A highly distorted ultraelastic chemically complex Elinvar alloy.

The development of high-performance ultraelastic metals with superb strength, a large elastic strain limit and temperature-insensitive elastic modulus (Elinvar effect) are important for various industrial applications, from actuators and medical devices to high-precision instruments1,2. The elastic strain limit of bulk crystalline metals is usually less than 1 per cent, owing to dislocation easy gliding. Shape memory alloys3-including gum metals4,5 and strain glass alloys6,7-may attain an elastic strain limit up to several per cent, although this is the result of pseudo-elasticity and is accompanied by large energy dissipation3. Recently, chemically complex alloys, such as 'high-entropy' alloys8, have attracted tremendous research interest owing to their promising properties9-15. In this work we report on a chemically complex alloy with a large atomic size misfit usually unaffordable in conventional alloys. The alloy exhibits a high elastic strain limit (approximately 2 per cent) and a very low internal friction (less than 2 × 10-4) at room temperature. More interestingly, this alloy exhibits an extraordinary Elinvar effect, maintaining near-constant elastic modulus between room temperature and 627 degrees Celsius (900 kelvin), which is, to our knowledge, unmatched by the existing alloys hitherto reported.

Alkaline semen diluent combined with R848 for separation and enrichment of dairy goat X-sperm.

A large number of female goats are needed for the dairy goat industry; therefore, the development of a method to ensure the birth of more females than males in a single pregnancy will lead to economic benefits. Increasing the number of X-sperm would be an effective way to increase the proportion of female offspring. In this study, goat semen was incubated at pH 7.4 in alkaline diluent combined with resiquimod (R848) and the number of X-sperm was enriched by the swim-up method. The percentage of X-sperm was determined using the double TaqMan qPCR method. Sperm total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity, straight-line velocity, and curvilinear velocity were measured using a computer-aided sperm analysis system, and the functional parameters of the sperm plasma membrane, the acrosome, mitochondrial activity, ATP content, and reactive oxygen species levels were also measured. Lastly, the ratio of female embryos was determined by in vitro fertilization, and the number of female kids and the pregnancy rate of does was assessed by artificial insemination. The results showed that dilution of semen in an alkaline buffer containing R848 could enrich the number of X-sperm to 85.57% ± 3.27%. The progressive motility, average path velocity, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, mitochondrial activity, and ATP level of the collected X-sperm-enriched semen were significantly reduced, but its total motility, plasma membrane, and acrosome were not affected. The in vitro fertilization experiments showed that the rate of female embryo production using X-sperm-rich seminal fluid could reach 83.25% (174/209), which was significantly higher than the proportion of female embryos in the control group, 47.71% ± 1.80% (104/218). As determined by artificial insemination, the number of female kids in the test group increased by 62.79% (243/387), which was significantly higher than that in the control group (47.65%, 193/405). There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between the test group and the control group (71.71% vs. 78.48%). Therefore, this study demonstrated that use of a pH 7.4 diluent containing R848 is a simple and effective method of X-sperm enrichment for dairy goat production. Its application would allow does to produce more female offspring for herd expansion and milk production.

[Association between obesity and risk for all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes].

