Effect of Textures on Tensile Properties of Extruded Ti64/VGCF Composite by Powder Metallurgy Route

International audienceMonolithic Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-4V composited with vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) were fabricated by powder metallurgy (P/M) route in this research. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) subsequent by hot extrusion was applied in order to fabricate a full-density and high strength composite materials. A severe plastic deformation during hot extrusion resulted in a dynamic recrystallization (DRX) in α-Ti grains. Dynamic recrystallization was observed in a low deformation temperature region, which yield point of material was also observed in the stress-strain curve. Furthermore, the addition of VGCFs encouraged the dynamic recrystallization during hot extrusion. Ti64+0.4 wt-% VGCFs shows the highest tensile strength of 1192 MPa at the end part of the extruded rod where the temperature of material was lower compared to the tip and middle part during extrusion. Additionally, the improvement in tensile strength was contributed by solid-solution strengthening of carbon element originated from VGCFs in α-Ti matrix. Introduction. Ti-6Al-4V alloy (Ti64) is the most well-known among Ti alloys, and used in many industries. High specific strength, good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility promoted a widely use of Ti and its alloys such as in aerospace and automobile industries, or medical devices and prosthesis [1, 2]. Many researchers studied the effect of hot working on microstructure and mechanical properties of wrought or cast Ti64. A. Momeni et al. studied the effect of deformation temperature and strain rate on microstructure and flow stress of wrought Ti64 under hot compression test [3]. Ti64 specimens, which experienced a hot compression test at 1273 and 1323 K, exhibited a large recrystallized α-grain with low flow stress on the microstructure. This correlated with the results proposed by T. Seshacharyulu et al. and R. Ding et al. for the cast Ti64 [4, 5]. G.Z. Quan et al. studied the modelling for dynamic recrystallization in Ti-6Al-4Al by hot compression test. The result shows that a flow stress decreases with the increasing of deformation temperature. The high deformation temperature promotes the mobility at the boundaries for annihilation of dislocation, and the nucleation and growth of dynamic recrystallization [6]. H.Z. Niu et al. studied the phase transformation and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behaviour of Ti-45Al-4Nb-2Mo-B (at-%) alloy. The results show that the DRX modes were strongly depends on deformation temperature, and a decomposition of lamellar structure along with the DRX of γ and B2/β grain occurred at low forging temperature [7]. D.L. Ouyang et al. studied the recrystallization behaviour of Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al alloy after hot compression test. They reported that a partial grain refinement related to incomplete DRX was observed even after a large strain of 1.6, and an increment of strain resulted in an increasing of volume fraction of recrystallized grain. The full grain refinement accompanied by the completely DRX was developed at lower temperature of 1223 K by severe deformation [8]. The dynamic recrystallization behaviour of Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe alloy was reported by H. Liang et al. The DRX always occur when the store energy in a material reaching the critical value. During hot deformation, the increase of flow stress caused by dislocation generation and interaction resulted in an improvement of strength of Ti alloys. The sample deformed at 1073 K exhibited higher tensile strength compared to sample deformed at 1153 K because more dislocations were generated [9]. There are many reports related to dynami

CNTs/TiC Reinforced Titanium Matrix Nanocomposites via Powder Metallurgy and Its Microstructural and Mechanical Properties

By using pure titanium powder coated with unbundled multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via wet process, powder metallurgy (P/M) titanium matrix composite (TMC) reinforced with the CNTs was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and subsequently hot extrusion process. The microstructure and mechanical properties of P/M pure titanium and reinforced with CNTs were evaluated. The distribution of CNTs and in situ formed titanium carbide (TiC) compounds during sintering was investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with EDS analyzer. The mechanical properties of TMC were significantly improved by the additive of CNTs. For example, when employing the pure titanium composite powder coated with CNTs of 0.35 mass%, the increase of tensile strength and yield stress of the extruded TMC was 157 MPa and 169 MPa, respectively, compared to those of extruded titanium materials with no CNT additive. Fractured surfaces of tensile specimens were analyzed by SEM, and the uniform distribution of CNTs and TiC particles, being effective for the dispersion strengthening, at the surface of the TMC were obviously observed

Single Balloon Enteroscopy-Assisted ERCP Using Rendezvous Technique for Sharp Angulation of Roux-en-Y Limb in a Patient with Bile Duct Stones

The acute angulation of Roux-en-Y (R-Y) limb precludes endoscopic access for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) even using a balloon enteroscopy. Here, we describe a case of successful single balloon enteroscopy (SBE)-assisted ERCP using a rendezvous technique in a patient with sharply angulated R-Y limb in a 79-year-old woman who had bile duct stones. Method. At first, a guidewire was passed antegradely through the major papilla after the needle puncture using percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage technique. A hydrophilic guidewire with an ERCP catheter was antegradely advanced beyond the Roux limb. After a guidewire was firmly grasped by a snare forceps, it was pulled out of the body, resulting that the enteroscope could advance to the papilla. After papillary dilation, complete removal of bile duct stones was achieved without any procedure-related complication. In conclusion, although further study is needed, SBE-assisted ERCP using a rendezvous technique may have a potential for selected patients

