Splicing of nad5 Transcript in Arabidopsis Mitochondria.

Plant chloroplast RNA splicing and ribosome maturation (CRM)-domain-containing proteins are capable of binding RNA to facilitate the splicing of group I or II introns in chloroplasts, but their functions in mitochondria are less clear. In the present study, Arabidopsis thaliana CFM6, a protein with a single CRM domain, was expressed in most plant tissues, particularly in flower tissues, and restricted to mitochondria. Mutation of CFM6 causes severe growth defects, including stunted growth, curled leaves, delayed embryogenesis and pollen development. CFM6 functions specifically in the splicing of group II intron 4 of nad5, which encodes a subunit of mitochondrial complex I, as evidenced by the loss of nad5 intron 4 splicing and high accumulation of its pretranscripts in cfm6 mutants. The phenotypic and splicing defects of cfm6 were rescued in transgenic plants overexpressing 35S::CFM6-YFP. Splicing failure in cfm6 also led to the loss of complex I activity and to its improper assembly. Moreover, dysfunction of complex I induced the expression of proteins or genes involved in alternative respiratory pathways in cfm6. Collectively, CFM6, a previously uncharacterized CRM domain-containing protein, is specifically involved in the cis-splicing of nad5 intron 4 and plays a pivotal role in mitochondrial complex I biogenesis and normal plant growth.

Effect of line and floor type on growth performance and feather characterization during the growth period of White Roman geese.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether goose growth and feather characteristics are influenced by their line and feeding surroundings, inclusive of floor materials and types, since there are no reports regarding these factors. METHODS: The 240 White Roman geese which were hatched and sex identified came from 3 commercial goose farms. They were randomly distributed to 24 pens depending on a completely random design. The study continued for 13 weeks and included 3 lines of commercial geese and 2 floor types (cement strip floor [CSF] or cement floor [CF]). RESULTS: The day one gosling weight from A farm was lower than other two farms (96 g vs 107 and 115 g; p<0.001). Afterwards, the body weight, back length, keel length, chest girth and main wing feather length among 3 farms showed no significance difference prior to 12 weeks. The CF group showed heavier body weight, shorter back length, longer keel length, shorter chest girth and shorter main wing feather length than the CSF group prior to 12 weeks. The down weight in the CF was heavier than the CSF group (57.1 g vs 41.8 g; p<0.01) prior to 13 weeks. CONCLUSION: The body weight showed the positive relations for dry feather weight (r = 0.59), down weight (r = 0.69), percent of the down weight of live body weight prior to 13 weeks (r = 0.61).

Salt hypersensitive mutant 9, a nucleolar APUM23 protein, is essential for salt sensitivity in association with the ABA signaling pathway in Arabidopsis.

BACKGROUND: Although the nucleolus involves two major functions: pre-rRNA processing and ribosome biogenesis/assembly, increasing evidence indicates that it also plays important roles in response to abiotic stress. However, the possible regulatory mechanisms underlying the nucleolar proteins responsive to abiotic stress are largely unknown. High salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses, which hinders plant growth and productivity. Here, genetic screening approach was used to identify a salt hypersensitive mutant 9 (sahy9) mutant, also known as apum23, in Arabidopsis thaliana. Functional characterization of SAHY9/APUM23 through analyses of gene/protein expression profiles and metabolites was performed to decipher the possible regulatory mechanisms of the nucleolar protein SAHY9/APUM23 in response to salt stress. RESULTS: Seedlings of the sahy9/apum23 mutant displayed postgermination developmental arrest and then became bleached after prolonged culture under various salt stresses. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of salt-treated sahy9/apum23 and wild-type seedlings revealed differential expression of genes/proteins that have similar functional categories of biological processes, primarily those involved in cellular and metabolic processes as well as abiotic and biotic stress responses. However, the consistency of differential gene expression at both the transcript and protein levels was low (~ 12%), which suggests the involvement of posttranscriptional processing during the salt response. Furthermore, the altered expression of genes and proteins mediated by SAHY9/APUM23 regarding salt sensitivity involves abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signaling, abiotic stress responses, and ribosome biogenesis-related genes. Importantly, NCED3, ABI2, PP2CA, and major ABA-responsive marker genes, such as RD20 and RD29B, were down-regulated at both the transcript and protein levels in conjunction with lower contents of ABA and changes in the expression of a subset of LEA proteins in sahy9/apum23 mutants under salt stress. Moreover, the salt hypersensitivity of the sahy9/apum23 mutant was largely rescued by the exogenous application of ABA during salt stress. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that SAHY9/APUM23 regulated the expression of ribosome biogenesis-related genes and proteins, which further affected the ribosome composition and abundance, and potential posttranscriptional regulation. The salt hypersensitivity of sahy9/apum23 is associated with the ABA-mediated signaling pathway and the downstream stress-responsive network of this pathway.

