Injection Test Research Articles

Rutin engages opioid/benzodiazepine receptors towards anti-neuropathic potential in a rat model of chronic constriction injury: relevance to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Neuropathic pain is a chronic type of pain caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. It can be quite bothersome and often doesn't well respond to common painkillers. Among natural compounds, rutin (Rut) stands out for its remarkable antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this research, our objective is to investigate the impact of Rut on an animal model of chronic constriction injury (CCI). A total of 54 adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into nine separate groups. Groups included sham, CCI, gabapentin (GBP, 100 mg/kg), Rut (10, 25 mg/kg), flumazenil (FLU, 0.5 mg/kg), naloxone (NAL, 0.1 mg/kg), Rut (10 mg/kg) + FLU (0.5 mg/kg), and Rut (10 mg/kg) + NAL (0.1 mg/kg). The aforementioned drug injection (intraperitoneal, i.p.) and sensorimotor behavioral tests were performed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 14. Biochemical (e.g., nitrite, catalase, glutathione), zymography (matrix-metalloproteinase 2 and 9), and histopathological tests were performed on day 14 after surgery. The findings demonstrated that Rut administration effectively alleviated symptoms of allodynia/hyperalgesia, and improved locomotor activity following CCI. Additionally, Rut administration resulted in increased catalase and glutathione activity, while reducing serum nitrite levels, as well as matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 activity. Additionally, histological results indicated that Rut improved sciatic nerve regeneration. Since the aforementioned effects of Rut were reversed by using opioid and benzodiazepine receptor antagonists (i.e., NAL and FLU, respectively), the receptors' involvement was revealed in the anti-neuropathic effects of Rut. In conclusion,Rut emerged as a potentially effective candidate for treating neuropathic pain and improving motor function by increasing antioxidant mediators, suppressing inflammation, and activating opioid/benzodiazepine receptors.

Research on integrated injection-production optimization technology of electric submersible pump for Bohai oilfield heavy oil thermal recovery

The geological reserves of ordinary heavy oil suitable for thermal injection development in Bohai Oilfield are about 450 million tons. The traditional thermal recovery process uses a two trip injection-production string development method, which frequently starts and stops operations, resulting in additional cold damage and high costs. The efficiency of the jet pump injection-production integrated string system is also low, and production control is difficult. Therefore, based on the results of an integrated field test of electric submersible pump injection and production, this article optimizes its key technologies, removes high-temperature downhole on-off valves, re develops high-temperature deep well exhaust valves, and optimizes the structure of the packer as the installation platform for deep well exhaust valves. Indoor and field tests were conducted, and the results showed that the improved integrated technology of electric submersible pump injection and production met the requirements of 250 ℃ - room temperature and 21 MPa dynamic sealing. It can achieve multiple rounds of non repair injection and production conversion under steam throughput development mode, while reducing platform space requirements and injection heat loss, improving system efficiency and economy. The integrated optimization technology of electric submersible pump injection and production has good stability and applicability, and can be further promoted and applied.

