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The effect of the strain rate, experimental temperature, Zn content in the test solution, and prefilming time on the mechanical properties was investigated by a tensile test with a slow strain rate, at a chemical solution of 2.2 ppm Li and 1200 ppm B in a static autoclave with 8.2 MPa. The experimental parameters clearly affected the tensile properties. The surface morphology, fractograph, and cross-sectional microstructure were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The δ (elongation) and UTS (ultimate tensile strength) of the samples tested in chemical solution were obviously lower than those of the samples tested under a nitrogen atmosphere. However, in general, all samples showed a ductile fracture characteristic and an excellent tensile property in all experimental conditions. The δ and UTS were first increased with increasing Zn content, and then decreased at both conditions of 9.26 × 10−7/s and 4.63 × 10−7/s strain rates. The difference values of tensile properties at different strain rates showed fluctuations with increasing Zn content. The δ increased with both increasing experimental temperature and prefilming time. The UTS first decreased with increasing prefilming time and then increased. The Iscc (stress corrosion cracking susceptibility) decreased with an increasing strain rate, experiment temperature, and prefilming time. Many particles with polyhedrons were formed on the sample surfaces, which was attributed to corrosion in a periodical location at the sample surface. The average length of the particles decreased with increasing Zn content, but increased with both increasing experimental temperatures and prefilming time. The corresponding mechanism is also discussed in this work.

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Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic condition among men aged 50 or older, causing voiding and obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms. Water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) using the Rezūm® system is a new minimally invasive surgical technique that is increasingly reported as a treatment for BPH. Methods The protocol was submitted to the PROSPERO registry. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov up to July 29, 2022. Quality assessment was carried out by a 20-item checklist form prepared by the Institute of Health Economics (IHE). Double arcsine transformation was performed to stabilize the variance of the original ratio. When I2 > 50%, the random effect model was used to calculate the pooled parameters. Otherwise, the fixed effect model was used. 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of each study on the pooled outcomes, and finally, Egger’s test was used to assess publication bias. Results A total of seven single-arm observational studies and one random controlled trial, including 1015 patients, were included. One year after WVTT, the International Prostate Symptom Score decreased by 11.37 (95% CI: -12.53, -10.21), the IPSS Quality of Life scale decreased by 2.59 (95% CI: -2.92, -2.26), the maximum urine flow rate increased by 5.26 ml/s (95% CI: 4.53, 5.99), and the postvoid residual decreased by 13.18 ml (95% CI: -24.32, -2.03). The most common complication was dysuria, with a pooled incidence of 21% (95% CI: 14%, 29%), and the second most common complication was hematuria, with a pooled incidence of 14% (95% CI: 10%, 18%). The pooled incidence of retreatment was 3% (95% CI: 2%, 5%). Conclusions WVTT is an attractive alternative to medication or more invasive surgical procedures and can serve as first-line therapy for men with BPH.