Synergistic antibacterial effects of localized heat and oxidative stress caused by hydroxyl radicals mediated by graphene/iron oxide-based nanocomposites.

This work develops a composite system of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-iron oxide nanoparticles (rGO-IONP) that can synergistically induce physical and chemical damage to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that are present in subcutaneous abscesses. rGO-IONP was synthesized by the chemical deposition of Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) ions on nanosheets of rGO in aqueous ammonia. The antibacterial efficacy of the as-prepared rGO-IONP was evaluated in a mouse model with MRSA-infected subcutaneous abscesses. Upon exposure to a near-infrared laser in vitro, rGO-IONP synergistically generated localized heat and large amounts of hydroxyl radicals, which inactivated MRSA. The in vivo results reveal that combined treatment with localized heat and oxidative stress that is caused by hydroxyl radicals accelerated the healing of wounds associated with MRSA-infected abscesses. The above results demonstrate that an rGO-IONP nanocomposite system that can effectively inactivate multiple-drug-resistant bacteria in subcutaneous infections was successfully developed. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has posed a significant problem in the clinical setting. Thus, it is imperative to develop new treatment strategies against this. In this study, the authors described the use of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-iron oxide nanoparticles (rGO-IONP) to induce heat and chemical damage to MRSA. This approach may provide a platform the design of other treatment modalities against multiple-drug-resistant bacteria.

Study of mechanical property and biocompatibility of graphene oxide/MEO2MA hydrogel scaffold for wound healing application.

Wound healing is a complex biological process crucial for restoring tissue integrity and preventing infections. The development of advanced materials that facilitate and expedite the wound-healing process has been a focal point in biomedical research. In this study, we aimed to enhance the wound-healing potential of hydrogel scaffolds by incorporating graphene oxide and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (MEO2MA). Various masses of graphene oxide were added to MEO2MA hydrogels via free radical polymerisation. Comprehensive characterizations, encompassing mechanical properties, and biocompatibility assays, were conducted to evaluate the hydrogels' suitability for wound healing. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the graphene oxide-based hydrogels exhibited a proper swelling degree and tensile strength, responding effectively to moisture conditions and adhesiveness for wound healing. Notably, the tensile strength significantly increased to 626 kPa in the graphene oxide hydrogels. Biocompatibility assessments revealed that the graphene oxide/MEO2MA hydrogels were non-toxic to human dermal fibroblast cell growth, with no significant difference in cell viability observed in the graphene oxide/MEO2MA hydrogel (H-HG) group. In a rat skin experiment, the wound-healing rate of the hydrogel incorporating graphene oxide surpassed that of the pristine hydrogel after a 15-day treatment, achieving over 95% wound closure in the H-HG group. The histopathological analysis further supported the efficacy of the H-HG hydrogel dressing in promoting more effective tissue regeneration. These results collectively highlight the potential of the graphene oxide/MEO2MA hydrogel scaffold as a promising dressing for medical applications.

Characterizations of Centrifugal Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate/Tamanu Oil/Silver Nanoparticles Wound Dressing.

Known for its water solubility, flexibility, strong adhesion, and eco-friendly nature, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is widely used in various industries. In the medical field, it is used for applications such as creating bandages and orthopaedic devices. Incorporating sodium alginate (SA) into PVA membranes enhances their structural integrity, breathability, and permeability, thereby minimising the risk of cellular damage in the wound zone. Moreover, the addition of tamanu oil (C alophyllum inophyllum L.) and silver nanoparticles, both of which are known for their antibacterial properties and benefits in traditional wound healing, further enhances the membranes' wound-healing effectiveness. Following production, the membranes undergo a series of tests designed to evaluate their physical properties as well as their antioxidant and antibacterial capabilities. Subsequently, in vitro testing is conducted using human skin cells; experiments on Wistar rats are then performed. Numerous experiments have consistently demonstrated that the performance of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/tamanu oil (PVA/SA/Oil) membrane is superior to that of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/tamanu oil/silver nanoparticles (PVA/SA/Oil/Ag NP) membrane. Specifically, the polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) combination exhibits an impressive wound-healing rate of 98.82% after 15 days, with cells maintaining a high viability of 92% in a nourishing environment. Moreover, these membranes exhibit exceptional resistance to the oxidation of free radicals, surpassing the 70% threshold, and they possess antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus in vitro. Based on the obtained results, the nanofiber membranes composed of polyvinyl alcohol/ alginate/ tamanu oil, with or without silver nanoparticles, have shown potential as wound dressings in the wound care discipline.

