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Background: Tibial shaft fractures are usually treated by interlocking nails or plates. The ideal implant choice depends on many variables. Aim: To assess the mechanical behavior of interlocking nails and plates in the treatment of closed comminuted midshaft fractures of the tibia using finite element analysis. Material and methods: This is a prospective study of 50 patients with a mean age of 28.4 years with closed comminuted fractures of the midshaft of the tibia. Data evaluation was done by Finite element analysis (FEA). Fixation was revised in two cases. Results: After load application, there were significant differences in both bending (P = 0.041) and strain percent (P = 0.017), reflecting that interlocking nails were superior to plates. There were also significant differences between titanium and stainless-steel materials in bending (p = 0.041) and strain percent (p = 0.017) after applying load, indicating that titanium was superior to stainless steel. Conclusion: Interlocking nails are superior to plates in treating midshaft tibial fractures. The use of blocking screws may be needed in interlocking nails depending on the pattern and extension of the fracture.

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Abstract The widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) in many applications has led to its significant release to aquatic systems. Hence, the present study was performed to evaluate effects of TiO 2 NPs on crayfish Procambarus clarkii , which is often used as a bioindicator of water pollution. Adult male specimens were treated with 25, 125, and 250 mg/l of TiO 2 NPs for 28 days. Mortalities were 0, 3.3, and 10% for animals treated with 25, 125, and 250 mg/l of TiO 2 NPs, respectively. The level of titanium bioaccumulation in different tissues was as follows, gills > hepatopancreas > green glands > muscles. TiO2 NPs-exposed crayfish showed significant increase in the levels of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glutathione, and metallothioneins in the hepatopancreas. Exposure of the crayfish to 250 mg/l TiO 2 NPs caused severe histopathological alterations. In the hepatopancreas, the most prominent pathological changes were tubular disruption and inflammatory infiltration. Under transmission electron microscope (TEM), ruptured microvilli, deformed mitochondria and fragmentation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) were observed. In the gills, swelling of gill lamellae, disorganization and degeneration of epithelial cells were noted under the light microscope (LM). Under electron microscope (EM), gills of crayfish treated with 250 mg/l TiO 2 NPs showed vacuolation, dense granules, and diminution in the number of apical plasma membrane infoldings. In conclusion, TiO 2 NPs caused alteration in antioxidant activities and severe histopathological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perturbation of the protein homeostasis circuit is one of the principal attributes associated with many neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to explore the neuroprotective effect of roflumilast (ROF), a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, in a rotenone-induced rat model of PD and investigate the potential underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, ROF (1 mg/kg, p.o.) attenuated motor impairment, prevented brain lesions, and rescued the dopaminergic neurons in rotenone-treated rats. Furthermore, it reduced misfolded α-synuclein burden. ROF also promoted the midbrain cyclic adenosine monophosphate level, which subsequently enhanced the 26S proteasome activity and the expression of the 20S proteasome. ROF counteracted rotenone-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, which was demonstrated by its impact on activating transcription factor 6, glucose-regulated protein 78, and C/EBP homologous protein levels. Moreover, ROF averted rotenone-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by its effects on the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1, reduced glutathione, and lipid peroxides with a significant anti-apoptotic activity. Collectively, this study implies repurposing of ROF as a novel neuroprotective drug owning to its ability to restore normal protein homeostasis. [Display omitted] • Treatment with Roflumilast (ROF) alleviated rotenone-induced motor impairment. • ROF reduced the burden α-Syn aggregates via boosting the 20S proteasome activity. • ROF abrogated the endoplasmic reticulum stress in rotenone-intoxicated rats. • ROF promoted the activity of Nrf2/HO-1 axis in rats. • ROF reversed rotenone-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the fate and histopathological effects of ethion on selected organs of the crayfish, Procamabrus clarkii. Crayfish were exposed to 1mgl−1 14C-ethion and the concentrations of ethion and its possible degradation products were measured in water and different organs of the crayfish over both the exposure and recovery periods. Chromatographic analysis revealed that ethion was degraded into ethion monooxon, ethion dioxon, O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate, O-ethyl phosphorothioate and one unknown compound. At the end of exposure period, ethion was accumulated in different organs of the crayfish especially