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Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase GPAT9 catalyzes the first acylation of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P), a committed step of glycerolipid synthesis in Arabidopsis. The role of GPAT9 in Brassica napus remains to be elucidated. Here, we identified four orthologs of GPAT9 and found that BnaGPAT9 encoded by BnaC01T0014600WE is a predominant isoform and promotes seed oil accumulation and eukaryotic galactolipid synthesis in Brassica napus. BnaGPAT9 is highly expressed in developing seeds and is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Ectopic expression of BnaGPAT9 in E. coli and siliques of Brassica napus enhanced phosphatidic acid (PA) production. Overexpression of BnaGPAT9 enhanced seed oil accumulation resulting from increased 18:2-fatty acid. Lipid profiling in developing seeds showed that overexpression of BnaGPAT9 led to decreased phosphatidylcholine (PC) and a corresponding increase in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), implying that BnaGPAT9 promotes PC flux to storage triacylglycerol (TAG). Furthermore, overexpression of BnaGPAT9 also enhanced eukaryotic galactolipids including monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), with increased 36:6-MGDG and 36:6-DGDG, and decreased 34:6-MGDG in developing seeds. Collectively, these results suggest that ER-localized BnaGPAT9 promotes PA production, thereby enhancing seed oil accumulation and eukaryotic galactolipid biosynthesis in Brassica napus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Etched surface morphology is the main cause of etched fracture conductivity. It would be helpful to optimize acidification fracturing design and improve the reservoir reconstruction effect by analyzing the rock etched surface during the acid-rock reaction process. The chemical mechanism involved in forming the etched carbonate surface and reasons for non-uniform morphogenesis are thoroughly analyzed in this paper. By applying different viscous acid-rock reaction kinetic parameters, a measuring device, and a 3D laser scanner, the acid-rock reaction rate and etched surface morphology are tested under different acid concentrations, reaction temperatures, and flow rates. The regularity of the surface morphology is also obtained under different acid-rock reaction rates. The results demonstrate that, with an increase in the acid concentration, reaction temperature, and acid flow, the acid reaction rate can be accelerated and the etched masses are positively related to the etched volume and acid-rock reaction rate. The main controlling factors of the acid-etched surface morphology in the parallel and vertical acid flow directions are the acid-rock reaction rate and mineral composition distribution, respectively. The increase in the acid-rock reaction rate contributes to drastic changes in the rock wavy surface, as well as the differences in and degree of inhomogeneity. In the acid flow direction, it is more conducive to form acid-etched holes and grooves by increasing the acid-rock reaction rate. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Laws of etched surface morphology were obtained from different acid rock reaction experiments. • The controlling factors of etched surface morphology are rock inhomogeneity, uneven acid distribution and crack roughness. • The increase of reaction rate leads to drastic change of rock surface fluctuation and increase the degree of irregularity. • The increase of the reaction rate in the flow direction is favorable for the formation of acid etched holes and grooves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A novel AAO-SBSPR (Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxic/Sequencing Batch Sidestream Phosphorus Recovery) process was developed for phosphorus (P) recovery and nutrient removal from municipal wastewater. Meanwhile, an operational strategy based on the P mass balance for the process was proposed, where P recovery rate was coupled with sludge retention time (SRT) so as to reduce the impact of P recovery on P content in activated sludge and maintain a stable operation of the process. The results show that the proposed operational strategy is helpful for the stable operation of the AAO-SBSPR process and up to 65% of the influent P was recovered with the phosphate removal efficiency of 99.1%. Both P recovery and extended SRT had limited influence on the P release and uptake rates of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). The results of high-throughput sequencing analysis indicated that the relative abundance of Accumulibacter increased while SRT was extended under high P recovery rate. Moreover, significant promotion of simultaneous nitrogen removal and P uptake was observed, where the ratio of anoxic P uptake to the total P uptake of the whole process increased from 41.7% in the AAO process to 77.5% in the AAO-SBSPR process, combined with the increase of total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency from 71.9% to 80.4%. The P recovery process is also beneficial for the reduction of sludge production and nitrification process as SRT was extended for high P recovery rate. Overall, the AAO-SBSPR process together with the operational strategy proposed in this study provides a promising and practical alternative for P recovery from municipal wastewater. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • An AAO-SBSPR process was proposed to recover P from municipal wastewater and 65% P was recovered. • An operational strategy associating the P recovery rate with SRT was proposed and validated. • Anoxic P uptake was promoted under high P recovery rate and long SRT. • Good nutrient removal performance was achieved. • Excess sludge production was minimized under long SRT and high P recovery rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent sensitization is a model of chronic pain in which an injury triggers a period of hyperalgesia followed by an apparent recovery, but in which pain sensitization persists but is suppressed by opioid and adrenergic receptors. One important characteristic of latent sensitization is that hyperalgesia can be triggered by acute stress. To determine whether the effect of stress is mimicked by the activation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling in the brain, rats with latent sensitization induced by injecting complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA, 50 μl) in one hind paw were given an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of CRF. The i.c.v. injection of CRF (0.6 μg, 10 μl), but not saline, induced bilateral mechanical hyperalgesia in rats with latent sensitization. In contrast, CRF i.c.v. did not induce hyperalgesia in rats without latent sensitization (injected with saline in the hind paw). To determine whether descending pain inhibition mediates the suppression of hyperalgesia in latent sensitization, rats with CFA-induced latent sensitization received an intrathecal injection of lidocaine (10%, 1 μl) at the cervical-thoracic spinal cord to produce a spinal block. Lidocaine-injected rats, but not rats injected intrathecally with saline, developed bilateral mechanical hyperalgesia. Intrathecal lidocaine did not induce hyperalgesia in rats without latent sensitization (injected with saline in the hind paw). These results show that i.c.v. CRF mimicked the hyperalgesic response triggered by stress during latent sensitization, possibly by blocking inhibitory spinal descending signals that suppress hyperalgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root systems play a vital role in soil-plant interactions. The dynamics and distributions of soil moisture content (SMC), soil salinity, and cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) root density under mulched drip irrigation are complex and their interactions are not well understood. The aim of this study is to describe these dynamics and distributions and to evaluate their impacts on cotton above-ground growth and yield during two-year field experiments in a cotton field under mulched drip irrigation with brackish and fresh water. Significant differences were observed for the distributions of SMC, soil salinity, and root length density (RLD) in the root zone for brackish water irrigation treatment (BWT) and fresh water irrigation treatment (FWT). The average SMC and soil salinity in the root zone were higher for BWT than for FWT. The spacing of irrigation lines also had measurable impacts. SMC was less variable when irrigation spacing was small (narrow rows) than beneath wide rows. SMC for BWT and FWT decreased after irrigation due to root water uptake; simultaneously, salt concentration increased, especially in regions where RLD was relatively high. More roots were observed growing in the mulched narrow and wide rows than in the no-mulch zone. Roots were concentrated in the shallowest 30 cm. Our study indicated that the average values of the EC e (electrical conductivity of soil saturation extract) in the root zone after BWT irrigation were higher than the published threshold value for optimal cotton yield. The average RLD, shoot dry weight and yield for BWT were observed to be lower than those of FWT as a result of the elevated soil salinity associated with BWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between NMDA receptors and μ-opioid receptors in primary afferent terminals was studied by using NMDA to induce substance P release, measured as neurokinin 1 receptor internalization. In rat spinal cord slices, the μ-opioid receptor agonists morphine, DAMGO and endomorphin-2 inhibited NMDA-induced substance P release, whereas the antagonist CTAP right-shifted the concentration response of DAMGO. In vivo , substance P release induced by intrathecal NMDA after priming with BDNF was inhibited by DAMGO. ω-Conotoxins MVIIC and GVIA inhibited about half of the NMDA-induced substance P release, showing that it was partially mediated by the opening of voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels. In contrast, DAMGO or ω-conotoxins did not inhibit capsaicin-induced substance P release. In cultured DRG neurons, DAMGO but not ω-conotoxin inhibited NMDA-induced increases in intracellular calcium, indicating that μ-opioid receptors can inhibit NMDA receptor function by mechanisms other than inactivation of Cav channels. Moreover, DAMGO decreased the ω-conotoxin-insensitive component of the substance P release. Potent inhibition by ifenprodil showed that these NMDA receptors have the NR2B subunit. Activators of adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A (PKA) induced substance P release and this was decreased by the NMDA receptor blocker MK-801 and by DAMGO. Conversely, inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase and PKA, but not of protein kinase C, decreased NMDA-induced substance P release. Hence, these NMDA receptors are positively modulated by the adenylyl cyclase-PKA pathway, which is inhibited by μ-opioid receptors. In conclusion, μ-opioid receptors inhibit NMDA receptor-induced substance P release through Cav channel inactivation and adenylyl cyclase inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine roots distribution and dynamics (production, mortality, and longevity) significantly impact the crop soil ecosystems. However, the spatial distribution and dynamics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fine roots under film-mulched drip irrigation are poorly understood. The present study aims to characterize these distributions and dynamics measured using a minirhizotron technique and the influence of soil conditions. The non-uniform distribution of soil moisture and salinity may lead to the differences of root length density (RLD) distribution. A clear decreased trend for the average RLD was observed in the shallow soil layer due to high localized salinity accumulated after brackish water irrigation. There existed a clear high soil moisture content strip at depth which may lead to a high RLD peak in the 95–100 cm soil layer. Average live root production was characterized by a very high rate during the initial growth stage followed by a decline after budding, which in turn was followed by a slight increase during boll opening. The average number of new roots was highest during the initial growth stages, decreasing after the budding stage. Thinner roots in the deep soil had shorter lifespans than those in shallow soil. Our study indicated that the minirhizotron technique can be used reliably as an in situ, non-destructive method for estimating cotton fine roots distribution and dynamics under film-mulched drip irrigation. To evaluate cotton fine root distribution and dynamics under film-mulched drip irrigation more accurately, a cotton root system architecture model could be parameterized in space and time based on the minirhizotron observations. • A region of increased soil moisture at depth may led to a high RLD peak at 95–100 cm soil layer. • Average number of new roots were highest during initial growth stages while decreasing after budding. • Thinner roots in the deep soil had shorter lifespan than those in shallow soil. • A cotton root system architecture model should be further parameterized in space and time based on the minirhizotron data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NMDA receptors in primary afferent terminals can contribute to hyperalgesia by increasing neurotransmitter release. In rats and mice, we found that the ability of intrathecal NMDA to induce neurokinin 1 receptor ( NK1R) internalization (a measure of substance P release) required a previous injection of BDNF. Selective knock-down of NMDA receptors in primary afferents decreased NMDA-induced NK1R internalization, confirming the presynaptic location of these receptors. The effect of BDNF was mediated by tropomyosin-related kinase B (trkB) receptors and not p75 neurotrophin receptors (p75 NTR), because it was not produced by pro BDNF and was inhibited by the trkB antagonist ANA-12 but not by the p75 NTR inhibitor TAT-Pep5. These effects are probably mediated through the truncated form of the trkB receptor as there is little expression of full-length trkB in dorsal root ganglion ( DRG) neurons. Src family kinase inhibitors blocked the effect of BDNF, suggesting that trkB receptors promote the activation of these NMDA receptors by Src family kinase phosphorylation. Western blots of cultured DRG neurons revealed that BDNF increased Tyr1472 phosphorylation of the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor, known to have a potentiating effect. Patch-clamp recordings showed that BDNF, but not pro BDNF, increased NMDA receptor currents in cultured DRG neurons. NMDA-induced NK1R internalization was also enabled in a neuropathic pain model or by activating dorsal horn microglia with lipopolysaccharide. These effects were decreased by a BDNF scavenger, a trkB receptor antagonist and a Src family kinase inhibitor, indicating that BDNF released by microglia potentiates NMDA receptors in primary afferents during neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to show which dimensions of functions differ among community-dwelling elderly participants in four different certification levels of the current long-term care insurance system (LTCI) in a rural, depopulated and aging town in Japan, with special consideration for strengths and weaknesses of the LTCI. Methods: The study population consisted of 1077 community-dwelling elderly participants aged 65 years and older, with LTCI certification comprising 542 uncertified elderly (Ippan-Koureisya), 437 specified elderly ( Tokutei-Koreisha), 57 support-level elderly ( Youshien-Koureisha) and 41 care-level elderly ( Youkaigo-Ninteisha). Each participant was rated regarding their health status, with question topics including basic activities of daily living (ADL), the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC), the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), 21-item Fall Risk Index (FRI-21), the quantitative subjective quality of life (QOL), current medical situation, past medical histories and social backgrounds. Results: The scores in basic ADL, each item of the TMIG-IC and five items of the quantitative subjective QOL were significantly lower, and the scores in GDS-15 and in FRI-21 were significantly higher according to certification level, in order of uncertified, specified, support-level and care-level elderly in a dose-response manner. Exercise and drinking habits were significantly less common in support- or care-level elderly than in specified or uncertified elderly. The prevalence of taking antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemia, antidepressant or sleeping medications was significantly higher in the support- or care-level elderly than in uncertified or specified elderly people. Support- or care-level elderly also had a significantly higher prevalence of past medical histories of stroke, bone fractures, osteoarthropathy, heart disease and cancer than uncertified or specified elderly people. Conclusion: Actual standardized quantitative and qualitative geriatric functions of the elderly among four categories in newly revised LTCI system were shown in a depopulated and aging town in Japan. Based on the actual situation of functions of the elderly, the strengths and weaknesses of the current LTCI system were reconsidered. Further research on the measures to prevent future dependency among the specified and support-level elderly is required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 63-69. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GABAB, μ-opioid and adrenergic α2 receptors inhibit substance P release from primary afferent terminals in the dorsal horn. Studies in cell expression systems suggest that μ-opioid and GABAB receptors inhibit transmitter release from primary afferents by activating Src family kinases (SFKs), which then phosphorylate and inhibit voltage-gated calcium channels. This study investigated whether SFKs mediate the inhibition of substance P release by these three receptors. Substance P release was measured as neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) internalization in spinal cord slices and in vivo. In slices, NK1R internalization induced by high-frequency dorsal root stimulation was inhibited by the μ-opioid agonist DAMGO and the GABAB agonist baclofen. This inhibition was reversed by the SFK inhibitor PP1. NK1R internalization induced by low-frequency stimulation was also inhibited by DAMGO, but PP1 did not reverse this effect. In vivo, NK1R internalization induced by noxious mechanical stimulation of the hind paw was inhibited by intrathecal DAMGO and baclofen. This inhibition was reversed by intrathecal PP1, but not by the inactive PP1 analog PP3. PP1 produced no effect by itself. The α2 adrenergic agonists medetomidine and guanfacine produced a small but statistically significant inhibition of NK1R internalization induced by low-frequency dorsal root stimulation. PP1 did not reverse the inhibition by guanfacine. These results show that SFKs mediate the inhibition of substance P release by μ-opioid and GABAB receptors, but not by α2 receptors, which is probably mediated by the binding of G protein βγ subunits to calcium channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of CB1 receptors in the spinal cord to cannabinoid analgesia is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of CB1 receptors on substance P release from primary afferent terminals in the spinal cord. Substance P release was measured as neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor internalization in lamina I neurons. It was induced in spinal cord slices by dorsal root stimulation and in live rats by a noxious stimulus. In spinal cord slices, the CB1 receptor antagonists AM251, AM281 and rimonabant partially but potently inhibited NK1 receptor internalization induced by electrical stimulation of the dorsal root. This was due to an inhibition of substance P release and not of NK1 receptor internalization itself, because AM251 and AM281 did not inhibit NK1 receptor internalization induced by exogenous substance P. The CB1 receptor agonist ACEA increased NK1 receptor internalization evoked by dorsal root stimulation. The effects of AM251 and ACEA cancelled each other. In vivo, AM251 injected intrathecally decreased NK1 receptor internalization in spinal segments L5 and L6 induced by noxious hind paw clamp. Intrathecal AM251 also produced analgesia to radiant heat stimulation of the paw. The inhibition by AM251 of NK1 receptor internalization was reversed by antagonists of μ-opioid and GABAB receptors. This indicates that CB1 receptors facilitate substance P release by inhibiting the release of GABA and opioids next to primary afferent terminals, producing disinhibition. This results in a pronociceptive effect of CB1 receptors in the spinal cord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Veratridine and high K+-induced μ-opioid receptor (MOR) internalization in rat spinal cord slices by evoking opioid release. Veratridine induced up to 75% MOR internalization but showed an atypical concentration–response: its effect increased steeply from 5μM to 10μM, and declined thereafter to disappear at 100μM. At 100μM, veratridine also inhibited of MOR internalization induced by exogenous endomorphin-2. This inhibition was caused by Na+ entry, since the Na+ ionophore monensin (50μM) also inhibited endomorphin-induced MOR internalization. In contrast, veratridine induced neurokinin 1 receptor internalization (by evoking substance P release) without any inhibition at high concentrations. KCl evoked up to 80% MOR internalization, which disappeared in the presence of lidocaine or in the absence of peptidase inhibitors, indicating that it involved neuronal firing and peptide release. Unlike veratridine, KCl did not inhibit MOR internalization at high concentrations. However, both KCl and veratridine evoked more MOR internalization when applied for 2min than for 20min because of a direct inhibition of MOR internalization with the longer incubation times. These results show that short incubations with 20μM veratridine or 30mM KCl are optimal stimuli to evoke opioid release and MOR internalization in the spinal cord. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Neurotransmitter receptors that control the release of opioid peptides in the spinal cord may play an important role in pain modulation. Norepinephrine, released by a descending pathway originating in the brainstem, is a powerful inducer of analgesia in the spinal cord. Adrenergic α2C receptors are present in opioid-containing terminals in the dorsal horn, where they could modulate opioid release. The goal of this study was to investigate this possibility. Opioid release was evoked from rat spinal cord slices by incubating them with the sodium channel opener veratridine in the presence of peptidase inhibitors (actinonin, captopril and thiorphan), and was measured in situ through the internalization of μ-opioid receptors in dorsal horn neurons. Veratridine produced internalization in 70% of these neurons. The α2 receptor agonists clonidine, guanfacine, medetomidine and UK-14304 inhibited the evoked μ-opioid receptor internalization with IC50s of 1.7μM, 248nM, 0.3nM and 22nM, respectively. However, inhibition by medetomidine was only partial, and inhibition by UK-14304 reversed itself at concentrations higher than 50nM. None of these agonists inhibited μ-opioid receptor internalization produced by endomorphin-2, showing that they inhibited opioid release and not the internalization itself. The inhibitions produced by clonidine, guanfacine or UK-14304 were completely reversed by the selective α2C antagonist JP-1203. In contrast, inhibition by guanfacine was not prevented by the α2A antagonist BRL-44408. These results show that α2C receptors inhibit the release of opioids in the dorsal horn. This action may serve to shut down the opioid system when the adrenergic system is active. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, the processes of component constitution, preparation, mechanical performance and the structure of Ti(C,N)-based cermets were studied. A 3D elastic-plastic finite element model (FEM) of metal orthogonal cutting was built based on the theory of the update Lagrange formulation. By changing the tool rake angle, the magnitude of tool wear, cutting temperature and the distribution of effective stress under different rake angles were calculated. The results of numerical simulation were in agreement with the experiments. It was concluded that the optimum rake angle of Ti(C,N)-based cermets cutter was 10° when cutting normalized AISI1045 steel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Opioid receptors in the spinal cord produce strong analgesia, but the mechanisms controlling their activation by endogenous opioids remain unclear. We have previously shown in spinal cord slices that peptidases preclude μ-opioid receptor (MOR) internalization by opioids. Our present goals were to investigate whether enkephalin-induced analgesia is also precluded by peptidases, and whether it is mediated by MORs or δ-opioid receptors (DORs). Tail-flick analgesia and MOR internalization were measured in rats injected intrathecally with Leu-enkephalin and peptidase inhibitors. Without peptidase inhibitors, Leu-enkephalin produced neither analgesia nor MOR internalization at doses up to 100nmol, whereas with peptidase inhibitors it produced analgesia at 0.3nmol and MOR internalization at 1nmol. Leu-enkephalin was 10 times more potent to produce analgesia than to produce MOR internalization, suggesting that DORs were involved. Selective MOR or DOR antagonists completely blocked the analgesia elicited by 0.3nmol Leu-enkephalin (a dose that produced little MOR internalization), indicating that it involved these two receptors, possibly by an additive or synergistic interaction. The selective MOR agonist endomorphin-2 produced analgesia even in the presence of a DOR antagonist, but at doses substantially higher than Leu-enkephalin. Unlike Leu-enkephalin, endomorphin-2 had the same potencies to induce analgesia and MOR internalization. We concluded that low doses of enkephalins produce analgesia by activating both MORs and DORs. Analgesia can also be produced exclusively by MORs at higher agonist doses. Since peptidases prevent the activation of spinal opioid receptors by enkephalins, the coincident release of opioids and endogenous peptidase inhibitors may be required for analgesia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Neurotransmitter receptors that inhibit the release of opioid peptides in the spinal cord may play an important role in modulating pain. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in bulbospinal descending pathways, and 5-HT1 receptors have been shown to inhibit synaptic transmission. Our goal was to determine whether 5-HT1A receptors inhibit opioid release in the spinal cord. Opioid release was evoked from rat spinal cord slices by electrically stimulating one dorsal horn, and measured in situ through the internalization of μ-opioid receptors in dorsal horn neurons. Stimulation with 1000 square pulses at 500 Hz produced internalization in 60% of the μ-opioid receptor neurons in the stimulated dorsal horn, but not in the contralateral one. The selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) inhibited the evoked μ-opioid receptor internalization by about 50%, with an approximate IC50 of 50 nM. