Intensive Reaction Research Articles

Crenigacestat blocking notch pathway reduces liver fibrosis in the surrounding ecosystem of intrahepatic CCA viaTGF-β inhibition

BackgroundIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly malignant tumor characterized by an intensive desmoplastic reaction due to the exaggerated presence of the extracellular (ECM) matrix components. Liver fibroblasts close to the tumor, activated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and expressing high levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), become cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs are deputed to produce and secrete ECM components and crosstalk with cancer cells favoring tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Overexpression of Notch signaling is implicated in CCA development and growth. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Notch inhibitor, Crenigacestat, on the surrounding microenvironment of iCCA.MethodsWe investigated Crenigacestat’s effectiveness in a PDX model of iCCA and human primary culture of CAFs isolated from patients with iCCA.ResultsIn silico analysis of transcriptomic profiling from PDX iCCA tissues treated with Crenigacestat highlighted “liver fibrosis” as one of the most modulated pathways. In the iCCA PDX model, Crenigacestat treatment significantly (p < 0.001) reduced peritumoral liver fibrosis. Similar results were obtained in a hydrodynamic model of iCCA. Bioinformatic prediction of the upstream regulators related to liver fibrosis in the iCCA PDX treated with Crenigacestat revealed the involvement of the TGF-β1 pathway as a master regulator gene showing a robust connection between TGF-β1 and Notch pathways. Consistently, drug treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced TGF-β1 mRNA and protein levels in tumoral tissue. In PDX tissues, Crenigacestat remarkably inhibited TGF-β signaling and extracellular matrix protein gene expression and reduced α-SMA expression. Furthermore, Crenigacestat synergistically increased Gemcitabine effectiveness in the iCCA PDX model. In 31 iCCA patients, TGF-β1 and α-SMA were upregulated in the tumoral compared with peritumoral tissues. In freshly isolated CAFs from patients with iCCA, Crenigacestat significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited Notch signaling, TGF-β1 secretion, and Smad-2 activation. Consequently, Crenigacestat also inactivated CAFs reducing (p < 0.001) α-SMA expression. Finally, CAFs treated with Crenigacestat produced less (p < 005) ECM components such as fibronectin, collagen 1A1, and collagen 1A2.ConclusionsNotch signaling inhibition reduces the peritumoral desmoplastic reaction in iCCA, blocking the TGF-β1 canonical pathway.

Co-pyrolysis coupled with torrefaction enhances hydrocarbons production from rice straw and oil sludge: The effect of torrefaction on co-pyrolysis synergistic behaviors

Pyrolysis of biomass offers a promising pathway to alleviate the depletion of fossil energy. Nonetheless, the high oxygen content in biomass-derived pyrolysis oil makes bio-oil a low-quality by-product and limits its commercial application. On the other hand, oil sludge (OS) is hazardous waste from the petroleum industry and is difficult for combustion treatment due to its high ash content. In this work, torrefaction of rice straw (RS) and its co-pyrolysis with oil sludge (OS) was performed to enhance the production of hydrocarbons. Influences of torrefaction on altering the synergistic effects during co-pyrolysis were investigated. Intensified torrefaction (from 200 to 300 °C) of RS gradually resulted in lower volatiles, higher ash content, low crystallinity, enhanced surface aromaticity, and improved bio-oil quality. Consequently, pyrolysis of torrefied RS (TS) yielded more char at the expense of volatiles. The addition of OS into the co-pyrolysis of RS promoted char conversion efficiency and yielded a positive synergistic effect on gas production by 0.97–5.40%. The co-pyrolysis significantly enhanced the formation of alkanes (11.22–23.84%) and olefins (2.33–4.48%), while suppressing the generation of oxygenates (13.71–26.54%) in oil. On the other hand, severe torrefaction of RS shifted the main temperature range of decomposition close to that of OS, leading to an intensive radical reaction between OS-derived hydrocarbon radicals and lignin derivatives evolved from TS. For example, a positive synergistic effect on oil generation was observed when OS was blended into TS obtained at 250 °C (3.22% increase). However, intensified torrefaction weakened the synergistic formation of hydrocarbons, although the re-polymerization of hydrocarbon intermediates from OS and alkyl radicals from TS contributed to alkane production, especially heavy-weight straight-chain alkanes. Moreover, torrefaction promoted the product energy yield and the total energy efficiency of individual pyrolysis of RS and co-pyrolysis of RS and OS. By comparisons between RS and TS focusing on synergetic interactions, this work proposes co-pyrolysis mechanisms of OS and RS (or TS).

