Fluid Components Research Articles

Identification of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus and susceptibility-related metabolites in the apoplast of mung bean leaves.

The investigation of MYMIV-infected mung bean leaf apoplast revealed viral genome presence, increased EVs secretion, and altered stress-related metabolite composition, providing comprehensive insights into plant-virus interactions. The apoplast, an extracellular space around plant cells, plays a vital role in plant-microbe interactions, influencing signaling, defense, and nutrient transport. While the involvement of apoplast and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in RNA virus infection is documented, the role of the apoplast in plant DNA viruses remains unclear. This study explores the apoplast's role in mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) infection. Our findings demonstrate the presence of MYMIV genomic components in apoplastic fluid, suggesting potential begomovirus cell-to-cell movement via the apoplast. Moreover, MYMIV infection induces increased EVs secretion into the apoplast. NMR-based metabolomics reveals altered metabolic profiles in both apoplast and symplast in response to MYMIV infection, highlighting key metabolites associated with stress and defense mechanisms. The data show an elevation of α- and β-glucose in both apoplast and symplast, suggesting a shift in glucose utilization. Interestingly, this increase in glucose does not contribute to the synthesis of phenolic compounds, potentially influencing the susceptibility of mung bean to MYMIV. Fructose levels increase in the symplast, while apoplastic sucrose levels rise significantly. Symplastic aspartate levels increase, while proline exhibits elevated concentration in the apoplast and reduced concentration in the cytosol, suggesting a role in triggering a hypersensitive response. These findings underscore the critical role of the apoplast in begomovirus infection, providing insights for targeted viral disease management strategies.

Alleviating Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide: Dayuan Yin Suppresses Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Elderly Male Rats.

The occurrence of acute lung injury (ALI) caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is prevalent and perilous among older individuals. Inflammation and oxidative stress are vital factors in the progression of ALI in this population. Dayuan Yin (DYY) is a classic Chinese herbal formula used for treating pulmonary diseases. Therefore，this situation can be well simulated by selecting suitable aged rats and induced by LPS, which is helpful to evaluate the role of DYY. The objective of this study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of DYY in reducing pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress injury in aged rats induced by LPS. In elderly male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, the ALI model was induced by injecting LPS into the peritoneal cavity. The therapeutic effect of the DYY group was evaluated after 3 days of oral administration. Lung tissue damage was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and the lung wet/dry (W/D) ratio. Inflammatory reaction in lung tissue was analyzed by counting inflammatory agents, measuring total protein (TP), and examining the concentration of inflammatory components in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung oxidative stress was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in BALF. The impact of DYY on the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, and NF-κBp65 protein was analyzed using Western Blot (WB). The administration of DYY exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in the severity of lung injury caused by LPS, leading to a reversal of the LPS-induced lung W/D ratio. Furthermore, DYY treatment resulted in decreased levels of leukocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and total protein in BALF. Additionally, DYY significantly inhibited the upregulation of Interleukin -6, Interleukin -10, and Interleukin -1β (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β) as well as Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) induced by LPS (P<0.01). The lungs experienced oxidative stress due to LPS, leading to the production of MDA and iNOS, as well as a decrease in SOD activity. DYY reduced oxidative stress in the lungs and inhibited the activation of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-NF-κBp65, with a greater effect at higher doses. In a dose-dependent manner, DYY suppresses the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the lung tissue of elderly rats, thereby reducing ALI caused by LPS. This effect may be attributed to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway activation.