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was attributed to inhibition of opioid release and not of the receptor internalization process, because 8-OH-DPAT did not inhibit the internalization induced by incubating the slices with a μ-opioid receptor agonist (endomorphin-2, 100 nM). The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100135 (10 μM) blocked the inhibition produced by 1 μM 8-OH-DPAT. These results show that 5-HT1A receptors inhibit opioid release in the spinal dorsal horn, probably from a subpopulation of enkephalin-containing presynaptic terminals. Therefore, 5-HT1A receptors likely decrease the analgesia produced by endogenously released opioids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mitochondrial sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) catalyses sterol side-chain oxidation of bile acid synthesis from cholesterol, and the first reaction of the acidic bile acid biosynthetic pathway. Hydrophobic bile acids suppress human CYP27A1 gene reporter activity when assayed in human hepatocellular blastoma HepG2 cells. Bile acids also inhibit CYP27A1 reporter activity in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. A putative bile acid response element (BARE) was mapped to a region downstream of nt −147 of the human CYP27A1 gene, within which a binding site for a liver-specific nuclear receptor, HNF4α, is identified. HNF4α strongly stimulates CYP27A1 gene transcription and mutation of its binding site markedly reduced promoter activity. Results suggest that human CYP27A1 gene transcription is suppressed by bile acids and HNF4α plays a pivotal role in transcriptional regulation of this gene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the dynamic strength of the intermittently jointed mediums under dynamic cycle load. Increase of loading frequency and decrease in the loading loops; Observation on the dynamic residual strength under one-axle loading condition; Comparison between the dynamic strength and the static strength.

Using neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) internalization to measure of substance P release in rat spinal cord slices, we found that it was induced by the adenylyl cyclase (AC) activator forskolin, by the protein kinase A (PKA) activators 6-Bnz-cAMP and 8-Br-cAMP, and by the activator of exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) 8-pCPT-2-O-Me-cAMP (CPTOMe-cAMP). Conversely, AC and PKA inhibitors decreased substance P release induced by electrical stimulation of the dorsal root. Therefore, the cAMP signaling pathway mediates substance P release in the dorsal horn. The effects of forskolin and 6-Bnz-cAMP were not additive with NMDA-induced substance P release and were decreased by the NMDA receptor blocker MK-801. In cultured dorsal horn neurons, forskolin increased NMDA-induced Ca2+ entry and the phosphorylation of the NR1 and NR2B subunits of the NMDA receptor. Therefore, cAMP-induced substance P release is mediated by the activating phosphorylation by PKA of NMDA receptors. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, but not by TRPV1 or TRPA1, also contributed to cAMP-induced substance P release. Activation of PKA was required for the effects of forskolin and the three cAMP analogs. Epac2 contributed to the effects of forskolin and CPTOMe-cAMP, signaling through a Raf - mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway to activate Ca2+ channels. Epac1 inhibitors induced NK1R internalization independently of substance P release. In rats with latent sensitization to pain, the effect of 6-Bnz-cAMP was unchanged, whereas the effect of forskolin was decreased due to the loss of the stimulatory effect of Epac2. Hence, substance P release induced by cAMP decreases during pain hypersensitivity. Diagram of the proposed pathways by which cAMP controls substance P (SP) release. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) produces cAMP, which then activates protein kinase A, Epac1 and Epac2. PKA activates Cav2.2 channels (N type), NMDA receptors (NMDAR) and mTOR, all of which contribute to SP release. Epac2 signals through Rap, Raf-1 kinase, MEK and MAPK, leading to the activation of Cav1, Cav2.1 and Cav3.2 channels (L, P, Q and T types), which also contribute to SP release. Epac1 directly inhibits NK1R internalization. [Display omitted] • cAMP induced substance P release through protein kinase A and Epac2. • Protein kinase A activated NMDA receptors and N type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. • Epac2 activated L, P, Q and T type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels through MAPK. • In a chronic pain model, signaling through protein kinase A was not changed. • In a chronic pain model, signaling through Epac2 was eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Latent sensitization is a long duration model of chronic pain. • In it, pain sensitivity is reinstated by opioid antagonists like naltrexone. • PP2, an inhibitor of Src family kinases, eliminated reinstatement by naltrexone. • This occurred in latent sensitization induced by inflammation or nerve injury. • This indicates that Src family kinases maintain inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Latent sensitization is a long-term model of chronic pain in which hyperalgesia is continuously suppressed by opioid receptors, as demonstrated by the induction of mechanical allodynia by opioid antagonists. Different intracellular signals may mediate the initiation, maintenance and expression of latent sensitization. Our criterion for the involvement of a signal in the maintenance of latent sensitization is that inhibitors should permanently eliminate the allodynia produced by an opioid antagonist. We hypothesized that Src family kinases (SFKs) maintain latent sensitization and tested this hypothesis by inducing latent sensitization in rats with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or spared nerve injury. After measures of mechanical allodynia returned to baseline, vehicle or the SFK inhibitor PP2 were injected intrathecally. The opioid antagonist naltrexone injected intrathecally 15 min later produced allodynia in control rats but not in rats injected with PP2. Vehicle or PP2 were injected daily for two more days and naltrexone was injected five days later. Again, naltrexone induced allodynia in the control rats but not in the rats injected with PP2. Results were similar when latent sensitization was induced with CFA or spared nerve injury. We concluded that an SFK, likely Fyn, maintains latent sensitization induced by inflammation or nerve injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent sensitization is a model of chronic pain in which a persistent state of pain hypersensitivity is suppressed by opioid receptors, as evidenced by the ability of opioid antagonists to induce a period of mechanical allodynia. Our objective was to determine if substance P and its neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) mediate the maintenance of latent sensitization. Latent sensitization was induced by injecting rats in the hindpaw with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), or by tibial spared nerve injury (SNI). When responses to von Frey filaments returned to baseline (day 28), the rats were injected intrathecally with saline or the NK1R antagonist RP67580, followed 15 min later by intrathecal naltrexone. In both pain models, the saline-injected rats developed allodynia for 2 h after naltrexone, but not the RP67580-injected rats. Saline or RP67580 were injected daily for two more days. Five days later (day 35), naltrexone was injected intrathecally. Again, the saline-injected rats, but not the RP67580-injected rats, developed allodynia in response to naltrexone. To determine if there is sustained activation of NK1Rs during latent sensitization, NK1R internalization was measured in lamina I neurons in rats injected in the paw with saline or CFA, and then injected intrathecally with saline or naltrexone on day 28. The rats injected with CFA had a small amount of NK1R internalization that was significantly higher than in the saline-injected rats. Naltrexone increased NK1R internalization in the CFA-injected rats but nor in the saline-injected rats. Therefore, sustained activation of NK1Rs maintains pain hypersensitivity during latent sensitization. • Latent sensitization was used as a model of inflammation and neuropathic pain. • Hyperalgesia was reinstated by the opioid antagonist naltrexone. • An antagonist of neurokinin 1 receptors eliminated reinstatement by naltrexone. • Latent sensitization and naltrexone increased neurokinin 1 receptor internalization. • Hence, sustained activation of neurokinin 1 receptors maintain chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cotton root mass could be used as a practical surrogate for root length. • Cotton roots were mainly concentrated in the shallowest 0−30 cm mulched zone. • Soil temperature in the root zone did not significantly affect cotton root growth. • High root density and fine root proportion with fresh water would promote cotton yield. • Subsurface drip irrigation may be further adopted for sustainable cotton production with brackish water. Film-mulched drip irrigation with brackish water has been used widely for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in arid regions. Full consideration of the promise of brackish water irrigation requires consideration of the dependence of cotton root characteristics on soil conditions. To date, these dependences are complex and poorly understood. The present study compared the impacts of soil temperature, water