Does Ozone Pollution Share the Same Formation Mechanisms in the Bay Areas of China?

As important regions of transition between land and sea, the three bay areas of Bohai Bay (BHB), Hangzhou Bay (HZB), and Pearl River Estuary (PRE) in China often suffer from severe photochemical pollution despite scarce anthropogenic emissions. To understand the causes of high ozone (O3) concentrations, the high O3 episode days associated with special synoptic systems in the three bays were identified via observations and simulated by the weather research and forecasting coupled with community multiscale air quality (WRF-CMAQ) model. It was revealed that the interaction between synoptic winds and mesoscale breezes resulted in slow wind speeds over the HZB and PRE, where air pollutants transported from upwind cities gained a long residence time and subsequently participated in intensive photochemical reactions. The net O3 production rates within the bay areas were even comparable to those in surrounding cities. This finding was also applicable to BHB but with lower net O3 production rates, while high levels of background O3 and the regional transport from farther upwind BHB partially elevated the O3 concentrations. Hence, these three bay areas served as O3 "pools" which caused the accumulation of air pollutants via atmospheric dynamics and subsequent intense photochemical reactions under certain meteorological conditions. The results may be applicable to other similar ecotones around the world.

Relationship between rheological property and early age-microstructure building up of alkali-activated slag

This paper investigated the effects of temperature and activator concentration on the rheological property of slag activated by ternary activator of Na2O·2SiO2–NaOH–Na2CO3. New insight on the time-dependence features of microstructure building up of alkali-activated slag (AAS) paste was revealed via multiple characterization techniques. Three featured periods are distinguished in the first 3 h reaction. The time-dependent rheological behavior of AAS is largely controlled by the formation of gel network, where significant amount of free water is trapped in the voids or interlayers. By 1H NMR analysis, it is confirmed that a small peak of immovable water always lags behind the peak value of mobile water, indicating that the early gel agglomerates trap and adsorb more mobile water after an intensive polycondensation reaction. Furthermore, similar Al/Si and Ca/Si ratios of early gels are detected, while slightly higher Al/Si ratio is found in the gel agglomerates with higher crosslinking degree. This confirms the important role of Al, that is more Al increasing the polymerization degree of early gels, leading to stronger interactions between nano gel particles, and thereby trigging the rapid development of elasticity and stiffness of the initial matrix.

Effect of pressure on the low-temperature reaction of ethylene with N2O4

Calorimetric monitoring of the autoclave reaction N2O4 + C2H4 at –85 to +10 °C under argon pressure 10–30 bar revealed that the exothermic chemical reaction started at temperatures above –52 °C at 10 bar, whereas an intensive exothermic reaction started at –85 °C and pressure of 30 bar. IR study showed that oligo/polynitroethylene was formed at 30 bar, while carbonyl and hydroxy compound as well as nitrate R–ONO2 formation occurred upon processing at 10 bar.

