Initial Stage Research Articles

Clinical Outcomes in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)-Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) Protocol Increased by Administering Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH) in the Initial Stage of the Luteal Phase: A Retrospective Analysis.

The objective of this study was to determine if gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) administration supporting the luteal phase in frozen embryo transfer (FET) improves clinical outcomes Methods and materials This is a retrospective cohort study and we analyzed 3515 cycles of FET at the Department of Reproductive Medicine in our hospital from February 2018 through December 2021. Patients were divided into the GnRH (triptorelin+progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)) group and the non-GnRHa (existing treatment without triptorelin) group. There were 1033 and 2485 cases in the above groups, respectively. Live birth rates (LBR) and clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) were contrasted in the two groups. We found greater CPR (58.00% versus 48.40%, P-value = 0.003) and LBR (52.70% versus 45.60%, P-value = 0.001) for HRT-FET cycles, and found no clinical significance for natural cycle FET (NC-FET) (58.20% versus 52.90%, P-value = 0.364 and 54.40% versus 47.00%, P-value=0.211), GnRH+HRT-FET (53.00% versus 53.00%, P-value=0.176 and 46.20% versus 47.30%, P-value=0.794), and stimulation-FET (59.30% versus 52.90%, P-value=.00.566 and 59.30% versus 47.10%, P-value=.00.247) in terms of CPR and LBR in the two groups. There was a 47% increase in CPR in the GnRH group, and there was a 33% increase in LBR in the same group. During HRT-FET cycles, administering triptorelin three to four times in the existing luteal support can improve CPR and LBR, and administering triptorelin during the initial stage of the luteal phase can prove a new option for luteal support.

A CFD study on the start-up hydrodynamics of fluid catalytic cracking regenerator integrated with chemical looping combustion

ABSTRACT The integration of chemical looping combustion with fluid catalytic cracking (CLC-FCC) is an innovative concept that serves as a cost-effective method for CO2 capture in refineries. This approach has the potential to reduce refinery CO2 emissions by 25–35%, offering a promising solution. As in the conventional FCC unit, it is common for CLC-FCC regenerators to be exposed to an on-off process while they are being maintained and cleaned. The novelty of this research lies in its specific focus on a less-explored phase (start-up) of CLC-FCC regenerators, the application of advanced CFD modeling, and the comprehensive analysis of operational parameters that influence the system’s performance. To validate the CFD simulations of the different drag models for solid-gas granular, bed density profiles under steady-state conditions, collected from industrial processes, were used. For the flow period based on the start-up process of the drag models, the fluidization gas inlet geometry of the regenerator, flow regime (laminar and turbulent), and superficial gas velocity were comprehensively investigated to reveal their effects on hydrodynamic characteristics. The results show that Gidaspow and Syamlal-O’Brien drag models of the solid-gas multiphase granular flow exhibited a better fit with industrial data. The Syamlal-O’Brien and Gidaspow models closely align with industrial data under steady-state conditions, displaying similar bed densities in the dense phase region (230–310 kg/m3 for Syamlal-O’Brien and 235–300 kg/m3 for Gidaspow). During the initial stage (less than 0.2 seconds), both laminar and turbulent models yield comparable bed density profiles, approximately 510 kg/m3 in the dense phase. However, as the process progresses, the dense phase density decreases to about 250–350 kg/m3 at around 0.5 seconds, with laminar flow models showing a slightly better fit with industrial data. Notably, at 0.5 seconds of fluidization time, inlet geometries having better gas distribution achieve a highly diluted phase with bed densities of 10–20 kg/m3. Reaching a steady state, the bed density decreases from around 400 kg/m3 to 260–300 kg/m3, expanding into a higher section of the regenerator where it aligns well with industrial data. The increase in superficial gas velocity would result in the clarification of the difference and well mixing of the solid-gas multiphase flow.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy in acne vulgaris management: Assessing efficacy and safety.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of IPL in the treatment of Acne vulgaris. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: CMH, Peshawar. Period: 15th January 23 to 15th May 23. Material & Methods: 35 participants having acne vulgaris with age range from 18-35 years were selected. Participants who had used any form of topical, oral, or alternative treatments for acne, including retinoids, within the six months preceding the commencement of the study, history of systemic steroid intake, photosensitivity and herpes simplex, were excluded. Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score was used to ascertain the severity of acne vulgaris. Four sessions of weekly Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) sessions, utilizing filters of 420nm, 510nm and 560nm for participants having skin type III, IV and V respectively were employed. GAGS score was calculated one week after the last session. Side effects were recorded, degree of improvement and patient reported outcome was noted using a four-point scale limited =<25%, marked =25%-50%, promising 50-75% and profound =>75%. Results: Mean age of participants was 21.63 ± 4.63 years, with a mean duration of acne was 4.26 ± 2.20 years. The mean baseline GAGS score I decreased from 22.00±5.26 to 11.58±4.80, as observed one week following the last IPL session. The calculated p-value was statistically significant (<0.000). 54% of patients encountered no adverse reactions. Conclusion: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) emerges as a secure and efficacious treatment choice, particularly in the initial stages, to enhance the response to therapy.