Orthostatic Hemifacial Spasm in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

Among the symptoms seen in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), hemifacial spasm (HFS) is rare. Orthostatic-induced HFS preceding lumbar puncture (LP) is previously unreported. We treated two patients with unusual IIH presentations. This case series reviews the few reports of HFS in IIH and proposes a mechanism for spasm occurrence. Case 1: A woman in her mid-40s with previously controlled IIH developed daily headache, pulsatile tinnitus, right-sided trigeminal paresthesia, and right-sided HFS. The latter 2 symptoms occurred exclusively when moving from a sitting to a standing position. Imaging was unremarkable; opening pressure (OP) on LP was 46 cmH2O with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) components. Case 2: A woman in her late 40s presented with severe daily headache, pulsatile tinnitus, and left-sided HFS following weight gain. Imaging was unremarkable; OP on LP was 32 cmH2O with normal CSF components. HFS episodes persisted following LP in both patients. Increasing and initiating acetazolamide, respectively, resolved all symptoms. Earlier suggested mechanisms of HFS are based on elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) shifting the facial nerve into proximity of a vascular structure. HFS appearing upon standing and continuing after LP, and thus a lower ICP, contradicts this. We propose a mechanism based on the degree of ICP change. This theory is grounded in the lack of intracranial compliance in IIH, wherein substantial pressure changes occur following small volume changes.

Potential of Animal Bile as Bio-molluscicide against Land Snail Monacha cartusiana

Background: One of the pests that can be detrimental to crops in agroecosystems is the land snail, also known as Monacha cartusiana. Molluscicides that are chemical are the first line of defense against land snails; however, because of their toxicity to both land and aquatic life, there has been an increase in interest in the discovery of biological molluscicides that are acceptable and eco-friendly. These molluscicides are a natural and environmentally safe alternative to synthetic poisons. Methods: The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of animal bile liquid against Monacha cartusiana in vitro. Molluscicides were tested using a dipping approach on snails isolated from agricultural land. PBS was utilized as a control. Furthermore, four different concentrations of extract (12.5, 25, 50 and 100%) were evaluated across different periods, and changes in snail viability were recorded (5, 10, 20 and 40 minutes). A chemical analysis was carried out using GC-MS to determine the presence of numerous expected active chemical components in animal bile fluids. Result: The results clear that the bile had significant efficacy in killing snails at 100%, 61%, 41% and 20% after 20 hours. The findings suggest that bile contains potent chemicals and is a promising strategy for molluscicide. More research is needed to identify the specific active compounds found in animal bile, as well as their modes of action and application in vivo.

Polarization and coriolis forces impact on the Kelvin- Helmholtz instability of viscous dusty plasma

The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a dusty plasma with sheared velocity variations is analyzed, considering the effects of viscosity, rotation, and polarization parameters in dust. A theoretical framework is proposed to describe the behavior of three distinct fluid components: electron and ion fluids governed by the Boltzmann equation, as well as magnetized dust fluids influenced by nearby particles' polarization force. The dispersion relation for the KH instability is derived using normal mode analysis on linearized perturbed equation. It is found that rotation, viscosity, and polarization force based on the dusty acoustic mode optimize the basic dispersion relation of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability accurately. The critical shear is important for exciting the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and is influenced by factors such as rotation, polarization, and dusty cyclotron frequency. The growth rate of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability appears to be suppressed due to the presence of rotation, viscosity, and polarization force.

Comparison of MRI features among squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma, usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma of cervix

ObjectiveTo compare and explore the characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma (AC) and adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA) and gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) of cervix. Materials and methodsA total of 728 cervical cancers (254 cases of AC, 252 cases of ASC, and 222 cases of SCC) confirmed by histopathology were retrospectively reviewed. Among AC, 119 UEA and 47 GAC were included. Clinical baseline data and tumor morphological features on MRI (including tumor location, shape, diameter and volume, margin, growth pattern, presence of fluid component or cyst, heterogenous and peritumoral enhancement) of all cases were collected and analyzed. The signal intensity (SI) of tumor and gluteus maximus muscle were measured and their ratios (SIR) were calculated based on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and contrast-enhanced T1WI at arterial and delay phases (A/DCE-T1WI). These clinical and MRI features were compared between SCC, AC and ASC, UEA and GAC, and the specific ones of each subtype were identified. ResultsThere was a significant difference in SCC-Ag, CA-199, CEA, ADC value, SIR-DWI, presence of intratumor cyst and peritumoral enhancement between AC and ASC; in patient age, menopausal status, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, SCC-Ag, CA-125, CA-199, CEA, tumor shape, growth pattern, margin, presence of intratumor fluid component and cyst, tumor diameter and volume, ADC value, SIR-T1WI, SIR-T2WI, and SIR-DWI between SCC and AC, as well as SCC and ASC. Also, there was a significant difference in deep stromal invasion (DSI), peritumoral and heterogenous enhancement between SCC and AC, and in SIR-ACE-T1WI between SCC and ASC. There was a significant difference in reproductive history, menopausal status, FIGO stage, CA-199, DSI, lymph node metastasis (LNM), parametrial invasion (PMI), tumor location, shape, margin, growth pattern, presence of fluid component and cyst, tumor diameter and volume, SIR-T1WI, SIR-DWI, and heterogenous enhancement between GAC and UEA. ConclusionThe clinical and MRI features with significant differences among SCC, AC and ASC, and between UEA and GAC, can help to identify each subtype of cervical cancer.