Role of Oxidizer Mixture Composition on Stabilizing Stratified Oxy-Flames in Dual Lean Premixed Combustors for Gas Turbines

Abstract This study investigates the effects of oxidizer composition on stability and combustion and emission characteristics of stratified premixed CH4-O2-CO2 flames in a dual annular counter-rotating swirl (DACRS) burner for wider near blowout operability of gas turbines. Flame stratification was achieved by dividing the incoming reactants into primary and secondary streams of different oxygen fractions (OF). The effects of primary and secondary OFs (primary OFs: 60%, 50%, and 30%; and secondary OFs: 60%, 50%, 40%, and 30%) were numerically investigated at fixed inlet throat velocities and equivalence ratios (φ) of the primary and the secondary streams of 6 m/s and 2 m/s and of 0.9 and 0.55, respectively. The probability distribution function has been used to average the thermochemical properties and reaction rates. Two distinct flame shapes, the v-shaped and the conical-shaped were identified as a function of the oxidizer composition. V-shaped flames with enhanced flow mixing, strong inner and outer recirculation zones (IRZ and ORZ), and intensive interactions between both streams at lower Damkohler number (Da) were recorded for OFs within 30–50%. This indicates the ability of the DACRS burner to extend the lean blowout limit by holding stratified stable flames of lower OFs. The flame shape turned into a conical shape at OFs of 60–60% for both streams, the IRZ disappeared, intensive reaction rates of higher Da attained, and the flashback mechanism approached. Weak flame/flow interactions were observed at OFs higher than 50% with excessive combustion temperature near the burner tip. CH4 disappeared very close to the burner tip, indicating fast reactions.

Uncertainty quantification in breakup reactions

Breakup reactions are one of the favored probes to study loosely bound nuclei, particularly those in the limit of stability forming a halo. In order to interpret such breakup experiments, the continuum discretized coupled channel method is typically used. In this study, the first Bayesian analysis of a breakup reaction model is performed. We use a combination of statistical methods together with a three-body reaction model (the continuum discretized coupled channel method) to quantify the uncertainties on the breakup observables due to the parameters in the effective potential describing the loosely bound projectile of interest. The combination of tools we develop opens the path for a Bayesian analysis of not only breakup processes, but also a wide array of complex processes that require computationally intensive reaction models.

Thermal stability and selective nitridation of Cr2AlC in nitrogen at elevated temperatures

The thermal stability and selective nitridation of Cr2AlC under a high–temperature nitrogen atmosphere were studied. Cr2AlC began to decompose beyond 1073 K in N2, and the activation energy was estimated to be 108.93 kJ·mol−1. Initially, the selective nitridation led to the generation of an AlN layer, which shielded the underlying Cr2AlC and the process was dominated by a surface reaction. The final products were AlN, Cr7C3 and Cr3C2, and the weaker Cr–Al bonds in Cr2AlC facilitated the rapid diffusion of aluminum from the interior outwards. As the reaction proceeded, micropores were observed on the grain surface, as well as a loose structure, which facilitated the diffusion of N2 and thus accelerated the reaction. Finally, the intensive reaction involving Cr2AlC and N2 could be attributed to the gas diffusion channels caused by improved temperature and continuous escape of vaporized aluminum.

Stabilization and Emission Characteristics of Gliding Arc-Assisted NH3/CH4/Air Premixed Flames in a Swirl Combustor

This paper investigates the effects of gliding arc (GA) discharge on the stabilization and emission characteristics of premixed NH3/CH4/air swirl flames under various ammonia contents, flow rates, and global equivalence ratios. First, the lean blowout (LBO) limits are measured. We find that although blending CH4 extends the LBO limit of the ammonia flame to 0.6–0.8, the GA discharge further remarkably extends it to 0.3–0.4. Then, the flow and flame structures are visualized by simultaneous OH planar laser-induced fluorescence and particle imaging velocimetry measurements. The results reveal that the discharge increases the OH radical concentration and expands the inner recirculation zone, leading to improved flame stability. Second, the NOx emissions are investigated over a wide range of global equivalence ratios and ammonia contents. It is seen that the GA discharge slightly increases the NOx emission by less than 7% at low NH3 contents (<0.6), which can be attributed to the thermal and OH-involved reaction pathway of NOx formation. However, as the NH3 content further increases (which is accompanied by the rapid growth of the NOx emission), the GA discharge effectively reduces the NOx emission by up to 30%. This effect might be due to the more intensive NOx-consuming reactions by plasma-induced NH2 radicals at a higher ammonia content, which is confirmed by the strengthened NH2* chemiluminescence under GA discharge conditions. Finally, a chemical reactor network analysis gives reasonable NOx predictions without GA discharge and highlights the NOx-reduction effects of NH2 radicals under high ammonia contents.

