Early Stages Of Maturation Research Articles

The organic geochemistry of crude oil in the Saltpond Basin (Ghana): Organic source input, depositional environment, and thermal maturity

The Saltpond Basin, situated within the South Atlantic margin of Ghana, is a significant area for petroleum exploration but has received relatively limited research attention. Previous studies have examined source rock composition, but data on crude oil organic chemistry are lacking, hindering understanding of the basin’s petroleum system and evolution. To address this gap, we analyzed biomarkers and stable carbon-isotope ratios in Saltpond Basin crude oil using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry to elucidate organic matter source, depositional environment, and thermal maturity. Findings were compared with oils from the West African segment of the South Atlantic margin, namely the Tano Basin and the Niger Delta Basin, to identify potential correlations and gain insights into regional variations. Molecular and isotopic results unveiled a significant prevalence of organic matter derived from lower marine organisms. Patterns of organic matter deposition and preservation in Saltpond oil samples suggested a suboxic marine transitional environment, contradicting conventional understanding of terrestrial dominance in such settings. Moreover, the potential for degradation processes to obscure differentiation between terrestrial and marine organic matter origins underscores the complex nature of organic matter dynamics in transitional marine environments. Analysis of molecular thermal maturity indices suggested Saltpond oils were expelled from source rocks exhibiting thermal maturity at the early maturity stage. Correlation analysis unveiled genetic disparities among crude oils sourced from the Saltpond Basin and those from the Tano and Niger Delta Basin, primarily due to variations in source input and depositional environment conditions. Saltpond oil exhibits lower terrestrial organic input than Tano Basin’s crude oils, which also have less terrestrial input than Niger Delta Basin crude oils. Additionally, its paleodepositional environment notably differs from oils in the Tano Basin (anoxic transitional marine-lacustrine settings) and the Niger Delta Basin (suboxic–oxic terrigenous deltaic or marine or lacustrine environments). Thermal maturity range of Saltpond oil is comparable to oils in the Tano Basin but lower than oils in the Niger Delta Basin. These findings provide valuable insights into petroleum generation history and unique organic geochemical characteristics within the Saltpond Basin, essential for exploration, production, and environmental management efforts in the region. Furthermore, correlation studies provide evidence that distinct biological, geological, and paleoenvironmental conditions shaped various oil types in the West African segment of the South Atlantic margin.

Sexual Dimorphism's impact on adipogenesis: A three-dimensional in vitro model treated with 17β-estradiol and testosterone

Using a three-dimensional (3-D) in vitro culture model, we report the dose dependent effect of 17β-estradiol and testosterone on the adipogenic differentiation and maturation of human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs) obtained from female and male patients. Considering sexual dimorphism, we expected male and female adipocytes to respond differently to the sex steroids. Both male and female hASC spheroids were exposed to 100 nM and 500 nM of 17β-estradiol and testosterone either at the beginning of the adipogenic maturation (Phase I) to discourage intracellular triglyceride accumulation or exposed after adipogenic maturation (Phase II) to reduce the intracellular triglyceride accumulation. The results show that 17β-estradiol leads to a dose dependent reduction in intracellular triglyceride accumulation in female hASC spheroids compared to the both untreated and testosterone-treated cells. Affirming our hypothesis, 17β-estradiol prevented intracellular triglyceride accumulation during Phase I, while it stimulated lipolysis during Phase II. PPAR-γ and adiponectin gene expression also reduced upon 17β-estradiol treatment in female cells. Interestingly, 17β-estradiol and testosterone had only a modest effect on the male hASC spheroids. Collectively, our findings suggest that 17β-estradiol can prevent fat accumulation in adipocytes during early and late stages of maturation in females.

Reproductive Ability Disparity in the Pacific Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei): Insights from Ovarian Cellular and Molecular Levels.

The Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) is a highly significant species in shrimp aquaculture. In the production of shrimp larvae, noticeable variations in the reproductive capacity among female individuals have been observed. Some females experience slow gonadal development, resulting in the inability to spawn, while others undergo multiple maturations and contribute to the majority of larval supply. Despite numerous studies that have been conducted on the regulatory mechanisms of ovarian development in shrimp, the factors contributing to the differences in reproductive capacity among females remain unclear. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, this study examined the differences in the ovarian characteristics between high and low reproductive bulks at different maturity stages, focusing on the cellular and molecular levels. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the abundance of the endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, and mitochondrial cristae in oocytes of high reproductive bulk was significantly higher than that of the low reproductive bulk in the early stages of ovarian maturation (stages I and II). As the ovaries progressed to late-stage maturation (stages III and IV), differences in the internal structures of oocytes between females with different reproductive capacities gradually diminished. Transcriptome analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the mitochondria between two groups, suggesting that energy production processes might play a crucial role in the observed variations in ovary development. The expression levels of the ETS homology factor (EHF) and PRDI-BF1 and RIZ homology domain containing 9 (PRDM9), which were significantly different between the two groups, were compared using qRT-PCR in individuals at different stages of ovarian maturation. The results showed a significantly higher expression of the EHF gene in the ovaries of high reproductive bulk at the II and IV maturity stages compared to the low reproductive bulk, while almost no expression was detected in the eyestalk tissue of the high reproductive bulk. The PRDM9 gene was exclusively expressed in ovarian tissue, with significantly higher expression in the ovaries of the high reproductive bulk at the four maturity stages compared to the low reproductive bulk. Fluorescence in situ hybridization further compared the expression patterns of EHF and PRDM9 in the ovaries of individuals with different fertility levels, with both genes showing stronger positive signals in the high reproductive bulk at the four ovarian stages. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in shrimp ovarian development, but also provide valuable insights for the cultivation of new varieties aimed at improving shrimp fecundity.

Impact of changes in root biomass on the occurrence of internal browning in radish root

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of root biomass during the later stage of growth on fatty acid composition and lipid peroxidation, and to clarify the physiological mechanisms by which these differences affect internal browning (IB) development in radish roots. Therefore, we controlled the enlargement of roots by changing the thinning period and generated plots composed of roots with different biomass in the latter half of growth. The earlier the radish seedlings were thinned, the more vigorous the root growth from an earlier stage was achieved. Earlier thinning caused IB from the early stage of root maturation, and IB severity progressed with subsequent age progression; however, IB damage did not occur when root size during the later growth stage was kept small by later thinning. Higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, peroxidase activity, NADPH-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst-related genes, and carbonyl compounds were detected in earlier-thinned large-sized roots compared to later-thinned small-sized ones. Compared with the latter small-sized roots, the former large-sized roots had a lower ratio of linoleic acid (18:2) and a higher ratio of α-linolenic acid (α-18:3). Furthermore, in earlier-thinned large-sized roots, higher levels of phospholipase- and/or lipoxygenase-related genes were detected compared to later-thinned small-sized ones. These facts suggest the possibility that root biomass in the later stage of growth affects the desaturation of membrane fatty acids, ROS concentration, and activity of fatty acid degrading enzymes, and controls the occurrence of IB injury through membrane oxidative degradation.

Chalkiness and premature controlled by energy homeostasis in OsNAC02 Ko-mutant during vegetative endosperm development.

Chalkiness is a common phenotype induced by various reasons, such as abiotic stress or the imbalance of starch synthesis and metabolism during the development period. However, the reason mainly for one gene losing its function such as NAC (TFs has a large family in rice) which may cause premature is rarely known to us. The Ko-Osnac02 mutant demonstrated an obviously early maturation stage compared to the wild type (WT) with 15days earlier. The result showed that the mature endosperm of Ko-Osnac02 mutant exhibited chalkiness, characterized by white-core and white-belly in mature endosperm. As grain filling rate is a crucial factor in determining the yield and quality of rice (Oryza sativa, ssp. japonica), it's significant that mutant has a lower amylose content (AC) and higher soluble sugar content in the mature endosperm. Interestingly among the top DEGs in the RNA sequencing of N2 (3DAP) and WT seeds revealed that the OsBAM2 (LOC_Os10g32810) expressed significantly high in N2 mutant, which involved in Maltose up-regulated by the starch degradation. As Prediction of Protein interaction showed in the chalky endosperm formation in N2 seeds (3 DAP), seven genes were expressed at a lower-level which should be verified by a heatmap diagrams based on DEGs of N2 versus WT. The Tubulin genes controlling cell cycle are downregulated together with the MCM family genes MCM4 ( ↓), MCM7 ( ↑), which may cause white-core in the early endosperm development. In conclusion, the developing period drastically decreased in the Ko-Osnac02 mutants, which might cause the chalkiness in seeds during the early endosperm development. The gene OsNAC02 which controls a great genetic co-network for cell cycle regulation in early development, and KO-Osnac02 mutant shows prematurity and white-core in endosperm.

