AP2M1 Supports TGF-β Signals to Promote Collagen Expression by Inhibiting Caveolin Expression

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important for normal development and disease states, including inflammation and fibrosis. To understand the complex regulation of ECM, we performed a suppressor screening using Caenorhabditis elegans expressing the mutant ROL-6 collagen protein. One cuticle mutant has a mutation in dpy-23 that encodes the μ2 adaptin (AP2M1) of clathrin-associated protein complex II (AP-2). The subsequent suppressor screening for dpy-23 revealed the lon-2 mutation. LON-2 functions to regulate body size through negative regulation of the tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway responsible for ECM production. RNA-seq analysis showed a dominant change in the expression of collagen genes and cuticle components. We noted an increase in the cav-1 gene encoding caveolin-1, which functions in clathrin-independent endocytosis. By knockdown of cav-1, the reduced TGF-β signal was significantly restored in the dpy-23 mutant. In conclusion, the dpy-23 mutation upregulated cav-1 expression in the hypodermis, and increased CAV-1 resulted in a decrease of TβRI. Finally, the reduction of collagen expression including rol-6 by the reduced TGF-β signal influenced the cuticle formation of the dpy-23 mutant. These findings could help us to understand the complex process of ECM regulation in organism development and disease conditions.     

电磁搅拌对大圆坯结晶器冶金行为影响的探讨

 为了探究结晶器电磁搅拌(M EMS)对大圆坯结晶器内综合冶金行为的影响。以大断面圆坯连铸结晶器冶金行为为研究对象，基于电磁热流体与凝固传输理论建立三维耦合数值模型。揭示大圆坯连铸常用五孔水口浇注条件下结晶器内电磁场、流场、传热与凝固等综合冶金行为，提出电磁搅拌对结晶器冶金性能影响的多参量评价方法。以中碳铬钼齿轮钢650 mm大圆坯连铸为例，指出结晶器电磁搅拌存在最佳搅拌电流，可获得相对较好的综合冶金效果。具体表现为弯月面保持一定的切向速度和过热度，有利于保护渣的熔化和夹杂物的上浮去除；液面波动幅度在控制范围内，可避免卷渣、改善表面质量；结晶器内钢液过热得到有效耗散，有利于等轴晶形核改善铸坯内部质量；侧孔出流钢液速度得到有效控制，可抑制注流对初凝坯壳的冲刷，提高了初生坯壳生长的均匀性。此外，电磁搅拌产生的水平旋流强度也可得到有效控制，有利于避免常见的皮下白亮带现象。     

The periodic system and the idea of a chemical element: From Mendeleev to superheavy elements

Like other scientific concepts, the idea of a chemical element has changed considerably over time, since it was first established in the Enlightenment era. In Dmitri Mendeleev's construction of the periodic system, he distinguished between simple substances and elements as defined by their atomic weights. The foundation of the periodic system on the latter concept led to several challenges. For example, the system seemed unable to accommodate the radioactive substances eventually recognised as isotopes. Around 1920, elements were consequently redefined in terms of their atomic numbers, a nuclear property that could be determined by X‐ray spectroscopy. Although this understanding of an element has stood the test of time, new questions turned up relating to the concept of an element following the syntheses of transuranic elements since the early 1940s. These syntheses of very heavy elements have additionally led chemists and physicists to reconsider the criteria for the discovery of a new element. Recently, elements have been officially recognised on the sole ground that a small number of very heavy atomic nuclei were identified. The paper discusses how the notion of an element was modified during different periods of time, the reasons for the modifications, and the values ascribed to them in the communities of chemists and physicists.     

A novel method for elimination of aflatoxin M1 in milk using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG biofilm

This study aimed to develop a new method for detoxification of milk from aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) by using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG biofilm. After inoculation of milk contaminated with AFM1 into L. rhamnosus GG biofilm, the unbound AFM1 was extracted and quantified by HPLC. The stability of the formed AFM1/biofilm complex using different AFM1 contamination levels of milk was also studied. We found that the percentages of bound AFM1 by L. rhamnosus GG biofilm reached up to 60.74%. While no significant difference in milk proteins content was observed after AFM1 binding, some changes in total dry matter and fat content were noticed.     

Fermentation of table cream by Lactobacillus plantarum strains: effect on fungal growth,aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are two main mycotoxins in milk and dairy products. In the present work, the ability of four Lactobacillus strains (L. plantarum PTCC 1058, L. plantarum LP3, L. plantarum AF1 and L. plantarum LU5) to remove AFM1 and OTA in fermented cream was studied during 24 h fermentation. The antifungal activity of the mentioned lactobacilli against the defined fungi (Aspergillus flavus PTCC 5004, Aspergillus parasiticus PTCC 5018, Aspergillus nidulans PTCC 5014, Aspergillus ochraceus PTCC 5060) was also evaluated. The results showed that the cell counts of all strains were increased by 64–70% during fermentation. All Lactobacillus strains decreased the amount of AFM₁ significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the range of 26–52%, which the highest AFM₁-reducing effect was related to L. plantarum LU5 (from 0.5 to 0.24 μg kg⁻¹). The mean OTA removal by Lactobacillus strains in fermented cream also ranged from 32 to 58%. Amongst Lactobacillus strains, the cell-free culture supernatants of L. plantarum LU5 showed the highest (inhibition zone of 26.7 ± 1.2 mm) and L. plantarum LP3 and L. plantarum PTCC 1058 the lowest antifungal activities. The fermented creams contained Lactobacillus strains exhibited the highest and lowest antifungal activities against A. ochraceus and A. parasiticus, respectively. L. plantarum LU5, with the inhibition zone of 27.6 ± 0.9 mm, was the most effective fungal inhibitor, while L. plantarum PTCC 1058 had the lowest antifungal activity.     

