Spatiotemporal microRNA profile in peripheral nerve regeneration:miR-138 targets vimentin and inhibits Schwann cell migration and proliferation

While the peripheral nervous system has regenerative ability,restoration of sufficient function remains a challenge.Vimentin has been shown to be localized in axonal growth fronts and associated with nerve regeneration,including myelination,neuroplasticity,kinase signaling in nerve axoplasm,and cell migration;however,the mechanisms regulating its expression within Schwann cell（SC） remain unexplored.The aim of this study was to profile the spatial and temporal expression profile of micro RNA（mi RNA） in a regenerating rat sciatic nerve after transection,and explore the potential role of mi R-138-5 p targeting vimentin in SC proliferation and migration.A rat sciatic nerve transection model,utilizing a polyethylene nerve guide,was used to investigate mi RNA expression at 7,14,30,60,and 90 days during nerve regeneration.Relative levels of mi RNA expression were determined using microarray analysis and subsequently validated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.In vitro assays were conducted with cultured Schwann cells transfected with mi RNA mimics and assessed for migratory and proliferative potential.The top seven dysregulated mi RNAs reported in this study have been implicated in cell migration elsewhere,and GO and KEGG analyses predicted activities essential to wound healing.Transfection of one of these,mi RNA-138-5 p,into SCs reduced cell migration and proliferation.mi R-138-5 p has been shown to directly target vimentin in cancer cells,and the luciferase assay performed here in rat Schwann cells confirmed it.These results detail a role of mi R-138-5 p in rat peripheral nerve regeneration and expand on reports of it as an important regulator in the peripheral nervous system.

Solid state crack repair by friction stir processing in 304L stainless steel

Friction stir processing （FSP） was investigated as a method of repairing cracks in 12 mm thick 304L stainless steel plate. Healing feasibility was demonstrated by processing a tapered crack using a PCBN/W- Re tool with a 25 mm diameter shoulder and a pin length of 6.4 mm. The experiment showed that it was possible to heal a crack that begins narrow and then progressively grows up to a width of 2 mm. Bead on plate experiments were used to find the best parameters for creating a consolidated stir zone with the least amount of hardness difference compared to the base metal. Grain refinement in some specimens resulted in much higher stir zone hardness, compared to base metal, A plot of grain size versus microhardness showed a very strong inverse correlation between grain size and hardness, as expected from the Hall- Perch relationship. Corrosion testing was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of FSP on potential sensitization of the stir zone. After 1000 h of intermittent immersion in 3.5% saline solution at room temperature it was found that no corrosion products formed on the base material controls or on any of the friction stir processed specimens.