Chemical and Geological Properties of Shale Gas: In Situ Desorption of Lower Cambrian Niutitang Shale in the Micangshan Tectonic Zone of South Shaanxi, China.

Shale gas was recently found in the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation (LCNF) of the Micangshan tectonic zone of south Shaanxi (MTZSS), but not in commercial quantities. To determine the laws governing the generation, enrichment, and desorption of shale gases in overmatured shale strata in the LCNF of MTZSS, we carried out in situ desorption experiments on nine shale core samples and got 168 desorbed gas samples at different phases of desorption. Also measured were the chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of these desorbed gas samples and the geochemical parameters of the shale core samples. CH4 was the predominant hydrocarbon shale gas identified in the 82.06-98.48% range, suggesting that the gases were mainly dry. The nonhydrocarbon gases found were CO2 and H2. The CH4 content of the desorbed gas samples dropped continuously during desorption, lowering the dryness index to 98.48 and 92.26% of the first and last desorbed shale gas, respectively. The change in the gas ratio during shale gas desorption proved that the adsorbability of the LCNF to the various gases follows the trend H2 > CO2 > C2H6 > CH4 > He. Further, δ13C2H6 and δ13CH4 become heavier during desorption, showing isotopic fractionation arising from the desorption-diffusion coeffect. As the desorption temperature increases, the value of δ13CH4 increases because 12CH4 is more sensitive to temperature than 13CH4, so it is with the ethane. Similar to the LCNF shale gas in other areas of China, the desorbed shale gases are characteristic of carbon isotope reversal (CIR) (δ13CH4 > δ13C2H6). The cracking of the residual soluble organic matter at the high overmaturity stage mixed with the cracking of kerogen at the early stage of maturation, causing CIR. Furthermore, the desorbed gas content was proportionally and inversely related to the CIR degree and final dryness index of the desorbed gas, respectively. Moreover, the carbon isotope fractionation degree of CH4 and δ13C1 of the last desorbed gas correlated positively with the desorbed gas content and the desorbed time of the gas. In conclusion, the four parameters are effective parameters for identifying shale gas sweet spots.

Geochemical and Organic Petrological Evaluation of Organic Matter from Tertiary Sediments of Baga Field in Chad Basin, Northeast Nigeria

The Upper Cretaceous sediments in Bornu are considered an important regional source rock in the Chad Basin. This study therefore evaluated the geochemical and organic petrological evaluation of organic matter in tertiary sediments of Chad Basin, Northeast Nigeria by collecting 25 cutting samples from these organic-rich shale sediments from four wells drilled in Baga field in the Nigeria sector (Bornu) of the Chad Basin, in order to geochemically assess the type of organic matter, thermal maturity, and palaeoenvironmental conditions. Results reveal that Bornu sediments contain high organic matter more than 2.0 wt% TOC and have an excellent oil-generation potential. This is supported by high bitumen extractions and hydrocarbon yields with values 5827 and 3547 ppm, respectively. The investigated biomarkers indicated that the shale sediments contain a high abundance of C27 regular sterane concentrations, high C27/C29 regular sterane ratios and relatively low value of the biomarker sterane/hopane ratio as well as the presence of tricyclic terpanes. A mainly suboxic to relatively anoxic preservation conditions is inferred from Pr/Ph ratios (1.03–2.53). This is support by normal alkane distributions, which are characterized by dominance of types I/II kerogen and low medium molecular weight n-alkane compounds, respectively. This is further supported by lower amounts of acyclic isoprenoids compared to n-alkanes (e.g., pristane/n-C17 and phytane/n-C18 ratios). This is also supported by a mixture of algal and amorphous organic matter that was deposited in a lacustrine environment identified from kerogen microscopy. Based on the analyzed biomarkers, triterpanes and terpanes thermal maturity indicates that the Bornu sediments organic matters have entered into early mature stage for oil generation. This is also supported by vitrinite reflectance values of 0.57–0.71 % Ro indicate that these organic matters have reached oil window maturity.