High coverage of targeted lipidomics revealed lipid changes in the follicular fluid of patients with insulin-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome and a positive correlation between plasmalogens and oocyte quality.

Polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disease in women of reproductive age, and low fertility in PCOS patients may be associated with oocyte quality; however, the molecular mechanism through which PCOS-IR affects oocyte quality remains unknown. A total of 22 women with PCOS-IR and 23 women without polycystic ovary syndrome (control) who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were recruited, and clinical information pertaining to oocyte quality was analyzed. Lipid components of follicular fluid (FF) were detected using high-coverage targeted lipidomics, which identified 344 lipid species belonging to 19 lipid classes. The exact lipid species associated with oocyte quality were identified. The number (rate) of two pronuclear (2PN) zygotes, the number (rate) of 2PN cleaved embryos, and the number of high-quality embryos were significantly lower in the PCOS-IR group. A total of 19 individual lipid classes and 344 lipid species were identified and quantified. The concentrations of the 19 lipid species in the normal follicular fluid (control) ranged between 10-3 mol/L and 10-9 mol/L. In addition, 39 lipid species were significantly reduced in the PCOS-IR group, among which plasmalogens were positively correlated with oocyte quality. This study measured the levels of various lipids in follicular fluid, identified a significantly altered lipid profile in the FF of PCOS-IR patients, and established a correlation between poor oocyte quality and plasmalogens in PCOS-IR patients. These findings have contributed to the development of plasmalogen replacement therapy to enhance oocyte quality and have improved culture medium formulations for oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM).

Cosmological evolution of matter with interacting dust fluids

We split the total matter fluid into a bound (halo) component and an unbound (free particles) fluid component that is accreted by the halos. We adopt a different framework that treats the structure formation problem as a gravitational interaction between these virialised cold dark matter halos and the unbound inter-halo cold dark matter (and cold baryon) particles. This interaction involves in general an exchange of energy and momentum during the accretion process. We then explore the evolution of the average matter density and of large-scale structure formation, using a simplified phenomenological model that is based on results from extended Press–Schechter and N-body simulations. At high redshifts most matter is in diffuse form and is not part of the halos. As particles are accreted by the virialised halos, the particle number density decreases and that of the bound matter increases. We also present a general analysis of the background and linear perturbations for the interacting fluids, showing in detail the energy and momentum exchange terms.

Oil saturation quantitative evaluation in lacustrine shale: Novel insights from NMR T1-T2 and displacement experiments