Cesium Modulation in Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 Solar Cells: Comprehensive Analysis on Interface, Surface, and Grain Boundary.

Cesium (Cs) incorporation and sulfurization on copper indium gallium selenide solar cells are the keys to improving the device quality. In this study, we explore the impact of Cs modulation on sulfur-containing Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 (CIGSSe) absorbers, resulting in a performance increase of over 2%, reaching 18.11%. The improvement stems from a widened surface bandgap, grain boundary (GB) passivation, and a moderate injection blocking layer. The surface bandgap widens from 1.44 to 2.63 eV after Cs incorporation, confirmed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and low-energy inverse photoemission spectroscopy (LEIPS) analysis. Cs presence and S depletion in GBs suggest a new phase that might mitigate carrier recombination. Heightened Cs incorporation introduces interface issues, including an augmented injection blocking layer and interface defects. Our study offers insights into interface challenges and GB engineering strategies in Cs-treated CIGSSe solar cells, illuminating the multifaceted impact of heavy alkali metal ion Cs in CIGS-based photovoltaics.

Dataset of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of copper-based alloys.

This article presents a collection of data on approximately 150 copper-based alloys. The data compilation is based on articles published since 1993 and consists of about 1830 records. Each record contains a unique set of descriptors, such as composition and processing route, and targets, including properties such as hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and electrical conductivity. The dataset includes information on the composition in mass percent of 20 alloying elements, and hundreds of temperature-time thermal treatments and thermomechanical conditions. The database is continually updated and hosted on an open data repository. Some of the data are presented graphically in the article to aid interpretation. This study intends to promote the identification of more sustainable alternatives to Cu-Be alloys, which is particularly relevant in developing non-toxic and environmentally-friendly alloys.

Accelerating the excisional wound closure by using the patterned microstructural nanofibrous mats/gentamicin-loaded hydrogel composite scaffold.

Ideal artificial tissue scaffolds should provide an in vitro microenvironment comparable to native human skin tissue to direct cell functions, regulate tissue homeostasis, and promote tissue regeneration. A sandwich-like composite scaffold consisting of a hydrogel layer and two aligned nanofibre layers was fabricated and applied as a wound-healing dressing. Gentamicin was preloaded into the hydrogel middle layer and naturally released for antibacterial activity during the healing period. Nanofibrous layers embedded on the top and bottom surfaces of the hydrogel improved the tensile strength fivefold (1560 â€‹kPa and 465% strain) while serving as a diffusion barrier to reduce the gentamicin initial burst release (30%-15%). Inspired by the extracellular matrix (ECM), the surface of nanofibre top layer was patterned with triangular microarrays using micro-moulding approach to reflect the multidimensional structure of ECM. Biocompatibility of the scaffold is proven from cytotoxicity and haemolysis studies. Fibroblast cells revealed a highly elongated and consistent alignment modulated by the micropatterned fibrous layer and directed their migration towards the wound area. Excisional wounds treated with the scaffold promoted 97.49% wound closure with low inflammation and rapid re-epithelialization and angiogenesis. This scaffold, with its tailored functionality capable of accelerating wound healing, has high potential in tissue engineering applications.

Fabrication of phase-change chalcogenide Ge2Sb2Te5 patterns by laser-induced forward transfer.

Femtosecond laser pulses are focused on a thin film of Ge2Sb2Te5 phase-change material, and the transfer of the illuminated material to a nearby substrate is investigated. The size, shape, and phase-state of the fabricated pattern can be effectively controlled by the laser fluence and by the thickness of the Ge2Sb2Te5 film. Results show multi-level electrical and optical reflection states of the fabricated patterns, which may provide a simple and efficient foundation for patterning future phase-change devices.

The Laetiporus sulphureus Fermented Product Enhances the Antioxidant Status, Intestinal Tight Junction, and Morphology of Broiler Chickens.