Where and when has the rare Fish Species Regalecus glesne been Found in the Mediterranean so far?

The finding of two specimens of oarfish, Regalecus glesne, in the north-western Ionian Sea (central Mediterranean), in the years 2021 and 2022 and at depths of 525 and 350 m respectively, is reported to update the current information on the distribution of this teleost fish in the Mediterranean waters. In fact, to date, that most of the R. glesne findings are distributed in the western part of the Mediterranean basin, between the Ligurian Sea (Italy) and the Gulf of Lion (France), with 22 and 17 findings, respectively. The TL recorded in the Ligurian Sea ranges from 86.5 to 433 cm, and in the Gulf of Lion from 88 to 446 cm. For the two captured specimens during these surveys, the estimated total length were 650 and 2700 mm, respectively. Macroscopic examination of the gonads identified these specimens as an indeterminate and a female in the early stage of gonad maturity.

Artificial maturation of a Silurian hydrocarbon source rock: Effect of sample grain size and pyrolysis heating rate on oil generation and expulsion efficiency

Although artificial maturation of hydrocarbon source rocks by laboratory pyrolysis is far from representing natural maturation, it is a useful tool to investigate the process. In this study, we used routine open system pyrolysis for powder samples and Restricted System anhydrous Pyrolysis (RSP) for cm-sized Silurian shale source rock fragments to artificially mature the samples to different end-temperatures in the presence of a flowing carrier gas. Maturation experiments on rock fragments enable the simulation of physical barriers for the generated hydrocarbons that need to be overcome before expulsion from the source rock can occur. Based on the artificial maturation results in this study, oil expulsion efficiency from the Silurian shale source rock was 46% at the early oil generation stage and increased to 74% at approximately the peak oil generation stage.Furthermore, we have compared artificial maturation results from powder-form and fragment-form samples with natural-maturation series and found that artificial maturation of fragment-form samples sufficiently resembles natural maturation of the Silurian shales. It is therefore possible to simulate the early, middle and peak oil generation stages of natural maturation and expulsion efficiencies. This implies that, lab-based oil expulsion efficiencies from increasing maturity and hydrocarbon generation can be incorporated into the basin modeling.

Analysis of genes specific to the early maturation stage of Sesamum indicum seeds by subtraction method*,*.

The mechanisms regulating the content ratio of unsaturated fatty acid in sesame oil need to be clarified in order to breed novel varieties with high contents of unsaturated fatty acids. Full-length cDNA libraries prepared from sesame seeds 1 to 3 weeks after flowering were subtracted with cDNAs from plantlets of 4 weeks after germination. A total of 1545 cDNA clones was sequenced. The functions of novel genes expressed specifically during the early maturation of sesame seeds were investigated by the transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana. Thirteen genes for a transcription factor were identified, four of which were involved in ethylene signaling. Fifty-nine genes, including those for the aquaporin-like protein and ethylene response factor, were analyzed by overexpression in A. thaliana. The overexpression of novel genes and the aquaporin-like protein gene in A. thaliana increased the content of unsaturated fatty acids. The localization of these products was investigated by the induction of the expression vectors for the GFP fusion protein into onion epidermal cells and sesame root cells with a particle gun. As a result, two cDNA clones were identified as good candidate genes to clarify the regulation in the yield and the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids in sesame seeds. Sein60414 (Accession No. LC603128), an intrinsic membrane protein, may be involved in the increase of unsaturated fatty acids, and Sein61074 (Accession No. LC709278) MAP3K δ-1 protein kinase in the regulation of the total ratio of unsaturated fatty acids in sesame seeds.