Microstructures and properties of wire and arc additively manufactured steel matrix composites with addition of WC by gravity-driven side powder feeding

Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), which exhibits high deposition rate and low production cost, is a promising method for fabricating large-sized composite components. In this work, the WAAM process is applied to fabricate steel matrix composite components by introducing WC/Fe powder into the molten pool through gravity-driven side powder feeding. The effects of WC powder fraction on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of deposited components have been investigated. The results reveal that WC particles are completely dissolved into the matrix for the specimen with 20 wt% WC powder, resulting in a fine bainite microstructure with W element. For specimens with WC powder fraction above 20 wt%, different structures of (Fe,W)6C phase, including discontinue and continue networks, fishbone type, and flocculent particles, are formed due to intensive reaction between WC particles and the matrix. The latter two structures are more likely to appear in specimens with high WC powder fraction. The specimen with low WC powder fraction exhibits quasi-cleavage fracture during the tensile test, while brittle fracture is observed for the specimen with high WC powder fraction. Tests prove that the mechanical properties and wear resistance have been improved by the addition of WC. The maximum strength, the maximum microhardness and the minimum wear loss are obtained for the specimens with WC powder fractions of 40 wt%, 100 wt%, and 80 wt% respectively. The improved properties of deposited composite components can be attributed to the synergistic effects of solution strengthening, precipitation strengthening of (Fe,W)6C phase, second strengthening of retained WC blocks and fine-grain strengthening.

Cross-talk between down-regulation of steroidogenic genes expression and oxidative and apoptotic biomarkers in testes induced by administration of tramadol and boldenone and their combination in male albino rats.

Objective(s):The testis is the male reproductive gland or gonad having two vital functions: to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testosterone. The study aimed to investigate the effect of tramadol and boldenone injected alone or in combination for 2 months in rats on testicular function.Materials and Methods:Group 1, normal control; Group 2, tramadol HCl (TRAM) (20 mg/kg bwt.) (IP); Group 3, boldenone undecylenate (BOLD) (5 mg/kg bwt) (i.m); Group 4, combination of TRAM (20 mg/kg bwt.) and BOLD (5 mg/kg); respectively for 2 months. Results:TRAM and BOLD alone and in combination showed deteriorated testicular functions, lowered serum steroid levels (FSH, LH, and testosterone), elevation in oxidative biomarkers (MDA & NO) and reduction in GSH and SOD, down-regulation of StaR and HSD17B3 as well as histopathological testicular assessment using H&E staining revealing massive degenerative changes in the seminiferous epithelium and vacuolar changes of most of the spermatogenic stages in both TRAM and BOLD groups. PAS stain showed an intensive reaction in the interstitial tissue between the tubules in the TRAM group. Masson trichrome stain showed abundant collagen fiber deposits in the tunica albuginea with congested BV in the TRAM group. Conclusion:The study illuminated the hazard of administration of these drugs for a long period as well as the prominent deleterious effects reported on concurrent use of both drugs.

The sense of guilt of the mothers of children with special needs

IntroductionThe fact of emergence of a child with special needs in a family is followed by intensive emotional reaction of the parents. One of the pronounced feelings in those circumstances is the sense of guilt.ObjectivesThe research aim is studying the emotional experience of mothers of children with special needs connected with the sense of guilt and the characteristics of the parent-child relationship in such families.MethodsThe research sample includes 25 mothers of children with special needs in the age from 3 to 10 years old with the diagnosis ASD, cerebral palsy and epilepsy as well as 29 mothers of normally developing children of the same age. Research methods: Guilt Inventory (Jones &amp;Kugler); Inventory of Parental Attitude (Varga &amp;Stolin); Inventory of the Parent’s Psychological Type(Tkacheva).ResultsThe mothers of children with special needs show the more pronounced sense of guilt comparing with the mothers of the healthy children. They are less optimistic towards the future of the child, more sensible to the failures of the child, but demonstrate the higher degree of readiness to cooperation with the child. Those results can be applied when designing the intervention programs for the families of children with special needs.ConclusionsThose results can be applied when designing the intervention programs for the families of children with special needs.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Dissimilar joining of cemented carbide to low-carbon steel via combustion welding: Effect of process parameters on the interfacial microstructure and joint strength

