Genes involved in carotene synthesis and mating in Blakeslea trispora

Mating of Blakeslea trispora and other molds of the order Mucorales requires the interaction of mycelia of opposite sex, (+) and (-), leading to the development of specialized structures and to an enhanced accumulation of beta-carotene. Industry obtains beta-carotene by co-cultivating appropriate strains of Blakeslea (mated cultures). Gene transcription in single and mated cultures was assayed by cDNA-AFLP, a technique to observe the differential expression of subsets of mRNA fragments. Overexpression in mated cultures is about ten times more frequent than underexpression. We obtained and sequenced fragments of 97 candidate genes that appeared to be overexpressed during mating and confirmed four of them by reverse transcription and real-time PCR. Comparisons with gene sequences from other organisms suggest functions in carotene biosynthesis (4 genes), energy metabolism (8), cell wall synthesis (1), transfer of acetyl groups (1), and regulatory processes (10). Sodium acetate inhibited sexual overexpression in about two-thirds of the candidate genes and acted as a signal with broad effects on the metabolism and the morphology of mated cultures. Our work offers new materials for the study of carotene biosynthesis and its regulation and for the improvement of carotene production with Mucorales

Comparison of Microstructures and Mechanical Properties for Solid Cobalt-Base Alloy Components and Biomedical Implant Prototypes Fabricated by Electron Beam Melting

The microstructures and mechanical behavior of simple, as-fabricated, solid geometries (with a density of 8.4 g/cm3), as-fabricated and fabricated and annealed femoral (knee) prototypes all produced by additive manufacturing (AM) using electron beam melting (EBM) of Co-26Cr-6Mo-0.2C powder are examined and compared in this study. Microstructures and microstructural issues are examined by optical metallography, SEM, TEM, EDS, and XRD while mechanical properties included selective specimen tensile testing and Vickers microindentation (HV) and Rockwell C-scale (HRC) hardness measurements. Orthogonal (X-Y) melt scanning of the electron beam during AM produced unique, orthogonal and related Cr23C6 carbide (precipitate) cellular arrays with dimensions of ~2μm in the build plane perpendicular to the build direction, while connected carbide columns were formed in the vertical plane, parallel to the build direction.Mechanical Engineerin

Microstructure Architecture Development in Metals and Alloys By Additive Manufacturing Using Electron Beam Melting

The concept of materials with controlled microstructural architecture (MCMA) to develop and fabricate structural materials with novel and possibly superior properties and performance characteristics is a new paradigm or paradigm extension for materials science and engineering. In the conventional materials science and engineering paradigm, structure (microstructure), properties, processing, and performance features are linked in the development of desirable materials properties and performance through processing methodologies which manipulate microstructures. For many metal or alloy systems, thermomechanical treatment combining controlled amounts of plastic deformation with heat treatment or aging cycles can achieve improved mechanical properties beyond those attainable by conventional processing alone (such as rolling or forging for example) through controlled microstructure development. In this paper we illustrate a new concept involving the fabrication of microstructural architectures by the process development and selective manipulation of these microstructures ideally defining material design space. This allows for the additional or independent manipulation of material properties by additive manufacturing (AM) using electron beam melting (EBM). Specifically we demonstrate the novel development of a carbide (M23C6) architecture in the AM of a Co-base alloy and an oxide (Cu2O) precipitate-dislocation architecture in the AM of an oxygen-containing Cu. While more conventional processing can produce various precipitate microstructures in these materials, EBM produces spatial arrays of precipitate columns or columnar-like features often oriented in the build direction. These microstructural architectures are observed by optical microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Prospects for EBM architecture development in precipitation-hardenable Al alloys is also discussed. In the EBM build process using precursor powders, the electron beam parameters (including beam focus, scan speed and sequencing) produce localized, requisite thermodynamic regimes which create or organize the precipitate-related spatial arrays. This feature demonstrates the utility of AM not only in the fabrication of complex components, but also prospects for selective property design using CAD for MCMA development: a new or extended processing-microstructure-property-performance paradigm for materials science and engineering in advanced manufacturing involving solid free-form fabrication (SFF).Mechanical Engineerin