Oil saturation is important for shale reservior to identify favorable sections and determine the geological sweet spots. Current oil saturation evaluation methods, including experiments and empirical formulas, are not suitable for shale reservoir because of the complex mineral, fluid components and pore structure characteristics. A novel method was proposed to accurately calculate the shale oil saturation through the morphological dynamic variation characteristics of the 1D NMR T2 spectra and the signal intensity of the different hydrocarbon-bearing components of the 2D NMR T1-T2 map of shale samples with different oil and water saturation The results (1) indicated that the NMR T2 spectrum revealed that the pore structure of shale samples is complex and highly heterogeneous, and the primary factor that determines the volume of displaced oil in the displacement experiment with slight differences in wettability is the shale’s pore size distribution. (2) shown that the NMR T1-T2 map serves as a useful tool in distinguishing different hydrocarbon-bearing components of shale samples, including kerogen, adsorbed oil, free oil, structural, adsorbed water, and free water. Typically, kerogen is found in the top left region of the T1-T2 map with 10 < T1 < 100 ms & 0.02 < T2 < 0.2 ms. Based on this, T2 threshold for free oil and adsorbed oil are 2 and 0.2 ms, and the corresponding threshold of pore radius are 40 and 4 nm according to the NMR theory. (3) found that the morphological characteristics of 1D NMR T2 spectra vary with the variation of shale oil saturation. Specifically, T2 geometric mean (T2gm) and interval porosity corresponding to the first peak (Ap1) are positively and negatively correlated with oil saturation respectively. Then, oil saturation calculation method is established using the above two parameters and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between the measured and calculated results is 5.85 %, which reflecting the accuracy and validity. In general, this method allows the shale oil saturation to be accurately calculated and provides basis for the determination of favorable sections and evaluation of resource of shale oil reservoir. Moreover, it also offers a new idea for the oil saturation prediction by NMR logging.

Volatile light hydrocarbons as thermal and alteration indicators in oil and gas fields

Volatile light hydrocarbons (VLH) are an essential component of reservoir petroleum fluids. Understanding of their origin and fate is crucial not only in exploration but increasingly also in petroleum engineering, as this greatly impacts fluid typing, proper mapping, recoverability and economic value. Due to their sensitivity to subsurface thermal stress and geological alteration processes, their proper characterisation holds promise to understanding the thermal conditions under which petroleum fluids were generated and subsequent fluid modifications during migration and within the reservoir. To study the behaviour of these hydrocarbons under different geological conditions we selected oil and gas fields from two giant conventional petroleum systems in the Arabian Peninsula collectively spanning the entire petroleum spectrum from heavy oil to dry and sour gas. In situ representative bottomhole or recombined pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) fluid composition data were constrained with molecular and stable carbon isotope geochemistry in key wells. Systematic covariance among the slope factor (SF) of propane to pentane and the isomer ratios of butane and pentane with reservoir engineering and geochemical variables in well-constrained black oil to gas condensate petroleum systems allowed the derivation of three formulas to calculate thermal maturity in terms of vitrinite reflectance equivalent from VLH fluid composition: (1) %VRe(SF) = 0.38 SF + 0.41, (2) %VRe(i4) = 1.70 (iC4/nC4) + 0.61, and (3) %VRe(i5) = 0.89 (iC5/nC5) + 0.56. The slope factor, iC4/nC4, and iC5/nC5 ratios all increase monotonically with the thermal evolution of unaltered fluids, allowing for effective application of their derived %VRe formulas across the entire unaltered fluid spectrum, from heavy oil to dry gas. Deviations from indigenous-fluid trends do occur for fluids altered by phase separation, biodegradation, thermal cracking, and thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR), but corrections can be made to minimize uncertainty in assessing true thermal maturity of altered fluids while respecting other reservoir fluid properties such as gas-to-oil ratio (GOR) and saturation pressure relationships. For instance, although a single charge that has been phase fractionated yields fluids with variable GORs, saturation pressures and slope factors, their butane and pentane isomer ratios remain reflective of the original fluid maturity. In contrast, biodegradation-induced overestimation of maturity based on the isomer ratios of butane and pentane can be corrected by the less affected SF-derived maturity parameter. Reversal to lower apparent SF-derived maturity in thermally and TSR cracked fluids can, on the other hand, be corrected by considering the less affected butane and pentane isomer ratios. Overall, maturities calculated using VLH composition correspond well with fluid type defined based on phase behaviour and source-rock kinetics, thereby putting forward new tools to quantify thermal maturity of reservoir fluids that may be applicable in other petroleum systems.