An Exploration on Utilization of Business Analytics in Sri Lankan Banks

In this era of data evangelism, organizations are evolving with a paradigm shift from intuition-driven decision making to evidence-based decision making. Thus, business analytics has become a popular buzzword in modern business. Banking is a lavish industry that generates massive amounts of data and has copious opportunities for the utilization of business analytics to reap its maximum return. Therefore, the significance of business analytics in banking cannot be ignored. Though some international studies have indicated the utilization of business analytics in banks, studies on Sri Lankan banks are quite scarce. To fill this gap, this paper investigates the current utilization of business analytics in the Sri Lankan banking industry. The paper adopted a qualitative approach with multiple case studies, interviewing five professionals from different private commercial banks who are well-versed in business analytics. The paper covers eight aspects of business analytics utilization: duration of use, delegation, beneficiaries, technological aid, essentiality, value realization, perceived usage, and future direction. It was found that most banks have started using business analytics during the last three to four years, mainly for digital banking and card operations with basic technologies such as Power BI and Tableau. Further, it was also found that most banks have realized the importance and potentiality of business analytics, but neither integrated it fully with their core business nor achieved the expected value creation. The paper concludes that Sri Lankan banks are still in the early stages of business analytics maturity. Thus, there is a need to overcome the challenges and implement strategies to leverage business analytics for their benefit. Importantly, this study will contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of business analytics and the Sri Lankan banking industry where related studies are scarce.

Sedimentary Facies, Palynology, and Organic Geochemistry of Eocene Kalumpang Formation in Lariang and Karama Areas, West Sulawesi, Indonesia

The Kalumpang Formation was deposited in a delta plain setting. A Middle to Late Eocene age (Proxapertites operculatus zone) was inferred from palynological analysis, with a paleoenvironment in a coastal plain setting with a strong terrestrial influence. Samples from the Kalumpang Formation indicate a marginal to early mature stage for hydrocarbon generation. It is mostly composed of gas-prone to oil and gas-prone Type III kerogen facies. The biomarker character of both the rock and oil samples suggests a terrestrial origin, with a significant contribution of estuarine or bay organic material. The oil derives from a non-carbonate lithology, while the rock samples are from carbonate/calcareous shale origin. The abundance of oleanane compound and C30 resins suggests higher plant angiosperm input of Late Cretaceous or younger age for both the rock and the oil samples. The oil seep contains more abundant oleananes compared to the carbonaceous mudstone of the Kalumpang Formation. This suggests that the oil originated from more marine facies than the rock samples, which were deposited in a delta plain setting. This study demonstrated the agreement of depositional environment interpretation and age assessment between lithofacies, palynological, and organic geochemistry analysis.

Transient suppression of Wnt signaling in poor-quality buffalo oocytes improves their developmental competence.

One of the most evolutionary conserved communication systems, the Wnt signaling pathway is a major gene regulatory pathway that affects the developmental competence of oocytes and regulates most embryonic developmental processes. The present study was undertaken to modulate the canonical Wnt (Wingless/integration) signaling pathway in the poor-quality (colorless cytoplasm after Brilliant Cresyl Blue staining, BCB-) buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) to improve their in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryo production (IVEP) rates. The expression of key Wnt pathway genes was initially assessed in the good (blue cytoplasm after Brilliant Cresyl Blue staining, BCB+) and poor quality (BCB-) buffalo COCs to establish a differential activity of the Wnt pathway. The BCB- COCs were supplemented with the Wnt pathway inhibitor, Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) and later subjected to IVM and IVEP along with the BCB+ and BCB- controls. The cumulus expansion index (CEI), rate of nuclear maturation (mean percentage of oocytes in the MII stage) and embryo production, and the expression of developmentally important genes were evaluated to assess the effect of Wnt pathway inhibition on the development competence of these poor-quality oocytes. The Wnt pathway genes exhibited a significantly higher expression (p < 0.05) in the poor-quality BCB- oocytes compared to the good-quality BCB+ oocytes during the early maturation stages. The supplementation of BCB- COCs with 100 ng/mL DKK1 effectively inhibited the expression of the key mediators of the Wnt pathway (β-catenin and dishevelled homolog 1, DVL1). DKK1 supplemented BCB- COCs exhibited significantly improved cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation indices, development rates and significantly elevated expression (p < 0.05) of genes implicated in germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and embryonic genome activation (EGA) vis-à-vis BCB- control COCs. These data indicate that inhibition of the Wnt pathway during the initial course of oocyte maturation can improve the development competence of poor-quality buffalo oocytes.