The Laetiporus sp. is a fungal species that is traditionally used for medicinal purposes. This study investigated the effects of the Laetiporus sulphureus fermented product (FL) as a feed supplementation on the antioxidant activities, the intestinal Tight Junction (TJ) mRNA expression, and the intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. Four-hundred one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to five experimental diets: (1) a corn-soybean meal basal diet (control), (2) a basal diet replaced with 5% Wheat Bran (5% WB), (3) a basal diet replaced with 10% WB (10% WB), (4) a basal diet replaced with 5% FL (5% FL), and (5) a basal diet replaced with 10% FL (10% FL). The FL-supplemented groups exhibited a better feed conversion ratio in the overall experimental period compared to the WB and control groups. The serum antioxidant profiles of 35-day-old broilers showed that, compared to the control and 10% WB groups, the 5% FL supplementation group had a significantly increased superoxide dismutase activity, while it down-regulated the concentration of malondialdehyde in the serum (p < 0.05). The assessment of selected antioxidant gene expression showed that the 5% FL group significantly elevated heme oxygenase-1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 expression, compared to the control and WB groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both of the FL supplemented groups had a significantly higher expression of glutathione peroxidase and catalase, compared to that of the WB and control groups in the jejunum (p < 0.05). The TJ mRNA expression in the jejunum showed that 5% FL significantly elevated the zonula occludens-1, claudin-1, and mucin-2 expression (p < 0.05), while 5% and 10% FL supplementation significantly improved OCLN expression in both the jejunum and ileum, compared to control group (p < 0.05). The intestinal morphology of 35-day-old broilers showed that a 5% FL supplementation significantly increased the villus height in the ileum and jejunum, compared to the WB and control groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, the 5% and 10% FL supplementation groups had a significantly higher villi:crypt ratio in the ileum, compared to the WB and control groups (p < 0.05). To conclude, FL supplementation improved the antioxidative status, the TJ mRNA expression, and the intestinal morphology, and it was accompanied by a lowered feed conversion ratio in broilers. Finally, 5% supplementation had the overall best results in improving the antioxidant status, TJ mRNA expression, and intestinal morphology of broilers.

Micropatterned Fibrous Scaffold Produced by Using Template-Assisted Electrospinning Technique for Wound Healing Application.

This paper describes the fabrication of a structural scaffold consisting of both randomly oriented nanofibers and triangular prism patterns on the scaffold surface using a combination technique of electrospinning and collector templates. The polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were electrospun over a triangular prism pattern mold, which acted as a template. The deposited scaffold was removed from the template to produce a standalone structural scaffold of three-dimensional micropatterned nanofibers. The fabricated structural scaffold was compared with flat randomly oriented nanofibers based on in vitro and in vivo studies. The in vitro study indicated that the structural scaffold demonstrated higher fibroblast cell proliferation, cell elongation with a 13.48 ± 2.73 aspect ratio and 70% fibroblast cell orientation compared with flat random nanofibers. Among the treatment groups, the structural scaffold escalated the wound closure to 92.17% on day 14. Histological staining of the healed wound area demonstrated that the structural scaffold exhibited advanced epithelization of the epidermal layer accompanied by mild inflammation. The proliferated fibroblast cells and collagen fibers in the structural scaffold appeared denser and arranged more horizontally. These results determined the potential of micropatterned scaffolds for stimulating cell behavior and their application for wound healing.

Controlling cell elongation and orientation by using microstructural nanofibre scaffolds for accelerating tissue regeneration.

The topographic surface conditions of scaffolds can regulate cellular behaviours, such as by stimulating cellular migration and morphological changes to wound sites and have the potential to promote tissue regeneration. In this research, four types of engineered topographic surfaces, including arrays of hemisphere, pyramid, semi-cylinder, and triangle prism microstructures, were patterned on silicon moulds using microfabrication processes. The microstructural patterns were transferred onto the surface of polycaprolactone membranes and nanofibrous scaffolds by combining with the moulding approach and electrospinning technique, respectively. In vitro experimental results demonstrated that the triangular microstructural nanofibre provided a strong guiding performance to the filopodia of cultured C2C12 myoblast cells, thus inducing cellular elongation and alignment in the longitudinal direction and forming an elongated cell morphology. The cultured cells rapidly transitioned into an elongated morphology at an aspect ratio of 17.33 after 24 h of incubation, with 70% of the cell elongates aligning with the direction of triangular microstructural patterns. The cells cultured on the triangular microstructural nanofibre elongated four-fold compared with those in the flat nanofibre scaffold. Moreover, an in vivo study showed that wounds treated with the triangular microstructural nanofibre scaffold achieved 95.04% wound closure after 14 days and completed the reepithelialisation with an ordered collagen arrangement. Therefore, we believe that the engineered triangular nanofibrous scaffold may accelerate tissue regeneration and has potential for wound healing applications.