RESEARCH OF MANIFESTATION OF THE ORAL MUCOSA IN COVID-19

The oral cavity is one of the main gates for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2); the oral cavity also suffers greatly from this infection, because it is one of the most vulnerable places. In addition, since the salivary glands can serve as a reservoir for viruses and support their release into the external environment, it was concluded that saliva, as a component of oral fluid, can play an important role in the spread of coronavirus infection. This is mainly due to the ACE-2 receptor, which have a high level of expression in the keratinized surface epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, especially in the epithelial cells of the dorsal part of the tongue, tonsils, vocal cords, salivary glands and sinuses, due to which the virus replicates in and causes both oral lesions and oral symptoms mouth After entering the cell, the virus delays the response of the immune system, allowing the infection to progress, and it becomes much more difficult to fight it. Accordingly, due to the relatively high level of COVID-19-associated complications, timely diagnosis of clinical forms, including high-risk patients with prognosis their clinical course and the selection of drug treatment appropriate to the severity of the clinical course remain quite complex and controversial issues. It was emphasized that in some cases oral symptoms may be the initial or only sign of disease, and dentists should take this into account when performing a thorough clinical examination of the oral cavity.

Cycling of fluid-mobile elements through the forearc: Insights from the Cl, B, and Li isotope composition of Costa Rican spring fluids

Loss of slab-derived volatile and fluid-mobile elements (FME) through the forearc may represent a large, unaccounted for flux out of convergent margins. To address volatile recycling through the forearc and potential changes in fluid source from the progressively dehydrating subducting slab, we collected water samples from 44 different cold and thermal (>40 °C) springs on a transect across the outer forearc (∼20–40 km to the subducting slab), forearc (∼40–80 km to the slab), and arc (∼80–120 km to the slab) in Costa Rica. We focused on the heavy halogens (Cl, Br, I), as well as B and Li, given their high fluid mobility and thus limited potential for modification by subsequent fluid-rock interaction. Chlorine, boron, and lithium stable isotope ratios show dramatic ranges from −1.7 to +1.0 ‰ (n = 43), −12.0 to +30.9 ‰ (n = 35), and −2.4 to + 27.5 ‰ (n = 38), respectively, with distinct changes across the transect consistent with a sedimentary pore fluid component in the outer forearc, fluids sourced from dehydration of the slab (sediment and altered oceanic crust) in the forearc, and minimal slab input near the arc. Variations in elemental ratios (Br/Cl, I/Cl, B/Cl, Li/B) across the transect are also largely consistent with evolving FME sources during subduction. Boron isotope ratios in some higher-temperature fluids are modified due to phase separation, whereas, lithium and chlorine isotope ratios are minimally modified. Springs located in the outer forearc along a major fault (Falla Morote) deviate from the consistent across-arc trend and record almost the full range of observed isotopic values. This extreme range in values along the fault likely represents a combination of adsorption/desorption effects, weathering, and mixing with crustal fluids. Mass balance calculations show that up to ∼ 70 % of Cl, ∼50 % of Br, ∼30 % of B, ∼15 % of I, and minimal Li may be recycled through the outer forearc and forearc springs of the Costa Rican margin, therefore fluid emission via springs in global forearc regions are a potentially significant output for FME at convergent margins.

Oxidative Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid to Enhance Production from Source Rock Reservoirs