Ultrasonographic Changes in the Anterior Scalene Muscle in Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) encompasses multiple symptoms produced by compression of the neurovascular bundle within the thoracic outlet. The subtypes of thoracic outlet are termed for the major affected structure including neurogenic (nTOS), venous (vTOS), and arterial (aTOS) thoracic outlet syndrome. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome accounts for over 95 percent of thoracic outlet syndrome cases and occurs from compression of the brachial plexus. Patients present with numbness, tingling, and upper arm weakness that is reproduced by activities requiring arm elevation or sustained hand use. Diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome is based on physical exam, electrodiagnostic testing, scalene muscle injection testing, and imaging. Ultrasonographically identifiable changes in the anterior scalene muscle in symptomatic patients undergoing treatment for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (nTOS) have not previously been reported. We sought to describe a consistently seen change in the anterior scalene muscle seen on ultrasound in many patients treated for nTOS at our institution. Symptomatic patients undergoing anterior scalene muscle block for nTOS were imaged using ultrasound and compared to a control group of asymptomatic patients. Patients excluded were those who had previously undergone surgical intervention in the neck. Images were randomized and evaluated by four separate observers who regularly treat nTOS to determine if images of symptomatic patients differed from asymptomatic patients. Identifiable abnormalities in the anterior scalene muscle were compared between the groups (n=50 and n=50). Twenty separate observers who do not regularly treat nTOS were instructed to delineate the difference between normal and abnormal anterior scalene muscles after being trained with three normal and three abnormal images. This group of observers was then given a one hundred question exam of randomized ultrasound images of anterior scalene muscles from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients to determine the reproducibility of our findings. 48/50 ultrasound images of symptomatic patients' anterior scalene muscles and 48/50 ultrasound images of asymptomatic patients were correctly identified as such by four expert observers (p=0.6171). Sensitivity was 96% and specificity was 96%. Twenty non-expert observers were able to accurately identify muscular abnormalities at a mean rate of 90.55% with a false positive rate of 3.65% and false negative rate of 5.8% CONCLUSION: Patients with symptomatic nTOS demonstrate specific pathological abnormalities in the anterior scalene muscle that are identifiable on ultrasound. Non-experts can be taught to accurately characterize changes after a short period of instruction.

Experimental Study: Stress Path Coefficient in Unconsolidated Sands: Effects of Re-Pressurization and Depletion Hysteresis

Accurate estimation of in-situ stresses is a critical parameter for geo-mechanical modelling. In-situ stresses are estimated in the field from logs and frac tests. Laboratory tests are performed with cored material to estimate horizontal stress changes under defined boundary conditions to complement field data. Horizontal stress path coefficient is used to estimate a change in in-situ stresses as the reservoir undergoes depletion or injection. Uniaxial Strain boundary conditions are representative of far field stress state. The laboratory data provides the change in horizontal stress with a change in pore pressure. It is used to complement the field data acquisition of absolute stress values to predict the value of total stresses. This experimental study provides a novel method of simulating geological compaction for fabricating representative samples from unconsolidated sands. It investigates the variability of horizontal stress path coefficient as a function of changing pore pressure (depressurization and re-pressurization) in unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs. Synthetic sandstones samples were made from sand packs by consolidating them under an isostatic stress path at ambient pore pressure. After getting to initial reservoir conditions, a series of pore pressure depletion and injection tests with varying magnitudes (injection and depletion) were performed to study the effects of stress path direction and associated hysteresis. The magnitude of the stress path coefficient under depletion is lower than that under injection for the first load-unload cycle. In subsequent load-unload cycles, the stress path coefficient values remain constant until the sample is depleted to a new level of pore pressure. A Modified Cam Clay model is fit to the data to map the expansion of the yield surface and quantify the model parameters. Application of this research includes accurate prediction of changes in-situ stresses during depletion and injection stress paths for simulating unconsolidated reservoirs behavior under fluid injection or further depletion.

Research on dust and rockburst control technology for coal mining and mathematical correlation

As many coal mines in China enter the deep mining stage, underground mining is starting to cause some problems, including dust disasters, rockburst, and coal and gas outburst in enclosed sites. In this study, water injection tests were conducted on coal samples using a coal rock multi-field seepage simulation experimental system under geo-stress conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that, as the cycle period increases, permeability exhibits a gradual increase. Areas with high permeability change rates are predominantly observed at the beginning and end of the cycle. The relationship between permeability and the number of cycles is initially linear during the early and middle cycles. However, beyond 30 cycles, the relationship transitions from linear to nonlinear, indicating an accelerated permeability change after a certain cycle threshold. In conclusion, this study addressed and refined the mathematical relationship between volumetric strain and permeability. The findings of this research have significant implications for the prevention of dust emissions and the mitigation of rockburst disasters in the field.

