Fusion of Ni Plating on CP-Titanium by Electron Beam Single-Track Scanning: Toward a New Approach for Fabricating TiNi Self-Healing Shape Memory Coating

The limited wear resistance of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) hinders its use in abrasive and erosive environments, despite its good strength–weight ratio and corrosion resistance. This paper reports the first study proposing a novel method for wear-resistant TiNi coating through Ni plating and electron beam (EB) irradiation in an in situ synthetic approach. Single-track melting experiments were conducted using the EB to investigate the feasibility of forming a TiNi phase by fusing the Ni plate with the CP-Ti substrate. Varying beam powers were employed at a fixed scanning speed to determine the optimal conditions for TiNi phase formation. The concentration of the melt region was found to be approximate as estimated from the ratio of the Ni-plate thickness to the depth of the melt region, and the region with Ni-48.7 at.% Ti was successfully formed by EB irradiation. The study suggests that the mixing of Ti atoms and Ni atoms was facilitated by fluid flow induced by Marangoni and thermal convections. It is proposed that a more uniform TiNi layer can be achieved through multi-track melting under appropriate conditions. This research demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing EB additive manufacturing as a coating method and the potential for developing TiNi coatings with shape memory effects and pseudoelasticity.Wang L., Okugawa M., Konishi H., et al. Fusion of Ni Plating on CP-Titanium by Electron Beam Single-Track Scanning: Toward a New Approach for Fabricating TiNi Self-Healing Shape Memory Coating. Materials 16, 5449 (2023); https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16155449

Sustained activation of the unfolded protein response induces cell death in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy

Purpose: The unfolded protein response (UPR) is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether unfolded proteins accumulate in the corneal endothelium in FECD and if they are involved in triggering cell death. Methods: Descemet's membranes with corneal endothelial cells (CECs) were obtained during keratoplasty, and expression of aggresomes, type 1 collagen, fibronectin, and agrin was evaluated. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of immortalized human CECs from non-FECD subjects and from FECD patients (iHCEC and iFECD, respectively) were evaluated. The effect of MG132-mediated aggresome formation on the UPR and intrinsic pathway and the effect of mitochondrial damage on UPR were also examined. The effect of CHOP knockdown on the ER stress–mediated intrinsic pathway was also evaluated. Results: Aggresome formation was higher in iFECD than in iHCEC and was colocalized with type 1 collagen, fibronectin, and agrin. GRP78, phosphorylated IRE1, PERK, and CHOP showed higher activation in iFECD than in iHCEC. MG132-mediated aggresome formation upregulated ER stress sensors, the mitochondrial membrane potential drop, cytochrome c release to the cytoplasm, and activation of caspase-9 and -3. By contrast, staurosporine-mediated mitochondrial damage did not induce ER stress. Knockdown of CHOP attenuated the ER stress-induced cleavage of caspase-9, which is caused by intrinsic pathway activation. Conclusions: Excessive synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins induced unfolded protein accumulation in FECD. Prolonged ER stress–mediated cell death, occurring via the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway, therefore might be associated with the pathogenesis of FECD

Small Molecule Inhibition of HIV-1–Induced MHC-I Down-Regulation Identifies a Temporally Regulated Switch in Nef Action

Nef assembles a multi-kinase complex triggering MHC-I down-regulation. We identify an inhibitor that blocks MHC-I down-regulation, identifying a temporally regulated switch in Nef action from directing MHC-I endocytosis to blocking cell surface delivery. These findings challenge current dogma and reveal a regulated immune evasion program

Two genetic variants of CD38 in subjects with autism spectrum disorder and controls

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系The neurobiological basis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains poorly understood. Given the role of CD38 in social recognition through oxytocin (OT) release, we hypothesized that CD38 may play a role in the etiology of ASD. Here, we first examined the immunohistochemical expression of CD38 in the hypothalamus of post-mortem brains of non-ASD subjects and found that CD38 was colocalized with OT in secretory neurons. In studies of the association between CD38 and autism, we analyzed 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mutations of CD38 by re-sequencing DNAs mainly from a case-control study in Japan, and Caucasian cases mainly recruited to the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). The SNPs of CD38, rs6449197 (p 70; designated as high-functioning autism (HFA)) in the U.S. 104 AGRE family trios, but not with Japanese 188 HFA subjects. A mutation that caused tryptophan to replace arginine at amino acid residue 140 (R140W; (rs1800561, 4693C>T)) was found in 0.6-4.6% of the Japanese population and was associated with ASD in the smaller case-control study. The SNP was clustered in pedigrees in which the fathers and brothers of T-allele-carrier probands had ASD or ASD traits. In this cohort OT plasma levels were lower in subjects with the T allele than in those without. One proband with the T allele who was taking nasal OT spray showed relief of symptoms. The two variant CD38 poloymorphysms tested may be of interest with regard of the pathophysiology of ASD. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society

Colonic Sarcoidosis Presenting Multiple Submucosal Tumor-Like Lesions

Here, we describe a case of colonic sarcoidosis that developed over a 7-year period of observation of intrathoracic sarcoidosis. The patient was asymptomatic, but colonoscopy showed multiple elevated lesions mimicking submucosal tumors in several areas of the colon. The specimens obtained by biopsy showed non-caseating granuloma, suggesting sarcoidosis. The observations in the present case indicate that colonic involvement should be considered in patients with sarcoidosis. Furthermore, the macroscopic appearance of multiple submucosal tumor-like lesions in colonic sarcoidosis is extremely rare.ArticleINTERNAL MEDICINE. 48(20):1813-1816 (2009)journal articl