Production performances and antioxidant activities of laying hens fed Aspergillus oryzae and phytase co-fermented wheat bran.

OBJECTIVE: Wheat bran (WB) was co-fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and phytase (Phy) to determine whether co-fermentation improve WB phosphorus and fiber utilization in Isa-brown layers. METHODS: A total of 112 Isa brown layer were randomly divided into 7 treatments with 8 replicates per a treatment and 2 hens per a replicate. The treatments included basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 250 unit/kg Phy (control+Phy), diet with 10% WB (10% WB), diet with 5% WB and 250 unit/kg Phy (5% WB+Phy) diet with 10% WB and 250 unit/kg Phy (10% WB+Phy), diet with 5% fermented WB supplemented with molasses and phy (PCFWH) and 125 unit/kg Phy (5% PCFWH), and diet with 10% PCFWH (10% PCFWH). The intestinal microbial population, intestinal morphology, serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and excreta phosphorus content were assessed. RESULTS: In PCFWH, spore counts, protease activity, xylanase activity, and ferulic acid were 8.50 log/g dry matter (DM), 190 unit/g DM, 120 unit/g DM, and 127 µg/g, respectively. Xylobiose and xylotriose were released in PCFWH, while they were not detectable in WB. Antioxidant capacity was also enhanced in PCFWH compared to WB. The 10% WB+Phy and 10% PCFWH groups produced higher egg mass, but hens fed 5% WB+Phy had the lowest amount of feed intake. Eggs from 10% PCFWH had better eggshell weight, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness. Birds fed with 10% PCFWH also had higher serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Compare to control, 10% PCFWH significantly reduced excreta phosphorus content. CONCLUSION: Diet inclusion of 10% PCFWH improved egg quality, antioxidant status, and excreta phosphorus content of laying hens.

Effects of Laetiporus sulphureus-Fermented Wheat Bran on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota and Digesta Characteristics in Broiler Chickens.

This study investigated the effects of a Laetiporus sulphureus-fermented wheat bran (LS) supplementation on the microbiota and digesta characteristics of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into three groups fed with a corn-soybean-based diet (control), and the control diet being replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB) and 5% LS, respectively. Each group had four replicates and 20 birds per pen. Metagenomics analysis results of the ileum microbiota showed that, at the family level, the 5% LS groups had over 40% higher Lactobacillaceae compared to the control group in a mean difference comparison. Heat maps showed that, at the phylum level, the population of Firmicutes was higher and Proteobacteria was lower in the ileum of 5% LS compared to the control group. Results of the stack column plots of the top ten OTUs at the family level showed that a 5% LS and 5% WB supplementation altered the broiler microbiota distribution by increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae. Cecal microbiota analysis showed that the 5% LS-supplemented group had approximately 5% and 3% higher Veillonellaceae and Lactobacillaceae, respectively. Stack column plots of the top ten OTUs indicated that the distribution of cecal bacteria in each group was not markedly different. Both the ileum and cecum digesta in the 5% LS supplementation group had a slight and not significant elevation on the total VFA, while the pH values and ammonia nitrogen were significantly lowered compared to the control and 5% WB groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the 5% LS supplementation group had a significantly higher lactic acid concentration in both the ileum and cecum compared to the control and 5% WB groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a 5% LS supplementation could potentially enhance the feed conversion ratio and European Broiler Index (EBI) of broilers by elevating the family Lactobacillaceae and suppressing the phylum Proteobacteria's population, thus creating changed intestinal environments that may potentially favor the growth and health of the broilers.

Development of Thermo-Responsive Polycaprolactone-Polydimethylsiloxane Shrinkable Nanofibre Mesh.