Evaluation of thermal parameters with geothermal energy recovery from a cold climate municipal solid waste landfill

This study presents finite element method (FEM) modeling with COMSOL Multiphysics to estimate the thermal properties of a waste landfill through back-analysis of temperature responses from buried thermistors during a full-scale multi-week active thermal response test. Field tests were conducted at the Loraas MSW landfill in Saskatoon, Canada, using instrumented equipment, including a vertical borehole heat exchanger and thermistor strings. The test consisted of two phases: a heat injection test during the summer and a heat extraction test in the winter. The study focused on a landfill 25 m deep, observing temperature changes at various depths over time. The effect of heat generation rate (HGR) on landfill temperature was investigated. Thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity increase with depth, with close alignment between summer and winter results, validating the tests. This research enhances the understanding of thermal parameters in MSW landfills by combining field tests and numerical modeling, offering insights into landfill behavior in cold climates. These findings hold significance for optimizing geothermal energy recovery from such landfills, calibrating thermal parameters for coupled models in landfills, and improving waste management practices.

Model-based GNSS spoofing detection using a hybrid convolutional autoencoder method

Abstract The spoofing attack brings more serious threats and challenges to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. The rapid and accurate spoofing detection mechanism is of great significance to the credibility and security of GNSS-enabled transport applications. In this paper, an unsupervised classification solution is proposed to detect GNSS spoofing by analyzing the features of Coarse Acquisition (C/A) code Autocorrelation Function (ACF) using a Hybrid Convolutional Autoencoder (HCAE) method integrated with an attention-driven memory network. A dynamic threshold-based protection mechanism is introduced to reduce the system’s sensitivity to unexpected anomalies, thereby enhancing detection accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed solution is verified by comparison with referencing detection methods using the Texas Spoofing Test Battery (TEXBAT) and spoofing injection test datasets. Specifically, the performance indices of the proposed method are improved over the involved referencing methods, which demonstrate that this solution can realize accurate and efficient detection of GNSS spoofing under the data-driven scheme.

Coupled Hydro-Gas-Mechanical 3D Modeling of LASGIT Experiment

Gas transport simulation in bentonite for radioactive waste disposal poses challenges for numerical models due to its complex microstructure. Understanding the processes involved is a prerequisite for assessing gas flow's impact on repository layouts. The DECOVALEX23 (D-2023) Task B (Large Scale Gas Injection Test: LASGIT) project aims to advance numerical techniques for predicting gas flow in repository systems through gas injection tests on compacted bentonite at the British Geological Survey (BGS). This study develops a comprehensive coupled hydro-gas-mechanical 3D numerical model to simulate the test, considering heterogeneous initial permeability and embedded fractures. Addressing bentonite swelling, three gap closure scenarios for the canister-bentonite blocks gap interface were considered. The model reproduces observed test behaviors, capturing preferential gas flow paths. Sensitivity analysis explores variations in volume factor sensitivity, calibration, hydraulic conductivity of interfaces, heterogeneity, permeability, and model parameters, contributing to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon's complexity. The proposed hydraulic modeling, enriched by considerations of gap closure states, predicts measured evolution of gas injection trends. suggesting reliability and potential applicability for similar conditions and facilitating a comprehensive analysis of its impact on gas testing processes. Additionally, the embedded fracture models underscore the critical role of fracture behavior and dilatancy in determining the system's hydro-mechanical response, with significant sensitivity to these factors influencing stress and pore pressure evolution. Hydro-mechanical models demonstrate that modeling approaches involving embedded fractures and dilatancy significantly influence gas pathways and entry gas pressure. System volume plays pivotal role in the analysis, while sensitivity analysis of contact transmissivity reveals potential influences on preferential gas pathway formation. Hydraulic and hydro-mechanical modeling methods show promise for further numerical investigations, indicating potential for yielding meaningful insights in future studies.

