Pore-scale analysis of solubilization and mobilization of trapped NAPL blobs in porous media

NAPL (non-aqueous phase liquid) blob mobilization and solubilization models were developed to predict residual NAPL fate and describe flow dynamics of various displacing phases (water and surfactant foam). The models were achieved by pore-scale mass and force balances and were focused on the understanding of the physico-chemical interactions between NAPL blobs and the displacing phases. The pore-level mass balance indicated changes in NAPL saturation instead of mass reduction occurring with blob solubilization. The force balance was used to explain the complex flow configurations among NAPL blobs and the displacing phases. Some factors such as the wettability and the spreading/entering coefficients were useful in determining flow configurations. From the models developed in this study, dimensional analysis was performed to identify NAPL blob motion during water or surfactant foam flooding. In non-dimensionalized forms, a Trapping number employed as an indicator of blob displacement performance was modified to quantify the onset of blob mobilization. Its value for water flooding was nearly 2-3 orders of magnitude greater than that of surfactant foam flooding. Next, to investigate the blob flow regime in porous media, a blob velocity was computed. Regardless of the displacing phases, a blob’s velocity increased with increasing blob sizes after commencement of blob motion, and the velocity of DNAPL (dense non-aqueous phase liquid) blobs was greater than that of LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquid) blobs. From this investigation, it is expected that the pore-scale solubilization and mobilization models would provide better understanding leading to a predictive capability for the flow behavior of NAPL blobs removed by various displacing phases in a porous medium. Additionally, the models based on newly approached concepts and modified governing equations would be useful in conceptualization, as well as the model prediction of other immiscible or miscible fluids flowing through a porous medium. Further, the models developed in our study would be a useful contribution to the study of small-scale contaminants or substances such as particle and bacterial transport in porous media

Measurement of epigenetic alterations from patient’s tissues in myoma, adenomyoma and endometriosis

Background: Myoma, adenomyoma, and endometriosis are estrogen-dependent gynecologic diseases and result in reproductive dysfunction and pelvic pain in women. However, these gynecologic diseases have a complex and poorly understood etiology, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic alterations, heritable changes that can modify gene expression without affecting genetic sequence, are associated with the development and progression of numerous pathological states and diseases. Therefore, there is great potential for the use of epigenetics as biomarkers to better understand the early-stage biological responses and molecular mechanisms of gynecologic diesases. We aimed to examine levels of global DNA and gene-specific methylation, which are epigenetic alterations that could be associated with development of gynecologic diseases, including myoma, adenomyoma, and endometriosis. Methods: We measured global DNA methylation (LINE-1) as well as disease relevant gene-specific methylation (i.e. ER, PR, and aromatase) using pyrosequencing assay. For this measurement, gene-specific primers for the selected genes were designed using the Pyro-Mark assay design software. Genomic DNAs from each tissue were extracted, and underwent bisulfite modification to convert unmethylated cytosine residues to uracil. A Pyromark Q96 MD was used for all subsequent pyrosequencing. Samples were processed in duplicates on plates with water controls. Percent methylation of a sample was calculated by averaging all of the interrogated CpG sites. Results: Different methylation levels of selected genes were measured from myoma, adenomyoma, and endometriosis tissues. Our obtained results suggest that epigenetic changes are involved in development of different types of gynecologic diseases

A Novel Selective Sphingosine Kinase 2 Inhibitor, HWG-35D, Ameliorates the Severity of Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis Model by Blocking Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Sphingosine kinases (SK) catalyze the phosphorylation of sphingosine to generate sphingosine-1-phosphate. Two isoforms of SK (SK1 and SK2) exist in mammals. Previously, we showed the beneficial effects of SK2 inhibition, using ABC294640, in a psoriasis mouse model. However, ABC294640 also induces the degradation of SK1 and dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (DES1). Considering these additional effects of ABC294640, we re-examined the efficacy of SK2 inhibition in an IMQ-induced psoriasis mouse model using a novel SK2 inhibitor, HWG-35D, which exhibits nM potency and 100-fold selectivity for SK2 over SK1. Topical application of HWG-35D ameliorated IMQ-induced skin lesions and normalized the serum interleukin-17A levels elevated by IMQ. Application of HWG-35D also decreased skin mRNA levels of interleukin-17A, K6 and K16 genes induced by IMQ. Consistent with the previous data using ABC294640, HWG-35D also blocked T helper type 17 differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells with concomitant reduction of SOCS1. Importantly, HWG-35D did not affect SK1 or DES1 expression levels. These results reaffirm an important role of SK2 in the T helper type 17 response and suggest that highly selective and potent SK2 inhibitors such as HWG-35D might be of therapeutic use for the treatment of psoriasis

