Changes in MiRNA-5196 expression as a potential biomarker of anti-TNF-α therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis Patients

In this study, we analysed the expression level of sera circulating miRNA-5196 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients before and after tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy as biomarkers predicting positive treatment outcome. We enrolled 10 RA patients, 13 AS patients, and 12 healthy individuals in the study. The expression of miRNA-5196 was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction before and after anti-TNF-α therapy. Disease activity of RA patients was assessed using disease activity score 28 (DAS28), whereas ankylosing spondylitis DAS (ASDAS) was used in AS patients. MiRNA-5196 expression was significantly higher in patients with RA and AS before TNF-α therapy than in those following anti-TNF-α therapy and healthy controls. Changes in miRNA-5196 expression positively correlated with delta DAS28 or delta ASDAS, respectively, following TNF-α therapy. In contrast, changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in RA and AS patients did not positively correlate with DAS28 or ASDAS changes. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed better diagnostic accuracy of miRNA-5196 expression both in RA (area under curve (AUC) = 0.87, p = 0.055) and AS patients (AUC = 0.90, p = 0.050) compared to CRP levels in RA (AUC = 0.75, p = 0.201) and AS patients (AUC = 0.85, p = 0.086) upon biologic therapy treatment. Finding novel biomarkers, including miRNA-5196 which allow to predict and monitor anti-TNF-α response, would be of clinical value especially during the early phase of RA or AS development

Formation of Hard Composite Layer on Tool Steel by Laser Alloying

Investigations include alloying the PMHSS6-5-3 steel surface layer with carbide and ceramic powders WC, VC, TiC, SiC, Si3N4 and Al2O3, using the high power diode laser (HPDL). Laser treatment is especially promising for solving contemporary surface engineering problems making it possible to focus precisely the delivered energy in the form of heat in the surface layer. The structural mechanism was determined of surface layers development, effect was studied of alloying parameters, method on structure refinement and influence of these factors on the mechanical properties of surface layer, and especially on its abrasive wear resistance. The fine grained martensite structure is responsible for hardness increase of the alloyed layer. The tribological wear relationships were determined for laser treated surface layers, determining friction coefficient, and wear trace shape developed due to the abrasive wear of the investigated surfaces. Comparison of the laser treatment parameters and tribological properties of surface layer after remelting and alloying with hard particles of the PMHSS6-5-3 steel using the high power diode laser to obtain the optimum service properties is the outcome of the investigations carried out

Badanie struktury i własności stopowanej laserowo stali szybkotnącej HS6-5-2-5

This paper presents the results of the influence of laser alloying on structure and properties of the surface of HS6-5-2-5 high speed steel, carried out using a high power diode laser (HPDL). WC, VC, TiC, SiC, Si3N4 and Al2O3 particles powder was used for alloying. It was found out that remelting and laser alloying with hard particles result in structure refinement across the entire investigated laser power range. Selection of laser operating conditions is discussed, as well as beam face quality after remelting, hardness, micro hardness test, EDX, X-ray microanalysis results. Fine grained, dendritic structures occur in the remelted and alloyed zone with the crystallization direction related to the dynamical heat movement from the laser beam influence zone. The fine grained martensite structure is responsible for hardness increase of the alloyed layer. Micro-hardness changes depend up in the effects of the laser beam on the treated surface, and especially in the alloyed layer. The outcome of the research provides better understanding of the structural mechanisms accompanying laser remelting and alloying. Laser technique features the especially promising tool for solving the contemporary surface engineering problems thanks to the physical properties of the laser beam, making it possible to focus precisely the delivered energy in the form of heat in the surface layer.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań laserowego stopowania na strukturę i własności warstwy wierzchniej stali szybkotnącej HS6-5-2-5, przetapianej za pomocą lasera diodowego dużej mocy (HPDL). Jako materiał stopujący użyto proszków WC, VC, TiC, SiC, Si3N4 i AI2O3. Stwierdzono, że do przetopienia i stopowanie laserowe twardymi cząstkami powoduje poprawę własności warstwy wierzchniej w całym zakresie mocy lasera. Odpowiedni dobór warunków pracy lasera jak również jakość wiązki ma wpływ na wyniki przetopienia co potwierdzono badaniami twardości, mikrotwardości, mikroanalizy rentgenowskiej i rentgenowskie analizy fazowej. W strefie przetopionej i stopowanej stwierdzono występowanie drobnoziarnistej oraz dendrytycznej struktury z kierunkiem krystalizacji związanym z dynamicznym przepływem ciepła ze strefy oddziaływania wiązki laserowej. Drobnoziarnista struktura martenzytu jest odpowiedzialna za wzrost twardości warstwy stopowanej. Zmiany mikrotwardości ściśle zależą od efektów oddziaływania wiązki laserowej na obrabianą powierzchnię. Wyniki badań pozwalają na lepsze zrozumienie mechanizmów strukturalnych towarzyszących przetapianiu i stopowaniu laserowemu. Laserowa obróbka powierzchniowa stanowi szczególnie obiecujące narzędzie do rozwiązywania problemów inżynierii powierzchni dzięki wykorzystaniu własności fizycznych wiązki lasera umożliwiających precyzyjną obróbkę cieplną w warstwie wierzchniej