and salinity on root characteristics on cotton yield for brackish water irrigation treatment (BWT) and fresh water irrigation treatment (FWT). Spatial differences were observed for cotton root mass, root length, root surface-area and root volume distribution that corresponded with differences in the distributions of soil conditions. There existed a strikingly linear relationship between cotton root length and root mass. Soil temperature did not exert clear control on root system growth. Lower average root density and coarser roots were observed for BWT than for FWT as a result of the reduced soil temperature and the elevated soil salinity associated with BWT. Cotton shoot growth was more sensitive than root growth to salt stress for BWT. Higher root density and fine root proportion for FWT than BWT led to higher cotton yield. That is, more cotton roots were observed in the shallow mulched zone, which corresponded with high root water uptake rate and salt accumulation. Our study indicated that the easily-measured cotton root mass could be used as a practical surrogate for root length under mulched drip irrigation. Subsurface drip irrigation with drip tapes set in the shallow mulched zone may further promote cotton root system growth, allowing for sustainable cotton production with brackish water irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) modulates nociception in the spinal cord, but little is known about its mechanisms of release. We measured NPY release in situ using the internalization of its Y1 receptor in dorsal horn neurons. Y1 receptor immunoreactivity was normally localized to the cell surface, but addition of NPY to spinal cord slices increased the number of neurons with Y1 internalization in a biphasic fashion (EC 50 s of 1 nM and 1 μM). Depolarization with KCl, capsaicin, or the protein kinase A activator 6-benzoyl-cAMP also induced Y1 receptor internalization, presumably by releasing NPY. NMDA receptor activation in the presence of BVT948, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, also released NPY. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal horn frequency-dependently induced NPY release; and this was decreased by the Y1 antagonist BIBO3304, the Nav channel blocker lidocaine, or the Cav2 channel blocker ω-conotoxin MVIIC. Dorsal root immersion in capsaicin, but not its electrical stimulation, also induced NPY release. This was blocked by CNQX, suggesting that part of the NPY released by capsaicin was from dorsal horn neurons receiving synapses from primary afferents and not from the afferent themselves. Mechanical stimulation in vivo , with rub or clamp of the hindpaw, elicited robust Y1 receptor internalization in rats with spared nerve injury but not sham surgery. In summary, NPY is released from dorsal horn interneurons or primary afferent terminals by electrical stimulation and by activation of TRPV1, PKA or NMDA receptors in. Furthermore, NPY release evoked by noxious and tactile stimuli increases after peripheral nerve injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) is an important strategic area in China. However, frequent extreme precipitation events have caused great economic losses and human casualties in this region. In this article, we explore the spatial and temporal links between extreme precipitation events and Sunspot Number (SSN), El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) in this important economic belt. According to the research findings, all of the extreme precipitation indices (EPIs) except for consecutive dry days (CDD) and consecutive wet days (CWD) showed an upward trend in the YREB over the 59 years. The spatial distributions of very wet days (R95p), extremely wet days (R99p), max 1-day precipitation amount (Rx1day) and max 5-day precipitation amount (Rx5day) had similar distribution patterns, showing decreasing trends from east to west. The EPIs generally had a 2–4-year band, suggesting stronger and more elusive changes. The wavelet coherence (WTC) spectra suggested that SSN, ENSO, AO, and PDO have different effects on extreme precipitation events during different time periods. Before 1985, the SSN, ENSO, AO, PDO and extreme precipitation events shared similar oscillation periods, but after 1985, their oscillation periods were no longer consistent with each other. In addition, solar activity and the AO mainly had negative correlations with extreme precipitation events, while the ENSO and PDO had predominantly positive correlations with the EPIs. This paper provides a reference for national economic strategic planning and natural resource management in the YREB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have become a favourable platform for target specificity in disease treatment, although their side effects and toxicity remain controversial. Plant polysaccharide nanoparticles are safe, natural biomaterials that have become candidate materials for nano-drug delivery systems due to their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. In addition to becoming candidate materials, plant polysaccharide nanoparticles show excellent pharmacokinetic and drug delivery characteristics as carrier materials to manipulate small drug molecules at the nanoscale, mainly improving medicine solubility, reducing medicine toxicity and side effects and enhancing biological targeting of medicines. Therefore, the application of plant polysaccharide nanoparticles in the field of drug delivery systems may become the focus of future studies. Here we review the carrier function of plant polysaccharide nanoparticles as a polymeric material in drug delivery. The limitations and challenges of applying plant polysaccharide nanoparticles in drug carrier systems are highlighted with the aim to provide a reference for their precise development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which is concerned with research which investigated the association between geriatric function and subjective economy in elderly adults living in a rural community in Japan.

Gas therapy based on nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer, and in conjunction with multi-mode combination therapy, offers new possibilities for achieving significant hyperadditive effects. In this study, an integrated AI-MPDA@BSA nanocomposite for diagnosis and treatment was constructed for PDA based photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and cascade NO release. Natural NO donor L-arginine (L-Arg) and photosensitizer (PS) IR780 were loaded into mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was conjugated to the MPDA to increase the dispersibility and biocompatibility of the nanoparticles, as well as to serve as a gatekeeper controlling IR780 release from the MPDA pores. The AI-MPDA@BSA produced singlet oxygen (1O 2) and converted it into NO through a chain reaction based on L-Arg, enabling a combination of photodynamic therapy and gas therapy. Moreover, due to the photothermal properties of MPDA, the AI-MPDA@BSA performed good photothermal conversion, which allowed photoacoustic imaging. As expected, both in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that the AI-MPDA@BSA nanoplatform has a significant inhibitory effect on cancer cells and tumors, and no apparent systemic toxicity or side effects were detected during the treatment period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation products with high resolution for urban areas remain an important and challenging issue. The main purposes of this study are to evaluate the accuracy of the China Meteorological Forcing Data Set (CMFD) in the Shanghai megacity and to improve the accuracy of the CMFD precipitation. With the rain gauge observations for the 2013–2018 period, we evaluate the error and detection ability of CMFD at the sub‐daily, daily, and monthly scales, and examine the spatial variation of CMFD performance over the region. The Geographic Differential Analysis (GDA) method is used to calibrate the CMFD precipitation data set. The results show that the performance of CMFD precipitation varies from sub‐daily to monthly time scales with better accuracy at the monthly scale in the study region. The CMFD can capture the spatial variability over the region with less error in the north and outliers in the center. The GDA‐based calibration framework can significantly improve the capability of CMFD products, especially at the sub‐daily and daily scales. The calibrated CMFD can provide reliable precipitation estimates and capture more extreme precipitation events. The improved CMFD products can provide a key basis for applications related to hydrological and meteorological hazard monitoring and assessment in the Shanghai area. The overall framework is scalable and could be readily generalized to other regions, and the calibrated product can be used in the research of urban natural disaster risks and other studies. Key Points: The performance of Meteorological Forcing Data Set (CMFD) precipitation varies from 3‐hourly to monthly time scales with the best accuracy at a monthly scaleThe CMFD can capture the rainfall spatial variability over Shanghai cityThe Geographic Differential Analysis‐based calibration method can significantly improve the performance of CMFD products [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety and efficacy of tumor treatment are difficult problems to address. Recently, lysosomes have become an important target for tumor treatment because of their special environment and function. Nanoparticles have unique physicochemical properties which have great advantages in tumor research. Therefore, in recent years, researchers have designed various types of nanoparticles to treat tumors based on lysosomal function and environment. In this review, we summarize and analyze different perspectives of tumor treatment, including direct destruction of lysosomes or lysosomal escape, drug delivery by nanoparticles, response to endogenous or exogenous stimuli, and the targeting of tumor cells or other cells. We describe the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches as well as the developmental prospects in this field. We hope to provide new ideas for better tumor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pore evolution characteristics of organic-rich shale under semiclosed and open-system conditions were investigated through a pyrolysis simulation experiment conducted on marine low-maturity shale. The results show that the experimental samples of the two systems mainly developed organic pores, clay mineral intergranular pores, and brittle mineral dissolution pores during the evolution process. The shale porosity showed a non-linear growth trend with the thermal maturity increase. However, the porosity increase rate of the semiclosed system was higher than that of the open system. The pore structure characterization parameters of the experimental samples under the two systems were quite different. The samples of the semiclosed system developed wedge- or V-shaped pores with a diameter of several tens of nanometers, while those of the open system developed more small throats with a diameter of several nanometers to ink bottle-type and closed pores of tens of nanometers. For the marine organic-rich shale, the organic matter (OM) evolution was mainly affected by the formation pressure. In summary, a semiclosed system with a higher formation pressure is more conducive to the development of organic pores and the pore structure than an open system with a lower formation pressure. The best stage of pore evolution and development is the overmature stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic fermentation of the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) sludge was investigated in terms of phosphate release and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production regarding polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) activity. PAOs decay rate during fermentation was determined as 0.35 ± 0.03 d −1 . Sludge lysis was enhanced with an increase in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) content. Moreover, the phosphate release profiles and the VFAs production as well as the individual VFA fractions varied with different acetate concentrations added initially. Based on these observations, anaerobic digestion model No. 1 was extended and modified by introducing: (1) processes that PAOs store 4 VFA species as PHA, which can be degraded into varied fractions of individual VFA in dependence on PHA composition, (2) the effect of PHA content on disintegration rate, and (3) phosphorus precipitation. The proposed model adequately fitted a multi-experiment, multi-variable data set, indicating that it plays an important role in predicting phosphate and VFAs variations during EBPR sludge fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a pH-responsive controlled-release mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) formulation was developed. The MSNs were functionalized with a histidine (His)-tagged targeting peptide (B3int) through an amide bond, and loaded with an anticancer drug (cisplatin (CP)) and a lysosomal destabilization mediator (chloroquine (CQ)). Cu2+ was then used to seal the pores of the MSNs via chelation with the His-tag. The resultant nanoparticles showed pH-responsive drug release, and could effectively target tumor cells via the targeting effect of B3int. The presence of CP and Cu2+ permits reactive oxygen species to be generated inside cells; thus, the chemotherapeutic effect of CP is augmented by chemodynamic therapy. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the nanoparticles are able to effectively kill tumor cells. An in vivo cancer model revealed that the nanoparticles increase apoptosis in tumor cells, and thereby diminish the tumor volume. No off-target toxicity was noted. It thus appears that the functionalized MSNs developed in this work have great potential for targeted, synergistic anticancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cysteine functionalized Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (Cys-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs) were prepared facilely for Hg(II) removal from aqueous solutions. Using Fe 2+ as precursors, air as oxidant and Cys as protectant, this novel material was one-pot synthesis at room temperature by oxidation–precipitation method with the assistance of sonication. The MNPs were characterized by TEM, VSM, FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD) and TGA methods. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the removal efficiency was as high as 95% and the maximum sorption capacity is found to be 380 mg/mol for Hg(II). Study on adsorption kinetics shows that adsorption of Hg(II) onto Cys-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs follows pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the adsorption rate constant was 0.22 min −1 . Additionally, the Hg(II)-loaded Cys-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs could be easily regenerated up to 95% using 1.0 M acetic acid. These results indicated that Cys-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs is a potentially attractive material for the removal of Hg(II) from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The internalization of μ-opioid receptors (MORs) provides an ideal way to locate areas of opioid peptide release. We used this method to study opioid release in the spinal cord evoked by noxious stimuli in anesthetized rats. Previous studies have shown that opioids released in the spinal cord produce MOR internalization only when they are protected from peptidase degradation. Accordingly, rats were implanted with chronic intrathecal catheters that were used to inject a mixture of peptidase inhibitors (amastatin, captopril and phosphoramidon) onto the lumbar spinal cord. Five minutes later, a noxious stimulus was delivered to the paw. Lumbar spinal segments were double-stained with antibodies against MORs and neurokinin 1 receptors (NK1Rs) using immunofluorescence. Mechanical stimulation of the hindpaw consisted of repeated 10 s clamps with a hemostat for 10 min. In the ipsilateral dorsal horn, the stimulus produced abundant NK1R internalization in segments L3–L6, and a more modest but significant MOR internalization in segments L5 and L6. In the contralateral dorsal horn, NK1R was substantially lower and MOR internalization was negligible. The same mechanical stimulus applied to a forepaw did not produce NK1R or MOR internalization in the lumbar spinal cord. Thermal stimulation consisted of immersing a hindpaw in water at 52 °C for 2 min. It produced substantial NK1R internalization ipsilaterally in segment L6, but no MOR internalization. These results show that mechanical stimulation induces segmental opioid release, i.e., in the dorsal horn receiving the noxious signals and not in other spinal segments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acid fracturing is an important method to stimulate oil and gas wells in carbonate reservoirs. The main purpose of acid fracturing is to create a high-speed channel for oil and gas flow, and conductivity is an important factor that determines the effect of acid-fracturing construction pressure. Studying the variation trend of the fracture friction coefficient is important to explain the variation in the acid-fracturing construction pressure and the formation of conductivity of acid-etched fracture. According to the fracture-roughness theory and friction-coefficient calculation method, the roughness, aperture width, and friction coefficients of carbonate rocks before and after acid etching were calculated using the surface morphology and conductivity results of gelled acid-etched carbonate fractures. The average friction coefficients of the fractures were found to be 3088529 and 49857.4 before and after the acid etching after acid etching, respectively, i.e., approximately 1.61% of that before acid etching. With the increase in the reaction rate, reaction time, and acid flow rate, the fracture friction coefficient significantly reduced after the acid etching. Similar to the variation law in the friction coefficient of a pipe flow, the smaller the fracture roughness and the larger the hydraulic aperture are, the smaller is the friction coefficient of the fracture. The smaller the friction coefficient is, the higher is the conductivity and the better is their correlation. • The friction coefficient of fracture decreases greatly after acid etching. • The acid-rock reaction rate accelerates, the reduction degree of the friction