A retrospective Italian Society of Veterinary Oncology (SIONCOV) study of 56 cats with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant primary bone cancer, but it is infrequently reported in cats. Feline appendicular osteosarcoma typically exhibits good prognosis when treated with surgery alone. A retrospective multi-institutional study was conducted to identify possible prognostic factors. Cats diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma were included if initial staging and follow-up information were available. Data including signalment, tumour characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes were collected and analysed. Fifty-six cats were included; the femur was the most frequently affected bone. Eight cats had distant metastasis at admission and an additional 9 developed metastatic disease during follow-up, resulting in an overall metastatic rate of 30%. Forty-nine (87.5%) cats underwent surgery, and 4 also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Among operated cats, median time to local progression (TTLP), time to distant progression and tumour-specific survival (TSS) were not reached. One- and 2-year survival rates were 66% and 55%, respectively. Seven (12.5%) cats received no treatment; 1- and 2-year survival rates were 25% and 0%, respectively. Operated cats had significantly longer TTLP (P < .001) and TSS (P = .001) compared with non-operated cats. Among operated cats, young age negatively impacted local tumour progression, while the presence of distant metastasis at diagnosis was associated with a higher risk of tumour-related death. This study reaffirms the good prognosis for cats with appendicular osteosarcoma undergoing surgery, but sheds light on some additional factors to consider. Accurate initial staging is recommended, as the metastatic rate may exceed many previous estimations. Surgery substantially extends survival time, whereas the role of chemotherapy remains uncertain.

An evaluation of digital filtering and 4DVar data assimilation in the WRF model towards the simulation of tropical cyclones

Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models generate enormous noises due to imbalances in the mass and wind fields at the initial stage, such as bogus gravity waves. Therefore, Initialization techniques have been developed to eliminate spurious gravity waves from the analysis. In this work, a digital filter initialization (DFI) method within the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model, known as twice diabatic filter initialization, is used to reduce the noises from the model’s initial and boundary conditions. The conventional observations and satellite radiances have been assimilated using the 4DVar method in the WRF model. The performance of the optimized model framework has been evaluated for the simulation of four very severe cyclonic storms, namely Lehar (2013), Vardah (2016), Titli (2018), and Bulbul (2019) over the North Indian Ocean. A successful 6-hourly cycling data assimilation produced superior initial and boundary conditions, and the free forecasts, based on the final cycling assimilation, showed a better simulation for selected cyclones. The DFI with 4DVar substantially enhanced the simulation of cyclone characteristics, including track, intensity, and induced rainfall. The along-track and cross-track errors in the cyclones’ simulations were reduced by approximately 20–25% in the 4DVar_DFI experiments. Thus, the results provide reasonable confidence in using DFI with the 4DVar method for the NIO cyclone’s real-time prediction.

Extensive post-transcriptional regulation revealed by integrative transcriptome and proteome analyses in salicylic acid-induced flowering in duckweed (Lemna gibba).

