Clinical value of endoscopic ultrasound sound speed in differential diagnosis of pancreatic solid lesion and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis of pancreatic solid lesion (PSL) and prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) is a clinical challenge. We aimed to explore the differential diagnostic value of sound speed (SS) obtained from endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in PSL and the prognostic value of SS in PC. METHODS: Patients with PSL in The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 2019 to October 2019 were prospectively enrolled, who obtained SS from PSL. Patients were divided into the PC group and the pancreatic benign lesion (PBL) group. SS1 is the SS of lesions and SS2 is the SS of normal tissues adjacent to lesions. Ratio1 is equal to SS1 divided by SS2 of PSL (ratio1 = SS1/SS2). RESULTS: Eighty patients were enrolled (24 PBL patients, 56 PC patients). SS1 and ratio1 in PC group were higher compared with PBL group (SS1:1568.00 vs. 1550.00, Z = -2.066, p = 0.039; ratio1: 1.0110 vs. 1.0051, Z = -3.391, p = 0.001). The SS1 in PC (Z = -6.503, p < 0.001) was higher compared to SS2. In the nonsurgical group of PC, low ratio1 predicted high overall survival (OS) (7.000 months vs. 4.000 months; p = 0.039). In the surgical group of PC, low SS1 was associated with low median OS (4.000 months vs. 12.000 months; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: SS plays a vital role in distinguishing between PBL and PC. Higher SS1 and ratio1 obtained by EUS are more related to PC than PBL. In PC patients, high SS1 may predict pancreatic lesions. In the nonsurgical group of PC, low ratio1 may predict high OS. However, in the surgical group of PC, low SS1 may predict low OS.

Microstructure and Friction Properties of AlCrTiVNbx High-Entropy Alloys via Annealing Manufactured by Vacuum Arc Melting.

To enhance the friction and wear properties of alloys, AlCrTiVNbx high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with various Nb contents were prepared using the arc melting technique and then annealed at 1000 °C for 2 h. The microstructure and hardness changes in the AlCrTiVNbx (x = 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) HEAs after casting and annealing were studied via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy and the Vickers hardness test. The MFT-EC400 ball disc reciprocating friction and wear tester was used to investigate the wear resistance of the HEAs before and after annealing. The results show that the annealed AlCrTiVNbx HEAs changed from a single-phase structure to a multi-phase structure, and the content of the face-center cubic (FCC) phase and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) phase further increases with the increase in Nb content. The hardness value of the annealed HEAs is greatly enhanced compared with the casting state, and the hardness of the Nb0.5 HEA is increased from 543 HV to 725 HV after annealing. The wear resistance of the alloys after the annealing treatment is also greatly improved, among which Nb0.5 has the best wear resistance. The average friction coefficient of Nb0.5 is 0.154 and the wear rate is 2.117 × 10-5 mm3/(N·m). We believe that the precipitation strengthening after the annealing treatment and the lubrication effect of the FCC phase are the reasons for the significant improvement in wear resistance. The morphology of the samples indicates that the wear mechanism of the alloy includes adhesive wear, abrasive wear and a certain degree of oxidation wear.

Curcumin Promotes Diabetic Foot Ulcer Wound Healing by Inhibiting miR-152-3p and Activating the FBN1/TGF-ß Pathway.

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of curcumin in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) wound healing. A DFU rat model was established, and fibroblasts were cultured in a high-glucose (HG) environment to create a cell model. Various techniques, including Western blot, RT‒qPCR, flow cytometry, Transwell, cell scratch test and H&E staining, were employed to measure the levels of relevant genes and proteins, as well as to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and pathological changes. The results showed that miR-152-3p was overexpressed in DFU patients, while FBN1 was underexpressed. Curcumin was found to inhibit fibroblast apoptosis, promote proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in DFU rats, and accelerate wound healing in DFU rats. In addition, overexpression of miR-152-3p weakened the therapeutic effect of curcumin, while overexpression of FBN1 reversed the effects of the miR-152-3p mimic. Further investigations into the underlying mechanisms revealed that curcumin expedited wound healing in DFU rats by restoring the FBN1/TGF-ß pathway through the inhibition of miR-152-3p. In conclusion, curcumin can suppress the activity of miR-152-3p, which, in turn, leads to the rejuvenation of the FBN1/TGF-ß pathway and accelerates DFU wound healing.