Summary The steep production declines generally observed after hydraulic fracturing in unconventional source rock reservoirs has been attributed to several potential causes. Recently, a new additive to the stimulation fluid system was proposed to extend economical longer-term production from these formations. Oxidizer-laden fracturing fluid systems are shown to create cracks and deep channels within the organic matter present in the source rock, such as kerogen, thereby increasing the source rock permeability and enhancing the hydraulic conductivity of the exposed fracture faces. To this end, the fluid design and recommendations for its application are illustrated herein. Oxidants composed of oxychlorine (ClOn−) and oxybromine (BrOn–) (where n = 0 to 4) are effective for kerogen depolymerization or degradation at depth. This study illustrates the beneficial effects of two specific oxidizers—sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and sodium bromate (NaBrO3)—on kerogen-rich source rock subjected to in-situ reservoir conditions. Source rock samples were cut and polished to test the oxidizer’s impact on the organic and inorganic regions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were performed on the rock surface to identify specific organic matter features. The samples were then chemically treated with varying conditions of NaClO2 or NaBrO3 (concentration range: 0.013–0.054 M; temperature: 150°C; and time: 3–24 hours). Samples were returned to the scanning electron microscope for post-treatment analysis. Furthermore, the oxidants were packaged within a slickwater hydraulic fracturing fluid system for field application, and their effects on viscosity and friction reduction were also studied. SEM images and EDS maps of kerogen-rich rock samples observed before and after treatment with oxidizing fluid showed a series of cracks formed throughout the organic matter domains, where increasing the concentration of oxidizer in the treatment fluid showed a clear increase in the prevalence of cracks throughout the surface. The effect of time was also observed, as short treatment times resulted in porosity/permeability creation in the kerogen, though longer treatment times were associated with more severe degradation. Optimal conditions for NaClO2 and NaBrO3 concentrations in the additive fluid systems were different and will be herein highlighted. Each oxidizer (10–20 pptg concentration) was added to slickwater with variable friction reducer concentration (1 gpt, 2 gpt, and 4 gpt), and shear sweeps performed at both 70°F and 180°F. A negligible difference is observed between the viscosities of the base fluid and the fluid with either oxidant at low friction reducer concentration. Meanwhile, flow loop tests demonstrated that the oxidizer did not affect the friction reducer except to slightly boost the performance due to the salt effect on the polymer. Two strong oxidants, available as commodity chemicals, are shown to be effective in cracking kerogen and any present organic matter, thus creating permeable channels and enhancing the overall permeability of the exposed source rock fracture faces. Meanwhile, the proposed fracturing fluid additives display good compatibility with other slickwater fluid components, demonstrating the potential for universal usage in unconventional stimulations. The recommendations for its application as a fluid additive in slickwater are herein illustrated.

Adaptive Immersed Mesh Method (AIMM) for Fluid–Structure Interaction

Our paper proposes an innovative approach for modeling Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI). Our method combines both traditional monolithic and partitioned approaches, creating a hybrid solution that facilitates FSI. At each time iteration, the solid mesh is immersed within a fluid–solid mesh, all while maintaining its independent Lagrangian hyperelastic solver. The Eulerian mesh encompasses both the fluid and solid components and accommodates various physical phenomena. We enhance the interaction between solid and fluid through anisotropic mesh adaptation and the Level-Set methods. This enables a more accurate representation of their interaction. Together, these components constitute the Adaptive Immersed Mesh Method (AIMM). For both solvers, we utilize the Variational Multi-Scale (VMS) method, mitigating potential spurious oscillations common with piecewise linear tetrahedral elements. The framework operates in 3D with parallel computing capabilities. Our method’s accuracy, robustness, and capabilities are assessed through a series of 2D numerical problems. Furthermore, we present various three-dimensional test cases and compare their results to experimental data.

Changes in the Glucose Concentration Affect the Formation of Humic-like Substances in Polyphenol-Maillard Reactions Involving Gibbsite.