Duckweed is an aquatic model plant with tremendous potential in industrial and agricultural applications. Duckweed rarely flowers which significantly hinders the resource collection and heterosis utilization. Salicylic acid (SA) can significantly induce duckweed to flower; however, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this work, transcriptome and proteome were conducted in parallel to examine the expression change of genes and proteins in Lemna gibba under SA treatment. A high-quality reference transcriptome was generated using Iso-Seq strategy, yielding 42,281 full-length transcripts. A total of 422, 423, and 417 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), as well as 213, 51, and 92 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), were identified at flower induction, flower initiation, and flowering stages by ssRNA-seq and iTRAQ methods. Most DEGs and DEPs were only regulated at either the transcriptomic or proteomic level. Additionally, DEPs exhibited low expression correlations with the corresponding mRNAs, suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation plays a pivotal role in SA-induced flowering in L. gibba. Specifically, the genes related to photosynthesis, stress, and hormone metabolism were mainly regulated at the mRNA level, those associated with mitochondrial electron transport / ATP synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, and secondary metabolism were regulated at the protein level, while those related to redox metabolism were regulated at the mRNA and/or protein levels. The post-transcriptional regulation of genes relevant to hormone synthesis, transcription factors, and flowering was also extensively analyzed and discussed. This is the first study of integrative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses in duckweed, providing novel insights of post-transcriptional regulation in SA-induced flowering of L. gibba.

Cold deep subduction of Indian continental crust and release of ultrahigh‐pressure fluid during initial exhumation: Insights from coesite‐bearing eclogite‐vein systems in Kaghan Valley, Pakistan

AbstractThe ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) eclogites from the Kaghan Valley in Pakistan, which formed by the deep subduction of the Indian plate beneath the Asian plate in the Eocene, contain complex metamorphic vein systems (including both isolated veins and vein networks), with mineral assemblages of epidote + quartz + kyanite + phengite ± omphacite ± garnet. The investigations on the Kaghan UHP eclogite‐vein systems provide important insights into the mechanism and timing of metamorphic dehydration, fluid flow, and fluid–rock interaction in the deeply subducted Indian continental slab as well as the chemical characteristics of slab‐derived, aqueous fluids. Abundant lawsonite pseudomorphs, characterized by prismatic aggregates of epidote, kyanite, and quartz porphyroblasts, are first recognized in the Kaghan eclogites. This observation, in combination with the occurrence of coesite pseudomorphs in epidote porphyroblasts as well as the coexistence of epidote and coesite in the eclogite zircon, indicates the previous existence of UHP lawsonite in these eclogites. Petrological studies and phase equilibrium modelling reveal clockwise P–T trajectories for the Kaghan eclogites that are featured by prograde vectors in lawsonite‐stability regions with peak conditions of 3.0–3.4 GPa/650–690°C, followed by isothermal decompression and lawsonite breakdown under UHP conditions during the initial exhumation stage. The results of metamorphic evolution, together with in situ epidote and bulk Sr isotopic analyses, indicate that the fluids responsible for vein systems are most likely derived from the breakdown of UHP lawsonite in the eclogites. SIMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircons from the eclogites, integrated with the Raman analysis of inclusions in zircons, indicates that the UHP dehydration of eclogites occurred at 46.4 ± 1.2 and 46.8 ± 0.9 Ma. Analyses of hydrothermal zircons from the veins yielded slightly younger ages of 44.7 ± 1.0 and 44.9 ± 1.4 Ma, which represent the timing of fluid flow and/or vein crystallization during exhumation of the UHP rocks. Mass‐balance calculation results, in combination with the vein compositions, show that the fluid flow and fluid‐eclogite interaction led to the transfer of Si, Al, Ca, K, and incompatible trace elements from the eclogites into the fluids, from which the vein systems crystallized. This study indicates cold deep subduction of Indian continental crust along low geothermal gradients (6–7°C/km). The UHP fluid liberation and channelized fluid flow occurred during the initial exhumation of the cold Indian slab and are expected to induce the transfer of H2O and incompatible trace elements from the Indian slab to the Asian lithosphere, which potentially contributes to the formation of post‐collisional magmas. Moreover, we suggest that metamorphic vein systems in UHP lawsonite eclogites offer important constraints on the occurrence and timing of fast slab exhumation in continental subduction‐collision zones.