300M超高强钢在中性盐雾环境中的腐蚀行为及机制

摘要：为了研究300M超高强钢在中性盐雾环境中的腐蚀行为及腐蚀机制，采用失重法，宏观、微观腐蚀形貌分析，三维表面轮廓分析及电化学分析的研究方法，来表征腐蚀实验现象并进行分析。结果表明：300M超高强钢在中性盐雾环境中的腐蚀产物为FeOOH、Fe2O3、Fe(OH)3和Fe3O4；腐蚀速率随着腐蚀时间逐渐降低，腐蚀后期（72h）腐蚀速率降低50%；腐蚀初期以点蚀为主，点蚀坑通过横向扩展，逐渐发展为后期的均匀腐蚀，腐蚀表面形貌呈沟壑状；外腐蚀层对基体的保护能力很弱，Cr元素在锈层靠近基体的一侧偏聚使内腐蚀层具有一定的抗腐蚀性。     

Thermo-physical properties of Hastelloy X and Haynes 214 close to the melting range

ABSTRACT

The nickel-based superalloys Hastelloy X and Haynes 214 are widely used for honeycomb liners; however, thermo-physical properties at temperatures close to the melting range are poorly described in the literature. Based on the thermo-physical properties, endothermic effects between 550°C and 650°C have been observed that develop due to the formation of the short-range order in both alloys and in Haynes 214, in addition to the short-range order, an increase in the specific heat capacity due to the γ′-precipitation up to 950° was detected. At low and intermediate temperatures, the Hastelloy X is significantly better suited than the Haynes 214. At high temperatures the Haynes 214 is superior to the Hastelloy X due to the dissolution of the γ′-phase.     

A General Strategy for Antimony-Based Alloy Nanocomposite Embedded in Swiss-Cheese-Like Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon for Energy Storage

Due to its suitable working voltage and high theoretical storage capacity, antimony is considered a promising negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and has attracted widespread attention. The volume effect during cycling, however, will cause the antimony anode to undergo a severe structural collapse and a rapid decrease in capacity. Here, a general in situ self-template-assisted strategy is proposed for the rational design and preparation of a series of M Sb (M = Ni, Co, or Fe) nanocomposites with M N C coordination, which are firmly anchored on Swiss-cheese-like nitrogen-doped porous carbon as anodes for LIBs. The large interface pore network structure, the introduction of heteroatoms, and the formation of strong metal N C bonds effectively enhance their electronic conductivity and structural integrity, and provide abundant interfacial lithium storage. The experimental results have proved the high rate performance and excellent cycling stability of antimony-based composite materials. Electrochemical kinetics studies have demonstrated that the increase in capacity during cycling is mainly controlled by the diffusion mechanism rather than the pseudocapacitance contribution. This facile strategy can provide a new pathway for low-cost and high-yield synthesis of Sb-based composites with high performance, and is expected to be applied in other energy-related fields such as sodium-/potassium-ion batteries or electrocatalysis.     

食品中大肠菌群计数实验室内部比对研究

目的监控实验室检测质量和校准结果,对发现的问题及时采取措施,以保证实验室的良好检测水平。方法通过采用GB 4789.3-2016《食品安全国家标准食品微生物学检验大肠菌群计数》、SN/T 4547-2017《商品化试剂盒检测方法大肠菌群和大肠杆菌方法一》2种检测方法,对同一质控样品进行检测,对2名实验人员的实验结果进行分析和能力评定。结果 2名检验人员检验结果具有再现性, 2种方法的结果也具有一致性。结论组织比对活动,不断对实验中出现的问题进行改进和总结,积累经验,可以稳固和进一步提升个人与实验室的能力。2种检测方法均可对于检测大肠菌群的检测,在实验中体现了大肠菌群测试片法在操作上和时间上有较大优势。     

Risk factors associated with the presence of aflatoxin M1 in raw bulk milk from Argentina

The objectives of this study were to assess aflatoxin M₁ (AFM1) contamination in bulk tank milk, and to further identify the risk factors associated with the presence of AFM1 in raw milk in Argentina. The presence of AFM1 was investigated in 160 bulk tank milk samples collected from farms located in the most important milk production region in Argentina during one year (four seasons). Samples were analysed using immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup and UHPLC-MS/MS method for determining AFM1 at low levels of concentrations (LOQ = 0.003 μg L⁻¹). A survey about the potential factors associated with the presence of AFM1 in milk was performed directly in the field through a questionnaire applied to the farmers. Chi-square and logistic regression were performed with presence of AFM1 in milk as dependent variable, and potential risk factors as independent variables. Incidence of AFM1 in raw milk was 38.8% and, in all samples, AFM1 levels were lower than the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) Regulation (maximum level accepted = 0.5 μg L⁻¹). Commercial feed consumption (OR = 4.630, P = 0.001), soybean expeller consumption (>0.95 kgDM/cow) (OR = 3.542, P = 0.019), and cotton seed consumption (>1.5 kgDM/cow) (OR = 2.949, P = 0.089) were associated with the incidence of AFM1 in raw milk. Despite the incidence and the level of AFM1 in milk produced and commercialized in Argentina is not a serious problem for public health. The farm breeding intensification and the supplementation with commercial feed, soybean expeller, and cotton seed seems to be the risk factors that impacts on the AFM1 milk contamination. Therefore, Argentina should improve its monitoring program on mycotoxins in animal feed and milk and improve the management practices in farms.