An innovative method based on pressure-assisted combustion synthesis reactions in compressed powder mixtures of nickel and titanium was developed to join WC-Co cemented carbide to VCN-150 steel (Standard No. 1.6582). A specially-designed experimental setup was used for induction heating of the samples under uniaxial pressure in an argon atmosphere. Rapid heating of the samples provoked the exothermic reaction between Ni and Ti, resulting in the in-situ formation of an NiTi-based intermediate layer between the steel and carbide parts. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses as well as shear strength test were used to characterize the samples and evaluate the quality of the joint. XRD analysis showed NiTi as the main phase in the joining layer. It was found out that a decrease in Ni particle size led to an increase in the contact surfaces of the powders and intensity of the reaction, resulting in improved adhesion of the joining parts, decreased porosity within the interlayer, and increase in the average shear strength. Although increasing the thickness of the bonding layer resulted in more intensive reactions, higher liberated heat, and wider diffusion layers at the interface, it led to relatively weak joints due to a rise in the volume percentage of porosity. The most favorable results in welding were obtained by using fine particles of the reactants and minimum thickness of the green interlayer (2 mm). By increasing the applied force during the process to ~600 N, shear strengths up to ~77 MPa could be obtained.

Acoustic microreactors for chemical engineering

• Comprehensive overview of acoustics-enabled chemical process intensification. • Bulk acoustic wave and surface acoustic wave microreactors are highlighted. • Working principles of acoustic microreactors are discussed. • Research progress on acoustic synthesis of chemicals and materials is summarized. • Emerging challenges and future perspectives facing acoustic microreactors are given. Acoustic microreactors that function with acoustics to drive reactant fluids at the microscale make a comprehensive lab-on-a-chip revolution in chemical engineering. Compared to passive microreactors, acoustics-enabled active microreactors offer many outstanding merits such as flexible control, short mixing distance, and intensive reaction kinetics. Herein, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art of acoustic microreactors for chemical process intensification and reaction engineering. We firstly discuss the established bulk acoustic wave and surface acoustic wave microreactors and highlight their underlying working principles. Next, we present the achievements of acoustic microreactors for the engineering of chemicals and materials from both confined microchannels and sessile microdrops. Finally, we outline emerging challenges and opportunities facing acoustic microfluidics for inspiring future directions in this area. This review article aims not only to elucidate the state-of-the-art acoustic microfluidics for chemical engineering, but also to inspire more advanced lab-on-a-chip systems for facilitating process intensification applications of both scientific and industrial interest.

High-temperature behaviour of V2AlC powders under nitrogen atmosphere

The high-temperature behaviour of V2AlC powders under nitrogen atmosphere was investigated. V2AlC began to react at above 1073 K under nitrogen, and the activation energy was calculated to be 435.42 kJ·mol−1. In the initial stage, the thermal decomposition was controlled by a surface reaction and the formation of nitride layers could inhibit further nitridation, and the final products were AlN, VCx, V(C, N)x, and VN. As the reactions proceeded, the generated nitrides and carbides caused a volume change and cracked the resulting layers, which could promote the diffusion of nitrogen and accelerate the decomposition of V2AlC. As a result, the intensive reaction above 1473 K between V2AlC and nitrogen was attributed to crack propagation and the opening of gas diffusion channels generated by the increasing temperature and persistent escape of vaporised Al.