Objective: To investigate the association between obesity and the risk for all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Methods: The participants were from a rural community-based T2DM patient cohort in Zhejiang Province. The study used the data collected from baseline survey in 2016 and follow-up until December 31, 2021. A total of 10 310 participants were included, excluding those who were lost in follow-up or had incomplete data in follow-up. According to BMI and waist circumference, the study subjects were divided into 6 groups: low body weight, normal body weight, simple abdominal obesity, simple body obesity, complex overweight and complex obesity. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality and their 95%CIs in T2DM patients with different obesity status. Results: The cumulative follow-up period was 57 049.47 person-years with an average follow-up of (5.53±0.89) person-years. During this period, 971 subjects died. The death density was 1 702.03/100 000 person-years. After adjusting for confounders, low-weight patients had a 104% increased risk for all-cause death compared with normal-weight patients (HR=2.04, 95%CI:1.42-2.92). The risk for all-cause death decreased by 34% (HR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.53-0.82), 22% (HR=0.78,95%CI: 0.66-0.92), 38% (HR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.49-0.78) in the patients with simple body obesity, complex overweight and complex obesity, respectively, there was no significant difference for all-cause death in the patients with simple abdominal obesity alone. In subgroup analysis, the risk of all-cause mortality increased in low-weight T2DM patients of different sexes and ages, the mortality risk in women with complex obesity was 50% lower than that in the women with normal body weight, but there was no significant difference in men in the comparison between complex obesity group and normal body weight group. The risk for all-cause mortality was significantly lower in ≥65 years old patients with simple body obesity, complex overweight and complex obesity than in patients with normal body weight (HR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.48-0.78; HR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.63-0.91; HR=0.56,95%CI: 0.42-0.73), there was no significant difference in the patients aged <65 years. There was no significant change in sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: There was an "obesity paradox" in the risk for all-cause mortality in T2DM patients. The risk of all-cause mortality in the low-weight patients was significantly higher than that in normal-weight patients, and the risk for death in the patients with simple body obesity or complex overweight and obesity were significantly lower.

Lattice distortion enabling enhanced strength and plasticity in high entropy intermetallic alloy.

Intermetallic alloys have traditionally been characterized by their inherent brittleness due to their lack of sufficient slip systems and absence of strain hardening. However, here we developed a single-phase B2 high-entropy intermetallic alloy that is both strong and plastic. Unlike conventional intermetallics, this high-entropy alloy features a highly distorted crystalline lattice with complex chemical order, leading to multiple slip systems and high flow stress. In addition, the alloy exhibits a dynamic hardening mechanism triggered by dislocation gliding that preserves its strength across a wide range of temperatures. As a result, this high-entropy intermetallic circumvents precipitous thermal softening, with extensive plastic flows even at high homologous temperatures, outperforming a variety of both body-centered cubic and B2 alloys. These findings reveal a promising direction for the development of intermetallic alloys with broad engineering applications.

Effect of midodrine on the prognosis of patients with septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of midodrine on treating patients with septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase. The Mantel-Haenszel method was used to calculate pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The mean differences (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) were calculated using the inverse variance for continuous variables. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. Adding midodrine to patients with septic shock was associated with a reduction in hospital mortality [risk ratio (RR) 0.76; 95% CI, 0.57-1.00; p=0.05] and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (RR 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41-0.87; p=0.008). However, there were no significant differences in the duration of intravenous vasopressors [standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.18; 95% CI, -0.47-0.11; p=0.23], intravenous vasopressor reinstitution (RR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.19-1.80; p=0.35), the length of ICU stay [mean difference (MD) -0.53 days; 95% CI, -2.24-1.17; p=0.54], and the length of hospital stay (MD -2.40 days; 95% CI, -5.26-0.46; p=0.10) between midodrine group and intravenous vasopressor alone group. CONCLUSIONS: The additional use of midodrine might reduce hospital mortality and ICU mortality in patients with septic shock. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to verify this conclusion.

[Association between body mass index changes and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Objectives: To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) changes and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Based on the T2DM cohort in rural communities of Zhejiang province, baseline and follow up information of height, weight, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C of the T2DM patients were collected. After excluding those who died during the follow-up period, lost follow-up or had incomplete information, a total of 8 953 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis. Multiple linear regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for analysis. Results: At baseline survey, 40.97% of the T2DM patients were overweight and obese. Compared with those with normal BMI, the SBP, DBP and TG level were significantly higher, while HDL-C level was significantly lower in the overweight and obese T2DM patients (P<0.01). During the follow-up period, the blood glucose control rate in the patients increased by 15%, and the levels of HbA1c decreased in the patients with different BMI changes at different degrees. Compared with the patients who kept normal BMI, the HbA1c level decrease had a smaller range, while the SBP and DBP increase had a larger range in the patients with persistent overweight and obesity, and their substandard rates of HbA1c, SBP, DBP, TG, HDL-C levels were 1.142 (1.057-1.233) times, 1.123 (1.055-1.196) times, 1.220 (1.128-1.320) times, 1.400 (1.282-1.528) times and 1.164 (1.069-1.267) times higher. The changes of blood pressure, blood lipids and other related indicators in the patients whose BMI became abnormal were similar to those of the patients with persistent overweight and obesity; Compared with the patients whose BMI were kept normal, the differences in changes and substandard rate of blood glucose level, blood pressure level in the patients whose BMI became normal were not significant (P>0.05). The change value of BMI was positively correlated with the change value of SBP, DBP, TG and LDL-C, while negatively correlated with the change value of HDL-C (P<0.05). Conclusions: Abnormal changes in BMI are associated with the adverse changes of blood glucose level, blood pressure, and blood lipids level and other cardiovascular disease risk factors. Keeping normal BMI would benefit the positive outcome of cardiovascular adverse factors.

