Abundant Production Research Articles

Climates and sea-level controls on chemical weathering in the northern shelf of the Okhotsk Sea in the past 23 ka

The Okhotsk Sea, a subarctic marginal sea with a wide shelf and abundant weathering products, provides ample information about the chemical weathering in the geological past. However, insufficient investigation in the Okhotsk Sea, especially in its shelf, limits our knowledge of the intensity of chemical weathering in high-latitudes. In this study, high-resolution geochemical elements compositions of the core LV87-54-1 were measured to reveal the provenance change in the Northern Okhotsk Sea Shelf since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and to discuss the influential factors of the deep-sea weathering records. The elemental ratios suggested that the sediment provenance remained stable during 23–11.4 ka, mainly transported from the Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanic belt; whereas the sediment input from the Kamchatka Peninsula to the study area has been enhanced since 11.4 ka. During 23–14 ka, the chemical index of alteration (CIA) was observed to align with climatic changes in the Northern Hemisphere. Synchronized climatic deterioration (i.e., cooling and drying) in the Northern Hemisphere mainly contributed to the reduced alteration of the sediments eroded from the Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanic belt. During 14–11.4 ka, the reworking of older weathered sediments caused by sea-level rise overwhelmed climates in controlling silicate weathering, resulting in an increased alteration of sediments. During the Holocene, the core sediment witnessed a lower weathering degree, compared to the LGM–Deglaciation. We attribute this to an increased sediment input from the Kamchatka Peninsula that supplied more weaker weathered sediments to the study area.

Uncertainty Study Aids Development-Plan Optimization in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 32622, “Development-Plan Optimization and Uncertainty Study in a Major Deepwater Field in the US Gulf of Mexico,” by Mohsen Rezaveisi, SPE, Jennifer L. Campbell, and Paula L. Wigley, Woodside Energy Group, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2023 Offshore Technology Conference. _ This paper describes development-plan optimization and a probabilistic uncertainty study using Latin hypercube experimental design constrained to production performance in Lower Miocene (LM) reservoirs of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico Shenzi Field. The purpose of the development-plan optimization was to identify, rank, and characterize future development opportunities (i.e., infills and injectors) in the LM reservoirs to arrest field decline. The study uses history-matched dynamic simulation models. Introduction The Shenzi discovery is approximately 122 miles off the coast of Louisiana in a water column approximately 4,400 ft deep (Fig. 1). This part of the field is a partially filled three-way closure against a salt-cored anticline. The discovery includes four main sand units (A, B, C, and D) that exhibit various degrees of hydraulic connectivity based on pressure data and production history. The area of interest in the current study is the Eastern part of the field. Static Model Build The geomodel covering the area of interest was built from two seismically interpreted horizons and approximately 180 faults. The model is subdivided into 13 zones using well-based true stratigraphic thickness maps. The average cell height is 2–3.5 ft thick with heterolithics driving the lower end of the range. Sequential indicator simulation was used to populate facies using well-based net sand trend maps by zone. In zones with evidence of channelization, a second nested facies model was used to build channels into the model. Shenzi East reservoir properties are good because of the high-quality sand deposited in the field. Lower reservoirs (C and D) have slightly more depositional complexity because of the varying paleotopography and a lower average net-to-gross (NTG) of approximately 53%. Upper reservoirs (A and B) had a larger sediment supply and were more continuously deposited, which resulted in a larger average NTG of approximately 67%. Dynamic Model History Matching The Shenzi East reservoir has been on production since March 2009, providing abundant production data for history matching. Of seven producers, six are still active, and the reservoir also features three water injectors. Producers and injectors are identified with letters P and I, respectively, followed by well numbers. Well P7 was drilled after 6 months of production from other producers; formation pressure data showing reservoir depletion are available for history matching. The water injectors were drilled in 2012–2013, but only two have formation pressure testing data available. Well P1 was completed in all sands; Wells P2, P3, and P6 were completed in three sands (D, C, and B); and the rest of the producers were completed in two sands (D and C). Production is commingled in all producers, resulting in allocation uncertainties between sands. Water production has been observed in five wells, with the current water cut in the range of 35–65%. The two most updip wells, P1 and P7, are still producing at zero water cut.