TRALI: Party of One; Real-Time Hemovigilance Demonstrates Multiple Event-Free Transfusions

Mechele Adrian pictured.https://openworks.mdanderson.org/aprn-week-23/1019/thumbnail.jp

Fabrication of Metal and Alloy Components by Additive Manufacturing: Examples of 3D Materials Science

ObjectiveThis paper provides a brief review of relatively new additive manufacturing technologies for the fabrication of unusual and complex metal and alloy products by laser and electron beam melting. A number of process features and product microstructures are illustrated utilizing 3D optical and transmission electron microscope image compositions representing examples of 3D materials science.MethodsProcessing methods involving electron beam melting (EBM) and a process referred to as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), often called selective laser melting (SLM) are described along with the use of light (optical) microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to elucidate microstructural phenomena.ResultsExamples of EBM and SLM studies are presented in 3D image compositions. These include EBM of Ti-6Al-4V, Cu, Co-base superalloy and Inconel 625; and SLM of 17-4 PH stainless steel, Inconel 718 and Inconel 625.Conclusions3D image compositions constituting 3D materials science provide effective visualization for directional solidification-related phenomena associated with the EBM and SLM fabrication of a range of metals and alloys, especially microstructures and microstructural architectures

EXPLORING IN718 ALLOY PRODUCTION WITH BI-DIRECTIONAL RASTER AND STOCHASTIC SPOT MELTING TECHNIQUES USING AN OPEN-SOURCE ELECTRON MELTING SYSTEM

This study compares the fabrication of IN718 alloy using bi-directional raster and stochastic spot melting techniques with the open-source FreemeltOne Electron Beam Melting (EBM) system. The research aimed to produce dense parts using both scanning strategies, employing custom Python code for raster melt beam path generation and PixelMelt software for stochastic spot melting path generation. After optimizing process parameters, 10mm height builds for each scanning strategy were fabricated, and their microstructure, hardness, and density were analyzed using optical microscopy and SEM, Vickers microhardness scale, and a pycnometer. The findings reveal valuable insights into the effects of scanning strategies on the microstructure, hardness, and density of IN718 alloy components, advancing additive manufacturing knowledge.Mechanical Engineerin

Genome-wide association study in an admixed case series reveals IL12A as a new candidate in Behçet Disease

Introduction: The etiology of Behçet's disease (BD) is unknown, but widely considered an excessive T-cell mediated inflammatory response in a genetically susceptible host. Recent genomewide association studies (GWAS) have shown limited number of novel loci-associations. The rarity and unequal distribution of the disease prevalence amongst different ethnic backgrounds have hampered the use of GWAS in cohorts of mixed ethnicity and sufficient sample size. However, novel statistical approaches have now enabled GWAS in admixed cohorts. Methods: We ran a GWAS on 336 BD cases and 5,843 controls. The cases consisted of Western Europeans, Middle Eastern and Turkish individuals. Participants from the Generation R study, a multiethnic birth cohort in Rotterdam, The Netherlands were used as controls. All samples were genotyped and data was combined. Linear regression models were corrected for population stratification using Genomic Principal Components and Linear Mixed Modelling. Meta-analysis was performed on selected results previously published. Results: We identified SNPs associated at genome-wide significant level mapping to the 6p21.33 (HLA) region. In addition to this known signal two potential novel associations on chromosomes 6 and 18 were identified, yet with low minor allele frequencies. Extended metaanalysis reveal a GWS association with the IL12A variant rs17810546 on chromosome 3. Discussion: We demonstrate that new statistical techniques enable GWAS analyses in a limited sized cohort of mixed ethnicity. After implementation, we confirmed the central role of the HLA region in the disease and identified new regions of interest. Moreover, we validated the association of a variant in the IL2A gene by meta-analysis with previous work. These findings enhance our