Transition from oceanic subduction to continental collision: Insights from volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks of the Tannuola terrane (northern Central Asian Orogenic Belt)

Magmatism associated with oceanic subduction plays a dominant role in crustal growth during the Earth’s evolution. The Tannuola terrane, situated in the northern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is a key area to understanding oceanic subduction and initial collision processes in the northern CAOB. In order to investigate the switch from subduction to collision settings, detailed field mapping, zircon SHRIMP U-Pb geochronological and whole-rock geochemical studies of volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks from the Tannuola terrane were carried out. Zircon U-Pb ages indicate multi-stage volcanism lasted at least 30 Ma from ∼540 to ∼510 Ma, that can be divided into three events: the late Ediacaran (before ∼540 Ma), the early Cambrian (∼520 Ma) and the middle Cambrian (∼510 Ma). These ages are interpreted to the initial, main and final stages of oceanic subduction during the late Proterozoic – early Paleozoic. During the late Ediacaran, tholeiitic basalts with high εNd(t) values (from +7.4 to +8.5) were emplaced. Likely forming by the 10 %–30 % partial melting of spinel – garnet mantle source during slab subduction. During the early Cambrian, transitional from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basaltic rocks with εNd(t) value (+5.6) and coeval intermediate–felsic volcanic rocks with similar εNd(t) values (+5.9 and +6.5) formed. The early Cambrian basaltic rocks are interpreted to be derived by 10 %–30 % partial melting of a depleted mantle source metasomatized by slab-derived fluids released from the subducting oceanic slab. The middle Cambrian calc-alkaline basaltic rocks with εNd(t) value of +6.2 might be emplaced as a result of low (5 %–10 %) degree partial melting of a metasomatized mantle followed by fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene and plagioclase. Associated intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks with εNd(t) values from +6.0 to +6.8 were formed through fractionation of the juvenile Neoproterozoic sources. The middle Cambrian volcanism is interpreted to be triggered by the slab break-off during the transition to a collisional setting.

Enhancement effects of mangrove restoration on blue carbon storage in Qinzhou Bay

IntroductionMangroves are the main carbon sinks in tropical regions and have high capabilities for carbon sequestration. Protection and restoration of mangroves are necessary to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. While the Qinzhou Bay as the main area of national mangrove restoration plan in the future, studies on its carbon pools, especially assessment of the carbon sink enhancement effect of restored mangroves along forest chronosequence, are lacking.MethodsThis study aimed to quantify the changes in restored mangrove soil carbon stock, vegetation and root carbon stocks along the forest age sequence in Qinzhou Bay through field survey.ResultsThe results revealed that the carbon stocks of vegetation and roots significantly increased with the developing forest age. Only in the soil layer above 30 cm, the soil carbon storage apparently increased with the developing forest age in non-cofferdam area, and then decreased slowly after reaching the peak (at 6 ~ 8 years). Moreover, the soil carbon storage of mangroves was greater in the cofferdam area than in the non-cofferdam area.DiscussionThis implied that the cofferdam restoration efforts may be more effective in enhancing blue carbon storage, during the initial stages of the restoration process. The results of this study suggested that mangrove restoration has substantial potential capacity in carbon storage and nutrient cycling, providing a reference for the protection and restoration efforts concerning mangroves.

Mechanisms of oxidative response during biodegradation of malathion by S. oneidensis MR-1

