Effects of different dietary protein levels and DL-methionine supplementation on hair growth and pelt quality in mink (Neovision vision).

The effect of different dietary protein levels and DL-methionine (Met) supplementation on hair growth and the resulting pelt quality in mink was studied. Four groups of male mink were fed with four isocaloric diets containing 32% (P32), 24% (P24), 16% (P16) or P24+Met (0.8%) crude protein of dry matter (DM) from September to December. Skin biopsies were taken at the pelting. Histological techniques and computer-assisted light microscopy were used to determine the ratio of activity (ROA) of under hairs and guard hairs respectively. The results showed that when the dietary protein level reduced from 32% to 16%, body length, number and diameter of under hairs and guard hairs of minks declined, and pelt length and pelt weight of minks decreased significantly (p < 0.05). These parameters were similar between P32 and P24 with Met supplementation (p > 0.05). The hair follicle density of the winter coat was not influenced by the dietary protein levels and Met supplementation (p > 0.05). Low-protein diets content led to a reduction of hair follicle developing to next phase. It was documented that 24% crude protein of DM with Met supplementation during growing-furring period was sufficient for minks to express their genetic capacity to develop hair follicles and achieve the prime fur characteristics. Overall this study demonstrated that hair growth and hair properties in pelts are very dependent on the dietary protein and Met supply in the growing-furring period of minks.

[The application of modified cosmetic incision and skin adhesive in parotid benign tumor functional surgery].

Objective:To investigate the clinical application value and related technology of modified cosmetic incision and cyanoacrylate octyl ester skin adhesive (Dermabond) in functional surgery of parotid benign tumor. Method:Forty-two cases of clinical cases were collected and randomly divided into groups of A and B. Group A used the approach of modified cosmetic incision,intradermal suture with 6-0 absorbable Vicryl stitches and gluing the skin with Dermabond. Group B used the approach of traditional S shaped incision and continuous suture of skin with 4-0 Prolene stitches.The operative time, postoperative drainage volume, facial nerve function, salivary leakage, Frey syndrome, postoperative numbness, scar and aesthetic satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Result:The operation time, facial nerve function,Frey syndrome, salivary fistula, facial deformity and tumor recurrence in the two groups had no significant difference (P>0.05); but for postoperative drainage, postoperative numbness, facial appearance satisfaction, scar assessment, Group A was lower than Group B and there was statistical significance difference (P<0.05). Conclusion:The application of modified cosmetic incision and Dermond is safe and feasible. Its complication is lower than the traditional operation. The scar is smaller and more hidden, and the patient's satisfaction is higher. It doesn't affect the daily social interaction of patients, and achieves the effect of minimally invasive treatment.

Super elastic strain limit in metallic glass films.

On monolithic Ni-Nb metallic glass films, we experimentally revealed 6.6% elastic strain limit by in-situ transmission electron microscopy observations. The origin of high elastic strain limit may link with high free volume in the film, causing the rearrangement of loosely bonded atomic clusters (or atoms) upon elastic deformation. This high elastic limit of metallic glass films will shed light on new application fields for metallic glasses, and also trigger more studies for deformation mechanism of amorphous materials in general.

New class of plastic bulk metallic glass.

An intrinsic plastic Cu(45)Zr(46)Al(7)Ti(2) bulk metallic glass (BMG) with high strength and superior compressive plastic strain of up to 32.5% was successfully fabricated by copper mold casting. The superior compressive plastic strain was attributed to a large amount of randomly distributed free volume induced by Ti minor alloying, which results in extensive shear band formation, branching, interaction and self-healing of minor cracks. The mechanism of plasticity presented here suggests that the creation of a large amount of free volume in BMGs by minor alloying or other methods might be a promising new way to enhance the plasticity of BMGs.