in the hepatopancreas and gills. Following the transfer of crayfish to clean water for seven days, the concentration of insecticide residues were decreased in both the hepatopancreas and gills suggesting that these organs play an important role in elimination of ethion. On the other hand, the exposure of the crayfish to ¼ 96h-LC50 (0.36mgl−1) of ethion caused extensive ultrastructural alterations to both hepatopancreas and gill epithelial cells. In the hepatopancreas, the most notable pathological features included vacuolation, degradation and distinct cell lysis. In the gill epithelium, the histopathological alterations included infiltration of hemocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolation and a decrease in the number of basal plasma membrane infoldings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eobania vermiculata is a well-known circum-Mediterranean land snail having a cosmopolitan distribution that makes it suitable for phylogenetic studies. The present work examines the phylogenetic relationships of two populations of this land snail from Egypt and Saudi Arabia using mitochondrial markers (partial 16S rDNA and COI gene sequencing) in addition to traditional methods of shell’s shape analysis. The study highlights the extraordinary morphological variations between the two studied snail populations. This variation seems to be related to the geographic origin but not the colouration of the shell and may have caused the present changes in their mitochondrial genes. The molecular phylogenetic analysis of partial 16S rDNA and COI gene segments confirms the morphological findings. The two monophyletic populations of Egyptian and Saudi Arabian E. vermiculata were found to represent two distinct groups. The concordance of morphological and molecular results, that produced very clear separation of both populations, leads us to conclude that the two separate groups could be considered two separate subspecies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Metallothionein (MTs) is a family of low molecular weight peptides with high cysteine content. In aquatic invertebrates, MTs play an important role in the detoxification of metals and they are often cited as useful biomarkers for toxic metal stress. The change in concentrations of metallothionein in response to aluminum and cadmium exposure was investigated in the soft tissues of two freshwater molluscs: Lymnaea stagnalis and Dreissena polymorpha that have contrasting feeding behavior and therefore metal accumulation profiles. The majority of added Al had precipitated in the bottom of tanks within 24h, with an average of only 15.4% and 26.2% remaining in the water column of tanks containing snails and mussels, respectively. In contrast, most of the Cd did not precipitate but remained in solution (81.1% and 82.7%, respectively) between water changes. Both metals accumulated in the soft tissues of both animals, but only cadmium exposure led to an increase in metallothionein concentrations in the soft tissues. However, no significant difference was observed in the level of total protein in both tested molluscs upon exposure to Al and Cd compared to the corresponding control. Therefore, care should be taken in the use of metallothioneins as biomarkers for metal stress, since not all metallic stressors induce their expression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study was undertaken to elucidate the cellular mechanisms, which govern metal sequestration and detoxification in gastropods. For this purpose the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis was exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of three species of metals (Al, Zn and Cd) for 30 days and the localization and fate of these metals were followed in different tissues of the snails. The measurement of relative distribution of metals between tissues revealed that the digestive gland and kidney account for most of the accumulated metals. Al and Cd (non-essential metals) were redistributed to the digestive gland, possibly because of the presence of specific binding entities in the digestive glands of the herein species. This study focuses on the role of intracellular metal-containing granules on metal sequestration. Three main types of granules were identified in the digestive gland cells namely small, green and yellow granules. The morphological examination and the progressive accumulation of elements within these granules revealed that they are developmental stages with the yellow granule being the mature one. The total number of these granules was found to be significantly increased upon exposure of the snails to Al only. This increase may be a response to the large amount of Al that is accumulated through feeding route of this grazing snail. X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) revealed that metals were localized in all three types of digestive gland granules. The increased amount of ligands (P and S) in the granules may give evidence for their role in metal sequestration. Levels of Al and P were positively correlated in the digestive gland granules. It is possible that aluminium is bound to phosphorus to render it insoluble and so to both immobilize it within the lysosome and to be excreted in a highly insoluble form. On the other hand, both Zn and Cd induced