Malathion, an extensively used organophosphorus pesticide, poses a high potential risk of toxicity to humans and the environment. Shewanella (S.) oneidensis MR-1 has been proposed as a strain with excellent bioremediation capabilities, capable of efficiently removing a wide range of hard-to-degrade pollutants. However, the physiological and biochemical response of S. oneidensis MR-1 to malathion is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how S. oneidensis MR-1 responds physiologically and biochemically to malathion while also investigating the biodegradation properties of the pesticide. The results showed that the 7-day degradation rates of S. oneidensis MR-1 were 84.1, 91.6, and 94.0% at malathion concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 mg/L, respectively. As the concentration of malathion increased, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were inhibited, leading to a significant rise in malondialdehyde content. This outcome can be attributed to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by malathion stress. In addition, ROS production stimulates the secretion of soluble polysaccharides, which alleviates oxidative stress caused by malathion. Malathion-induced oxidative damage further exacerbated the changes in the cellular properties of S. oneidensis MR-1. During the initial stages of degradation, the cell density and total intracellular protein increased significantly with increasing malathion exposure. This can be attributed to the remarkable resistance of S. oneidensis MR-1 to malathion. Based on scanning electron microscopy observations, continuous exposure to contaminants led to a reduction in biomass and protein content, resulting in reduced cell activity and ultimately leading to cell rupture. In addition, this was accompanied by a decrease in Na+/K+- ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase levels, suggesting that malathion-mediated oxidative stress interfered with energy metabolism in S. oneidensis MR-1. The findings of this study provide new insights into the environmental risks associated with organophosphorus pesticides, specifically malathion, and their potential for bioremediation.Graphical

New Library of Iodo-Quinoline Derivatives Obtained by an Alternative Synthetic Pathway and Their Antimicrobial Activity.

6-Iodo-substituted carboxy-quinolines were obtained using a one-pot, three-component method with trifluoroacetic acid as a catalyst under acidic conditions. Iodo-aniline, pyruvic acid and 22 phenyl-substituted aldehydes (we varied the type and number of radicals) or O-heterocycles, resulting in different electronic effects, were the starting components. This approach offers advantages such as rapid response times, cost-effective catalysts, high product yields and efficient purification procedures. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to examine the impact of aldehyde structure on the synthesis pathway. A library of compounds was obtained and characterized by FT-IR, MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy and single-ray crystal diffractometry. Their antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis, K. pneumonie and C. parapsilosis was tested in vitro. The effect of iodo-quinoline derivatives on microbial adhesion, the initial stage of microbial biofilm development, was also investigated. This study suggests that carboxy-quinoline derivatives bearing an iodine atom are interesting scaffolds for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

Which stars can form planets: Planetesimal formation at low metallicities

The diversity of exoplanets has been linked to the disc environment in which they form, where the host star metallicity and the formation pathways play a crucial role. In the context of the core accretion paradigm, the initial stages of planet formation require the growth of dust material from micrometre-sized to planetesimal-sized bodies before core accretion can kick in. Although numerous studies have been conducted on planetesimal formation, it is still poorly understood how this process takes place in low-metallicity stellar environments. In this work, we explore how planetesimals are formed in stellar environments with primarily low metallicities. We performed global 1D viscous disc evolution simulations, including the growth of dust particles and the evaporation and condensation of chemical species at ice lines. We followed the formation of planetesimals during disc evolution and tested different metallicities, disc sizes, and turbulent viscosity strengths. We find that at solar and sub-solar metallicities, there is a significant increase in the midplane dust-to-gas mass ratios at the ice lines, but this leads to planetesimal formation only at the water--ice line. In our simulations Fe/H $= -0.6$ is the lower limit of metallicity for planetesimal formation where a few Earth masses of planetesimals can form. Our results further show that for such extreme disc environments, large discs are more conducive than small discs for forming large amounts of planetesimals at a fixed metallicity because the pebble flux can be maintained for a longer time, resulting in a longer and more efficient planetesimal formation phase. At lower metallicities, planetesimal formation is less supported in quiescent discs compared to turbulent discs, which produce larger amounts of planetesimals, because the pebble flux can be maintained for a longer time. The amount of planetesimals formed at sub-solar metallicities in our simulations places a limit on core sizes that could potentially result only in the formation of super-Earths.