Reliability and repeatability of tibial plateau fracture assessment with an injury mechanism-based concept.

OBJECTIVES: CT-based three-column classification (TCC) has been widely used in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures (TPFs). In its updated version (updated three-column concept, uTCC), a fracture morphology-based injury mechanism was proposed for effective treatment guidance. In this study, the injury mechanism of TPFs is further explained, and its inter- and intraobserver reliability is evaluated to perfect the uTCC. METHODS: The radiological images of 90 consecutive TPF patients were collected. A total of 47 men (52.2%) and 43 women (47.8%) with a mean age of 49.8 years (sd 12.4; 17 to 77) were enrolled in our study. Among them, 57 fractures were on the left side (63.3%) and 33 were on the right side (36.7%); no bilateral fracture existed. Four observers were chosen to classify or estimate independently these randomized cases according to the Schatzker classification, TCC, and injury mechanism. With two rounds of evaluation, the kappa values were calculated to estimate the inter- and intrareliability. RESULTS: The overall inter- and intraobserver agreements of the injury mechanism were substantial (κinter = 0.699, κintra = 0.749, respectively). The initial position and the force direction, which are two components of the injury mechanism, had substantial agreement for both inter-reliability or intrareliability. The inter- and intraobserver agreements were lower in high-energy fractures (Schatzker types IV to VI; κinter = 0.605, κintra = 0.721) compared with low-energy fractures (Schatzker types I to III; κinter = 0.81, κintra = 0.832). The inter- and intraobserver agreements were relatively higher in one-column fractures (κinter = 0.759, κintra = 0.801) compared with two-column and three-column fractures. CONCLUSION: The complete theory of injury mechanism of TPFs was first put forward to make the TCC consummate. It demonstrates substantial inter- and intraobserver agreement generally. Furthermore, the injury mechanism can be promoted clinically.Cite this article: B-B. Zhang, H. Sun, Y. Zhan, Q-F. He, Y. Zhu, Y-K. Wang, C-F. Luo. Reliability and repeatability of tibial plateau fracture assessment with an injury mechanism-based concept. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:357-366. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.88.BJR-2018-0331.R1.

Dietary mannan oligosaccharide ameliorates cyclic heat stress-induced damages on intestinal oxidative status and barrier integrity of broilers.

This study investigated protective effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) inclusion on growth performance, intestinal oxidative status, and barrier integrity of cyclic heat-stressed broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old chicks were allocated into 3 treatments of 10 replicates each. Control broilers reared at a thermoneutral temperature were fed a basal diet, whereas broilers in heat stress and MOS groups raised at a cyclic high temperature (32 to 33°C for 8 h/d) were given the basal diet supplemented with 0 or 250 mg/kg MOS, respectively. Compared with control group, heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) average daily gain and feed conversion ratio during grower, finisher, and entire periods, average daily feed intake during finisher and entire periods, and ileal superoxide dismutase activity at 42 D, whereas increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature at 21 and 42 D and jejunal malondialdehyde content at 42 D. Dietary MOS increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio during finisher and entire periods, but decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal malondialdehyde concentration of heat-stressed broilers at 42 D. Heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height (VH) and claudin-3 gene expression at 21 D, and VH and VH: crypt depth (CD) ratio in jejunum and ileum as well as mRNA abundances of jejunal mucin 2 and occludin, and ileal mucin 2, zonula occludens-1, and occludin, and claudin-3 at 42 D, whereas increased (P < 0.05) serum D-lactate acid content at 21 and 42 D, and serum diamine oxidase activity and jejunal CD at 42 D. The MOS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) jejunal VH at 21 D, VH and VH: CD of jejunum and ileum at 42 D, mRNA abundances of jejunal occludin and ileal mucin 2, zonula occludens-1, and occludin at 42 D, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) ileal CD at 42 D. These results suggested that MOS improved growth performance, and oxidative status and barrier integrity in the intestine of broilers under cyclic heat stress.