Influence of mechanical strength on gas migration through bentonite: Numerical analysis from laboratory to field scale

Understanding the gas movement phenomenon within the deep geological repository is essential for assessing the disposal system’s long-term stability. The primary gas transport mechanism through the bentonite is dilatancy-controlled flow, which differs from gas flow in general porous media. This flow is characterized by gas movement through microcracks created under relatively high gas pressure conditions, and the intrinsic permeability, air-entry pressure, and mechanical strength of the medium change due to the generation and propagation of these microcracks. Therefore, dilatancy-controlled flow cannot be simulated using the classical two-phase flow modeling technique. This study constructed the H2MD (two-phase hydraulic-mechanical-damage) numerical model by combining a damage model to simulate material degradation and the resulting change in intrinsic permeability with a classical two-phase flow model. In addition, the numerical model was tested against a 1D laboratory gas injection test investing gas flow mechanisms in the buffer, and a sensitivity analysis was performed on tensile strength, a key factor in the damage model for gas movement phenomenon. In the validation study, the proposed model successfully simulated the key features observed in the test: rapid stress and pressure increase trends, changes in intrinsic permeability due to damage, and the resulting flow rate. In addition, the effect of heterogeneity on the strength characteristics of each material and interfaces between materials was analyzed through field-scale test simulations, and the applicability of the model to upscaling analysis was examined. The study of heterogeneity effects confirmed that incorporating the strength characteristics of interfaces accurately simulates the gas flow path observed in actual tests. However, the model overestimated the gas flow before the gas breakthrough and underestimated the evolution of the damaged area within the buffer. Therefore, additional research on relative permeability and mechanical constitutive models is needed to improve the reliability of the current model.

Experimental Evaluation of a Recrosslinkable CO2-Resistant Micro-Sized Preformed Particle Gel for CO2 Sweep Efficiency Improvement in Reservoirs with Super-K Channels.

A recrosslinkable CO2-resistant branched preformed particle gel (CO2-BRPPG) was developed for controlling CO2 injection conformance, particularly in reservoirs with super-permeable channels. Previous work focused on a millimeter-sized CO2-BRPPG in open fractures, but its performance in high-permeability channels with pore throat networks remained unexplored. This study used a sandpack model to evaluate a micro-sized CO2-BRPPG under varying conditions of salinity, gel concentration, and pH. At ambient conditions, the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) of the gel reached 76 times its original size. This ratio decreased with increasing salinity but remained stable at low pH values, demonstrating the gel's resilience in acidic environments. Rheological tests revealed shear-thinning behavior, with gel strength improving as salinity increased (the storage modulus rose from 113 Pa in 1% NaCl to 145 Pa in 10% NaCl). Injectivity tests showed that lower gel concentrations reduced the injection pressure, offering flexibility in deep injection treatments. Gels with higher swelling ratios had lower injection pressures due to increased strength and reduced deformability. The gel maintained stable plugging performance during two water-alternating-CO2 cycles, but a decline was observed in the third cycle. It also demonstrated a high CO2 breakthrough pressure of 177 psi in high salinity conditions (10% NaCl). The permeability reduction for water and CO2 was influenced by gel concentration and salinity, with higher salinity increasing the permeability reduction and higher gel concentrations decreasing it. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the CO2-BRPPG in improving CO2 sweep efficiency and managing CO2 sequestration in reservoirs with high permeability.

