Aluminium based components with enhanced characteristics through advanced squeeze casting process

Components in the field of automotive application produced by a modified squeeze casting process have beenconsidered. This innovative process has been oriented toward the manufacturing of high resistance and hightoughness automotive parts using A380 alloys and they have been subjected to T6 heat treatment. Standardsamples have been machined directly from real automotive components for tensile properties evaluation andhardness values determination. Superior mechanical characteristics have been obtained thanks to the lowporosity content and to the particular microstructure features. Fracture surfaces analysis have been realisedon the fractured samples, identifying some minor defects, like the presence of carbon particles (with anydangerous effect on the mechanical performances) and some nano-sized oxide inclusion. Moreover, the samefracture surface analysis highlights the ductile natures of the fracture. On the polished transverse sections ofthe samples morphological analysis has also been performed.High level of resistance and toughness has been obtained for all considered parts. The achieved resultsdemonstrate the reliability of the modified squeeze casting process for production of automotive components

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for malignant phenotype Leydig cell tumours of the testis: a 10-year experience.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is a prognostic, palliative, and potentially therapeutic procedure for patients with malignant phenotype Leydig cell tumours of the testis. We reviewed the records of patients diagnosed with malignant phenotype Leydig cell tumours of the testis treated by RPLND. Modified template dissection was performed in all cases with extra-template excision of tumour mass in Stage II disease. Routine clinico-radiological follow-up was performed. Six open RPLNDs (1 re-do procedure) were performed on 5 patients diagnosed with Stage I (n = 3) and Stage II (n = 2) malignant phenotype Leydig cell tumour of the testis. Median age = 63 years (range = 55-72). Median peri-operative blood loss = 1500 ml (range = 500-1500 ml). Median operating time = 6 h (range = 4.5-6.5). Two patients with Stage II disease developed post-operative complications of acute kidney injury (n = 1) and pneumonia (n = 1). Median length of stay was 8 days (range = 6-11). RPLND specimens from patients with Stage I were tumour-free, whilst patients with Stage II disease had evidence of metastatic tumour. At latest follow-up (median = 13 months, range = 7-22), no patient with Stage I disease had radiological evidence of recurrence, however the two patients with Stage II disease had died due to tumour recurrence at 13 months and 36 months. RPLND for malignant phenotype Leydig cell testicular tumours appears to be well tolerated. Despite surgery, overall outcomes for Stage II appear to be poor due to the disease phenotype. Larger prospective multi-centre studies are required to determine the definitive criteria for surgery in Stage I disease

Critical N:P Ratio for Cyanobacteria and N2-Fixing Species in the Large Shallow Temperate Lakes Peipsi and Võrtsjärv, North-East Europe

In the 1990s a sharp decrease of nitrogen loading occurred in Estonian rivers bringing about a reduction of the N:P ratio in large shallow lakes Peipsi (3,555 km2, mean depth 7.1m) and Võrtsjärv (270 km2, 2.8 m). The average mass ratio of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in Võrtsjärv (45) was about 2 times higher than in Peipsi (22) and the mass ratio of mineral forms of nitrogen (Nmin) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in Võrtsjärv (76) was 3-4 times higher than in Peipsi (22). In Peipsi N2-fixing Gloeotrichia echinulata, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Anabaena species prevailed in summer phytoplankton. In Võrtsjärv dominant cyanobacteria Limnothrix planktonica, L. redekei and Planktolyngbya limnetica are not able to fix N2 and the main N2-fixing species Aphanizomenon skujae and Anabaena sp. commonly did not dominate. In both lakes the biomasses of all cyanobacteria (CY) and N2-fixing species (Nfix), and also the share of cyanobacteria (CY%) and N2fixing species (Nfix%) in phytoplankton biomass correlated strongly with the water temperature achieving the maximum values in August at ~20oC. In May-October the critical TN:TP mass ratio below which N2-fixing cyanobacteria achieved high biomasses was in Võrtsjärv ~40 and in Peipsi ~30. In Peipsi both CY% and Nfix% achieved the maximum values at N:P mass ratio at or below 20, for both TN:TP and Nmin:SRP. In Võrtsjärv TN:TP supporting high Nfix% was between 30 and 40 and Nmin:SRP supporting high Nfix% was in the same range with that in Peipsi (<20), though the maximum Nfix% values in L. Võrtsjärv (69%) were much lower than in Peipsi (96%). Concerning the monthly average values of Nfix% and Nmin:SRP ratio, a common power function could be developed for both lakes, which allowed to describe Nfix% on the basis of Nmin:SRP in the extent of 42% if all monthly averages were considered and even by 77% if the period May-October was considered. The temperature dependence of Nfix% was rather of the type of maximum function, which limits the maximum possible Nfix% in certain water temperatures being again most distinct in the period of May-October.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Consequences of Catchment Processes and Climatic Changes on the Ecology Status of Large Shallow Temperate Lakes