The investigation of Microstructures and Properties of High Speed Steel HS6-5-2-5 after Laser Alloying

This paper presents the results of the influence of laser alloying on structure and properties of the surface of HS6-5-2-5 high speed steel, carried out using a high power diode laser (HPDL). WC, VC, TiC, SiC, Si3N4 and Al2O3 particles powder was used for alloying. It was found out that remelting and laser alloying with hard particles result in structure refinement across the entire investigated laser power range. Selection of laser operating conditions is discussed, as well as beam face quality after remelting, hardness, micro hardness test, EDX, X-ray microanalysis results. Fine grained, dendritic structures occur in the remelted and alloyed zone with the crystallization direction related to the dynamical heat movement from the laser beam influence zone. The fine grained martensite structure is responsible for hardness increase of the alloyed layer. Micro-hardness changes depend up in the effects of the laser beam on the treated surface, and especially in the alloyed layer. The outcome of the research provides better understanding of the structural mechanisms accompanying laser remelting and alloying. Laser technique features the especially promising tool for solving the contemporary surface engineering problems thanks to the physical properties of the laser beam, making it possible to focus precisely the delivered energy in the form of heat in the surface layer.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań laserowego stopowania na strukturę i własności warstwy wierzchniej stali szybkotnącej HS6-5-2-5, przetapianej za pomocą lasera diodowego dużej mocy (HPDL). Jako materiał stopujący użyto proszków WC, VC, TiC, SiC, Si3N4 i AI2O3. Stwierdzono, że do przetopienia i stopowanie laserowe twardymi cząstkami powoduje poprawę własności warstwy wierzchniej w całym zakresie mocy lasera. Odpowiedni dobór warunków pracy lasera jak również jakość wiązki ma wpływ na wyniki przetopienia co potwierdzono badaniami twardości, mikrotwardości, mikroanalizy rentgenowskiej i rentgenowskie analizy fazowej. W strefie przetopionej i stopowanej stwierdzono występowanie drobnoziarnistej oraz dendrytycznej struktury z kierunkiem krystalizacji związanym z dynamicznym przepływem ciepła ze strefy oddziaływania wiązki laserowej. Drobnoziarnista struktura martenzytu jest odpowiedzialna za wzrost twardości warstwy stopowanej. Zmiany mikrotwardości ściśle zależą od efektów oddziaływania wiązki laserowej na obrabianą powierzchnię. Wyniki badań pozwalają na lepsze zrozumienie mechanizmów strukturalnych towarzyszących przetapianiu i stopowaniu laserowemu. Laserowa obróbka powierzchniowa stanowi szczególnie obiecujące narzędzie do rozwiązywania problemów inżynierii powierzchni dzięki wykorzystaniu własności fizycznych wiązki lasera umożliwiających precyzyjną obróbkę cieplną w warstwie wierzchniej

The Investigation of Properties of High-Speed Steel After Laser Surface Treatment

The aim of this research paper is to present laser surface treatment technologies, investigation of properties of the HS6-5-3-8 high-speed steel \ alloying with ceramic particles using High Power Diode Laser. Selection of laser operating conditions is discussed, as well as beam face quality after remelting, hardness, micro hardness test, wear resistant. Remelting of the steel with introducing into liquid molten pool the alloying additions in the form of ceramic powders, causes significant increase of properties of surface layer of investigated steel in comparison to its analogical properties obtained through conventional heat treatment, depending on the laser beam power implemented for remelting. The increase of hardness of surface layer obtained throughout remelting and alloying with carbides by high power diode laser is accompanied by increase of tribological properties, when comparing to the steel processed with conventional heat treatment

Application of Finite Element Method (FEM) for definition of the relationship between properties of laser alloyed steel surface layer

Investigations include FEM simulation model of alloying the PMHSS6-5-3 steel surface layer with the carbides and ceramic powders, especially WC, VC, TiC, SiC, Si₃N₄ and Al₂O₃ particles using the high power diode laser (HPDL). The FEM computations were performed using ANSYS software. The scope of FEM simulation was determination of temperature distribution during laser alloying process at various process configurations regarding laser beam power and method of powder deposition, as pre coated past or surface with machined grooves. The FEM simulation allows specifying the heat affected zone and the temperature distribution in the sample as a function of time and thus allows the estimation of the structural changes taking place during laser alloying process

Using Deep Etching in the Study of Eutectic Silicon 3D-Morphology in AlSi7MgTi Cast Alloy

The effect of combination grain refinement with AlTi5B1 master (55 ppm) and Sr-modification with AlSr5 master (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 ppm) on the microstructure, tensile and hardness properties of AlSi7MgTi cast alloy were systematically investigated. Eutectic silicon was studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy after standard (0.5% HF) and deep etching (HCl). Morphology of eutectic Si changes from compact plate-like (as-cast state) to fibbers (after modification). Si-fibbers in samples with 50 and 60 ppm Sr coarsen probably as a result of over-modification. The optimum mechanical properties has the experimental material which was grain refined and modified with 40 ppm of Sr (UTS = 220.6 MPa; ductility = 6.1%, and 82.3 HBW 5/250/15)