A thermally activated shape memory polymer based on the mixture of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was fabricated into the nanofibre mesh using the electrospinning process. The added percentages of the PDMS segment in the PCL-based polymer influenced the mechanical properties. Polycaprolactone serves as a switching segment to adjust the melting temperature of the shape memory electro-spun PCL-PDMS scaffolds to our body temperature at around 37 °C. Three electro-spun PCL-PDMS copolymer nanofibre samples, including PCL6-PDMS4, PCL7-PDMS3 and PCL8-PDMS2, were characterised to study the thermal and mechanical properties along with the shape memory responses. The results from the experiment showed that the PCL switching segment ratio determines the crystallinity of the copolymer nanofibres, where a higher PCL ratio results in a higher degree of crystallinity. In contrast, the results showed that the mechanical properties of the copolymer samples decreased with the PCL composition ratio. After five thermomechanical cycles, the fabricated copolymer nanofibres exhibited excellent shape memory properties with 98% shape fixity and above 100% recovery ratio. Moreover, biological experiments were applied to evaluate the biocompatibility of the fabricated PCL-PDMS nanofibre mesh. Owing to the thermally activated shape memory performance, the electro-spun PCL-PDMS fibrous mesh has a high potential for biomedical applications such as medical shrinkable tubing and wire.

Laying Diet Supplementation with Ricinus communis L. leaves and Evaluation of Productive Performance and Potential Modulation of Antioxidative Status.

This study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of Ricinus communis L. (RC) leaves and powder when used as a feed additive for laying hens. Results showed that the total phenolic content of the aqueous leaf extract of Ricinus communis L. (RCE) was 48.39 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram dry weight (DW). The flavonoid content was 9.76 mg quercetin dihydrate equivalent (QE)/g DW. Ferrous chelating activity was approximately 56.2% with an RCE concentration of 1 mg/mL; the highest chelating activity was 91.2% with 4 mg/mL extract. The reducing power of 1 mg/mL RC was 1.17 times better than 1 mg/mL butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of 12.5 mg/mL RCE was equivalent to 3.09 mg/mL Trolox. RCE (10 mg/mL) had a lipid oxidative inhibition capacity of 35.3%. A total of 80 ISA brown laying hens at twenty-nine weeks of age were randomly allocated into the control or 1 of 3 treatment groups; the latter received 0.5%, 1% or 2% of RC, respectively, for 12 weeks. Results showed that the RC supplementation improved the feed conversion rate and 0.5% RC generated the best results. Additionally, the egg yolk score was significantly increased in all RC-supplemented groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference in serum characteristics between the treatment groups. Serum antioxidant enzyme activity showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in the RC-supplemented groups relative to the control but was not significantly different. mRNA expression levels of the antioxidant regulatory genes GCLC, GST, HO-1, SOD1, and SOD2 were significantly increased with 2% RC supplementation. In summary, RC is a suitable feed additive for laying hens and the addition of 0.5% RC leaf powder resulted in the greatest benefits.

Evaluation of Waste Mushroom Compost as a Feed Supplement and Its Effects on the Fat Metabolism and Antioxidant Capacity of Broilers.

Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2 waste mushroom compost (PWMC) is the main byproduct when cultivating Pleurotus eryngii. Due to the high mycelium levels in PWMC, it may have potential as a feed supplement for broilers. This study investigated the effects of PWMC supplementation on antioxidant capacity and adipose metabolism in broilers. In the study, 240 broilers were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: basal diet (control), 0.5%, 1%, or 2% PWMC supplementation. Each treatment group had 60 broilers, divided into three replicates. The results showed that supplementation with 0.5% PWMC decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR) from 1.36 to 1.28, compared to the control. Supplementation with 0.5% or 2% PWMC decreased glucose and triglyceride levels, compared to the control (p < 0.0001), the concentrations of adiponectin and oxytocin increased from 5948 to 5709, 11820, and 7938 ng/ mL; and 259 to 447, 873, and 963 pg/ mL, respectively. Toll-like receptor 4 was slightly increased in the 0.5% and 1% PWMC groups. Both interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) were significantly decreased, by about three to five times for IFN-γ (p < 0.0001) and 1.1 to 1.6 times for IL-1ß (p = 0.0002). All antioxidant-related mRNA, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and superoxidase dismutase-1 (SOD-1), increased significantly following PWMC supplementation. Both claudin-1 and zonula occludens 1 increased, especially in the 2% PWMC group. Excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) significantly increased by about 5, 12, and 11 times in the 0.5%, 1%, and 2% PWMC groups. All adipolysis-related mRNA were induced in the PWMC treatment groups, further enhancing adipolysis. Overall, 0.5% PWMC supplementation was recommended due to its improving FCR, similar antioxidant capacity, and upregulated adipolysis.