Riverine transport is the most important pathway for the input of nutrients into two large shallow nonstratified lakes Peipsi (3 555 km2, mean depth 7.1 m) and Võrtsjärv (270 km2, mean depth 2.8m) in Estonia . In the 1980s, the riverine discharge of nutrients increased drastically while in the early 1990s a sharp decrease occurred, first of all in TN loadings caused mainly by the collapse of the extensive type of agriculture. The ecosystem of L. Võrtsjärv is very sensitive to water level fluctuations which are following the pattern of North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO) refelecting the changes of climate in northern hemisphere. In L. Võrtsjärv high phosphorus concentration and better light availability are the main concequences of low water level bringing about higher phytoplankton density and deteriorated water quality. In deeper L. Peipsi the direct influence of the water level is not so obvious and the effect of climate realizes through nutrient loading, temperature and wind.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Could multiple myeloma VEGF modify the systemic microcirculation?

We studied eight patients with active multiple myeloma (aMM, six males and two females; mean age 62 years), nine patients in objective/complete response (rMM, three males and six females; mean age 70 years), and seven patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS, three males and four females; mean age 57 years). We used a laser Doppler to evaluate capillary blood flow and a transcutaneous oxymeter to measure transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure (TcpO2). Red blood cell (RBC) aggregation index (AI and t1/2) and elongation index (EI) were assessed using laser-assisted optical rotational cell analysis (LORCA), while the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). VEGF values were significantly increased (p &lt; 0.001) in aMM vs. rMM and vs. MGUS. Also AI was increased (p &lt; 0.05) in aMM vs. rMM and vs. MGUS and t1/2 was decreased (p &lt; 0.05) in the aMM vs. rMM and MGUS groups; no variations were detected in EI. We found a significant correlation (p &lt; 0.001) between AI/t1/2/EI and VEGF. Periflux tests were performed evaluating the basal values (t0), the physical stress (t1) and the heat stress (t3) followed by their respective relaxing times (t2, t4). A significant increase (p &lt; 0.01) in t1 vs. t0 values was observed in all groups. No significant increase in aMM t3 vs. t0 was seen, while the increase was significant in rMM and MGUS (p &lt; 0.01). We found a significant correlation (p &lt; 0.001) between t0 blood flow and VEGF in aMM, rMM and MGUS. TcpO2 t0 values were significantly correlated to VEGF (p &lt; 0.001) in all groups. Our data show that VEGF modifies the microcirculation in aMM and also modifies RBC. It is possible that other mechanisms could interfere with the peripheral microcirculation as we saw in t3 blood flow. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Development of industrial components by advanced squeeze casting

