Effect of Process Factors on Tensile Shear Load Using the Definitive Screening Design in Friction Stir Lap Welding of Aluminum–Steel with a Pipe Shape

Recently, friction stir welding of dissimilar materials has emerged as one of the most significant issues in lightweight, eco-friendly bonding technology. In this study, we welded the torsion beam shaft—an automobile chassis component—with cast aluminum to lighten it. The study rapidly and economically investigated the effects of friction stir welding and process parameters for A357 cast aluminum and FB590 high-strength steel; 14 decomposition experiments were conducted using a definitive screening design that could simultaneously determine the effects of multiple factors. Friction stir welding experiments were conducted using an optical microscope to investigate the tensile shear load behavior in the welding zone. In addition to understanding the interactions between tool penetration depth and plunge speed and tool penetration depth and dwell time, we investigated and found that tool penetration depth positively affected the size of the hooking area and contributed to the stabilization and size reduction of the cavity. The experimental results showed that the plunge depth and tool penetration depth effects were most important; in this case, the plunge depth negatively affected the magnitude of tensile shear load, whereas the tool penetration depth had a positive effect. Therefore, when selecting a tool, it is important to consider the plunge depth and tool penetration depth in lap welding

Gastric subepithelial tumor: long-term natural history and risk factors for progression

Background Subepithelial tumors are often detected incidentally during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, their natural history and clinical management have yet to be clearly established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history and risk factors for progression of gastric SETs. Methods The study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with gastric SET using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2005 and December 2017. Tumor progression was defined by a >= 25% increase in diameter. Results Among 3237 patients, 1859 underwent serial upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for more than six months. Endoscopic ultrasonography was further performed in 733 (39.43%) patients. Resection was performed in 73 (3.93%) patients. Tumor progressed in 138 (7.42%) patients over a mean follow-up period of 59.41 months (range, 5-215 months). In progressed tumors, the mean initial size was 15.01 mm (range, 2-50 mm) and the mean size increment was 12.86 mm (range, 3-50 mm). Large initial tumor size (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), surface ulcer or erosion (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.21-5.06), lobulated shape (OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.00-7.06), and middle-third location (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.08-2.52) were significant risk factors for tumor progression. Large SETs had higher rates of progression and tended to grow faster than smaller tumors (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). Conclusions The majority of gastric SETs did not increase in size during the long-term follow-up. Serial endoscopy may be sufficient as a follow-up tool for small SETs with intact overlying mucosa without lobulated shape.N

Tumorigenic mechanisms of estrogen and Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A in estrogen receptor alpha-positive diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma

© 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to The International Gastric Cancer Association and The Japanese Gastric Cancer Association.Background: Diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC), for which Helicobacter pylori infection is a causal factor, is associated with poor prognosis among young women, possibly due to female hormones such as estrogen. We aimed to identify the carcinogenesis induced by estrogen and H. pylori in DGC. Methods: We screened and selected estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-positive (MKN45) and ERα-negative (SNU5) DGC cell lines. H. pylori strain 60190 and its isogenic mutant strain lacking cytotoxin-associated gene A (60190ΔCagA) were used to infect MKN45 cells. And the cytotoxin-related gene A (CagA) cDNA which was cloned into pSP65-SR-HA (cagA-pSP65SRa) vector was used to transfect MKN45 cells. Tumor samples were used for DGC organoid culture. Results: In MKN45 cells, we found that estradiol promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness phenotypes via HOTAIR expression. These effects were further enhanced by the addition of CagA secreted by H. pylori but were reversed by co-treatment with fulvestrant (ICI 182,780), a selective ER degrader. We also validated the effect of estrogen on DGC organoids. ERα expression was associated with tumor invasion and HOTAIR expression in DGC patients with overt H. pylori infection. Conclusions: These findings may explain the rapid DGC progression in young women with physiologically high levels of estrogen and suggest that fulvestrant with ovarian function suppression could serve as a tumor-suppressive agent in premenopausal patients with DGC.N