TOC interpretation of lithofacies-based categorical regression model: A case study of the Yanchang formation shale in the Ordos basin, NW China

In this paper, taking the shale of Chang 7-Chang 9 oil formation in Yanchang Formation in the southeastern Ordos Basin as an example, through the study of shale heterogeneity characteristics, starting from the preprocessing of supervision data set, a logging interpretation method of total organic carbon content (TOC) on the lithofacies-based Categorical regression model (LBCRM) is proposed. It is show that: 1) Based on core observation, and Differences of sedimentation and structure, five lithofacies developed in the Yanchang Formation: shale shale facies, siltstone/ultrafine sandstone facies, tuff facies, argillaceous shale facies with silty lamina and argillaceous shale facies with tuff lamina. 2) The strong heterogeneity of shale makes it difficult to accurately explain the TOC distribution of shale intervals in the application of model-based interpretation methods. The LBCRM interpretation method based on the understanding of shale heterogeneity can effectively reduce the influence of formation factors other than TOC on the prediction accuracy by studying the characteristics of shale heterogeneity and constructing a TOC interpretation model for each lithofacies category. At the same time, the degree of unbalanced distribution of data is reduced, so that the data mining algorithm achieves better prediction effect. 3) The interpretability of lithofacies logging ensures the wellsite application based on the classification and regression model of lithofacies. Compared with the traditional homogeneous regression model, the prediction performance has been greatly improved, TOC segment prediction is more accurate. 4) The LBCRM method based on shale heterogeneity can better understand the reasons for the deviation of the traditional model-based interpretation method. After being combined with the latter, it can make logging data provide more useful information

MiR-130a inhibition protects rat cardiac myocytes from hypoxia-triggered apoptosis by targeting Smad4

Background: Cardiomyocyte death facilitates the pathological process underlying ischaemic heart diseases, such as myocardial infarction. Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs play a critical role in the pathological process underlying myocardial infarction by regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis. However, the relevance of miR-130a in regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the underlying mechanism are still uncertain. Aim: We sought to explore the regulatory effect of miR-130a on hypoxic cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Methods: The expression of miR-130a was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell survival was determined by the MTT assay. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was performed to deter­mine the severity of hypoxia-induced cell injury. Apoptosis was assessed via caspase-3 analysis. Protein expression level was determined by Western blotting. The genes targeted by miR-130a were predicted using bioinformatics and were validated via the dual-luciferase reporter assay system. Results: We found that miR-130a expression was greatly increased in hypoxic cardiac myocytes, and that the downregulation of miR-130a effectively shielded cardiac myocytes from hypoxia-triggered apoptosis. In bioinformatic analysis the Smad4 gene was predicted to be the target of miR-130a. This finding was validated through the Western blot assay, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, and qRT-PCR. MiR-130a inhibition significantly promoted the activation of Smad4 in hypoxic cardiomyocytes. Inter­estingly, knockdown of Smad4 markedly reversed the protective effects induced by miR-130a inhibition. Moreover, we found that the inhibition of miR-130a promoted the activation of transforming growth factor-b1 signalling. Blocking of Smad4 signal­ling significantly abrogated the protective effects of miR-130a inhibition. Conclusions: The findings indicate that inhibition of miR-130a, which targets the Smad4 gene, shields cardiac myocytes from hypoxic apoptosis. This study offers a novel perspective on the molecular basis of hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and suggests a possible drug target for the treatment of myocardial infarction

Inhibition the ubiquitination of ENaC and Na,K-ATPase with erythropoietin promotes alveolar fluid clearance in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome

Sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) causes significant fatalities worldwide and lacks pharmacological intervention. Alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) plays a pivotal role in the remission of ARDS and is markedly impaired in the pathogenesis of ARDS. Here, we demonstrated that erythropoietin could effectively ameliorate lung injury manifestations and lethality, restore lung function and promote AFC in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS. Moreover, it was proven that EPO-induced restoration of AFC occurs through triggering the total protein expression of ENaC and Na,K-ATPase channels, enhancing their protein abundance in the membrane, and suppressing their ubiquitination for degeneration. Mechanistically, the data indicated the possible involvement of EPOR/JAK2/STAT3/SGK1/Nedd4–2 signaling in this process, and the pharmacological inhibition of the pathway markedly eliminated the stimulating effects of EPO on ENaC and Na,K-ATPase, and subsequently reversed the augmentation of AFC by EPO. Consistently, in vitro studies of alveolar epithelial cells paralleled with that EPO upregulated the expression of ENaC and Na,K-ATPase, and patch-clamp studies further demonstrated that EPO substantially strengthened sodium ion currents. Collectively, EPO could effectively promote AFC by improving ENaC and Na,K-ATPase protein expression and abundance in the membrane, dependent on inhibition of ENaC and Na,K-ATPase ubiquitination, and resulting in diminishing LPS-associated lung injuries

