Enhancement of the Wear Resistance and Corrosion Resistance of Electroplated Ni-W-B Coatings Using PDA-Functionalized VC.

In this study, vanadium carbide (VC) was used as the raw material to synthesize PDA-functionalized VC (P-VC). VC and P-VC were added as nanoreinforced materials to the Ni-W-B coating. The effects of the two nanomaterials on the morphology, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of the Ni-W-B coatings were investigated and compared. The experimental results show that the surface of the Ni-W-B/P-VC coating is denser and more uniform than that of the Ni-W-B and Ni-W-B/VC coatings, and there are no obvious defects on the surface. According to the hardness test, the Ni-W-B/P-VC coating reaches the highest microhardness of 887.1 HV. According to the friction and wear tests, the Ni-W-B/P-VC coating has the shallowest scratches, the lowest average friction coefficient (COF = 0.274), and the lowest wear rate (9.578 × 10-8 mm2/N). The corrosion resistance is the best, the corrosion rate is 0.0456 mm/y, and the impedance value Rt reaches 14,501 Ω·cm2.

Foliar application of silicon boosts growth, photosynthetic leaf gas exchange, antioxidative response and resistance to limited water irrigation in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.).

Plant cell and water relationship regulates morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics to optimize carboxylation for enhanced biomass yield in sugarcane. Insufficient water irrigation is one of the serious problems to impair potential yield of agriculturally important sugarcane cash crop by loss in plant performance. Our study aims to reveal consequences of foliar spray of silicon (Si) using calcium metasilicate powder (Wollastonite, CaO.SiO2) to alleviate the adverse effects of limited water irrigation in sugarcane. Silicon (0, 50, 100 and 500 ppm) was applied as foliar spray on normally grown 45 days old sugarcane plants. Further, these plants were raised at half field capacity (50%) using water irrigation precisely up to 90 days under open environmental variables. Consequently, restricted irrigation impaired plant growth-development, leaf relative water content (%), photosynthetic pigments, SPAD unit, photosynthetic performance, chlorophyll fluorescence variable yield (Fv/Fm) and biomass yield. Notably, it has enhanced values of proline, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidative defense enzyme molecules viz., catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The foliar spray of Si defended sugarcane plants from limited water irrigation stress as Si quenched harmful effect of water-deficit and also enhanced the operation of antioxidant defense machinery for improved sugarcane plant performance suitably favored stomatal dynamics for photosynthesis and plant productivity.

Predication of Photosynthetic Leaf Gas Exchange of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp) Leaves in Response to Leaf Positions to Foliar Spray of Potassium Salt of Active Phosphorus under Limited Water Irrigation.

Sufficient water and fertilizer inputs in agriculture play a major role in crop growth, production, and quality. In this study, the response of sugarcane to limited water irrigation and foliar application of potassium salt of active phosphorus (PSAP) for photosynthetic responses were examined, and PSAP's role in limited water irrigation management was assessed. Sugarcane plants were subjected to limited irrigation (95-90 and 45-40% FC) after three months of germination, followed by a foliar spray (0, 2, 4, 6, and 10 M) of PSAP. The obtained results indicated that limited water irrigation negatively affected sugarcane growth and reduced leaf gas exchange activities. However, the application of PSAP increased the photosynthetic activities by protecting the photosynthetic machinery during unfavorable conditions. Mathematical modeling, a Skewed model, was developed and compared with the existing Gaussian model to describe the photosynthetic responses of sugarcane leaves under the limited irrigation with and without PSAP application. The models fitted well with the observed values, and the predicted photosynthetic parameters were in close relationship with the obtained results. The Skewed model was found to be better than the Gaussian model in describing the photosynthetic parameters of plant leaves positioned over a stem of limited water irrigation and applied PSAP application and is recommended for further application.

Plasma miR-513a-5p as a Potential Biomarker for Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

BACKGROUND: The current study aims to investigate the relationship between plasma levels of miR-513a-5p and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Two hundred patients with T2DM were selected, including 104 patients with NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound and 96 patients without NAFLD. They were divided into combined group (T2DM/NAFLD) and control group (T2DM). Height, weight, blood lipid, and blood sugar were measured. Additionally, body mass index (BMI) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were calculated. RT-PCR was carried out to analyze the level of plasma miR-513a-5p. The correlation between plasma miR-513a-5p level and clinical indicators was analyzed by Pearson's correlation assay. RESULTS: Compared with the T2DM group, BMI, AST, ALT, TG, GGT, LDL-C, 2hPBG, Fins, 2hIns, HbAIc (%), and HOMA-IR were significantly increased in the T2DM/NAFLD group, and plasma miR-513a-5p levels were significantly decreased. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that miR-513a-5p was negatively correlated with ALT, LDL-C, 2h Ins, and HomA-IR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed plasma miR-513a-5p could differentiate T2DM/NAFLD patients from NAFLD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased plasma miR-513a-5p level may act as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of NAFLD in T2DM patients.

Giant primary cutaneous spindle cell B-cell lymphoma of follicle center cell origin.

Spindle cell B-cell lymphoma is a rare morphologic variant of B-cell lymphoma that is generally associated with follicle center cell origin. It is typically found on the skin and presents as single nodule or plaque with a diameter of several centimeters. It is also characterized by abnormal spindle cells with elongated or spindle-shaped nuclei, and usually stained positive for Bcl-6 and negative for multiple myeloma oncogene 1 (MUM-1). In this report, we describe a giant primary cutaneous spindle cell B-cell lymphoma measured 20 cm × 25 cm, substantially larger than all the previously reported cases. Histologic examination revealed that the neoplasm was mainly located in the dermis and subcutaneous fat, and had infiltrated into striated muscles of the patient's back. The neoplasm cells contained elongated or spindle-shaped nuclei. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that the neoplasm cells were stained positive for CD20, CD79, and Bcl-6, negative for Bcl-2 and MUM-1, and focally positive for CD5, CD10, CD31, and CD43. These results collectively indicated that the neoplasm was of follicle center cell origin. The neoplasm was excised and the patient was still alive without systemic involvement after 4 years of follow-up.