Evaluation of asphalt binder and mixture properties utilizing fish scale powder as a biomodifier

Fish represents an abundant and underutilized waste product from the fishing industry. This study investigated the effects of incorporating fish scale powder (FSP) at various dosages (3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%) on the properties of asphalt binder and mixtures. Conventional tests, viscosity, storage stability, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and multiple stress creep recovery tests were conducted on the binder. Mix design, wheel tracking, indirect tensile strength, fatigue, and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests were evaluated for the asphalt mixtures. The results showed that FSP increased the binder’s stiffness and reduced the temperature susceptibility but compromised the low-temperature performance and workability regardless of the dosages. The storage stability test results demonstrated the improved high-temperature storage stability. In the mixtures, the permanent deformation resistance enhanced with increasing the FSP content, decreasing the rut depth from 4.3 mm for the control sample to 2.9 mm at 12% FSP. The moisture damage resistance, indicated by the tensile strength ratio, increased from 90% for the control sample to 94.1% at 12% FSP. However, the fatigue life decreased from 14010 cycles for the control sample to 11190 cycles at 12% FSP. The dynamic and elastic modulus values before conditioning increased with higher FSP dosages, and this increasing trend was also observed after conditioning, signifying greater stiffness retention and moisture resistance of the asphalt mixtures containing higher amounts of FSP. Numerically, the 6–9% FSP range offered the optimum balance, improving the rutting resistance by 18% and the moisture resistance by 3.2% compared to those of the control sample, while limiting the fatigue life to 12% and maintaining the workability. Overall, FSP has potential for use as an asphalt biomodifier by transforming an environmental liability into a value-added sustainable paving material.

Thermal oxidation mechanism of palmitic aicd

The oxidation and degradation of fats lead to a decrease in the nutritional value of food and pose safety concerns. Saturated fatty acids also hold a significant position in the field of lipid oxidation. In this study, the oxidation products of methyl palmitate were investigated by using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Seven monohydroperoxides and 72 secondary oxidation products were detected. Combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the formation mechanisms of oxidation products can be summarized into four stages. The initial stage involved the formation of monohydroperoxides and alkanes, followed by the subsequent stage involving methyl x-oxo(hydroxy)hexadecanoates. The third stage involved the formation of methyl ketones, carboxylic acids, and aldehydes, while the final stage involved lactones. Meanwhile, methyl ketones were the most abundant oxidation product, approximately 25 times more abundant than aldehydes; the calculated results agreed well with the experimental results. The establishment of a comprehensive thermal oxidation mechanism for palmitic acid provided a new foundation for future lipid oxidation analyses.

Systematic assessment of a multi–solid waste cementitious material: Feasibility and environmental impact

This study systematically assessed the feasibility of replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with a multi–solid waste cementitious material (MSC) composed of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), steel slag (SS), red mud (RM), fly ash (FA), limestone powder (LP), and desulfurized gypsum (DG) in specific proportions of 28%, 25%, 21%, 11.5%, 9%, and 5.5%, respectively. The hydration characteristics were analyzed using hydration heat, XRD, TG–DTG, FTIR, and SEM–EDX tests. The heavy metal content and leaching concentration of the MSC were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). The unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), and water stability of the MSC-stabilized clayey sand and stone chips were investigated. The results showed that synergistic hydration among multiple solid wastes generated abundant hydration products, including Ca(OH)2, C–(A)–S–H gels, and AFt crystals, which formed dense and compact microstructures. Furthermore, Pb and Cd in the raw material were effectively solidified by MSC hydration, with leaching concentrations as low as 0.181 and 0.002 mg/L, respectively. The contents and leaching concentrations of the other heavy metals were significantly lower than their limits. The pH of the MSC mortar leachate was stable at 11.56 with curing age, which complied with environmental safety standards. Moreover, MSC as a binder demonstrated higher UCS, ITS, and water stability in comparison to OPC. When MSC was added at a 6% dosage to stabilize clayey sand and stone chips, the UCS values measured after 7 days of curing were 2.82 MPa and 4.83 MPa, respectively. Finally, the MSC was successfully applied in practical projects, demonstrating its promising application prospects.