Scopolamine regulates the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells through lactylation modification of RUNX2 protein.

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are important mesenchymal stem cells contributing to regenerating lost periodontal tissues and repairing bone defects. Studies on the molecular mechanism affecting the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs are necessary. Scopolamine (SCO) is known as a regulator of neural cell damage. The focus of the current study is on unveiling the role of SCO-mediated molecular mechanism in the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Through CCK-8 assay and LDH detection, we confirmed that SCO enhanced the viability of PDLSCs. Moreover, we determined that SCO induced the PDLSCs osteogenic differentiation, according to data of ALP activity measurement and ARS staining. Mechanistically, we performed western blot and identified that SCO could promote the lactylation of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). We also found through rescue assays that knockdown of RUNX2 could reverse the effect of SCO treatment on the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Further mechanism investigation revealed that lactylation of RUNX2 at K176 site enhances the protein stability of RUNX2 through deubiquitination. Collectively, our present study unveils that SCO stabilizes RUNX2 to promote the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs through the lactylation modification of RUNX2.

Knockout of the sugar transporter OsSTP15 enhances grain yield by improving tiller number due to increased sugar content in the shoot base of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Sugar transporter proteins (STPs) play critical roles in regulating plant stress tolerance, growth, and development. However, the role of STPs in regulating crop yield is poorly understood. This study elucidates the mechanism by which knockout of the sugar transporter OsSTP15 enhances grain yield via increasing the tiller number in rice. We found that OsSTP15 is specifically expressed in the shoot base and vascular bundle sheath of seedlings and encodes a plasma membrane-localized high-affinity glucose efflux transporter. OsSTP15 knockout enhanced sucrose and trehalose-6-phosphate (Tre6P) synthesis in leaves and improved sucrose transport to the shoot base by inducing the expression of sucrose transporters. Higher glucose, sucrose, and Tre6P contents were observed at the shoot base of stp15 plants. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses of the shoot base demonstrated that OsSTP15 knockout upregulated the expression of cytokinin (CK) synthesis- and signaling pathway-related genes and increased CK levels. These findings suggest that OsSTP15 knockout represses glucose export from the cytoplasm and simultaneously enhances sugar transport from source leaves to the shoot base by promoting the synthesis of sucrose and Tre6P in leaves. Subsequent accumulation of glucose, sucrose, and Tre6P in the shoot base promotes tillering by stimulating the CK signaling pathway.

Phosphoproteomics Reveals Novel Insights into the Pathogenesis and Identifies New Therapeutic Kinase Targets of Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease with unclear etiology. Currently, safe and effective treatment options for UC remain to be developed. Kinases, which catalyze the phosphorylation of substrates, have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases. We clarified the kinase activity profile and phosphorylation network in UC and aimed to reveal new pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: We first performed the phosphoproteomic analysis of rectal tissues from UC patients and healthy individuals. Further bioinformatic analyses revealed the remodeling of key kinases and signaling pathways. Then, we conducted a screening of kinases to identify new potential therapeutic targets through in vivo and in vitro experiments. RESULTS: Phosphoproteomics revealed a drastic remodeling of signaling pathways in UC, such as pathways related to tight junction, adhesion junction, and necroptosis. Additionally, the activity of kinases such as CDK2, CLK1 and AURKB were significantly changed. Additional screening of these kinases identified CDK2 as a potential therapeutic target for UC, as inhibiting CDK2 effectively alleviated dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice. Further research revealed that suppressing CDK2 remarkably inhibited RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL phosphorylation, as well as MLKL oligomerization, thereby inhibiting epithelial necroptosis and protecting the intestinal barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Our research deepened the understanding of UC pathogenesis through the lens of phosphorylation. Moreover, we identified CDK2 as a new potential therapeutic target for UC, revealing a novel role for CDK2 in necroptosis.