Radiographic predictors for bone mineral loss: Cortical thickness and index of the distal femur.

OBJECTIVES: Researchers continue to seek easier ways to evaluate the quality of bone and screen for osteoporosis and osteopenia. Until recently, radiographic images of various parts of the body, except the distal femur, have been reappraised in the light of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) findings. The incidence of osteoporotic fractures around the knee joint in the elderly continues to increase. The aim of this study was to propose two new radiographic parameters of the distal femur for the assessment of bone quality. METHODS: Anteroposterior radiographs of the knee and bone mineral density (BMD) and T-scores from DXA scans of 361 healthy patients were prospectively analyzed. The mean cortical bone thickness (CBTavg) and the distal femoral cortex index (DFCI) were the two parameters that were proposed and measured. Intra- and interobserver reliabilities were assessed. Correlations between the BMD and T-score and these parameters were investigated and their value in the diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia was evaluated. RESULTS: The DFCI, as a ratio, had higher reliability than the CBTavg. Both showed significant correlation with BMD and T-score. When compared with DFCI, CBTavg showed better correlation and was better for predicting osteoporosis and osteopenia. CONCLUSION: The CBTavg and DFCI are simple and reliable screening tools for the prediction of osteoporosis and osteopenia. The CBTavg is more accurate but the DFCI is easier to use in clinical practice.Cite this article: Q-F. He, H. Sun, L-Y. Shu, Y. Zhu, X-T. Xie, Y. Zhan, C-F. Luo. Radiographic predictors for bone mineral loss: Cortical thickness and index of the distal femur. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:468-475. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.77.BJR-2017-0332.R1.

[Factors related to thyroid carcinoma in Zhejiang province: a matched case-control study].

Objective: To explore the influencing factors related to thyroid carcinoma. Methods: Matched by sex, age and original residential areas, 659 pairs of cases and controls were recruited and studied. Methods including both single factor analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis were carried out to identify the influencing factors. Results: Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that higher education, being diabetic, alcohol intake, tea drinking, occupational physical activity and the frequency of eating fishes/eggs etc., were potentially protective to thyroid carcinoma. Depression, personal history of CT examination and less salt intake seemed to be risk factors on thyroid carcinoma. For males, factors as alcohol intake, tea drinking, occupational physical activity and frequent egg-eating appeared protective. For females, higher education, diabetes, tea drinking, occupational physical activity, frequent consumption of fishes/eggs, short duration of menstruation appeared as possibly protective. Conclusion: Higher education, diabetes, alcohol intake, tea drinking, occupational physical activity, frequent consumption of fishes/eggs, depression, personal history of CT examination and less salt intake served as potential influencing factors to thyroid carcinoma.

[Influence of diet and behavior related factors on the peripheral blood triglyceride levels in adults: a cross-sectional study].

Objective: To study the influence of diet and behavior related factors on the peripheral blood triglyceride levels in adults, through a cross-sectional survey. Methods: The current study included 13 434 subjects without histories of major chronic diseases from a population-based cross-sectional survey: the 2010 Metabolic Syndrome Survey in Zhejiang Province. A generalized linear model was used to investigate the influence of diet/behavior-related factors on the peripheral blood triglyceride levels. Results: Mean TG of the sample population appeared as (1.36±1.18) mmol/L. The proportions of elevated TG and marginally elevated TG were 10.3% and 11.0% respectively, with statistically significant difference seen between males and females (χ(2)=44.135, P<0.001). In this sampled population, the daily intake of cooking oil was exceeding the recommendation levels by over 50% while the intake of fruit, milk, nuts and physical exercise were much below the recommendation. There were statistically significant differences between smoking, alcohol-intake, meat, fruit and water intake in male population from this study. However, in females, the intake of aquatic product and physical exercise showed statistically significant differences. After controlling for other variables, factors as age, drinking, staple food and aquatic products showed positive influence on TG, while milk presented negative influence on TG. Through interaction analysis, fruit and meat intake in males and staple food in females showed positive influence on TG, when compared to the reference group. Conclusion: Hyperglyceridemia appeared as one of the major metabolic abnormities in Zhejiang province. Programs on monitoring the alcohol, staple food and meat intake should be priority on intervention, in the communities.