Research on the Strength Damage and Permeability Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill under Chlorine Salt Erosion and Dry–Wet Cycles

Cement paste backfill (CPB) suffers serious damage and deterioration under the dual erosion conditions of the dry–wet cycle caused by the high chloride salt concentration in mine water and the fluctuation of mine water level. In order to discuss the mechanical properties and permeability characteristics of CPB under erosion, this study designs an immersion experiment for CPB under chloride salt and dry–wet cycle conditions. Through a uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test, the change law for the mechanical parameters of the CPB was investigated, the strength constitutive equation of the CPB was constructed and the deterioration process of the CPB was analyzed. The penetration test was used to investigate the diffusion characteristics of the packing under chloride salt and dry–wet cycle conditions. The results showed that the strength and Young’s modulus of the CPB initially increased and then rapidly decreased, with maximum decrease rates of 32.2% and 38.2%, respectively. The CPB structure exhibits an initial undamaged stage, an initial damaged stage, a damaged development stage, a damaged destruction stage and a residual damaged stage. The chloride ion penetration depth gradually increased with the number of dry–wet cycles, with a maximum diffusion depth of 20.5 mm. The maximum apparent diffusion coefficient of chloride ion was 18.99 × 10−10 m2/s, and the maximum concentration was 0.303 mol/L. Under the double erosion conditions of chloride salt and dry–wet cycle, the CPB structure was severely damaged.

Role of serum micro-RNA 486-5p in Egyptian cirrhotic hepatitis C patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the prevailing primary liver tumor. To pick HCC at the initial stages is quite strenuous, despite the advent of serum biomarkers, mainly alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), to predict the development and progression of HCC. One proposed biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC is micro-RNA 486-5p (miRNA 486-5p). Hence, the current study was conducted to interrogate the role of miRNA 486-5p in the diagnosis of HCC in a cohort of Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) related liver cirrhosis (LC). This case–control study included twenty-five patients with HCC as studied cases and twenty-five patients with LC as controls. Patients in both groups were classified according to the Child–Pugh score. HCC patients were further classified according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification.ResultsMiRNA 486-5p was found to be statistically notably elevated in patients with HCC than in those with LC. It was found to significantly correlate with portal vein invasion.ConclusionsSerum miRNA 486-5p could be a particularly sensitive biomarker in the diagnosis of HCC as well as prediction of portal vein invasion, as firmly advocated by this study.

Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

The effect of seed germination and Bacillus spp. on the ripening of plant cheese analogs.

The development of novel plant-based fermented food products for which no traditional templates exist requires the development of starter cultures. Although the principles of microbial flavor formation in plant-based analogs partially overlap with dairy fermentations, the composition of the raw materials and thus likely the selective pressure on the activity of starter cultures differs. Experiments that are described in this study explored the use of seed germination, the use of lactic acid bacteria, and the use of bacilli to reduce hygienic risks, to acidify plant milk, and to generate taste-active compounds through proteolysis and fermentative conversion of carbohydrates. The characterization of fermentation microbiota by culture-dependent and culture-independent methods also confirmed that the starter cultures used were able to control microbial communities throughout 90 d of ripening. Taken together, the results provide novel tools for the development of plant-based analogs of fermented dairy products.

Optimization Method of Production System for Coalbed Methane Wells throughout Life Cycle

Different from conventional gas reservoirs, the permeability of coalbeds is affected by stress sensitivity and matrix shrinkage during production. These two conditions lead to lower permeability in the reservoir and affect the production efficiency of the gas well. In addition, coalbed methane wells have single-phase water flow in the initial stage of production. When the reservoir pressure is reduced to its critical desorption pressure, the adsorbed gas in the reservoir desorbs into the pore space and participates in the flow. The flow state in the reservoir changes from single-phase to two phase, and the permeability of the reservoir decreases. The occurrence of these three damage mechanisms is related to the flow rate of fluid in the reservoir. At present, there is a lack of research on the optimization of drainage and production systems considering the damage mechanism of coal reservoirs. This study comprehensively considers how to optimize the production rate of coal reservoirs under the influence of stress sensitivity, matrix shrinkage and two phase flow in the production process to achieve the purpose of production with the least damage to the reservoir.