ВЛИЯНИЕ АДАПТОГЕНОВ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО И ЖИВОТНОГО ПРОИСХОЖДЕНИЯ И ФИЗИЧЕСКИХ НАГРУЗОК НА ОРГАНИЗМ

The purpose of the research is to normalize carbohydrate metabolism in the mice bodies using adaptogens of various origins. Methods and organization of the research. For the experiment, 60 mice were selected, which were divided into 3 groups, 20 mice each. They were given different amounts of adaptogens at different periods of their lives. For all animals participating in the experiment, a swimming load was created according to the method of Porsalt. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from mice of all experimental groups for morphological analysis, and the liver was subjected to histochemical studies for the presence of glycogen according to McManus. Research results. It was found that at the beginning of the experiment in the blood serum of animals, the glucose content changed slightly, and by the end of the experiment, an increase in its level was noted in all groups. A weaker histochemical reaction to glycogen was found in hepatocytes of the liver of the control group of animals, and in the liver of mice of the experimental groups, the reaction to glycogen was more intense. Conclusion. Thus, the weakest histochemical reaction to glycogen is found in liver hepatocytes of the control group of animals. A higher intensive histochemical reaction to glycogen is manifested in the liver of mice of the experimental groups. This is especially observed in those animals that received preparations of Leuzea safflower and pantocrine tincture.

Cytomorphic Electronic Systems: A review and perspective.

Boltzmann-exponential thermodynamic laws govern noisy molecular flux in chemical reactions as well as noisy subthreshold electron current flux in transistors. These common mathematical laws enable one to map and simulate arbitrary stochastic biochemical reaction networks in highly efficient cytomorphic systems built on subthreshold analog circuits. Such simulations can accurately model noisy, nonlinear, asynchronous, stiff, and non-modular feedback dynamics in interconnected networks in the physical circuits, automatically. The scaling in simulation time for stochastic networks with the number of reactions or molecules is constant in cytomorphic systems. In contrast, it grows rapidly in digital systems, which are not parallelizable. Therefore, cytomorphic systems enable large-scale supercomputing systems-biology simulations of arbitrary and highly computationally intensive biochemical reaction networks that can nevertheless be compiled to them via digitally programmable parameters and connectivity. We outline how cytomorphic systems can be utilized for rapid drug-cocktail formulation and discovery in future pandemics like COVID-19; can simulate networks important in cancer; and can help automate the design of synthetic biological circuits, e.g. a synthetic biological operational amplifier for robust and precise drug delivery. Thus, just as neuromorphic systems have enabled multiple applications in A.I., cytomorphic systems will enable multiple applications in biology and medicine.

Features of the expression of Fox-1 in rat’s thyroid after prenatal dexamethasone action

The purpose of the work was to establish the features of Fox-1 expression and distribution in the parenchyma of the thyroid gland of rats in the postnatal period of ontogeny in the norm and after intrauterine action of dexamethasone.Material and methods: thyroid gland of rats (162 animals) of the Wistar line at the age from 1 to 14 days of postnatal development. Experimentally, the animals were injected intrauterinely with a solution of dexamethasone at a dose of 0.05 ml at a dilution of 1:40 on the 18th day of the dated pregnancy. The material was examined using a set of methods of morphological studies (production of histological serial sections, survey microscopy, morphometry, immunohistochemistry and statistical processing).Results of the research. In the thyroid glands of neonatal prenatal dexamethasone, the parenchyma was well developed and consisted of hollow colloid-type follicles and single colloid-type microfollicles, and a bright cytoplasmic reaction with Fox-1 antibodies was observed throughout the organ parenchyma. In the thyroid glands of animals of the 3rd day of life, morphological changes occurred in all groups of the experiment. In animals of the experimental group, hollow follicles of colloidal type of small, medium and large diameter were chaotically visualized throughout the body, and large follicles of irregular shape with immunohistochemical weak or negative reaction with Fox-1 antibodies in thyrocytes and lumen without colloidal evidence, which detected a decrease in the specific synthetic activity in these thyrocytes. On day 7 in the experimental group in the flattened thyrocytes of overstretched follicles, the expression of Fox-1 was present only in the apical part. On days 11-14 of postnatal development in the thyroid glands of rats experimentally prenatally exposed to dexamethasone in the wall of large follicles with flattened epithelium began extrafollicular proliferation of thyrocytes on the background of visualization in the lumen of these follicles desquamated cells. Intensive perinuclear and cytoplasmic Fox-1 positive reaction was present in extrafollicular proliferating thyrocytes.Conclusions. 1. The detected changes in the first day of life in the thyroid gland of rats indicated that prenatal administration of dexamethasone affects the intensification of differentiation not only structural and functional units - follicles, but also a specific synthetic intracellular apparatus of thyrocytes, judging by the intensification of Fox-1. Thus, immature pre-mRNA is converted into mature mRNA, from which thyroid proteins, in particular thyroglobulin, are translated. By the time of birth, this process in the experimental group reaches a significant development, covering the entire parenchyma of the gland. 2. In rats prenatally receiving dexamethasone, the period of lactation was characterized by intense structural changes in the thyroid gland, in particular intracellularly in thyrocytes of monolayer flattened epithelium, the expression of Fox-1 antibodies was sharply reduced, which was then replaced by a bright cytoplasmic reaction in proliferative clusters and follicles of colloidal type of secretion, which is an adaptive-compensatory mechanism of intracellular enhancement of proliferation of synthesizing organelles in response to the restructuring of a significant number of existing follicles by hypofunctional type, aimed at maintaining normal levels of thyroid function.