We conducted phosphoproteomics of rectal tissues from ulcerative colitis patients and healthy individuals. The results revealed a drastic remodeling of signaling pathways and identified CDK2 as a potential therapeutic target for ulcerative colitis. Inhibiting CDK2 effectively protected the intestinal barrier by suppressing epithelial necroptosis, and thereby alleviated dextran sulfate sodium­induced colitis.

A scale to measure the worry level in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy with sedation: Development, reliability, and validity

Objective: This study aims to develop a scale to measure the worry level of patients who will undergo gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy with deep sedation, and to provide scientific references to alleviate their worries. Method: Based on literature review, panel discussion, patient interview and expert consultation, we developed the first version of the scale. After two pre-investigations, the formal version of the scale was formed, and the reliability and validity were tested on 1389 respondents. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the Spearman correlations analysis. Results: The scale was composed of four dimensions: financial and time costs, sedation, examination, and psychology. It has 15 items. Reliability and validity were acceptable. The Cronbach's alpha of the whole scale was 0.959 and all the factor loadings were > 0.50. The Spearman correlations of the inter-dimensions ranged from 0.614 to 0.836, and the correlation coefficients between the dimensions and the total score were 0.795 to 0.957. The correlation coefficient between the total scale score and the APAIS was 0.833. Conclusions: This scale has good validity and reliability, which is useful for physicians and medical institutions to take appropriate measures to reduce patients' worries. (AU)

Research Progress on the Wear Resistance of Key Components in Agricultural Machinery.

Agricultural mechanization is crucial in enhancing production efficiency, alleviating labor demands, reducing costs, improving agricultural product quality, and promoting sustainable development. However, wear and tear are inevitable when using agricultural machinery. The failure of critical wear-resistant parts is responsible for over 50% of rural machinery breakdowns. For instance, a domestic combine harvester typically only operates trouble-free for 20 to 30 h, and the service life of a rotary plow knife is approximately 80 h. Investigating the wear performance of key farm machinery components reinforces machinery design and maintenance strategies, extends machinery lifespans, enhances agricultural production efficiency, and advances agrarian sustainability. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on the wear resistance of crucial agricultural machinery components. It delves into the factors influencing the wear resistance of these components and explores current effective measures to address wear-related issues. Additionally, it also summarizes the challenges and opportunities in researching the wear performance of key components in agricultural machinery and future development directions.

Plant and animal positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses encode small proteins important for viral infection in their negative-sense strand.

Positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses, the most abundant viruses of eukaryotes in nature, require the synthesis of negative-sense RNA (-RNA) using their genomic (positive-sense) RNA (+RNA) as a template for replication. Based on current evidence, viral proteins are translated via viral +RNAs, whereas -RNA is considered to be a viral replication intermediate without coding capacity. Here, we report that plant and animal +ssRNA viruses contain small open reading frames (ORFs) in their -RNA (reverse ORFs [rORFs]). Using turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) as a model for plant +ssRNA viruses, we demonstrate that small proteins encoded by rORFs display specific subcellular localizations, and confirm the presence of rORF2 in infected cells through mass spectrometry analysis. The protein encoded by TuMV rORF2 forms punctuate granules that are localized in the perinuclear region and co-localized with viral replication complexes. The rORF2 protein can directly interact with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and mutation of rORF2 completely abolishes virus infection, whereas ectopic expression of rORF2 rescues the mutant virus. Furthermore, we show that several rORFs in the -RNA of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have the ability to suppress type I interferon production and facilitate the infection of vesicular stomatitis virus. In addition, we provide evidence that TuMV might utilize internal ribosome entry sites to translate these small rORFs. Taken together, these findings indicate that the -RNA of +ssRNA viruses can also have the coding capacity and that small proteins encoded therein play critical roles in viral infection, revealing a viral proteome larger than previously thought.

Experimental Investigation on Microstructure Alteration and Surface Morphology While Grinding 20Cr2Ni4A Gears with Different Grinding Allowance Allocation.