Photochemical activity in developing pea (Pisum sativum L.) cotyledons depends on the light transmittance of covering tissues and the spectral composition of light.

Many crops require not only leaf photosynthesis for their seed development but also the photochemical reactions that occur in the seeds. The purpose of this work was a comparative analysis of light transmittance and photochemical activity in the leaves of Pisum sativum L. and its pericarp, seed coat, and cotyledons at the early, middle, and late maturation stages. The spectral composition of light was measured using a spectroradiometer in the range of 390-760 nm. We assessed the light transmittance of plant tissues by placing the plant tissue between the light source and the spectroradiometer's sensor. PAM fluorometry was used to quantify the photochemical activity in plant tissues: this technique is handy for evaluating the efficiency of converting light energy into chemical energy through the analysis of the kinetics of chlorophyll fluorescence excitation and quenching. On average, a photochemically active green leaf of pea transmitted 15 % of solar radiation in the 390-760 nm, blue light was delayed entirely, and the transmitted red light never exceeded 5 %. Photochemically active radiation passing through the pericarp and coat and reaching the cotyledons at the early and middle seed maturation stages manifested a high proportion of green and far-red light; there was no blue light, and the percentage of red light was about 2 %. However, the cotyledons were photochemically active regardless of low irradiance and spectral ranges untypical of leaf photosynthesis. At the early and middle maturation stages, the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) averaged 0.5 at the periphery of cotyledons and 0.3 at their center. Since the intensity of embryonic photochemical reactions significantly affects the efficiency of reserve nutrient accumulation, this parameter is a promising marker in pea breeding for seeds with improved nutritional qualities.

Identification, evolution and geological indications of solid bitumen in shales: A case study of the first member of Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in Songliao Basin, NE China

On the basis of sorting out current understanding of solid bitumen (SB) in shales and taking organic-rich shales in the first member of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin as an example, the definition, classification, occurrence and evolution path of SB are systemtically studied, and the indicative significance of SB reflectance (Rob) on maturity and its influence on the development of reservoir space are discussed and summarized. The results show that the difference of primary maceral types is primarily responsible for the different evolution paths of SB. Most of the pre-oil bitumen is in-situ SB with only a small amount being of migrated SB, while most of the post-oil bitumen and pyrobitumen are migrated SB. From the immature to early oil maturity stage, bituminite, vitrinite, and inertinite can be distinguished from SB based on their optical characteristics under reflected light, and alginite can be differentiated from SB by their fluorescence characteristics. Under scanning electron microscope, in-situ SB and migrated SB can be effectively identified. Rob increases linearly with increasing vitrinite reflectance (Ro), as a result of a decrease of aliphatic structure and the enhancement of aromatization of SB. Within the oil window three types of secondary pores may develop in SB, including modified mineral pores, devolatilization cracks and bubble holes. At a high maturity stage spongy pores may develop in pyrobitumen. Scanning electron microscopy combined with in-situ SEM-Raman spectroscopy can further reveal the structral information of different types of SB, thus providing crucial data for understanding for understanding OM migration paths, dynamics, and distances at micro-scale.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE REPARATIVE PROCESS IN THE PLASTIC SECTION OF THE MUSCLE-APONEUROTIC DEFECT IN THE EXPERIMENT USING STEM CELLS