Dynamics of HPAM flow and injectivity in sandstone porous media

Polymer flooding is a prominent chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) method that involves the injection of polymer solution into the oil reservoirs to improve the sweep efficiency and maximize the ultimate oil recovery. Selecting an appropriate polymer type, molecular weight, and concentration is crucial for success of any polymer flooding project. This paper studies the flow behavior of HPAM-based EOR polymers with different molecular weights through porous media. Dynamic adsorption and injectivity tests were performed through 5 Darcies sandpacks using polymer solutions prepared with low (LM; 8–10 MDa) and high (HM; 20–25 MDa) molecular weight polymers. Polymer solutions with different target viscosity values of 7, 15 and 30 cP were flooded through sandpacks at the reservoir temperature of 80 ºC and pore pressure of 1000 psi. The results showed that HM solutions with different target viscosity have higher polymer retention through sandpacks compared to LM solutions. Furthermore, results of residual resistance factor (RRF) measurements were in line with dynamic adsorption tests results. That is, permeability reduction due to irreversible polymer retention was higher when HM polymer solutions were injected. Furthermore, the results showed that although the resistance factor (RF) and in-situ viscosity of HM and LM polymers are in the same range, however, shear thickening regime becomes pronounced in the case of HM polymer with higher target viscosity. Polymer relaxation time measurements, and consequently, Deborah number calculations were performed to describe the shear thickening behavior by polymers viscoelastic characteristics. Results demonstrate that occurrence of shear thickening regime is controlled by Deborah number which is a function of polymer molecular weight, polymer concentration and injection rate. These results shed light on the importance of the selection of optimal polymer molecular weight and concentration during the design of polymer flooding projects.

Numerical simulation of hydro-shearing stimulation in the enhanced geothermal system at the Utah FORGE site

Hydro-shearing using low injection rates to stimulate the fractured geothermal reservoir for permeability enhancement. In this work, a series of 3D thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupled simulations were run to investigate the hydro-shearing processes in enhanced geothermal system (EGS). In our model, natural fractures were considered according to the borehole televiewer image results. The enhancement of reservoir permeability was calculated using an empirical model derived from the hydro-mechanical coupling experiments. The THM coupled model was calibrated by reproducing the field monitoring data at the Utah FORGE site. The artificial reservoir volume and its permeability enhancement were investigated during injection test on well 58–32. The modelling results proved that hydro-shearing stimulation does not require the injection pressure to exceed the in-situ minimum principal stress. The hydro-shearing stimulation mechanism is controlled by the water injection induced reservoir cooling and pore pressure increase. For the given injection conditions at well 58–32, the artificial reservoir volume was estimated at about 67,000 m3. The maximum enhancement of reservoir permeability occurs in the vertical direction, thus using horizontal wells is beneficial for geothermal development at this site. The results presented in this work were beneficial for engineers to understand the hydro-shearing stimulation method.

Comprehensive characterization of micro-pore structures in different lithologies of the lacustrine fine-grained mixed sedimentary reservoir of the Shahejie Formation in the Jiyang Depression

Several methods, such as field-emission environmental scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption, high-pressure mercury injection tests, focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM), and high-magnification and large-scale quantitative analytical methods involving argon ion polishing-FE-SEM, have been carried out on lacustrine fine-grained mixed sedimentary reservoirs of the upper fourth-lower third members of the Shahejie Formation in the Jiyang Depression, with the aim of clarifying their microstructural characteristics. Five types of reservoir spaces of fine-grained mixed sedimentary reservoirs were recognized in this study, including intergranular, dissolution, intercrystalline and intracrystalline pores, and fractures. The favorable reservoir spaces are pores with diameters ranging from 40 nm to 300 nm, which are dominated by intergranular pores, grain edge seams, and dissolution pores. The high-pressure mercury injection curves can be divided into three types. Types I and II, with good pore structures, occur mainly in mudstone and dolomite facies, whereas type III, with poor pore structures, is present in limestone facies. The low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption showed that the adsorption volume of dolomite facies is the highest, and the pore morphologies are plate-like. The adsorption amount of mudstone facies is higher than limestone facies, and the pore morphologies are dominated by ink bottle-shaped and parallel plate-like. FIB-SEM analyses reveal that the samples display moderate connectivity. These findings suggest that the different types of lithologic reservoirs of fine-grained mixed sedimentary rocks in the Jiyang Depression have different microstructures, with the argillaceous dolomite, calcareous mudstone, calciferous mudstone, and argillaceous limestone changing gradually from good to poor.