coefficient increases. • With the decrease of fracture-surface roughness and increase of fracture aperture, the friction coefficient decreases. • The fracture friction coefficient has an important influence on the conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latent sensitization model of chronic pain reveals that recovery from some types of long-term hyperalgesia is an altered state in which nociceptive sensitization persists but is suppressed by the ongoing activity of analgesic receptors such as μ-opioid receptors (MORs). To determine whether these MORs are the ones present in nociceptive afferents, we bred mice expressing Cre-recombinase under the Nav1.8 channel promoter (Nav1.8cre) with MOR-floxed mice (flMOR). These Nav1.8cre/flMOR mice had reduced MOR expression in primary afferents, as revealed by quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence colocalization with the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide. We then studied the recovery from chronic pain of these mice and their flMOR littermates. When Nav1.8cre/flMOR mice were injected in the paw with complete Freund adjuvant they developed mechanical hyperalgesia that persisted for more than 2 months, whereas the responses of flMOR mice returned to baseline after 3 weeks. We then used the inverse agonist naltrexone to assess ongoing MOR activity. Naltrexone produced a robust reinstatement of hyperalgesia in control flMOR mice, but produced no effect in the Nav1.8/flMOR males and a weak reinstatement of hyperalgesia in Nav1.8/flMOR females. Naltrexone also reinstated swelling of the hind paw in flMOR mice and female Nav1.8cre/flMOR mice, but not male Nav1.8cre/flMOR mice. The MOR agonist DAMGO inhibited substance P release in flMOR mice but not Nav1.8cre/flMOR mice, demonstrating a loss of MOR function at the central terminals of primary afferents. We conclude that MORs in nociceptive afferents mediate an ongoing suppression of hyperalgesia to produce remission from chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hosting an emerging play of the Springer/Goddard shale, the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP), is also the main production field for the underlying Woodford Formation. Understanding the reservoir quality of the Chesterian-age Goddard shale, currently little has been achieved, is vital to sustainable hydrocarbon production and exploration. Using polar (DI water and/or API brine) and nonpolar (n-decane) fluids to probe hydrophilic and hydrophobic pore networks, the purpose of this study is to examine wettability, pore connectivity, fluid imbibition, and tracer migration of the Springer shale. To achieve this, we collected core samples from two wells located at the heart of the play and performed mercury injection capillary pressure, wettability, fluid imbibition, and vapor absorption tests. Results from these studies show that the Springer shale has a stronger affinity to oil (n-decane in this study), compared to DI water and API brine. With porosity values averaging at 6.32 ± 0.75% and permeability of 20.0 ± 6.52 nD, the majority of pore-throat sizes for the Springer shale are 5–50 nm. The utility of wettability tracers of different molecular sizes helps tease out the intertwined relationship of pore-throat sizes, connectivity, and associated wettability of shale. The imbibition results suggest a molecular entanglement effect at the scale of 0.5 nm, even for the tracer penetration of a wetting fluid of n-decane. A petrophysical analysis of the Springer shale presented in this work is beneficial to further understand the pore structure and fluid movement within the shale to facilitate increased production and accurate economic evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creep model is the main form of rock model used to describe the rheological behavior of rocks. A large number of creep models have been proposed, but many are complicated and/or are not able to fully simulate the three stages of rock creep. Hence, an important focus of research on rock creep has been to develop a model with few parameters and better simulation performance. To achieve this, in this study, we propose a new four-element creep model, based on variable-order fractional derivatives and continuum damage mechanics. The newly proposed creep model agrees well with experimental data for Changshan rock salt. The results show that the segmentation treatment is an effective approach for simulating the creep behavior of rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of the present study was to show the status of objective geriatric functions and subjective quality of life in Ladakh, India, compared with Japanese controls. Methods We analyzed data of 117 people aged 60 years or older in Domkhar, and age- and sex-specific Japanese controls. Variables measured included blood pressure, hemoglobin, timed up & go test, basic activities of daily living, Geriatric Depression Scale and the Visual Analog Scale for subjective quality of life. Results People in Domkhar were more likely to have difficulties in basic activities of daily living compared with Japanese controls. However, they were significantly more likely to maintain social roles. The Visual Analog Scale scores in subjective friendship, economic satisfaction and happiness were higher in Domkhar compared with Japanese controls. Living alone (OR 9.92, 95% CI 2.13-46.26), high Geriatric Depression Scale score (6 or more; OR 8.45, 95% CI 1.65-43.35) and timed up & go test (17 s or more; OR 21.00, 95% CI 1.69-260.87) were significantly associated with a low score of subjective happiness (less than 50). Residence in Domkhar (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.77) was a significant factor for low prevalence of a low score of subjective happiness by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions Subjective quality of life among older adults in Domkhar was higher than Japanese controls despite a higher rate of difficulty in basic activities of daily living. We have to consider prevention, treatment, and care of not only diseases and disabilities, but also loneliness for the older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 480-486. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been already known that people who temporarily stay at high altitude may develop insomnia as a symptom of acute mountain sickness. However, much less is known about people living at high altitude. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high altitude environment on sleep quality for the elderly who have been living at high altitude for their whole lives. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Domkhar valley at altitudes of 2800–4200 m, Ladakh. Sleep quality was assessed using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Measurement items include body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, hemoglobin, timed Up and Go test, oxygen saturation during wakefulness, respiratory function test, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and so on. The participants were Ladakhi older adults aged 60 years or over (n=112) in Domkhar valley. The participation rate was 65.1% (male: female=47:65, mean age: 71.3 years and 67.9 years, respectively). The prevalence of the high score of ISI (8 or more) was 15.2% (17 out of 112). Altitude of residence was significantly correlated with ISI. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that OKS and altitude of residence were significantly related with ISI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffusion coefficient of hydrogen ions is a key parameter for the acid reaction model calculation. The analysis of the law of the hydrogen ions diffusion coefficient in acid reaction is helpful to optimize acid fracturing technology design, and to improve stimulation. By introducing the power law fluid Reynolds number and the Schmidt number, the calculation method of the hydrogen ion diffusion coefficient was corrected for acid reaction kinetics parameter measurement apparatus with different acid viscosity. The new apparatus was designed and built in 2010, here it was used to investigate the law of hydrogen ions diffusion coefficient under various conditions by the tests of acid rock reaction rate. Combining the theoretical formula and acid rock reaction experiments, the laws of the acid rock reaction rate and hydrogen ion diffusion coefficient by gelled acid and in-situ gelled acid were obtained. The acid rock reaction experiments were performed by varying acid concentration, reaction temperature and flow velocity. The results showed that the rate of acid reaction can be accelerated by increasing acid concentration, reaction temperature and velocity. The degree of influence on the acid reaction is reduced by various factors result from increase of acid viscosity. When acid concentration is 0.006 mol/cm 3 , the hydrogen ion diffusion coefficient is minimum due to the trapping effect between hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ion diffusion coefficient increases as increase of acid flow velocity. When flow velocities of gelled acid and in-situ gelled acid are beyond 113.21 cm/s and 158.38 cm/s, respectively, the hydrogen ion diffusion coefficient tends to be stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To