Effect of estrogen application timing on adipose tissue revascularization and immune regulation in rats after autologous fat transplantation

Purpose: To study the effect of timing of estrogen application on adipose tissue revascularization and immune regulation in rats given autologous fat transplantation.Methods: Ninety (90) healthy rats were selected for use in this study. The rats were randomly divided into a study group (n = 45) and control group (n = 45). After ovariectomy, the study group was given estrogen replacement therapy before autologous fat transplantation, while the control group was given estrogen replacement therapy after autologous fat transplantation. The rats were observed for 6 weeks after transplantation. Micro-vessel density, wet weight of transplanted fat, VEGF expression level, levels of M1 and M2 in macrophages, and macrophage infiltration rate were determined 40 days postautologous fat transplantation.Results: Forty days after autologous fat transplantation, microvessel density, wet weight of transplanted fat, expression level of VEGF and levels of M1 and M2 in macrophages were significantly higher in study group rats than in controls (p < 0.05). There was 80 % macrophage infiltration in the study group rats, while the corresponding control value (61 %) was significantly lower (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Estrogen treatment before autologous fat transplantation in rats is helpful for the revascularization of adipose tissue, enhances vascular regeneration, promotes the survival of adipose tissue after transplantation, and activates immune cells. It also promotes the production of immune factors, and improves immunoregulation in adipose tissue. Thus, this therapeutic strategy may be useful in clinical practice, but further clinical trials are required

Conversion of furan derivatives for preparation of biofuels over Ni-Cu/C catalyst

Conversions of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural as model components in bio-oil were investigated over Ni-Cu/C catalyst with formic acid as hydrogen donor in isopropanol solvent to produce biofuels. The effects of reaction temperature, feed ratio, and reaction time were studied. A high yield of 2-methylfuran up to 91 mol% was obtained from furfural in 8 h at 200 degrees C, and under same conditions 80 mol% yield of 2,5-dimethylfuran could also be obtained from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in 6 h. The results verified the catalyst performance and the availability of the reaction conditions for producing biofuels from furan derivatives.</p

Ozone Decomposition in a Downer Reactor

Catalytic ozone decomposition was conducted in an 8.20 m high, 0.09 m inner diameter downer. The ozone concentration profiles were measured under a series of operating conditions. It is found that the ozone distribution in a downer is generally more uniform both axially and laterally than in a riser, and that there exists a relatively significant non-uniform distribution in the entrance acceleration region of the downer.he increase of solid mass flow rate will slightly increase the ozone decomposition. In addition, the acceleration region has a great effect on the reaction

Fusion characterization of biomass ash

The ash fusion characteristics are important parameters for thermochemical utilization of biomass. In this research, a method for measuring the fusion characteristics of biomass ash by Thermo-mechanical Analyzer, TMA, is described. The typical TMA shrinking ratio curve can be divided into two stages, which are closely related to ash melting behaviors. Several characteristics temperatures based on the TMA curves are used to assess the ash fusion characteristics. A new characteristics temperature, T-m, is proposed to represent the severe melting temperature of biomass ash. The fusion characteristics of six types of biomass ash have been measured by TMA. Compared with standard ash fusibility temperatures (AFT) test, TMA is more suitable for measuring the fusion characteristics of biomass ash. The glassy molten areas of the ash samples are sticky and mainly consist of K-Ca-silicates. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p