In silico and in vivo evaluations of fisetin and fisetin-loaded nanosuspension on monoamine oxidase inhibition in Aβ(25–35) induced dementia in mice model

BackgroundAmyloid beta (Aβ) plaques on the extracellular matrix and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles comprise the key indicative pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fisetin, an antioxidant bioactive compound having pharmacotherapeutic effects is applied by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as Toxicodendron vernicifum (Chinese lacquer tree), Cotinus coggygria Scop, Gan Shuang granulates and formula of Acacia catechu-Scutellariae Radix. Nevertheless, fisetin has constraints such as low oral bioavailability, insignificant aqueous solubility and high hepatic metabolisms. ObjectiveThis investigation aimed to envisage the effects of fisetin and its optimised nanoformulation on Aβ(25–35) desirous neurotoxicity in mice through deciphering inhibitory actions against monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and B) enzymes following molecular docking. MethodsMolecular docking with MAO-A and B enzymes were accomplished by AMDock's integrated AutoDock Tools (ADT) scripts. For in vivo studies, fisetin nanosuspension was prepared by nanoprecipitation method and evaluated for standard characterization. 10 and 20 mg/kg of fisetin and 10 mg/kg of fisetin nanosuspension were given once daily to mice for 21 days. On the 15th day, the mice were challenged with Aβ(25–35) by intracerebroventricular injection (ICV) and behavioural tests (open field and elevated plus maze) were performed on the 20th day. Biochemical and histology were examined in brain tissues. ResultsFisetin docked to the catalytic positions of MAO-A and B, unveiling good binding scores and molecular interactions with amino acid residues for inhibition activities. Fisetin nanosuspension has average particle size (225.4 ± 2.95 nm) with low polydispersity index (0.19) and standard zeta potential (-19.13 ± 1.17 mV). Findings showed that fisetin increased locomotor activity and reduced anxiety-like behaviour. Fisetin and its nanosuspension significantly reduced the concentration of MAO-A (P < 0.01) and MAO-B enzymes suggesting a potential neuroprotection effect in Aβ peptide-induced amnesia in mice. ConclusionFisetin with optimized bioavailability, effectively exhibits neuroprotection through molecular interactions of MAO enzymes. Further investigations affidavits the neuroprotection through bidirectional pathways related to biogenic amines and their deamination on Aβ stress conditions.

Frictional loss and permeability estimation of sediment in salt cavern: A combined approach of mathematical model, experimental validation, and numerical simulations

Harnessing gas storage in sediment voids presents a promising trajectory for the future construction of large-scale underground gas reservoirs in low-grade salt mines. This approach not only augments the effective gas volume but also enhances the stability of the cavern. In contrast to traditional gas injection and brine discharge process, where brine is expelled from the upper pure brine space without involving brine seepage in sediment voids, gas storage in sediment voids entails expelling brine from these spaces, thus necessitating an understanding of the brine seepage characteristics in the sediment, which remains unclear. This study presents a comprehensive approach for estimating sediment frictional loss and permeability in interconnected wells, integrating mathematical modeling, experimental validation, and numerical simulation. The mathematical principles governing sediment behavior during in-situ gas/brine injection and brine discharge tests are theoretically elucidated, accompanied by derived formulas. Experimental verification is conducted in the horizontal interconnected wells (Ha4-5) of the Huaian salt mine in Jiangsu, yielding the sediment frictional loss (0.53 MPa) and permeability (6.9 × 10−11 m2). Subsequently, a 2D cross-sectional numerical model is established using the COMSOL software, considering the measured and predicted well morphologies. The model provides insights into the relationship between sediment frictional losses and permeability, yielding an inverse calculation of the average permeability (1.016 × 10−10 m2). Simulation results depict laminar brine flow characteristics in the cavern during gas/brine injection and brine discharge processes, with frictional loss occurring as brine passes through sediment. Examination of the brine seepage and pressure fields in the sediment reveals consistent brine flow velocity after passing through the sediment. This combined approach focuses on investigating the seepage characteristics of sediment at the bottom of salt caverns, offering valuable insights for estimating frictional losses and permeability in similar salt mines.