marked upregulation of S in mature (yellow) granules by 26- and 11-folds, respectively. The lysosomal codeposition of S and either Cd or Zn in the lysosomal granules in addition to the increase in RER cisternae may indicate that the exposure to these metals could induce metallothionein synthesis in the cells. The microscopical examinations in the present study revealed that metal detoxification from the digestive gland cells may occur via faeces or via basal exocytosis towards hemocytes dispersed by the connective tissue in the visceral mass. In the kidney, one type of granules, the excretory concretions, was identified in the nephrocytes. The significant increase in the number of these concretions in the snail L. stagnalis upon exposure to metals may give further evidence for their role in metal excretion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Silicon (Si) has a marked affinity for aluminium (Al(III)), but not other trace metals such as cadmium (Cd(II)) and zinc (Zn(II)). Exogenous orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4) ameliorates the toxicity of Al(III) to the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, but its mechanism of action is unclear. Here, studies were conducted to ascertain whether interaction between orthosilicic acid and Al(III) occurs in the water column to prevent Al(III) uptake, or in the tissues to reduce the toxicity of accumulated metal. Silicon did not reduce the accumulation of Al(III) by the digestive gland (the main ‘sink’ for trace metals in L. stagnalis) following exposure of the snail for 30 days to 500 μg l−1 added Al(III) and 13-fold molar excess of orthosilicic acid. However, Si concentrations correlated well with Al(III) levels in the digestive gland (R2=0.77), giving a ratio of 2.5:1 (Al(III):Si). Exposure to Zn(II) or Cd(II) and 13-fold molar excess of orthosilicic acid did not prevent uptake of these metals, or result in a correlation between metal and Si concentrations of the snail digestive gland. These data show that aquated orthosilicic acid does not prevent Al(III) accumulation by L. stagnalis. However, following exposure, the ratio of Al(III) to Si in the digestive gland is suggestive of the early formation of hydroxyaluminosilicates, probably proto-imogolites (2–3:1 Al(III):Si). Whether hydroxyaluminates are formed ex vivo in the water column and taken up by snails into the digestive gland, or formed in situ within the digestive gland remains to be established. Either way, orthosilicic acid clearly prevents the in vivo toxicity of Al(III) rather than reducing its uptake. Silicon appears to have an important role in the handling Al(III) by the pond snail which may also have wider relevance in understanding the role of Si in ameliorating Al(III) toxicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fracture conductivity is a measure of the fracture ability to transfer fluids from a hydrocarbon-bearing zone to a well. Proppant embedment in soft formations and rock weakening due to the acid/rock reaction limit the stimulation success resulting in sharp fracture conductivity decline. The focus of this study is to increase the rock strength by mineralogical alteration aimed at sustaining long-term fracture conductivity. To achieve these, several standard cylindrical Indian limestone plugs with diameters of 1.5 and 2.5 in and length of 3 in were treated with different types of zinc solutions to substitute calcium with zinc in calcite crystals. The goal of these mineral alterations is to change the principal component of limestone rocks surface, calcite (CaCO 3), into smithsonite (ZnCO 3). Smithsonite is harder than calcite and its lattice system is similar to calcite. The treatment was carried out by full immersion of samples into zinc solutions at a predetermined time intervals. The rock strength was measured from samples surface (Young's modulus) before and after the treatment by a non-destructive technique using an impulse hammer. Zinc sulfate solution was found to enhance the rock hardness by values ranging from 25% to 35% via the formation of a layer of smithsonite on the sample's surface. SEM, XRF, XPS and FIB-SEM experiments were conducted to understand the exchange mechanism that eventually led to the hardening. Also, effective porosity and permeability were measured before and after the chemical treatment to investigate its impact. A field-scale modeling study of rock hardness impact on productivity is provided as a preliminary proof of concept. • Improving hydraulic fracture conductivity in carbonate minerals by forming harder ones was proved to be possible. • Rock surface Young's modulus improved significantly when calcite minerals were replaced with smithsonite. • Hi-Res XPS, XRF, SEM, and FIB-SEM experiments were conducted to understand the exchange mechanism. • Automated impulse hammer measurements were taken to prove the increase in rock hardness. • Numerical simulations proved that enhancing the rock hardness could improve the fractured well productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture conductivity is a fracture's capacity to deliver fluids from the hydrocarbon reservoir to the wellbore. Sustaining long-term fracture conductivity results in better well productivity and reserve recovery. Harder rocks tend to sustain conductivity better than do