Experimental investigation of two-phase relative permeability of gas and water for tight gas carbonate under different test conditions

Currently, tight carbonate gas reservoir has received little attention due to few discoveries of them. In this study, gas–water two-phase relative permeability was measured under two different conditions: High Temperature High Pore Pressure (HTHPP – 80 °C, 38 MPa), as well as Ambient Condition (AC), using whole core samples of tight gas carbonate. Relative permeability curves obtained at HTHPP showed two contrary curve profiles of gas relative permeability, corresponding to the distinctive micro-pore structure acquired from CT-Scanning. Then, based on Klinkenberg theory and a newly developed slip factor model for tight sandstone, slippage effect under AC is calibrated and the overestimation of gas relative permeability prove up to 41.72%–52.34% in an assumed heterogeneity. In addition, relative permeability curves obtained at HTHPP switch to higher gas saturation compared to that under AC with the rock wettability change from water-wet to less water-wet. And the wettability alteration is believed to be caused by charge change on mineral surface

Podwyższone stężenia lipokaliny-2 w surowicy krwi są związane ze wskaźnikami metabolizmu glukozy i metabolizmu kostnego w przebiegu cukrzycy typu 2

Introduction: The role of lipocalin 2 (LCN2) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) needs to be fully elucidated. Moreover, bone has been demonstrated to modulate glucose metabolism via LCN2. We thus performed this study to investigate the associations of LCN2 with indexes of glucose metabolism in T2DM. The associations of LCN2 with bone metabolism were examined concurrently. Material and methods: Total 288 Chinese Han subjects entered in this study including 146 patients with T2DM and 142 subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA-IR andWstęp: Wyjaśnienie roli lipokaliny-2 (lipocalin 2; LCN2) w przebiegu cukrzycy typu 2 jest niezbędne, w szczególności, że zostało dowiedzione, iż kość moduluje metabolizm glukozy za pośrednictwem LCN2. Niniejsze badanie przeprowadzono, aby zbadać, w jaki sposób LCN2 jest powiązana ze wskaźnikami metabolizmu glukozy w przebiegu cukrzycy typu 2. Jednocześnie zbadano powiązania LCN2 z metabolizmem kostnym. Materiał i metody: W badaniu wzięło udział 288 Chińczyków Han, w tym 146 pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2 i 142 pacjentów z prawidłową tolerancją glukozy. Insulinooporność oceniano za pomocą wskaźnika HOMA-IR, natomiast funkcję komórek beta trzustki za pomocą HOMA-β. W przypadku pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2 oznaczano również markery obrotu kostnego, N-końcowy propeptyd prokolagenu typu I, C-końcowy usieciowany telopeptyd łańcucha alfa kolagenu typu I, gęstość mineralną kości (bone mineral density; BMD) odcinka lędźwiowego kręgosłupa i szyjki kości udowej. Wyniki: Stężenia LCN2 w surowicy krwi w przebiegu cukrzycy typu 2 były wyższe niż u osób z prawidłową tolerancją glukozy (p = 0,005). Ponadto, LCN2 była dodatnio skorelowana ze stężeniem insuliny w surowicy krwi na czczo (r = 0,262, p = 0,001), wskaźnikiem HOMA-IR (r = 0,185, p = 0,026) i HOMA-β (r = 0,306, p < 0,001), odpowiednio, oraz ujemnie skorelowana z osoczowym stężeniem glukozy na czczo (r = –0,218, p = 0,006). Dodatkowo, BMD szyjki kości udowej (β = –0,176, p = 0,033), N-końcowy propeptyd prokolagenu typu I (β = 0,181, p = 0,026) oraz C-końcowy usieciowany telopeptyd łańcucha alfa kolagenu typu I (β = –0,168, p = 0,037) były niezależnymi czynnikami predykcyjnymi dla LCN2 w przebiegu cukrzycy typu 2. Wnioski: Lipokalina-2 była powiązana ze wskaźnikami metabolizmu glukozy. Ponadto, BMD oraz markery obrotu kostnego były nie­zależnymi czynnikami predykcyjnymi dla LCN2 w przebiegu cukrzycy typu 2. Można sądzić, że LCN2 może odgrywać rolę w procesie wzajemnego wpływu homeostazy kości i homeostazy glukozy

Efficacy of non-wearable VR-based behavioral training for preschool children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: a protocol for an upcoming randomized clinical trial

ObjectiveAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with limited effective treatment options, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and certain medications aimed at managing associated behavioral and emotional regulation challenges. Primary interventions include educational training and behavioral modifications. However, long-term, intensive, and individualized rehabilitation training strategies are lacking, and new rehabilitation tools therefore urgently need to be developed. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising digital rehabilitation tool that may support the development of essential life skills, such as social communication and daily living abilities, in many children and adolescents with ASD. Herein, we introduce a protocol for an initial multicenter randomized controlled trial focused on preschool-aged children with ASD. This trial aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of behavioral training for young children with ASD utilizing VR technology.MethodsA total of 160 children aged 4–7 years with high-functioning ASD will be assigned to either the trial or control group in a 1:1 ratio. The trial group will undergo behavioral training based on VR technology and early family intervention guided by the rehabilitation team, whereas the control group will undergo early family intervention guided by the rehabilitation team. Both arms will undergo twice weekly sessions of either the trial or control intervention modality performed over 12 consecutive weeks. Outcome assessments will be performed at the start of the trial, throughout the intervention phase, and at follow-up intervals during the study.DiscussionThe primary aim of this trial is to determine the clinical effectiveness of cognitive training using VR technology in children with ASD.Clinical trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier, ChiCTR2400094189

A Novel Postbiotic From Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG With a Beneficial Effect on Intestinal Barrier Function

It has long been known that probiotics can be used to maintain intestinal homeostasis and treat a number of gastrointestinal disorders, but the underlying mechanism has remained obscure. Recently, increasing evidence supports the notion that certain probiotic-derived components, such as bacteriocins, lipoteichoic acids, surface layer protein and secreted protein, have a similar protective role on intestinal barrier function as that of live probiotics. These bioactive components have been named ‘postbiotics’ in the most recent publications. We previously found that the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) culture supernatant is able to accelerate the maturation of neonatal intestinal defense and prevent neonatal rats from oral Escherichia coli K1 infection. However, the identity of the bioactive constituents has not yet been determined. In this study, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, we identified a novel secreted protein (named HM0539 here) involved in the beneficial effect of LGG culture supernatant. HM0539 was recombinated, purified, and applied for exploring its potential bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that HM0539 exhibits a potent protective effect on the intestinal barrier, as reflected by enhancing intestinal mucin expression and preventing against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-induced intestinal barrier injury, including downregulation of intestinal mucin (MUC2), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and disruption of the intestinal integrity. Using a neonatal rat model of E. coli K1 infection via the oral route, we verified that HM0539 is sufficient to promote development of neonatal intestinal defense and prevent against E. coli K1 pathogenesis. Moreover, we further extended the role of HM0539 and found it has potential to prevent dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis as well as LPS/D-galactosamine-induced bacterial translocation and liver injury. In conclusion, we identified a novel LGG postbiotic HM0539 which exerts a protective effect on intestinal barrier function. Our findings indicated that HM0539 has potential to become a useful agent for prevention and treatment of intestinal barrier dysfunction- related diseases

Experimental investigation of two-phase relative permeability of gas and water for tight gas carbonate under different test conditions

International audienceCurrently, tight carbonate gas reservoir has received little attention due to few discoveries of them. In this study, gas–water two-phase relative permeability was measured under two different conditions: High Temperature High Pore Pressure (HTHPP – 80 °C, 38 MPa), as well as Ambient Condition (AC), using whole core samples of tight gas carbonate. Relative permeability curves obtained at HTHPP showed two contrary curve profiles of gas relative permeability, corresponding to the distinctive micro-pore structure acquired from CT-Scanning. Then, based on Klinkenberg theory and a newly developed slip factor model for tight sandstone, slippage effect under AC is calibrated and the overestimation of gas relative permeability prove up to 41.72%–52.34% in an assumed heterogeneity. In addition, relative permeability curves obtained at HTHPP switch to higher gas saturation compared to that under AC with the rock wettability change from water-wet to less water-wet. And the wettability alteration is believed to be caused by charge change on mineral surface

Quality Evaluation of Hainan Robusta Coffee Bean Oil Produced by Ultrasound Coupled with Coconut Oil Extraction

This study investigates the treatment of coconut oil using thermosonic treatment in combination with green coffee beans. Under a defined ratio of coconut oil to green coffee beans, the effect of different thermosonic time on the quality parameters, active substance content, antioxidant capacity, and thermal oxidative stability of coconut oil were investigated as a strategy to potentially improve the quality of oil. Results showed that the β-sitosterol content of CCO (coconut coffee oil) treated with the thermal method combined with green coffee bean treatment reached up to 393.80 ± 11.13 mg/kg without affecting the lipid structure. In addition, DPPH clearance equivalents increased from 5.31 ± 1.30 mg EGCG/g to 71.34 ± 0.98 mg EGCG/g, and the ABTS clearance equivalent was 45.38 ± 0.87 mg EGCG/g versus 0 for the untreated sample. The improvement in thermal oxidation stability of treated coconut oil is also significant. The TG (Thermogravimetry) onset temperature was elevated from 277.97 °C to 335.08 °C and the induction time was elevated up to 24.73 ± 0.41 h from 5.17 ± 0.21 h. Thermosonic treatment in combination with green coffee beans is an ideal option to improve the quality of coconut oil. The results of this article provide new ideas for the development of plant-blended oil products and the new utilization of coconut oil and coffee beans