Speciation and chemical behavior of molybdenum in uranium dioxide samples prepared by hydroxide precipitation

This work aims to investigate the behavior of Mo in UO2±x for being an abundant fission product with a high fission yield and a complex speciation linked to its interaction with the fuel and other fission product elements. UO2-based model compounds containing different Mo contents (between 0 and 15 mol%) were synthesized by a wet-chemistry route using hydroxide precipitation. The recovered powders were converted to oxides, pelletized, and sintered to obtain densified pellets of UO2 incorporating Mo. PXRD analyses and Rietveld refinement calculations indicate that Mo has an almost negligible solubility in the fluorite structures of both UO2 and UO2+x samples. SEM, TEM, and EDX characterizations of the produced UO2 + Mo pellets revealed the homogeneous distribution of nanosized metallic Mo particles of spherical geometry inside and outside the UO2 grains and throughout the whole sample pellets, whatever the amount of Mo added, thus confirming that the solubility of Mo in the fluorite structure is way below 0.6 mol% Mo in accordance with the PXRD results. The microstructural properties of the UO2 + Mo pellets, including density, porosity, Mo particle size distribution, and UO2 grain size variation with Mo content, were also determined. The addition of Mo to UO2 reduced the UO2 grain size as compared to UO2 grains in pure pellets, and Mo thus plays an inhibiting role in the UO2 grain growth during sintering. The produced UO2 + Mo pellets exhibit a microstructure similar to that of the real spent nuclear fuel, except that the UO2 grains are smaller. The Mo metallic nanoparticles in these simplified UO2-based model compounds of controlled microstructure could be harnessed as surrogates of the Mo-rich ε-phase metallic nanoparticles in the real spent nuclear fuel for future studies.

A comparative pyrolysis study of tetraethoxysilane and tetraethoxymethane: Insight into congener substitution effects on pyrolysis chemistry of siloxane flame synthesis precursors

The pyrolysis of siloxane precursors, such as tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), is commonly employed in the flame synthesis and chemical vapor deposition of silica nanoparticles. In this work, the flow reactor pyrolysis of TEOS is studied using gas chromatography (GC) and synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry (SVUV-PIMS), and the congener substitution effects from the central C atom to the central Si atom are investigated through comparison with its hydrocarbon counterpart tetraethoxymethane (TEOM). Pyrolysis models of TEOS and TEOM are constructed and validated against the measured results. Modeling analysis, including rate of production analysis and sensitivity analysis, provides insights into chemistry in fuel consumption and product formation. In contrast, the observations of silicon-containing products in SVUV-PIMS experiments provide evidence for crucial decomposition pathways of TEOS. It is observed that TEOS exhibits significantly higher stability than TEOM under pyrolysis conditions. The most abundant products in the pyrolysis of TEOS and TEOM are ethylene and ethanol, and TEOS produces more hydrocarbon products than TEOM. The lower pyrolysis reactivity of TEOS is attributed to the slower unimolecular decomposition reaction which dominates the decomposition of TEOS than TEOM. This can be explained by the hindrance of the extremely strong Si-O bond resulting from the significantly different electronegativity between Si and O. The higher initial decomposition temperature of TEOS enhances the contribution of other decomposition channels, such as C-C bond dissociation and H-abstraction reactions, in TEOS consumption. This leads to the abundant formation of hydrocarbon productions such as methane, ethane, and acetaldehyde. As the main pyrolysis product, the ethanol produced by TEOM pyrolysis is four times that of TEOS due to the congener substitution effects. The ethanol formation pathway in TEOS pyrolysis is different from that in TEOM pyrolysis, which is mainly formed via a newly proposed multi-step mechanism, resulting in a lower yield in TEOS pyrolysis.