Transmission gear is a key component of vehicles and its surface integrity affects the safety of the transmission system as well as the entire mechanical system. The design and optimization of allowances in form grinding are important for improving dimensional accuracy and machining efficiency during the manufacturing of heavy-duty gears. This work aims to investigate the effects of grinding allowance allocation on surface morphology, grinding temperature, microstructure, surface roughness, and microhardness fluctuation during the form grinding of 20Cr2Ni4A gears. Results indicated that grinding temperature was primarily influenced by rough grinding involving significant grinding depths exceeding 0.02 mm. The ground surface exhibited slight work hardening, while thermal softening led to a reduction in microhardness of around 40 HV. Ground surface roughness Ra varied from 0.930 µm to 1.636 µm, with an allowance allocation of the last two passes exerting the most significant influence. Analysis of surface and subsurface microstructures indicated that a removal thickness of 0.02 mm during fine grinding was insufficient to eliminate the roughness obtained from rough grinding. Evident ridges, gullies, and surface defects such as material extraction, adhesion, and plastic deformation were also observed. The proposed grinding strategy was validated in practical manufacturing with good surface quality and geometrical accuracy.

A scale to measure the worry level in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy with sedation: Development, reliability, and validity.

Objective: This study aims to develop a scale to measure the worry level of patients who will undergo gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy with deep sedation, and to provide scientific references to alleviate their worries. Method: Based on literature review, panel discussion, patient interview and expert consultation, we developed the first version of the scale. After two pre-investigations, the formal version of the scale was formed, and the reliability and validity were tested on 1389 respondents. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the Spearman correlations analysis. Results: The scale was composed of four dimensions: financial and time costs, sedation, examination, and psychology. It has 15 items. Reliability and validity were acceptable. The Cronbach's alpha of the whole scale was 0.959 and all the factor loadings were > 0.50. The Spearman correlations of the inter-dimensions ranged from 0.614 to 0.836, and the correlation coefficients between the dimensions and the total score were 0.795 to 0.957. The correlation coefficient between the total scale score and the APAIS was 0.833. Conclusions: This scale has good validity and reliability, which is useful for physicians and medical institutions to take appropriate measures to reduce patients' worries.

CHLORIDE CHANNEL-b mediates vacuolar nitrate efflux to improve low nitrogen adaptation in Arabidopsis.

The vacuole is an important organelle for nitrate storage, and the reuse of vacuolar nitrate under nitrate starvation helps plants adapt to low-nitrate environments. CHLORIDE CHANNEL-b (CLC-b) in the vacuolar membrane is a nitrate transporter; however, its regulation and effects on nitrate efflux have not been established. Here, we evaluated CLC-b expression and its effects on physiological parameters under low nitrate conditions. CLC-b expression increased significantly in the roots of wild-type Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Col-0 under nitrate starvation. Under low nitrate, clcb mutants showed reductions in chlorophyll content and xylem sap nitrate concentration, shoot/root nitrate ratios, shoot/root total N ratios, and biomass. CLC-b-overexpression yielded opposite phenotypes and increased nitrogen use efficiency. CLC-b mutants showed elevated chlorate tolerance and an increased proportion of vacuolar nitrate relative to the total protoplast nitrate content as compared to the wild type. Yeast 1-hybrid, EMSA, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments showed that HRS1 HOMOLOG2 (HHO2), the expression of which is downregulated under low nitrate, binds directly to the promoter of CLC-b. clcb/hho2 double mutants and HHO2-overexpressing clcb plants had similar phenotypes under low nitrate to those of clcb single mutants. Thus, CLC-b mediates vacuolar nitrate efflux and is negatively regulated by HHO2, providing a theoretical basis for improving plant adaptability to low nitrate.

Compilation and evaluation of gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction scale. / æ¶ˆåŒ–å† é•œè¯Šç–—æ»¡æ„åº¦é‡è¡¨çš„ç¼–åˆ¶åŠè¯„ä»·.