Non-lamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles as nanocarriers for enhanced drug encapsulation of atorvastatin calcium and proanthocyanidins

Atorvastatin calcium (ATV) and proanthocyanidins (PAC) have a strong antioxidant activity, that can benefit to reduce the atherosclerotic plaque progression. Unfortunately, the bioavailability of ATV is greatly reduced due to its limited drug solubility while the PAC drug is unstable upon exposure to the atmospheric oxygen. Herein, the lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LLCNPs) constructed by a binary mixture of soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and citric acid ester of monoglyceride (citrem) at different weight ratios were used to encapsulate the hydrophobic ATV and hydrophilic PAC. The LLCNPs were further characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering and dynamic light scattering. Depending on the lipid composition, the systems have a size range of 140–190 nm and were able to encapsulate both drugs in the range of 90–100%. Upon increasing the citrem content of drug-loaded LLCNPs, the hexosomes (H2) was completely transformed to an emulsified inverse micellar (L2). The optimum encapsulation efficiency (EE) of ATV and PAC were obtained in citrem/SPC weight ratio 4:1 (L2) and 1:1 (H2), respectively. There was a substantial change in the mean size and PDI of the nanoparticles upon 30 days of storage with the ATV-loaded LLCNPs exhibiting greater colloidal instability than PAC-loaded LLCNPs. The biphasic released pattern (burst released at the initial stage followed by the sustained released at the later stage) was perceived in ATV formulation, while the burst drug released pattern was observed in PAC formulations that could be attributed by its internal H2 structure. Interestingly, the cytokine studies showed that the PAC-LLCNPs promisingly up regulate the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) better than the drug-free and ATV-loaded LLCNPs samples. The structural tunability of citrem/SPC nanoparticles and their effect on physicochemical characteristic, biological activities and potential as an alternative drug delivery platform in the treatment of atherosclerosis are discussed.

Early ontogeny of the freshwater fish Rhytiodus microlepis (Characiformes, Anostomidae) from the Amazon basin.

The early development of the freshwater fish Rhytiodus microlepis is characterized by the description of external morphological, meristic, and morphometric changes, as well as the growth patterns, thereby establishing a reference for the identification of its larvae and juveniles. Specimens were collected from the Amazon river channel and floodplain. Ninety-seven individuals were analysed with standard length varying between 4.31 and 79.23 mm. Rhytiodus microlepis larvae are altricial, with an elongated and fusiform body, anal opening reaching the middle region of the body, and simple nostrils becoming double and tubular during development. The pigments vary from one to two chromatophores in the dorsal region of the head in pre-flexion and flexion, but later the pigmentation pattern intensifies, transverse bands appear along the body, and a conspicuous spot appears in the basal region of the caudal fin. The total number of myomeres ranges from 49 to 50. During the transition from larval (post-flexion) to the juvenile periods, the most significant anatomical changes occur, such as the presence of all fins and increased body pigmentation. Integrated myomere count and pigmentation pattern are effective for the correct identification of the initial life stages of R. microlepis from the Amazon basin. Our results expand the knowledge about the early life history of Neotropical freshwater fish species.

Alignment Efficiency of Two Archwires in Adolescents with Moderate to Severe Crowding

There is no consensus in clinical orthodontics on which aligning arch wire should be used at the initial stage of treatment. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficiency of multistranded Nitinol (Supercable) aligning arch-wire versus a standard arch-wire (Nitinol) in the first stage of orthodontic treatment in adolescents with severe crowding. Forty patients ages 12 to 17 with an Irregularity Index as proposed by Little between 5 to 17 mm were selected. Vinyl polysiloxane impressions (VPS) were taken before treatment (T1) at 6 weeks (T2) and 12 weeks (T3). Roth prescription .022 x .028 Edgewise brackets were bonded using light cure adhesive to the six anterior teeth of each dental arch and bands were placed on all first molars. Subjects were paired by gender and Irregularity Index into two groups of 20 each and assigned either to the control group (Nitinol) or the experimental archwire (Supercable). The predictor variables in this study were the type of archwire, type of dental arch and the time intervals. The outcome variable was the Irregularity Index score. The Irregularity Index was measured using 3D digital study models (e-models) and GeoDigm software from the VPS impressions taken at T1, T2 and T3. The data was analyzed with both a Two and Three-way Analysis of Variance (p≤0.05) to identify differences in the alignment of the maxillary and mandibular teeth and to determine differences between the two archwires. The Two and Three way ANOVA showed that there was a statistically significant difference (p≤0.05) in the alignment capabilities between the maxilla and the mandible. However, there was no evidence of a statistically significant difference (p=0.301) between NiTi and Supercable archwires at any time interval.