Pulse current injection platform with consecutive early-time and intermediate-time high-altitude electromagnetic pulse conducted currents for immunity test of electrical equipment.

High-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) has attracted considerable attention for its influence on electrical equipment. HEMP is divided into three parts: early time HEMP (E1), intermediate-time HEMP (E2), and late-time HEMP (E3). Most studies focused on E1 alone, while few investigated others. However, the electrical equipment may be disturbed by more than one part since these three parts co-exist in a HEMP environment. The pulse current injection (PCI) test is an effective immunity test method for evaluating the sensitivity and susceptibility of electrical equipment. To investigate the responses of electrical equipment excited by the consecutive E1 and E2 and compare with those under the individual E1 or E2, this paper builds a PCI platform that can carry out PCI tests with the consecutive E1 and E2 conducted current. To output the E1 current and the E2 current consecutively, which exhibit significant differences in the rise time (20ns and 1.5 μs), peak current (2500 and 250A), and full width at half maximum (FWHM, 500-550ns and 3-5ms), an E1&E2 coupler with a fast-closing high-current trigger switch is designed in this paper. Finally, some 10-kV epoxy insulators are tested in the developed platform, which shows the capacity of the proposed platform to test the immunity of electrical equipment with the consecutive E1 and E2 conducted current.

Comparative genomics highlights the virulence and evolutionary trajectory of white spot syndrome virus.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) poses a significant threat to shrimp aquaculture, leading to substantial economic losses. This study aims to evaluate the virulence and evolution of recent WSSV outbreaks in Japan. Shrimp infected with WSSV were collected from Okinawa, Miyakojima and Miyazaki prefectures, yielding a total of seven isolates. Through injection and immersion tests, the lethal dose 50% endpoints were determined. Genomic analysis revealed isolates with sizes ranging from 288 to 299 kbp, sharing ~99% nucleotide identity with the reference genome (CN01: NC_003225.3). Variant analysis identified 1197 forms, primarily single-nucleotide polymorphisms, with Miyakojima isolates displaying the highest diversity. Frameshift mutations, notably in ORFs such as wsv006, wsv011, wsv091 and wsv403, were observed across all isolates. Phylogenetic analysis indicated clustering of Miyakojima isolates, suggesting similar outbreak intensities. Furthermore, isolates exhibited smaller genomic sizes compared with the reference genome, indicating ongoing WSSV evolution. Notably, a high frameshift mutation in wsv403, a viral E3 ubiquitin ligase, implies its potential role in the observed outbreaks, particularly in Miyakojima. This study addresses the research question regarding the virulence and evolutionary dynamics of WSSV outbreaks, proposing a hypothesis that genetic variations contribute to the severity and spread of WSSV in shrimp aquaculture.

Comparative Evaluation of Different Pain-alleviating Methods on Child's Dental Anxiety and Pain Perception during Local Anesthesia Administration: A Clinical Study.