[Morbidity and mortality of malignant tumor in Zhejiang province, 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the morbidity and mortality of malignant tumor in Zhejiang province in 2014. METHODS: The data were collected from Zhejiang provincial chronic disease surveillance system in 2014. The crude rate, age-standardized rate, cumulative rate(0-74 years old), cut rate(35-64 years old), age-specific and area-specific morbidity/mortality as well as the constitution of top 10 leading cancers were then calculated and analyzed. The age-standardized rate was calculated according to the standard population in China in 1982 and the Segi' s world standard population. RESULTS: The crude morbidity was 348.80/100 000(370.74/100 000 in males and 326.51/100 000 in females). The age-standardized morbidity according to the standard population in China and according to world standard population were 168.84/100 000 and 217.23/100 000 respectively, the cumulative morbidity was 24.66% and the cut morbidity was 376.40/100 000. Age-specific morbidity in age group 0-34 years remained low; however, the morbidity increased obviously in age group ≥35 years, increased more rapidly in age group ≥50 years and finally reached the peak in age group 80-84 years(1 618.20/100 000). The morbidity of malignant tumor, age-standardized morbidity(China standard)and age-standardized morbidity(world standard)were 381.81/100 000, 185.15/100 000 and 236.27/100 000 respectively in urban area, and 330.23/100 000 , 159.47/100 000 and 206.29/100 000, respectively in rural area. The crude mortality was 189.08/100 000(248.57/100 000 in males, 128.72/100 000 in females), and the age-standardized mortality according to China population and world population were 97.56/100 000 and 135.54/100 000 respectively. The cumulative mortality was 15.08%, and the cut mortality was 162.75/100 000. Age-specific mortality increased in age group 45-49 years(92.29/1000 000)and reached the peak in age group ≥85 years(2 263.70/100 000). The mortality was higher in rural area(190.60/100 000)than in urban area(186.38/100 000). The leading cancers were lung cancer, colorectum cancer, thyroid cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer, accounting for 58.64% of the total. Lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, colorectum cancer and esophagus cancer were the major cancers causing deaths, accounting for 70.72% of all the total. CONCLUSION: The leading cancers were lung cancer, colorectum cancer, thyroid cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer in Zhejiang in 2014, close attention should be paid to thyroid cancer in women. The disease burden of malignant tumor is increasing,it is necessary for health department to take effective measures to reduce the disease burden caused by malignant tumor.

[Synthesis and molecular cloning of the cDNA of TuMV-RNA].

TuMV particles were purified from artificially infected leaves of Brassica juneaen, and TuMV-RNA was extracted from these particles. The virus thus purified showed typical nucleoprotein absorbent peak under UV light scanning, and the ratio of A260/A280 was 1.21. The RNA thus prepared showed typical ribonucleic acid absorbent peak, and the ratio of A260/A280 was 2.2. The RNA was then used as template of oligo (dT) 12-18 together with the end product of DNase digested calf thymus DNA were used as primer for the synthesis of cDNA. The length of double stranded cDNAs synthesized were distributed continuously with the sizes between 500-4300 bp. The ds-cDNA repaired by Klenow fragment was inserted into the Small site of pUC19 by blunt-end ligation. Then the recombinant molecules were used to transform E. coli strain DH5 alpha. Rapid electrophoresis of plasmid prepared by alkali method, EcoRI-HindIII digestion and in situ hybridization with 32P labeled TuMV-RNA showed that inserted fragments were with various sizes and complement to TuMV-RNA.