OBJECTIVES: Gastrointestinal endoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The satisfaction degree of gastrointestinal endoscopy can directly affect the patient's compliance and further impact the treating effect. At present, there is no scale to evaluate the satisfaction degree of gastrointestinal endoscopy in China. This study aims to develop a satisfaction scale of gastrointestinal endoscopy suitable for national conditions and to evaluate its reliability and validity, which provides a tool for clinic to evaluate patients' satisfaction with gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: The original gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction scale was compiled by literature review, consulting senior endoscopists and experts. Through the first round of survey about 120 patients, the original scale was analyzed and modified according to the results to get the gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction scale (formal scale). The formal scale was used to conduct the second round of survey about 200 patients. The reliability and validity of the scale were analyzed and evaluated according to the survey results. RESULTS: The reliability of the original scale was good but the validity was poor. The formal scale had 2 dimensions and 10 items, the Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability were 0.889 and 0.823. The structure validity index χ2/df was 2.513, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.094, goodness of fit index (GFI) was 0.914, adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) was 0.861, comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.946, normed fit index (NFI) was 0.915. The aggregate validity was general, the discriminative validity was good, and the direct score of patients was strongly correlated with the total score of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction scale has good reliability and validity, which can be used as a tool to evaluate patients' satisfaction with gastrointestinal endoscopy in China.

Electroclinical Features and Long-Term Photosensitivity Outcome in Patients With Photoparoxysmal Response With Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate electroclinical phenotypes and long-term photosensitivity outcome in a large pediatric cohort of patients with epilepsy with photosensitivity. METHODS: Patients with epilepsy with photosensitivity with four or more years of follow-up were included. Sustained terminal remission (STR) of photosensitivity (≥3.5 years) and seizure control were investigated, as well as the prognostic factors of photosensitivity. Furthermore, a cluster analysis was used to study the different subgroups of photoparoxysmal responses (PPR). RESULTS: We included 190 individuals with a median age at diagnosis of photosensitivity of 93.1 months (interquartile range [IQR] 62.8 to 120 months) and a median follow-up duration of 68.5 months (IQR 51.8 to 84 months). STR of photosensitivity was achieved in 97 (51.1%) patients, and the mean time from age at diagnosis of photosensitivity onset to STR was 16.5 months. Age at the last follow-up (9 to 18 years [P = 0.001]), a history of photoconvulsive response (PCR) (P = 0.009), and posterior epileptiform discharges (EDs) of PPRs (P = 0.05) were significantly associated with a lower chance of entering STR according to a Cox proportional hazards model. The subgroup of generalized epilepsy syndrome exhibited 46.2% of eye closure sensitivity and 47.7% of PCR. The rates of focal epilepsy syndrome (cluster 1), generalized epilepsy syndrome (cluster 2), and unclassified epilepsy (cluster 3) were similar and not statistically different in photosensitive outcome (P = 0.527). CONCLUSIONS: Age nine to 18 years, a history of PCR, and posterior EDs of PPRs were the adverse factors affecting photosensitivity, suggesting the effect of age-related brain changes in STR. There was no difference in the prognosis of photosensitivity in different epileptic syndromes.

Design Optimization and Mechanical Properties of SiC Particle Reinforced Ti-Based Metallic Glass Matrix Composite.

Ti-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys have attracted widespread attention due to their strong glass forming ability, high specific strength, and good corrosion resistance. However, the poor plasticity of BMGs limits their further application in the aerospace and aircraft fields, as well as others. We optimized the composition of SiC-reinforced, Ti-based metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs) through finite element modeling (FEM). FEM of MGMCs containing irregularly shaped SiC particles with different contents was conducted. Stress and strain analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of the particle volume fraction on the mechanical behavior of MGMCs, and an optimization value of 30% was obtained, which is conducive to plasticity improvement. Arc melting copper mold injection casting was used to verify the optimized SiC content. The results show that the electroless nickel plating treatment effectively improves the wettability between SiC particles and the amorphous matrix, enabling the successful preparation of SiC/MGMC with a volume fraction of 29.5% through traditional injection casting. The volume fraction of SiC plays a crucial role in the transition of fracture mode from splitting to shear in MGMCs. After adding lightweight SiC particles, the yield strength, plasticity, modulus, and specific strength were improved by 25%, 1471%, 46%, and 33%, indicating that the use of nickel-plated SiC particles in MGMCs is an effective strengthening and toughening method for BMGs.