Dual Effect of Chrysanthemum indicum

The risk of bone-related diseases increases due to the imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation by osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively. The goal in the development of antiosteoporotic treatments is an agent that will improve bone through simultaneous osteoblast stimulation and osteoclast inhibition without undesirable side effects. To achieve this goal, numerous studies have been performed to identify novel approaches using natural oriental herbs to treat bone metabolic diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Chrysanthemum indicum extract (CIE) on the differentiation of osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells. CIE inhibited the formation of TRAP-positive mature osteoclasts and of filamentous-actin rings and disrupted the bone-resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner. CIE strongly inhibited Akt, GSK3β, and IκB phosphorylation in RANKL-stimulated bone marrow macrophages and did not show any effects on MAP kinases, including p38, ERK, and JNK. Interestingly, CIE also enhanced primary osteoblast differentiation via upregulation of the expression of alkaline phosphatase and the level of extracellular calcium concentrations during the early and terminal stages of differentiation, respectively. Our results revealed that CIE could have a potential therapeutic role in bone-related disorders through its dual effects on osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation

Structure stability evaluation of offshore heave compensator using multi-body dynamics analysis method

Heave compensator attenuate vessel heave motion during drilling operation of drillship. Heave compensator functions as damping form motion of drillship, such as principle spring of suspension system. The load transfers on the parts of heave compensator. Stress and deformation of all parts is evaluated to diagnose the stability of the compensator. This study makes a decision on the safety of structure. Results of analysis confirm the structure stability of heave compensator for simulation. This result can be used as data for structural analysis to determine safety of a structure

Structural abnormalities in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS)

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate cortical thickness and gray matter volume abnormalities in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS). We additionally assessed the effects of comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) on these abnormalities.MethodsSurface and volumetric MR imaging data of children with newly diagnosed BCECTS (n=20, 14 males) and age-matched healthy controls (n=20) were analyzed using FreeSurfer (version 5.3.0, https://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu). An additional comparison was performed between BCECTS children with and without ADHD (each, n=8). A group comparison was carried out using an analysis of covariance with a value of significance set as p<0.01 or p<0.05.ResultsChildren with BCECTS had significantly thicker right superior frontal, superior temporal, middle temporal, and left pars triangularis cortices. Voxel-based morphometric analysis revealed significantly larger cortical gray matter volumes of the right precuneus, left orbitofrontal, pars orbitalis, precentral gyri, and bilateral putamen and the amygdala of children with BCECTS compared to healthy controls. BCECTS patients with ADHD had significantly thicker left caudal anterior and posterior cingulate gyri and a significantly larger left pars opercularis gyral volume compared to BCECTS patients without ADHD.ConclusionChildren with BCECTS have thicker or larger gray matters in the corticostriatal circuitry at the onset of epilepsy. Comorbid ADHD is also associated with structural aberrations. These findings suggest structural disruptions of the brain network are associated with specific developmental electro-clinical syndromes

Effect of Fe/N-doped carbon nanotube (CNT) wall thickness on CO2 conversion: A DFT study

Many researches on CO2 adsorption using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been actively studied, but experimental and theoretical studies on CO2 conversion are still in demand. In particular, the effect of CNT wall thickness on CO2 conversion is not yet established clearly. This study employed two different-walled CNT catalysts doped with iron and nitrogen, single-walled CNT (Fe-N-SWCNT) and double-walled CNT (Fe-N-DWCNT). The structural and electrical properties of these CNTs and their influences on CO2 conversion were characterized and compared using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. As a result, Fe-N-DWCNT was shown to improve catalyst stability with higher formation energy and adsorption energy for CO2 adsorption than Fe-N-SWCNT. Also, the CO2 molecules were found to be highly delocalized and strongly hybridized with Fe-N-DWCNT, leading to more active charge transfer in the catalyst. These findings demonstrate the potential of selective CO2 conversion, as wall thickness differences can lead to different electrical properties of CNTs by showing that the larger the thicknesses, the lower the energy barrier required for CO2 conversion. Specifically, Fe-N-DWCNT is easier to convert CO2 to HCOOH than Fe-N-SWCNT at lower overpotential (0.15 V) obtained with limiting potentials and free energies calculated by understanding the possible reaction pathways in the proton-electron transfer process. Therefore, these results support the hypothesis that the wall thickness of CNT influences CO2 conversion by showing that the double-walled heterogeneous CNT (Fe-N-DWCNT) is a potential catalyst to selectively produce HCOOH from CO2 conversion.Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) - grant #NPRP 10-1210-160019

Moyamoya disease in a 3-year-old boy presenting with a focal motor seizure provoked by hyperventilation

A previously healthy, 3-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with an afebrile focal motor seizure. He was found crying and having a seizure 30 minutes earlier. During this seizure, he was jerking his head and right extremities. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging showed acute infarction in the bilateral frontal lobes, chiefly in the left. After hospitalization, conventional angiography demonstrated bilateral stenosis of the distal internal carotid arteries with development of lenticulostriate collaterals, which confirmed the diagnosis of moyamoya disease. It is vital to recognize focal motor seizures and situations related to hyperventilation in children with a seizure, which imply a structural lesion and a provoked cerebral ischemia in preexisting moyamoya disease, respectively