This paper presents an analysis of an advanced squeeze casting process suitable for the manufacturing of high performance industrial components more quickly and cheaply. After short description of the process some produced components are considered. The components, in A356 and A380 alloys, have been T6 heat treated and their soundness has been certified by non destructive tests. Standard samples for impact test, as well as for fracture rupture strength have been machined directly from the previous components. After the execution of the tests the fracture surface of samples has been observed by SEM in order to analyze details and to evaluate the influence of the process and of the alloy on the fracture behaviour. On polished transverse sections of samples the microstructure of the alloy has been observed, highlighting the presence of very small and uniformly distributed intermetallic particles in a mainly globular shaped microstructure as expression of the attained semi-solid conditions during the proces

Top down proteomic analysis of gingival crevicular fluid in deciduous, exfoliating and permanent teeth in children

Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF), a plasma-derived exudate present in the gingival crevice was collected from deciduous, exfoliating and permanent teeth from 20 children (60 samples) with the aim to characterize and quantify by a mass spectrometry based top-down proteomic approach, the peptide/proteins in the fluid and verify possible variations occurring during the exfoliating process. The results obtained confirmed the presence in GCF of α-Defensins 1–4, Thymosin β4 and Thymosin β10, as described in previous works and revealed the presence of other interesting peptides never described before in GCF such as specific fragments of α-1-antitrypsin, α-1-antichymotrypsin; fragments of Thymosin β4 and Thymosin β10; Fibrinopeptide A and its fragments and Fibrinopeptide B; S100A8 and S100A9, LVV Hemorphin-7 (hemoglobin chain β fragment), as well as some other peptides deriving from α and β subunits of hemoglobin. Statistical analysis evidenced different levels in 5 proteins/peptides in the three groups. Our study demonstrate that an in-depth analysis of a biological fluid like GCF, present in small amount, can provide useful information for the understanding of different biological processes like teeth eruption. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD016010 and PXD016049. Significance: GCF due to his site-specific nature has a great potential in containing factors that are specific for action at a given site and might have diagnostic value to detect qualitative and quantitative variations of proteins/peptides composition linked to physiological or pathological conditions

Total body computed tomography scan in the initial work-up of Binet stage A chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients: Results of the prospective, multicenter O-CLL1-GISL study

Total body computed tomography (TB-CT) scan is not mandatory in the diagnostic/staging algorithm of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The aim of this study was to determine the value and prognostic significance of TB-CT scan in early stage CLL patients. Baseline TB-CT scan was performed in 240 Binet stage A CLL patients (179 Rai low- and 61 Rai intermediate-risk) included in a prospective multicenter observational study (clinicaltrial.gov ID:NCT00917549). The cohort included 69 clinical monoclonal B lymphocytosis (cMBLs). Patients were restaged considering only radiological data. Following TB-CT scans, 20% of cases reclassified as radiologic Binet (r-Binet) stage B. r-Binet B patients showed a higher incidence of unfavorable cytogenetic abnormalities (P\u2009=\u20090.027), as well as a shorter PFS (P\u2009=\u20090.001). At multivariate analysis, r-Binet stage [HR\u2009=\u20092.48; P\u2009=\u20090.004] and IGHV mutational status [HR\u2009=\u20093.01; P\u2009=\u20090.002] retained an independent predictive value for PFS. Among 179 Rai low-risk cases, 100 were redefined as r-Rai intermediate-risk based upon TB-CT scan data, showing a higher rate of cases with higher ZAP-70 (P\u2009=\u20090.033) and CD38 expression (P\u2009=\u20090.029) and \u3b22-microglobulin levels (P\u2009<\u20090.0001), as well as a shorter PFS than those with r-Rai low-risk (P\u2009=\u20090.008). r-Rai stage [HR\u2009=\u20092.78; P\u2009=\u20090.046] and IGHV mutational status [HR\u2009=\u20094.25; P\u2009=\u20090.009] retained a significant predictive value for PFS at multivariate analysis. Forty-two percent of cMBL patients were reclassified as r-small lymphocytic lymphomas (r-SLLs) by TB-CT scan. TB-CT scan appears to provide relevant information in early stage CLL related to the potential and the timing of patients to progress towards the more advanced disease stages