weak and ductile rocks because they are less likely to suffer from proppant embedment and the crushing and creeping of asperities. This study shows that the hardness of carbonate rocks can be improved significantly when they are treated with carbonate-consolidating chemicals. Ideally, this should be done without damaging the matrix permeability. This research tested the capacity of microemulsion, calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2) nanoparticles, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to consolidate carbonate rocks. These are all believed to improve rock hardness by enhancing carbonate grain attachment. The treatments were applied to cores and slabs of Mississippian Indiana limestone and permo-carboniferous Khuff carbonate rocks. These chemicals were tested by either impregnation or complete immersion of the rock sample in a solution. SEM, X-ray fluorescence, porosity, permeability, and rock hardness were all measured before after the treatment. It was observed that the rock surface Young's modulus could be improved by 10%–38%. Matrix permeability was reduced by 50% when Ca(OH) 2 nanoparticles were tested. Nevertheless, the TEOS improved the carbonate rock's hardness and permeability 18% and 44%, respectively. A modeling study has also been provided to explain the impact of fractured rock strengthening on productivity improvement. • TEOS is an efficient chemical for strengthening of carbonates. • Ca(OH) 2 nanocrystals consolidate carbonates. • Treatments lead to an increase in Youngs modulus of up to 38%. • Permeability is improved in the case of TEOS treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid fracture is a widely applied stimulation technique in carbonate formations; however, it has yet to be fully engineered. A holistic approach was taken in this study to improve the general understating of acid fracture from the field, laboratory, and modeling perspectives. Fully integrating these three elements is imperative to enhancing the performance of acid-fractured wells. The comprehensive review provided in this study will reduce the gap between job execution outcomes and acid fracture model predictions, a goal that is unattainable without knowledge of acid fracture fluid properties, potentials, and limitations. Such an understanding can be obtained from laboratory studies, as well as from job execution results. Obtaining accurate descriptions of the fluid and rock properties encountered during operation is essential. For instance, an experimental approach is applied to obtain the reaction kinetics, diffusion coefficients, and acid fracture conductivity. These, along with the fluid loss coefficient and pressure data obtained from field operations, are valuable modeling inputs. This study sheds light on improvements in acid fracture modeling capabilities made during the past several decades, as well as limitations in terms of capturing some of the fundamental physical phenomena occurring during the process of acid fracture. Essentially, a model that can predict stimulation outcomes can be used to improve the design. • Review of the fluids used in acid fracturing. • Review of the laboratory experiments to evaluate acid fracturing. • Review of the simulation models. • Review of field techniques and practices. • Recent advances in acid fracturing were reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hydraulic fracturing operations, small rounded particles called proppants are mixed and injected with fracture fluids into the targeted formation. The proppant particles hold the fracture open against formation closure stresses, providing a conduit for the reservoir fluid flow. The fracture's capacity to transport fluids is called fracture conductivity and is the product of proppant permeability and fracture width. Prediction of the propped fracture conductivity is essential for fracture design optimization. Several theoretical and few empirical models have been developed in the literature to estimate fracture conductivity, but these models either suffer from complexity, making them impractical, or accuracy due to data limitations. In this research, and for the first time, a machine learning approach was used to generate simple and accurate propped fracture conductivity correlations in unconventional gas shale formations. Around 350 consistent data points were collected from experiments on several important shale formations, namely, Marcellus, Barnett, Fayetteville, and Eagle Ford. Several machine learning models were utilized in this research, such as artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy logic, and functional network. The ANN model provided the highest accuracy in fracture conductivity estimation with R 2 of 0.89 and 0.93 for training and testing data sets, respectively. We observed that a higher accuracy could be achieved by creating a correlation specific for each shale formation individually. Easily obtained input parameters were used to predict the fracture conductivity, namely, fracture orientation, closure stress, proppant mesh size, proppant load, static Young's modulus, static Poisson's ratio, and brittleness index. Exploratory data analysis showed that the features above are important where the closure stress is the most significant., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)