Epoxide Ring‐Opening Reactions for Abundant Production of Mugineic Acids and Nicotianamine Probes

AbstractA succinct synthetic approach to mugineic acids and 2’‐hydroxynicotianamine was established. Unlike all other synthetic methods, this approach utilized epoxide ring‐opening reactions to form two C−N bonds and is characterized by the absence of redox reactions. Mugineic acid was synthesized from three readily available fragments on a gram scale in 6 steps. The protected 2’‐hydroxynicotianamine was also synthesized in 4 steps, and the dansyl group, serving as a fluorophore, was introduced through a click reaction after propargylation of the 2’‐hydroxy group. The dansyl‐labeled nicotianamine (NA) iron complexes were internalized by oocytes overexpressing ZmYS1 (from maize) or PAT1 (from human) transporters, indicating successful transport of the synthesized NA‐probe through these transporters.

Structurally diverse 1,2-diarylpropanes from the fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida and the investigation on their mirror-image ECD spectra with the same absolute configurations

1,2-diarylpropanes are a kind of abundant natural products formed by radical coupling. On account of molecular flexibility, it was challenged in the identifications of relative and absolute configurations of the 1,2-diarylpropanes. In this research, fourteen pairs of enantiomeric 1,2-diarylpropanes (1a/1b-14a/14b), comprising twelve previously undescribed pairs (1a/1b-4a/4b, 6a/6b-10a/10b, and 12a/12b-14a/14b), were isolated from the fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida. Their structures were determined through multiple NMR spectral analyses, empirical NMR rules, X-ray crystallography, and the comparison of experimental ECD spectra with calculated data. In addition, the analysis of ECD spectra revealed that substituent effects could generate an inverted chiroptical response, exhibiting in mirror-image ECD signals. This phenomenon was investigated by conformational analysis, molecular orbital analysis, the transition density matrix and hole/electron distributions. Moreover, a potential experimental rule was proposed for the rapid determination of the absolute configurations of the 1,2-diarylpropanes.

Indices and methods for evaluating gross ecosystem product in sea areas: a case study in Changdao County, China

IntroductionCoastal nations heavily rely on their sea areas to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development. Sea areas offer abundant marine ecosystem products and services that are difficult to substitute with industrial goods. Although considerable research has been performed to evaluate the contribution offrom the marine ecosystems to human well-being, systematic and measurable indices are lacking.MethodsTo address this knowledge gap, ecosystem service theory was used to establish a framework for assessing the gross ecosystem product (GEP) of a sea area, which represents the total monetary value of final ecosystem products directly and indirectly used by people within a specific administrative jurisdiction in one year. To evaluate marine GEP, three primary indices, i.e., material products, regulating products, and cultural products, were employed, and they consist of eight secondary indices. Material products in the sea area include aquatic products and oxygen products; regulating products include carbon sequestration, climate regulation, waste treatment, and coastal protection; and cultural products include leisure and recreation, and seascape-added value. The marine GEP was calculated for the administrative sea areas of Changdao County, which is located in the Yellow Sea-Bohai Sea transitional zone.Results and discussionOur analysis indicated that from 2017 to 2019, the marine GEP in Changdao ranged between 32.59 and 33.35 billion Chinese yuan (CNY). Regulating products contributed two-thirds of this total value. However, over the three-year period, the marine GEP underwent a 5.64% decrease in Changdao. Specifically, the value of material products increased by 38.85% while that of regulating and cultural products decreased by 9.16% and 15.87%, respectively. Notably, the spatial distribution of ecosystem product values in Changdao displayed two prominent trends: (1) higher values along the coastal sea areas of islands and lower values in offshore sea areas; and (2) higher values in coastal areas of southern islands and lower values in coastal areas of northern islands. Marine GEP may serve as a comprehensive indicator for assessing the sustainability of marine ecosystem. Combining the assessment of both marine and terrestrial GEP facilitates an understanding of how marine and terrestrial ecosystems interact in coastal regions. Furthermore, the combined use of marine GEP and GDP helps better evaluate and sort the level of green development of coastal nations and regions.