The polyphenol-Maillard reaction is considered one of the important pathways in the formation of humic-like substances (HLSs). Glucose serves as a microbial energy source that drives the humification process. However, the effects of changes in glucose, particularly its concentration, on abiotic pathways remain unclear. Given that the polyphenol-Maillard reaction requires high precursor concentrations and elevated temperatures (which are not present in soil), gibbsite was used as a catalyst to overcome energetic barriers. Catechol and glycine were introduced in fixed concentrations into a phosphate-buffered solution containing gibbsite using the liquid shake-flask incubation method, while the concentration of glucose was controlled in a sterile incubation system. The supernatant fluid and HLS components were dynamically extracted over a period of 360 h for analysis, thus revealing the influence of different glucose concentrations on abiotic humification pathways. The results showed the following: (1) The addition of glucose led to a higher degree of aromatic condensation in the supernatant fluid. In contrast, the supernatant fluid without glucose (Glu0) and the control group without any Maillard precursor (CK control group) exhibited lower degrees of aromatic condensation. Although the total organic C (TOC) content in the supernatant fluid decreased in all treatments during the incubation period, the addition of Maillard precursors effectively mitigated the decreasing trend of TOC content. (2) While the C content of humic-like acid (CHLA) and the CHLA/CFLA ratio (the ratio of humic-like acid to fulvic-like acid) showed varying increases after incubation, the addition of Maillard precursors resulted in a more noticeable increase in CHLA content and the CHLA/CFLA ratio compared to the CK control group. This indicated that more FLA was converted into HLA, which exhibited a higher degree of condensation and humification, thus improving the quality of HLS. The addition of glycine and catechol without glucose or with a glucose concentration of 0.06 mol/L was particularly beneficial in enhancing the degree of HLA humification. Furthermore, the presence of glycine and catechol, as well as higher concentrations of glucose, promoted the production of N-containing compounds in HLA. (3) The presence of Maillard precursors enhanced the stretching vibration of the hydroxyl group (-OH) of HLA. After the polyphenol-Maillard reaction of glycine and catechol with glucose concentrations of 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, or 0.24 mol/L, the aromatic C structure in HLA products increased, while the carboxyl group decreased. The presence of Maillard precursors facilitated the accumulation of polysaccharides in HLA with higher glucose concentrations, ultimately promoting the formation of Al-O bonds. However, the quantities of phenolic groups and phenols in HLA decreased to varying extents.

In vivo effect of vaginal seminal plasma application on the human endometrial transcriptome: a randomized controlled trial.

Studies in humans and animals suggest that seminal plasma, the acellular seminal fluid component, stimulates the endometrium to promote immune tolerance and facilitate implantation. We designed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to investigate changes in the endometrial transcriptomic profile after vaginal application of seminal plasma. The study participants were randomized into two groups. Five women received a vaginal application of seminal plasma, and four received a placebo application with saline solution. The application was performed 2 days after HCG-triggered ovulation in an unstimulated cycle. After 5-8 days, an endometrial biopsy was collected to analyze differences in the endometrial transcriptomic profile using microarray analyses. A differential gene expression analysis and a gene set analysis were performed. The gene set enrichment analysis showed a positive enrichment of pathways associated with the immune response, cell viability, proliferation, and cellular movement. Moreover, pathways involved in implantation, embryo development, oocyte maturation, and angiogenesis were positively enriched. The differential gene expression analysis, after adjusting for multiple testing, showed no significantly differentially expressed genes between the two groups. A comparative analysis was also performed with similar studies conducted in other animals or in vitro using human endometrial cells. The comparative analysis showed that the effect of seminal plasma effect on the endometrium is similar in pigs, mice, and in vitro human endometrial cells. The present study provides evidence that seminal plasma might impact the endometrium during the implantation window, with potential to affect endometrial receptivity and embryo development.

A specific and sensitive GC-MS-MS method for the quantitative determination of 2-phenoxyethanol and selected metabolites in human blood and urine.

2-Phenoxyethanol (PhE) is widely used as a preservative in consumer products such as cosmetics as well as at the workplace as a component of metal-working fluids and hydraulic fluids. Therefore, both industry workers and consumers may potentially be exposed to PhE. An analytical method for the quantification of PhE and three selected metabolites, namely phenoxyacetic acid (PhAA), 4-hydroxyphenoxyacetic acid (4-OH-PhAA), and 4-hydroxyphenoxyethanol (4-OH-PhE), in human urine and blood was developed and validated. The sample preparation includes enzymatic hydrolysis of urine samples or protein precipitation of blood samples, followed by liquid-liquid extraction and silylation of the target analytes. Analyses of the extracts were carried out by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS). 3,4-Hydroxyphenoxyethanol, a probably minor PhE metabolite, could not be reliably analyzed due to its instability. The limits of quantification (LOQ) of the analytes ranged between 0.5 and 6.1 μg/L and 2.0 and 3.9 μg/L in urine and blood, respectively. The method was successfully applied to spot urine samples of 50 individuals without occupational exposure to PhE and additionally to blood samples from seven volunteers. In urine, PhAA and 4-OH-PhAA could be quantified in all analyzed samples, whereas 4-OH-PhE and unchanged PhE were found in 36% and 32% of the samples, respectively. In blood, PhAA was also found in every sample in levels above the LOQ, whereas PhE itself was detected in three of seven samples only. Neither 4-OH-PhAA nor 4-OH-PhE was found in any of the analyzed blood samples. The developed method promises to be a valuable tool for PhE monitoring of urine and blood samples and may also enable an advanced investigation of PhE biotransformation pathways in humans.