Precision Grinding Technology of Silicon Carbide (SiC) Ceramics by Longitudinal Torsional Ultrasonic Vibrations.

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic material has become the most promising third-generation semiconductor material for its excellent mechanical properties at room temperature and high temperature. However, SiC ceramic machining has serious tool wear, low machining efficiency, poor machining quality and other disadvantages due to its high hardness and high wear resistance, which limits the promotion and application of such materials. In this paper, comparison experiments of longitudinal torsional ultrasonic vibration grinding (LTUVG) and common grinding (CG) of SiC ceramics were conducted, and the longitudinal torsional ultrasonic vibration grinding SiC ceramics cutting force model was developed. In addition, the effects of ultrasonic machining parameters on cutting forces, machining quality and subsurface cracking were investigated, and the main factors and optimal parameters affecting the cutting force improvement rate were obtained by orthogonal tests. The results showed that the maximum improvement of cutting force, surface roughness and subsurface crack fracture depth by longitudinal torsional ultrasonic vibrations were 82.59%, 22.78% and 30.75%, respectively. A longitudinal torsional ultrasonic vibrations cutting force prediction model containing the parameters of tool, material properties and ultrasound was established by the removal characteristics of SiC ceramic material, ultrasonic grinding principle and brittle fracture theory. And the predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental results, and the maximum error was less than 15%. The optimum process parameters for cutting force reduction were a spindle speed of 22,000 rpm, a feed rate of 600 mm/min and a depth of cut of 0.011 mm.

Microcystin-LR Induces and Aggravates Colitis through NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, lifelong gastrointestinal disease, characterized by periods of activity and remission. The etiology of IBD is closely related to environmental factors. Previous studies have shown that the cyanotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) causes intestinal damage, even IBD. To explore MC-LR's effects and potential mechanisms on IBD occurrence and development, we used dextran-sulfate sodium gavage (DSS) and MC-LR together for the first time in mice. There were four groups of mice: (A) mice given PBS gavage (control, CT); (B) mice given 3% DSS gavage (DSS); (C) mice given 200 µg/kg MC-LR gavage (MC-LR); and (D) mice given 3% DSS + 200 µg/kg MC-LR gavage (DSS + MC-LR). Compared with the CT group, the MC-LR group and the DSS group demonstrated more severe colitis results, which presented as higher weight loss, an increased Disease Activity Index (DAI) score, shorter colon length, a higher degree of tissue structural damage, more apoptotic cells, and greater pro-inflammatory cytokines. Similarly, the DSS + MC-LR group showed more severe colitis compared with the DSS group. Subsequent experiments confirmed that MC-LR or DSS increased the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins mediated by the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). Likewise, compared with the DSS group, the DSS + MC-LR group expressed these proteins at a higher level. In conclusion, our research is the first to show that MC-LR may induce colitis, and even IBD, through NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, and it could aggravate DSS-induced colitis in the same way.

Corrosion Resistance Enhancement of CoCrFeMnNi High-Entropy Alloy with WC Particle Reinforcements via Laser Melting Deposition.

In the present work, a WC particle-reinforced CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) was fabricated by laser melting deposition (LMDed). The LMDed CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (CoCrFeMnNi) composite is primarily comprised of a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure. However, in the case of CoCrFeMnNi with 2.5 wt.% WC, it exhibits a combination of an FCC matrix and a ceramic phase known as M23C6. The corrosion behavior of CoCrFeMnNi and CoCrFeMnNi with 2.5 wt.% WC particle in 0.5 M H2SO4 was comparatively investigated. Compared with CoCrFeMnNi, the passive film formed on the CoCrFeMnNi with 2.5 wt.% WC had a more stable and stronger protective property. The corrosion current density of the CoCrFeMnNi with 2.5 wt.% WC dropped by 149.1% compared to that of the CoCrFeMnNi, indicating that the CoCrFeMnNi with 2.5 wt.% WC had better corrosion resistance than that of the CoCrFeMnNi.