Optimization of watermelon waste as a bulking agent for sustainable co-composting of livestock manures using response surface methodology

Global human population growth has resulted in significant intensive agricultural activity, posing substantial challenges to waste management and environmental conservation. Watermelon waste (WW), chicken manure (CM) and horse manure (HM) are among the main contributors to agricultural waste due to their abundant waste production. This study aims to manage the daily production of these wastes by utilizing WW as a bulking agent in the co-composting of CM and HM. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to analyze the effects of four independent factors: HM:CM composition, particle size, composting period, and bulking agent amount. Thirty treatments were developed using central composite design and in-vessel composting reactors were employed to study the relationship between the factors involved and compost physicochemical quality parameters. The results demonstrated significant effects on organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), dry matter, moisture content, bulk density, and pH, while the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) and phosphorus level were not affected. The optimized co-composting conditions obtained from RSM were 75:25 for HM:CM composition (%), 0.5 cm for particle size, 40 days for composting period, and 10% of WW, resulting in a compost with 61% OM, 2.5% N, and 2.5% K. These optimal conditions agreed closely with the predicted values; root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) was less than 0.50, revealing the success of RSM in determining optimal process parameters and developing models for predicting responses. Our study demonstrated that WW as a bulking agent in the co-composting of CM and HM has significantly enhanced the organic matter and nutrient levels of the final compost product.

Study on Reducing Water Absorption of Recycled Aggregates (RAs) by Microbial Mineralization.

Crushing waste concrete and using it directly as RAs has the disadvantages of high porosity and high water absorption. To achieve the reuse of resources, the researchers use microbial mineralization methods to further reinforce RAs. In this paper, the effect of the microbial carbonic anhydrase mineralization method on the water absorption of RAs was investigated, and the macroscopic analysis was performed by determining the indexes of water absorption and apparent density of RAs before and after the modification, and the microscopic analysis of RAs by using the methods of SEM, XRD, DSC, and EDS as well. According to the microscopic analysis, the mineralization products of microorganisms are calcium carbonate crystals, and with the increase in microbial liquid concentration, the water absorption rate of RAs shows a trend of decreasing and then increasing, and it can be found through the microscopic morphology that abundant mineralization products attached to the surface of the aggregate lead to the surface of the aggregate becoming rougher and more porous. The method of soaking the RAs in 3% bacterial solution and 0.1 mol/L calcium acetate solution followed by carbonation with 20% CO2 resulted in a 4.85% reduction in water absorption.

Response of the copepod community to interannual differences in sea-ice cover and water masses in the northern Barents Sea

The reduction of Arctic summer sea ice due to climate change can lead to increased primary production in parts of the Barents Sea if sufficient nutrients are available. Changes in the timing and magnitude of primary production may have cascading consequences for the zooplankton community and ultimately for higher trophic levels. In Arctic food webs, both small and large copepods are commonly present, but may have different life history strategies and hence different responses to environmental change. We investigated how contrasting summer sea-ice cover and water masses in the northern Barents Sea influenced the copepod community composition and secondary production of small and large copepods along a transect from 76°N to 83°N in August 2018 and August 2019. Bulk abundance, biomass, and secondary production of the total copepod community did not differ significantly between the two years. There were however significant spatial differences in the copepod community composition and production, with declining copepod abundance from Atlantic to Arctic waters and the highest copepod biomass and production on the Barents Sea shelf. The boreal Calanus finmarchicus showed higher abundance, biomass, and secondary production in the year with less sea-ice cover and at locations with a clear Atlantic water signal. Significant differences in the copepod community between areas in the two years could be attributed to interannual differences in sea-ice cover and Atlantic water inflow. Small copepods contributed more to secondary production in areas with no or little sea ice and their production was positively correlated to water temperature and ciliate abundance. Large copepods contributed more to secondary production in areas with extensive sea ice and their production was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration. Our results show how pelagic communities might function in a future ice-free Barents Sea, in which the main component of the communities are smaller copepods, and the secondary production they generate is available in energetically less resource-rich portions.