When it comes to reducing children's fear, anxiety, and discomfort during dental procedures, substantial local anesthetic delivery promotes adequate intervention. In the dental operatory, local anesthetic injections are the most anticipated or feared stimuli. The application of topical anesthetics, cryotherapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to the oral mucosa prior to local anesthetic injections can alter pain perception in children. To compare the efficacy of cryotherapy application, 2% benzocaine gel, and TENS therapy at reducing pain perception during local anesthesia (LA) administration in pediatric patients. In this randomized clinical trial, 75 pediatric patients between 4 and 8 years of age who needed LA for dental treatment were selected. They received cryotherapy (EXOCOOL) externally, 2% lignocaine topical gel (intraorally), or TENS therapy extraorally on the area of treatment. A pediatric dentist blinded to the study assessed Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) (subjective method), pulse rate, and SpO2, and patients were instructed to use a visual analog scale (VAS) to rate their distress during injection and Venham's Picture Test for anxiety assessment. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests. The EXOCOOL group had significantly reduced pain scores on the VAS scale (3.80) when compared with the topical anesthetic gel group (4.08). The TENS group had reduced pain scores on the FLACC scale as well (2.84) when compared with the topical anesthetic gel group (3.72), which was statistically significant (p = 0.003). According to our study on pain and anxiety alleviation in children during LA administration, we found that TENS therapy demonstrated the highest effectiveness, surpassing both EXOCOOL and LA gel in providing relief. Goyal S, Patel M, Bhatt R, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Different Pain-alleviating Methods on Child's Dental Anxiety and Pain Perception during Local Anesthesia Administration: A Clinical Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(11):1265-1271.

Seizure solver- pyridoxine dependent seizures

Pyridoxine dependency is a rare cause of seizures. Pyridoxine dependent seizures (PDS) occur despite normal vitamin B6 levels and is due to defective binding of pyridoxine to its apoenzyme, glutamate decarboxylase, which converts glutamic acid to gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Pyridoxine-dependent seizure is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that usually presents with neonatal intractable seizures. Parenteral pyridoxine injection test is a highly effective and reproducible test in confirming the diagnosis. Hunt, et al.(l) described the first case of PDS with autosomal recessive inheritance. Since then, several cases have been reported with onset of seizures after neonatal period (2-6). Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy – ALDH7A1 (PDE-ALDH7A1) is characterized by seizures not well controlled with anti-seizure medication that are responsive clinically and electrographically to large daily supplements of pyridoxine (vitamin B6). This is true across a phenotypic spectrum that ranges from classic to atypical PDE-ALDH7A1. Intellectual disability is common, particularly in classic PDE-ALDH7A1.(7)

Fustin, a Potent Phytochemical, Attenuates Scopolamine-induced Memory Impairment and Neurodegeneration by Modulating Neuroinflammation and Neurotransmitters.

Fustin, a photogenic flavanol found in the plant Rhus verniciflua Stokes, has been involved in multiple disease ailments and has a beneficial pharmacological effect and a history of use in traditional medicine. The present research aimed to study the impact of fustin on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced memory impairment and neurodegeneration by modulating neuroinflammation and neurotransmitters in rats. A total of 30 healthy Wistar rats were allocated into five groups (n=6). Group I- served as control and received saline solution (1mL/kg i.p.), group -II- fustin (100 mg/kg, orally), group -III -SCOP (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and group -IV and V were given fustin (50 and 100 mg/kg/p.o.) with SCOP (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14-days. After 14 days, 2 hours after SCOP injection, the Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were performed. After behavioral tests rats were subsequently euthanized, and brain supernatants were used to estimate choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), antioxidant [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH)], and total protein, oxidative stress markers [nitrate and malondialdehyde (MDA)], pro-inflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and Interleukins-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6]. Also, neurotransmitters such as serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), ϒ-amino butyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine (Ach), and noradrenaline (NA) contents were performed. Fustin exhibited substantial behavioral improvement in the Y-maze measures spontaneous alterations percentage (SA%) and decreased latency time following the acquisition and prolonged time spent in the probe trial in the MWM test. Moreover, fustin inhibits enhanced neuroinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers and improves the neurotransmitters. The findings of this study suggest that fustin inhibits SCOP impact on cognitive abilities in rats. The present investigation demonstrates that fustin, a potent phytochemical, effectively mitigated the behavioral and physiological changes induced by SCOP in rats. This was primarily achieved by modulating the levels of inflammatory response and neurotransmitters.