Abstract. Anterior abdominal wall hernia repair is one of the most common procedures in general surgery. Very often, the parameters of the quality of life of operated patients with ventral hernias of the anterior abdominal wall during the fi rst year after the operation, according to a number of criteria, are signifi cantly better with alloplastic with polypropylene mesh, in contrast to the use of hernioplasty with the use of inert suture material. Hernias of the anterior abdominal wall (ventral hernias) most often occur after surgical intervention on the organs of the abdominal cavity and are considered postoperative complications arising in anatomically weak areas and under the infl uence of mechanical factors. The goal of the work. To experimentally investigate the eff ect of mesenchymal stem cells on the regeneration of muscle fi bers and their reparative properties in the area of postoperative wounds. When modeling a muscle- aponeurotic defect of the anterior abdominal wall with plasticity with own tissues and plasticity with an allograft in combination with injections of mesenchymal stem cells. The study was conducted on 38 white rats of both sexes, the initial weight of each animal was 215±12 g, the experimental animals were kept in the same conditions with full compliance with bioethical norms. All animals of groups 1 and 2 were experimentally modeled a muscle- aponeurotic defect of the anterior abdominal wall by an acute method up to 2.5 cm in diameter, followed by layer-by-layer suturing of this defect with a continuous wraparound single-row suture, «Vicryl» 3/0 with a barb was used as suture material with a needle In the 2nd group, plastic surgery was performed using the «on lay» technique with polypropylene mesh and suture material «Vicryl» 3/0 with a barbed needle, and mesenchymal stem cell injections were additionally performed. At the plastic site of the muscle- aponeurotic defect, the tissue of the anterior abdominal wall was taken in full layers for further histological examination. Histological examination of the wound tissues of animals of the control group 10 days after surgery showed that the wound defect was fi lled with granulation tissue at an early stage of maturation. After 30 days, the wound defect was fi lled with young loose connective tissue, in which there were sporadic islands of granulation tissue. In the area of the wound defect of 2 groups of experimental animals, after 10 days we detected maturing granulation tissue. Visually, the area of the lesion itself decreased. On the 30th day of the study, there was no granulation tissue, the wound defect was fi lled with fully matured newly formed and vascularized connective tissue. During the histological examination, it was found that as a result of the combined use of polypropylene mesh and stem cells, the regeneration of the wound defect is intensifi ed and its healing is accelerated.

Farm Animal Welfare Is a Field of Interest in China: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace.

Farm animal welfare research conducted in China is not commonly accessed or known outside of China, which may lead to the assumption that farm animal welfare receives relatively little attention in China. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on the existing Chinese farm animal welfare literature to provide robust evidence to refute this assumption. A total of 1312 peer-reviewed Chinese studies on farm animal welfare published between March 1992 and June 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. CiteSpace software was used to analyze and visualize the number, species, authors, institutions, journals, and keywords of the papers. In China, farm animal welfare research has gone through the processes of an early stage (1992-2001), rapid-growth stage (2002-2007), and mature stage (2008-present), and the scale of research continues to grow. Notably, swine and chickens have received priority attention in this area. A Matthew effect was observed for authors and institutions, with relatively little collaboration among authors and institutions. Most of the papers were published in a small number of journals, with an apparent agglomeration characteristic. The research hotspots, summarized as "feed and diet", "environmental impacts and control", "integrated rearing management", "injury and disease", "behavior and technologies for behavior monitoring", "genetic analysis", "welfare during transport and slaughter", "welfare-friendly animal product consumption", "attitudes toward farm animal welfare", and "healthy breeding". The keywords "computer vision", "recognition", "temperature", "precision livestock farming", "laying hen", and "behavior", represent the major research frontiers in the field, which could indicate potential areas of significant future research. The findings of the present bibliometric analysis confirm the fact that farm animal welfare is a field of interest in China. Farm animal welfare research in China tends to be pragmatic, with a strong emphasis on enhancing growth and production performance, as well as product quality, rather than solely concentrating on improving farm animal welfare. This paper provides insightful references that researchers can use to identify and understand the current status and future direction of the farm animal welfare field in China.