Microbial succession and denitrifying woodchip bioreactor performance at low water temperatures

Mining activities are increasingly recognized for contributing to nitrogen (N) pollution and possibly also to emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) due to undetonated, N-based explosives. A woodchip denitrifying bioreactor, installed to treat nitrate-rich leachate from waste rock dumps in northern Sweden, was monitored for two years to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of microbial communities, including the genetic potential for different N transformation processes, in pore water and woodchips and how this related to reactor N removal capacity. About 80 and 65 % of the nitrate was removed during the first and second operational year, respectively. There was a succession in the microbial community over time and in space along the reactor length in both pore water and woodchips, which was reflected in reactor performance. Nitrate ammonification likely had minimal impact on N removal efficiency due to the low production of ammonium and low abundance of the key gene nrfA in ammonifiers. Nitrite and N2O were formed in the bioreactor and released in the effluent water, although direct N2O emissions from the surface was low. That these unwanted reactive N species were produced at different times and locations in the reactor indicate that the denitrification pathway was temporally as well as spatially separated along the reactor length. We conclude that the succession of microbial communities in woodchip denitrifying bioreactors treating mining water develops slowly at low temperature, which impacts reactor performance.

Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 Attenuates Hyperuricemia through Gut Microbiota-Dependent Regulation of Uric Acid Biosynthesis and Excretion.

Hyperuricemia is a prevalent metabolic disorder that arises from abnormal purine metabolism and reduced excretion of uric acid (UA). The gut microbiota plays a significant role in the biosynthesis and excretion of UA. Probiotics capable of purine degradation possess the potential to prevent hyperuricemia. Our study aimed to screen probiotics in areas with abundant dairy products and longevity populations in China, which could attenuate the level of UA and explore the underlying mechanism. In this study, twenty-three lactic acid bacteria isolated from healthy Chinese infant feces and traditional fermented foods such as hurood and lump milk were evaluated for the ability to tolerance acid, bile, artificial gastric juice, and artificial intestinal juice to determine the potential of the candidate strains as probiotics. Eight strains were identified as possessing superior tolerance to simulated intestinal conditions and were further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), revealing that Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 (Lact-1) and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei HCS17-040 (Lact-2) possess the most potent ability to degrade purine nucleosides. The effect of Lact-1 and Lact-2 on hyperuricemia was evaluated by intervening with them in the potassium oxonate and adenine-induced hyperuricemia Balb/c mice model in vivo. Our results showed that the level of serum UA in hyperuricemic mice can be efficiently reduced via the oral administration of Lact-1 (p < 0.05). It significantly inhibited the levels of liver inflammatory cytokines and hepatic xanthine oxidase through a TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway across the gut-liver axis. Furthermore, UA transporters ABCG2 and SLC2A9 were substantially upregulated by the intervention of this probiotic. Fecal ATP levels were significantly induced, while fecal xanthine dehydrogenase and allantoinase levels were increased following probiotics. RNA sequencing of HT-29 cells line treated with Lact-1 and its metabolites demonstrated significant regulation of pathways related to hyperuricemia. In summary, these findings demonstrate that Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 possesses a capacity to ameliorate hyperuricemia by inhibiting UA biosynthesis via enhancing gastrointestinal barrier functions and promoting UA removal through the upregulation of urate transporters, thereby providing a basis for the probiotic formulation by targeting the gut microbiota.