Oncogenic FGFR1 mutation and amplification in common cellular origin in a composite tumor with neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) and pheochromocytoma (PCC) are derived from neural crest cells (NCCs); however, composite tumors with NB and PCC are rare, and their underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. To address this issue, we performed exome and transcriptome sequencing with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from the NB, PCC, and mixed lesions in a patient with a composite tumor. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that most mutations (80%) were shared by all samples, indicating that NB and PCC evolved from the same clone. Notably, all samples harbored both mutation and focal amplification in the FGFR1 oncogene, resulting in an extraordinarily high expression, likely to be the main driver of this tumor. Transcriptome sequencing revealed undifferentiated expression profiles for the NB lesions. Considering that a metastatic lesion was also composite, most likely, the primitive founding lesions should differentiate into both NB and PCC. This is the first reported case with composite-NB and PCC genetically proven to harbor an oncogenic FGFR1 alteration of a common cellular origin

Mixed germ cell tumor infiltrating the pineal gland without elevated tumor markers: illustrative case

BACKGROUND: Tumors in the pineal region consist of various histological types, and correct diagnosis from biopsy specimens is sometimes difficult. The authors report the case of a patient with a mixed germ cell tumor infiltrating into the pineal gland despite showing no elevation of tumor markers. OBSERVATIONS: An 18-year-old man complained of headache and nausea and showed disturbance of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hydrocephalus associated with a cystic pineal tumor. The patient underwent tumor biopsy followed by endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus in a local hospital. A pineocytoma was diagnosed, and the patient was referred to the authors' hospital for treatment. Concentrations of placental alkaline phosphatase, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in cerebrospinal fluid were not elevated. However, the authors' review of the tumor specimen revealed some immature cells infiltrating the pineal gland. These cells were positive for AFP, Sal-like protein 4, and octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4; and the diagnosis was changed to mixed germ cell tumor. Chemoradiotherapy was initiated, followed by surgical removal of the residual tumor. LESSONS: Careful examination of all tumor specimens and immunohistochemical analyses are important for accurate diagnosis of pineal tumors

PAX5 alterations in an infant case of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia with lineage switch

Lineage switch is a rare event at leukemic relapse. While mostly known to occur in KMT2A-rearranged infant leukemia, the underlying mechanism is yet to be depicted. This case report describes a female infant who achieved remission of KMT2A-MLLT3-rearranged acute monocytic leukemia, but 6 months thereafter, relapsed as KMT2A-MLLT3-rearranged acute lymphocytic leukemia. Whole exome sequencing of the bone marrow obtained pre-post lineage switch revealed two somatic mutations of PAX5 in the relapse sample. These two PAX5 alterations were suggested to be loss of function, thus to have played the driver role in the lineage switch from acute monocytic leukemia to acute lymphocytic leukemia

Post‐transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study Including 1954 Transplants

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are life-threatening neoplasms after organ transplantation. Because of their rarity and multiple grades of malignancy, the incidence, outcomes, and clinicopathological features affecting patient survival after liver transplantation (LT) remain unclear. We reviewed 1954 LTs in 1849 recipients (1990-2020), including 886 pediatric (<18 years of age) and 963 adult recipients. The following clinicopathological factors were studied: age, sex, liver etiologies, malignancy grades, Epstein-Barr virus status, performance status (PS), Ann Arbor stage, international prognostic index, and histopathological diagnosis. Of 1849 recipients, 79 PTLD lesions (4.3%) were identified in 70 patients (3.8%). After excluding 3 autopsy cases incidentally found, 67 (45 pediatric [5.1%] and 22 adult [2.3%]) patients were finally enrolled. Comorbid PTLDs significantly worsened recipient survival compared with non-complicated cases (P < 0.001). The 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year overall survival rates after PTLD diagnosis were 74%, 66%, and 58%, respectively. The incidence of PTLDs after LT (LT-PTLDs) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with earlier onset (P = 0.002) in children, whereas patient survival was significantly worse in adults (P = 0.002). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the following 3 prognostic factors: age at PTLD diagnosis ≥18 years (hazard ratio [HR], 11.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.63-47.4; P = 0.001), PS ≥2 at diagnosis (HR, 6.77; 95% CI, 1.56-29.3; P = 0.01), and monomorphic type (HR, 6.78; 95% CI, 1.40-32.9; P = 0.02). A prognostic index, the “LT-PTLD score, ” that consists of these 3 factors effectively stratified patient survival and progression-free survival (P = 0.003 and <0.001, respectively). In conclusion, comorbid PTLDs significantly worsened patient survival after LT. Age ≥18 years and PS ≥2 at PTLD diagnosis, and monomorphic type are independent prognostic factors, and the LT-PTLD score that consists of these 3 factors may distinguish high-risk cases and guide adequate interventions