Novel Slow-Release Defoamers for Concrete Using Porous Nanoparticles as Carriers

Excess large and unstable air bubbles can reduce the compressive strength of hardened concrete, and traditional defoamers always fail because of adsorption and encapsulation on cement with the progress of cement hydration in later stages. It is necessary to develop a novel defoamer that shows a sustained defoaming ability in fresh concrete. A novel slow-release defoamer for concrete using porous nanoparticles as carriers is reported for the first time. The porous nanoparticles/polyether defoamer composite (SiO2-Def) was prepared via sol-gel method. SiO2-Def is a spherical composite nanoparticle with a size range of 160–200 nm and a uniform pore size distribution. SiO2-Def shows a high load rate of about 16.4% and an excellent release under an alkali and salt environment. It has a weak initial defoaming ability but shows a sustained defoaming ability with time, so that it can avoid the failures of defoamers and eliminate harmful bubbles entrained during the processes of pumping and transportation. Moreover, SiO2-Def produced a higher compressive strength of the hardened cement mortars

Anionic Copolymers with Different Charge Densities for Regulating the Properties of Cement Pastes

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is an extremely flowable concrete, which increases the probability of segregation and bleeding. Viscosity-modifying admixtures (VMAs) have been developed to improve the stability of SCC. Synthetic polymer VMAs have excellent water solubility and stability, and can be easily chemically prepared and modified. In this work, a series of copolymers based on anionic 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and nonionic N, N-dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA), with similar molecular weights but different charge densities, were prepared. The effect of the charge density of the anionic polymers on the fluidity, rheological property, and adsorption behavior of the cement pastes was investigated. The action mechanism of the polymers was discussed. The results indicate that the charge density of anionic polymer VMAs is of great significance for the development of cost-effective SCCs with good rheological properties

Advances in the Anti-Tumor Activity of Biflavonoids in <i>Selaginella</i>

Despite the many strategies employed to slow the spread of cancer, the development of new anti-tumor drugs and the minimization of side effects have been major research hotspots in the anti-tumor field. Natural drugs are a huge treasure trove of drug development, and they have been widely used in the clinic as anti-tumor drugs. Selaginella species in the family Selaginellaceae are widely distributed worldwide, and they have been well-documented in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Biflavonoids are the main active ingredients in Selaginella, and they have good biological and anti-tumor activities, which warrant extensive research. The promise of biflavonoids from Selaginella (SFB) in the field of cancer therapy is being realized thanks to new research that offers insights into the multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms and key signaling pathways. The pharmacological effects of SFB against various cancers in vitro and in vivo are reviewed in this review. In addition, the types and characteristics of biflavonoid structures are described in detail; we also provide a brief summary of the efforts to develop drug delivery systems or combinations to enhance the bioavailability of SFB monomers. In conclusion, SFB species have great potential to be developed as adjuvant or even primary therapeutic agents for cancer, with promising applications

Oil Accumulation Model and Its Main Controlling Factors in Lower Yanchang Formation, Wuqi-Dingbianarea, Ordos Basin, China

Based on the studies of sedimentary facies, oil-source correlation, formation pressure structure, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, etc., the oil and gas accumulation model and main controlling factors in lower Yanchang Formation in Wuqi-Dibian area have been discussed. It is believed that two sets of source rocks, C7 and C9, are developed in study area, and hydrocarbon produced from layers of C8 and C9 is mainly from C7 source rock, followed by C9, according to oil-source correlation; hydrocarbon-generating pressurization of C7 source rock is the main driving force for the downward migration of oil. The high value area formed by the low value of overpressure difference between C7 and C8 is the main hydrocarbon accumulation area; deltaic front subaqueous distributary channel and mouth bar in lower Yanchang formation are the main accumulation spaces due to their good porosity and permeability; besides, C8 reservoir shows the characteristics of “episodic filling and continuous accumulation,” and they both are the undersource reservoir-forming combination; it is believed that the distribution of oil reservoir in Triassic series is controlled by the factors of “near source, low pressure, superior facies.

Prioritizing Disease Candidate Proteins in Cardiomyopathy-Specific Protein-Protein Interaction Networks Based on “Guilt by Association” Analysis

<div><p>The cardiomyopathies are a group of heart muscle diseases which can be inherited (familial). Identifying potential disease-related proteins is important to understand mechanisms of cardiomyopathies. Experimental identification of cardiomyophthies is costly and labour-intensive. In contrast, bioinformatics approach has a competitive advantage over experimental method. Based on “guilt by association” analysis, we prioritized candidate proteins involving in human cardiomyopathies. We first built weighted human cardiomyopathy-specific protein-protein interaction networks for three subtypes of cardiomyopathies using the known disease proteins from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man as seeds. We then developed a method in prioritizing disease candidate proteins to rank candidate proteins in the network based on “guilt by association” analysis. It was found that most candidate proteins with high scores shared disease-related pathways with disease seed proteins. These top ranked candidate proteins were related with the corresponding disease subtypes, and were potential disease-related proteins. Cross-validation and comparison with other methods indicated that our approach could be used for the identification of potentially novel disease proteins, which may provide insights into cardiomyopathy-related mechanisms in a more comprehensive and integrated way.</p></div

Top 50 candidate proteins from DCM-specific PPIN.

*<p>Proteins are represented in their corresponding gene symbols.</p