High-energy CID tandem TOF-MS of various types of precursor ions of selected diether phospholipids: Diagnostic known and unexpected fragmentation pathways

The fragmentation behavior of some selected synthetic (1,2-diphytanyl- and 1,2-dihexadecyl-glycerophosphatidylethanolamine, 1,2-diphytanyl- and 1,2-dihexadecyl-glycerophosphatidylcholine) as well as of one natural diether phospholipid (2,3-diphytanyl-glycerophosphatidylinositol), the latter obtained from extracts of the archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldaricus, was described by negative- and positive-ion MALDI high-energy CID tandem time-flight mass spectrometry for the first time. In contrast to the fragmentation pathways of classical diester glycerophospholipids, whose fragmentation behavior is already well described, the investigated diether glycerophospholipids exhibited a very different fragmentation behavior. The [M–H]−-precursor ions (ethanolamine, inositol) showed abundant high-mass charge-remote site fragmentation of the alkyl chains with easy determination of all methyl branching points (if present). Corresponding low mass product ions elucidated the identity of the polar head group. In contrast, [M+H]+-precursor ions of ethanolamine derivatives showed unusual loss of H3PO4 directly from the precursor ion and McLafferty-like rearrangements of selected product ions differing between sn1-and sn2-substituents, [R1O+58]+ and [R2O+42]+ ions, respectively. No diagnostic low mass product ions or high mass charge-remote site fragmentations are observed. A yet undescribed rearrangement reaction for protonated diether phosphocholine derivates was found by an intramolecular transesterification rearrangement of the precursor ion forming protonated O-alkyl glycerophosphatidylcholine. Besides, high mass charge-remote site fragmentation of the alkyl chains was observed. High-energy CID-spectra of [M+Na]+-precursor ions showed only little fragmentation (ethanolamine, inositol) with abundant partial polar head group losses and low mass head group product ions. In contrast, the [M+Na]+-precursor ions of corresponding choline derivatives showed significant charge-remote site fragmentation of the alkyl chains and diagnostic low mass head group ions. In case of the ethanolamine derivatives the [M+2Na–H]+-precursor ions exhibited abundant polar head group losses and high mass charge-remote site fragmentation with diagnostic low mass head group product ions. The inositol derivative mainly yielded disodiated dehydrated inositol phosphate as product ions. Finally, two diether phospholipid-specific product ions, the newly described K- and L-type ions, are described for the first time for all lipid derivatives and their mechanism of formation is described in detail.

Manganese and iron oxides on pipe surface promote dissolved aluminum accumulation in drinking water distribution systems

Aluminum-containing deposits are pervasive in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). However, the mechanisms driving dissolved Al transformation to pipe deposits remain elusive. This study investigated dissolved Al accumulation in DWDSs by batch experiments and long-term pipe experiments using actual finished water. PVC pipe experiments showed that dissolved Al hardly deposited on clean PVC pipe walls at alkaline pH. However, it could be substantially anchored by the pipe surface covered with Mn and Fe deposits formed from Mn(II) oxidation and Fe(III) precipitation. Batch experiments verified that the synthesized Mn and Fe oxides exhibited a strong capacity for dissolved Al uptake at pH 7.7 and 9.0 (dissolved Al was the dominant form). Biofilms on pipe walls also enhanced dissolved Al accumulation. Iron pipe experiments showed that corroded iron pipes with abundant iron corrosion products readily accumulated Al. Compared to chlorination and chloramination, non-disinfected conditions were more favorable for particulate Al deposition on iron pipe surface, probably due to Al immobilization by biofilms. In addition, continuous Al accumulation in iron pipes enhanced Fe release to pipe water. This study highlighted the important role of metal oxides in dissolved Al accumulation in DWDSs with abundant Mn and Fe solids, which provided new insights into deposit formation and control strategies.