Comparative proteomic analysis provides new insights into regulation of microspore embryogenesis induction in winter triticale (\xd7\u2009Triticosecale Wittm.) after 5-azacytidine treatment

Effective microspore embryogenesis (ME) requires substantial modifications in gene expression pattern, followed by changes in the cell proteome and its metabolism. Recent studies have awakened also interest in the role of epigenetic factors in microspore de-differentiation and reprogramming. Therefore, demethylating agent (2.5–10 μM 5-azacytidine, AC) together with low temperature (3 weeks at 4 °C) were used as ME-inducing tiller treatment in two doubled haploid (DH) lines of triticale and its effect was analyzed in respect of anther protein profiles, expression of selected genes (TAPETUM DETERMINANT1 (TaTPD1-like), SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE 2 (SERK2) and GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE (GSTF2)) and ME efficiency. Tiller treatment with 5.0 µM AC was the most effective in ME induction; it was associated with (1) suppression of intensive anabolic processes-mainly photosynthesis and light-dependent reactions, (2) transition to effective catabolism and mobilization of carbohydrate reserve to meet the high energy demand of cells during microspore reprograming and (3) effective defense against stress-inducing treatment, i.e. protection of proper folding during protein biosynthesis and effective degradation of dysfunctional or damaged proteins. Additionally, 5.0 µM AC enhanced the expression of all genes previously identified as being associated with embryogenic potential of microspores (TaTPD1-like, SERK and GSTF2).

Interfacial Behaviour in Ferroalloys: The Influence of Sulfur in FeMn and SiMn Systems

The present study has investigated the influence of sulfur content in synthetic FeMn and SiMn from 0 to 1.00 wt pct on interfacial properties between these ferroalloys and slags. The effect of experimental parameters such as temperature and holding time was evaluated. Interfacial interaction between ferroalloys and slags was characterized by interfacial tension and apparent contact angle between metal and slag, measured based on the Young–Laplace equation and an inverse modelling approach developed in OpenFOAM. The results show that sulfur has a significant influence on both interfacial tension and apparent contact angle, decreasing both values and promoting the formation of a metal-slag mixture. Despite the fact that sulfur was added only to the ferroalloys, most of sulfur is distributed into slag after reactions with the metal phase. Increasing the maximum experimental temperature in the sessile drop furnace also resulted in a decrease of both interfacial properties, resulting in higher mass transfer rates and intensive reactions between metal and slag. The effect of holding time demonstrated that after reaching equilibrium in FeMn-slag and SiMn-slag systems (both with and without sulfur), interfacial tension and apparent contact angle remain constant.