Effect of single or combined homo- and heterofermentative silage additives on the quality, nutritive value, and in vitro digestibility of ensiled wheat harvested at early dough stage of maturity

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of single or combined homo- and heterofermentative silage additives on silage quality, nutritional composition, feed value, and in vitro digestibility of ensiled wheat harvested at early dough stage of maturity. The study was carried out as a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of two levels of homofermentative silage inoculant (0 or 0.8 mg/kg) and two levels of heterofermentative silage inoculant (0 or 500 mg/kg) consisting of 4 groups with 4 replicates in each group. Control group received no silage additive. Remaining groups received either HMF, HTF, or a combination of both silage additives (HMF + HTF). pH and Flieg point of silage prepared with HMF and HTF alone or in combination were respectively lower and greater compared to control group. Nutritional composition, feed value, and in vitro true dry matter and organic matter digestibilities were unaffected among the treatments. In conclusion, the study shows that the application of single or combined HMF and HTF inoculants yields well-preserved wheat silage whereas the nutritional composition and in vitro digestibility may remain unaffected.

Glycoproteome remodeling and organelle-specific N-glycosylation accompany neutrophil granulopoiesis

Neutrophils store microbicidal glycoproteins in cytosolic granules to fight intruding pathogens, but their granule distribution and formation mechanism(s) during granulopoiesis remain unmapped. Herein, we comprehensively profile the neutrophil N-glycoproteome with spatiotemporal resolution by analyzing four key types of intracellular organelles isolated from blood-derived neutrophils and during their maturation from bone marrow-derived progenitors using a glycomics-guided glycoproteomics approach. Interestingly, the organelles of resting neutrophils exhibited distinctive glycophenotypes including, most strikingly, highly truncated N-glycans low in α2,6-sialylation and Lewis fucosylation decorating a diverse set of microbicidal proteins (e.g., myeloperoxidase, azurocidin, neutrophil elastase) in the azurophilic granules. Excitingly, proteomics and transcriptomics data from discrete myeloid progenitor stages revealed that profound glycoproteome remodeling underpins the promyelocytic-to-metamyelocyte transition and that the glycophenotypic differences are driven primarily by dynamic changes in protein expression and less by changes within the glycosylation machinery. Notable exceptions were the oligosaccharyltransferase subunits responsible for initiation of N-glycoprotein biosynthesis that were strongly expressed in early myeloid progenitors correlating with relatively high levels of glycosylation of the microbicidal proteins in the azurophilic granules. Our study provides spatiotemporal insights into the complex neutrophil N-glycoproteome featuring intriguing organelle-specific N-glycosylation patterns formed by dynamic glycoproteome remodeling during the early maturation stages of the myeloid progenitors.

Characteristics of oils and their potential source rocks from the Cherokee Platform, Oklahoma

The Woodford Shale is the most prolific source rock in the Anadarko Basin and Cherokee Platform and, over the past decade, it has become renowned for its high unconventional hydrocarbon potential. Recent Woodford Shale studies have emphasized facies heterogeneity based on lithology, sequence stratigraphy, and geochemical analyses. Data presented in this paper focus on the organic geochemical characterization and genetic relationship between the Woodford Shale and oils in the Cherokee Platform area, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The shale samples were screened by total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval (RE) that indicate a high-quality Type I/II kerogen. Vitrinite reflectance measurements (VR%) of 0.59% for the Woodford Shale indicate the samples are at an early maturity stage in this area. The Woodford Shale generally has been subdivided into three members (Upper, Middle, and Lower), but in this study only the Upper and the top part of the Middle Woodford were characterized. Both intervals alternate between suboxic and anoxic depositional conditions, along with water column stratification and episodic euxinia or photic zone anoxia (PZA). A PZA episode has been described for Upper Woodford for the first time where C40 carotenoids and aryl isoprenoids show maximum abundance.The second part of the investigation involved oils, collected from wells in the area, and a detailed correlation with the Woodford Shale. The oils showed a close correlation with the Woodford, but maturity based on biomarkers may suggest a deeper source rock with equivalent organofacies. Many of the oils examined showed varying levels of biodegradation and possible mixing with a lighter more mature oil. The oils were compared with each other to determine possible relationships and assess the petroleum system on the southern Cherokee Platform.