Ophiocephalus striatus Extract Supplementation Decreases Serum IL-6 Levels in Older People with Sarcopenia-A Single-Center Experience.

Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by muscle loss and decreased function in older adults, is a growing public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ophiocephalus striatus extract on insulin-like growth factor-1 serum, interleukin-6 serum levels, and sarcopenia-related parameters in older adults with sarcopenia. This double-blind randomized controlled trial included 80 older adults with sarcopenia. Participants were randomly assigned to receive Ophiocephalus striatus extract or a placebo for two weeks. The IGF-1 serum and IL-6 serum levels were assessed as primary outcomes. The Ophiocephalus striatus extract intervention resulted in a significant reduction in serum IL-6 levels. Although the IGF-1 levels did not show significant changes, there was an increase for the intervention group. This study demonstrated that a 2-week intervention with Ophiocephalus striatus extract positively impacted the serum IL-6 levels in older adults with sarcopenia. While the IGF-1 levels did not change significantly in this short intervention period, the observed improvements in IGF-1, calf circumference, muscle mass, and muscle strength are promising. The findings suggest that Ophiocephalus striatus extract may offer a valuable intervention for managing sarcopenia, particularly in regions with abundant Ophiocephalus striatus production, such as South Sumatera. This study was registered with trial number NCT05869383.

Cellular and molecular organization of the Drosophila foregut

The animal foregut is the first tissue to encounter ingested food, bacteria, and viruses. We characterized the adult Drosophila foregut using transcriptomics to better understand how it triages consumed items for digestion or immune response and manages resources. Cell types were assigned and validated using GFP-tagged and Gal4 reporter lines. Foregut-associated neuroendocrine cells play a major integrative role by coordinating gut activity with nutrition, the microbiome, and circadian cycles; some express clock genes. Multiple epithelial cell types comprise the proventriculus, the central foregut organ that secretes the peritrophic matrix (PM) lining the gut. Analyzing cell types synthesizing individual PM layers revealed abundant mucin production close to enterocytes, similar to the mammalian intestinal mucosa. The esophagus and salivary gland express secreted proteins likely to line the esophageal surface, some of which may generate a foregut commensal niche housing specific gut microbiome species. Overall, our results imply that the foregut coordinates dietary sensing, hormonal regulation, and immunity in a manner that has been conserved during animal evolution.

Empty sella in somatotropic pituitary adenomas; a series of 23 cases.

We aimed to investigate empty sella syndrome in somatotrophic pituitary adenoma for possible etiology, complications, and treatment options. Among over 2,000 skull base masses that have been managed in our center since 2013, we searched for growth hormone-producing adenomas. Clinical, surgical, and imaging data were retrospectively collected from hospital records to check for sella that lacked pituitary tissue on routine imaging. In 220 somatotrophic adenomas, 23 patients had an empty sella with surgical and follow-up data. The mean age of the sample was 46 years with the same male-to-female ratio. Five cases had partial empty sella and the rest were complete empty sellas. The most common simultaneous hormonal disturbance was high prolactin levels. Six had adenoma invasion into the clivus or sphenoid sinus and 10 had cavernous sinus intrusion. Peri-operative low-flow and high-flow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks were encountered in one and two patients, respectively, which were successfully sealed by abdominal fat. The majority of cases required growth hormone replacement therapy while it was controlled without any replacement therapy in nine patients. No pituitary hormonal disturbance occurred after transsphenoidal surgery except for hypothyroidism in one patient. An empty sella filled with fluid can be detected frequently in pituitary adenomas, especially in the setting of acromegaly. The pituitary gland may be pushed to the roof of the sella and might be visible as a narrow rim on imaging or may be detected in unusual places out of the sella. The pathophysiology behind such finding originates from soft and hard tissue changes and CSF pressure alternations during abundant growth hormone production.