Improvement potential detection of integrated biomethane liquefaction and liquid air energy storage system

Biomethane (BM) is highly competitive bio-energy alternatives for lowering the dependency on fossil fuels globally. The form of BM that is most suitable for storage as well as shipping to far-flung areas of the world is liquefied biomethane (LBM). However, due to the significant power consumption by compressors used in BM liquefaction process (like natural gas), it is a cost-and energy-intensive operation. Additionally, because bio-methane is created at atmospheric pressure, unlike ordinary natural gas, liquefaction requires more power consumption because the pressure at which BM is produced is much less than corresponding critical pressure. Therefore, an integrated system of liquid air energy storage (LAES) system discharging end and a biomethane liquefaction process is introduced that is both economical and efficient in terms of energy use. The sub-cooling and liquefaction processes of biomethane are aided by the cold-exergy of liquid air at the time of regasification mode of LAES, which eventually lowers the refrigeration cycle duty of LBM process. On the other hand, gaining the additional advantage, the expansion stage of liquid air is aided by the thermal exergy of a compressed mixed refrigerant (MR). On the basis of conventional exergy analysis, composite curves analysis, advanced exergy analysis, and sustainability index, the impacts of novel integration of LBM and LAES are estimated in this study. Conventional exergy analysis determines that 15.9 % of exergy destruction is decreased in the proposed LBM-LAES system having additional power production of 4529 kW using gas turbine. Results based on advanced exergy analysis conclude that avoidable, endogenous and exogenous portions of exergy destructions are decreased by 28.9 %, 39.9 % and 43 %, respectively; which implies the significant improvement potential. Composite curves analysis depicts that the efficiency of primary cryogenic heat exchanger is improved in the proposed integrated scheme. Additionally, the overall sustainability index is increased from 1.55 to 2.13 for LBM-LAES process

Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts Lead the Invasion of Salivary Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Cells by Creating an Invasive Track.

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critical in determining tumor invasion and metastasis. However the role of CAFs in the invasion of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is poorly understood. In this study, we isolated primary CAFs from two ACC patients. ACC-derived CAFs expressed typical CAF biomarkers and showed increased migration and invasion activity. Conditioned medium collected from CAFs significantly promoted ACC cell migration and invasion. Co-culture of CAFs with ACC cells in a microfluidic device further revealed that CAFs localized at the invasion front and ACC cells followed the track behind the CAFs. Interfering of both matrix metalloproteinase and CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway inhibited ACC invasion promoted by CAFs. Overall, our study demonstrates that ACC-derived CAFs exhibit the most important defining feature of CAFs by promoting cancer invasion. In addition to secretion of soluble factors, CAFs also lead ACC invasion by creating an invasive track in the ECM

Phylogenomic Analysis of <i>Cytochrome P450</i> Gene Superfamily and Their Association with Flavonoids Biosynthesis in Peanut (<i>Arachis hypogaea</i> L.)

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) constitute extensive enzyme superfamilies in the plants, playing pivotal roles in a multitude of biosynthetic and detoxification pathways essential for growth and development, such as the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. However, CYPs have not yet been systematically studied in the cultivated peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), a globally significant cash crop. This study addresses this knowledge deficit through a comprehensive genome-wide analysis, leading to the identification of 589 AhCYP genes in peanuts. Through phylogenetic analysis, all AhCYPs were systematically classified into 9 clans, 43 gene families. The variability in the number of gene family members suggests specialization in biological functions. Intriguingly, both tandem duplication and fragment duplication events have emerged as pivotal drivers in the evolutionary expansion of the AhCYP superfamily. Ka/Ks analysis underscored the substantial influence of strong purifying selection on the evolution of AhCYPs. Furthermore, we selected 21 genes encoding 8 enzymes associated with the flavonoid pathway. The results of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments unveiled stage-specific expression patterns during the development of peanut testa, with discernible variations between pink and red testa. Importantly, we identified a direct correlation between gene expression levels and the accumulation of metabolites. These findings offer valuable insights into elucidating the comprehensive functions of AhCYPs and the underlying mechanisms governing the divergent accumulation of flavonoids in testa of different colors

The effects of NF, CAF-A1, and CAF-A2 on the invasion of SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells.

<p>(A) Experimental design. Fibroblasts (red) and ACC cells (green) were co-cultured in the cell culture channel of a microfluidic device.(B-C) Co-culture of NF, CAF-A1, or CAF-A2 with ACC cells in a microfluidic device. CAF-A1 and CAF-A2 promoted SACC-LM (B) and SACC-83 (C) invasion. CAFs localized at the invasion front and ACC cells followed the CAFs (Inset). Inset represents the green dotted square. (D-E) The invasion areas of SACC-LM (D) and SACC-83(E) were significantly increased in CAF-A1 and CAF-A2 co-culture groups compared to that in the NF co-culture group. * <i>P</i>< 0.05, n = 3. Scale bar = 100 μm</p

Inhibition of ACC invasion promoted by CAFs.

<p>(A) GM6001 inhibited both SACC-LM and SACC-83 invasion promoted by CAF-A1 and CAF-A2. (B) CXCL12 expression was confirmed in CAF-A1 and CAF-A2. NF showed low CXCL12 expression. (C) AMD3100 inhibited SACC-LM and SACC-83 invasion led by CAFs. * <i>P</i>< 0.05, n = 3. Scale bar = 100 μm</p

Migration and invasion of NF, CAF-A1, and CAF-A2.

<p>(A) Wound healing assay. Both CAF-A1 and CAF-A2 showed significantly increased migration activity compared to NF. (B) Transwell® migration assay. Significantly more CAF-A1 and CAF-A2 cells transmigrated through the pores of the Transwell® than NF. (C) Transwell® invasion assay. Significantly more CAF-A1 and CAF-A2 cells invaded through the matrix coating on the Transwell® membrane compared toNF. (n = 3)</p

The effects of CM prepared from NF, CAF-A1, and CAF-A2 on the migration and invasion of SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells.

<p>(A-B) ACC migration assay. CAF-A1-CM promoted SACC-LM migration significantly more than NF-CM. CAF-A2-CM also promoted SACC-LM migration more than NF-CM, but the difference was not significant (A). Both CAF-A1-CM and CAF-A2-CM promoted SACC-83 migration significantly more than NF-CM (B). (C-D) ACC invasion assay using Transwell® plates. CAF-A1-CM and CAF-A2-CM promoted SACC-LM (C) and SACC-83 (D) invasion significantly more than NF-CM. * <i>P</i>< 0.05, *** <i>P</i>< 0.001, n = 3. Scale bar = 100 μm</p