The interplay between membrane viscosity and ligand-binding receptor kinetics in lipid bilayers

Plasma membranes appear as deformable systems wherein molecules are free to move and diffuse giving rise to condensed microdomains (composed of ordered lipids, transmembrane proteins and cholesterol) surrounded by disordered lipid molecules. Such denser and thicker regions, namely lipid rafts, are important communication hubs for cells. Indeed, recent experiments revealed how the most of active signaling proteins co-localize on such domains, thereby intensifying the biochemical trafficking of substances. From a material standpoint, it is reasonable to assume the bilayer as a visco-elastic body accounting for both in-plane fluidity and elasticity. Consequently, lipid rafts contribute to membrane heterogeneity by typically exhibiting higher stiffness and viscosity and by locally altering the bilayer dynamics and proteins activity. A chemo-mechanical model of lipid bilayer coupled with interspecific dynamics among the resident species (typically transmembrane receptors and trasporters) has been recently formulated to explain and predict how proteins regulate the dynamic heterogeneity of membrane. However, the explicit inclusion of the membrane viscosity in the model was not considered. To this aim, the present work enriches the constitutive description of the bilayer by modeling its visco-elastic behavior. This is done through a strain-level dependent viscosity able to theoretically trace back the alteration of membrane fluidity experimentally observed in lipid phase transitions. This provides new insights into how the quasi-solid and fluid components of lipid membrane response interact with the evolution of resident proteins by affecting the activity of raft domains, with effects on cell mechano-signaling.

Little rip and pseudo rip cosmological models with coupled dark energy based on a new generalized entropy

In this paper, we study Little Rip (LR) and Pseudo Rip (PR) cosmological models containing two coupled fluids: dark energy and dark matter. We assume a spatially flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe. The interaction between the dark energy and the dark matter fluid components is described in terms of the parameters in the generalized Equation of State (EoS) in presence of the bulk viscosity. We consider entropic cosmology and use a description based on a new generalized entropy function, which was proposed by Nojiri–Odintsov–Faraoni [From nonextensive statistics and black hole entropy to the holographic dark universe, Phys. Rev. D 105(4) (2022) 044042]. Conditions for the appearance of the (LR) and the (PR) in terms of the parameters of the (EoS) are obtained. Introducing an energy density [Formula: see text] corresponding to a specified entropy function [Formula: see text], together with an interaction term [Formula: see text] in the gravitational equations of motion, we derive modified forms of the EoS parameters. We discuss the corrections of the thermodynamic parameters associated with the generalized entropy function. Properties of the late universe as well as in the early universe in this formalism are pointed out.

An inverse analysis of fluid flow through granular media using differentiable lattice Boltzmann method

This study presents a method for the inverse analysis of fluid flow problems. The focus is put on accurately determining boundary conditions and characterizing the physical properties of granular media, such as permeability, and fluid components, like viscosity. The primary aim is to deduce either constant pressure head or pressure profiles, given the known velocity field at a steady-state flow through a conduit containing obstacles, including walls, spheres, and grains. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) combined with automatic differentiation (AD) (AD-LBM) is employed, with the help of the GPU-capable Taichi programming language. A lightweight tape is used to generate gradients for the entire LBM simulation, enabling end-to-end backpropagation. Our AD-LBM approach accurately estimates the boundary conditions for complex flow paths in porous media, leading to observed steady-state velocity fields and deriving macro-scale permeability and fluid viscosity. The method demonstrates significant advantages in terms of prediction accuracy and computational efficiency, making it a powerful tool for solving inverse fluid flow problems in various applications.