present practical predictors for the difficulty of carrying out basic activities of daily living ( ADL) among the old-old during a 2-year period. Methods Assessment was carried out using data obtained from the Tosa Longitudinal Aging Study, a community-based cohort survey on geriatric functions in the elderly. Predictor variables measured at baseline included age; sex; height; weight; blood pressure; oxygen saturation; neurobehavioral functions, such as Mini-Mental State Examination, Kohs Block Design test, Timed Up and Go test, button score, functional reach test, geriatric depression scale, cardio-ankle vascular index, ankle brachial pressure index; and blood chemical results, such as hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, serum lipids, serum albumin and serum creatinine. The outcome variable was the presence of difficulties while carrying out basic ADL after 2 years. Results Age of ≥85 years, Timed Up and Go test of ≥15 s, button score of >17 s and presence of knee pain were independent predictors of difficulty in carrying out basic ADL after 2 years. Elderly individuals who have had at least two positive findings out of these four variables were likely to have impaired basic ADL during a 2-year period with a positive predictive value of 52.0%, negative predictive value of 90.2%, sensitivity of 70.3% and specificity of 80.8%. Conclusions Assessment of age, Timed Up and Go test, manual dexterity, and presence of knee pain is a useful and relevant way to identify patients who should be informed about their likelihood of developing difficulties in carrying out basic ADL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 214-222. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate whether positive affect independently predicts a lower risk of functional decline among community-dwelling older Japanese. Methods A 2-year prospective study was carried out among 505 residents of Tosa Town aged 65 years and older without disability in carrying out basic activities of daily living ( B ADL) at baseline. Positive and negative affect was measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, which includes items that reflect positive affect, as well as items that reflect negative affect. Information on functional ability, sociodemographic factors and medical conditions was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Results A total of 72 (14.3%) participants reported a decline in B ADL at the 2-year follow up. The sum-score of the positive items was significantly associated with a lower risk of functional decline ( OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64-0.97), after controlling for potential confounding factors. Of the five positive items, three items (feeling satisfied with life OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.95; feeling happy most of the time OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-0.99; and feeling full of energy OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.95) were significantly associated with functional decline after adjusting for confounders. These associations were also independent of negative affect. In contrast, none of the negative items predicted functional decline after controlling for confounding factors. Conclusions Positive psychological well-being, specifically the feeling of satisfaction with life, happiness and energy, might have a favorable effect on the maintenance of functional ability, regardless of negative affect. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 1051-1058. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to assess chewing ability using color-changeable chewing gum and to show the association between chewing ability and geriatric functions, as well as dietary status in the community-dwelling elderly. Methods The study population consisted of 269 community-dwelling elderly aged ≥75 living in Tosa, Japan. Assessment of chewing ability was carried out by a dentist using color-changeable chewing gum. Activities of daily living ( ADL), depression and subjective quality of life ( QOL) were assessed by questionnaire. Cognitive status was assessed by; Mini- Mental State Examination ( MMSE), Hasegawa Dementia Scale- Revised ( HDS-R) and Frontal Assessment Battery ( FAB) during the check-up. Food diversity was assessed using the 11-item Food Diversity Score Kyoto ( FDSK-11). Results Number of teeth was significantly related to chewing ability ( P < 0.001). The participants with low chewing ability had significantly lower ADL scores in the items of self-maintenance ( P = 0.029) and intellectual activity ( P = 0.021). There was a significant association between low chewing ability and depression ( P < 0.001). Lower cognitive functions were significantly related to low chewing ability; MMSE ( P = 0.022), HDSR ( P = 0.017) and FAB ( P = 0.002). The participants with low chewing ability had lower food variety ( P < 0.001), and less frequent intake of beans, vegetables, seaweed and nuts, than the participants with high chewing ability. Conclusion Low chewing ability evaluated by color-changeable gum was associated with lower ADL, lower cognitive functioning, depression and food insufficiency in the community-dwelling elderly. More attention should be paid to assessing chewing ability of elderly persons in community settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 718-725. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The 21-item Fall Risk Index (FRI-21) has been used to detect elderly persons at risk for falls. The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the FRI-21 as a predictor of decline in basic activities of daily living (BADL) among Japanese community-dwelling elderly persons independent of fall risk. Methods: The study population consisted of 518 elderly participants aged 65 years and older who were BADL independent at baseline in Tosa, Japan. We examined risk factors for BADL decline from 2008 to 2009 by multiple logistic regression analysis on the FRI-21 and other functional status measures in all participants. We carried out the same analysis in selected participants who had no experience of falls to remove the effect of falls. Results: A total of 45 of 518 participants showed decline in BADL within 1 year. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.20), FRI-21 ≥ 10 (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.49-9.27), intellectual activity dependence (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.42-7.44) and history of osteoarthropathy (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.40-7.21) were significant independent risk factors for BADL decline within 1 year. FRI-21 ≥ 10 and intellectual activity dependence (≤3) remained significant predictors, even in selected non-fallers. Conclusion: FRI-21 ≥ 10 and intellectual activity dependence were significant predictive factors of BADL decline, regardless of fall experience, after adjustment for confounding variables. The FRI-21 is a brief, useful tool not only for predicting falls, but also future decline in functional ability in community-dwelling elderly persons. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; ••: ••-••. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of pore network evolution is an important aspect of tight shale reservoir characterization. Pore spaces in shales consist of three major types: interparticle pores and intraparticle pores associated with mineral matrix and organic-matter pores. In this study, the evolution of pore networks for each pore type in lacustrine shales during thermal maturation was studied based on a suite of 19 Triassic Yanchang Formation shale samples from the Ordos Basin across a maturation gradient from immature to late mature (vitrinite reflectance (R o) from 0.36 to 1.30%). The results show that different pore types follow systematic evolutions during thermal maturation and that the evolution of pore type and pore size is critically controlled by multiple diagenetic processes such as mechanical compaction, cementation, mineral dissolution, clay mineral transformation, and organic matter thermal maturation. Specifically, at immature and early mature stages (R o < 0.55%), pores associated with mineral matrix are abundant and have moderate pore sizes. Interparticle pores exhibit preferential orientation along clay platelets. At the mature stage (0.55% < R o < 1.15%), pores associated with mineral matrix have the smallest size, and interparticle pores become less common and show reduced preferential orientation because of mechanical compaction and cementation. Organic-matter pores start to develop at a maturity level of R o 0.77% and higher. The total porosity and BET specific surface area show minimum values at R o 1.12%, mainly because pre-existing matrix-related pores are destroyed by mechanical compaction and filled by migrated bitumen and liquid hydrocarbons, and then they increase when R o exceeds 1.12%, which likely results from the development of secondary organic-matter nanopores due to the generation and expulsion of gaseous hydrocarbons. An increase in pore size of matrix-related pores at the late mature stage (1.15% < R o < 1.30%) could be a result of dissolution by organic acid generated during organic matter thermal maturation. • Pore network of lacustrine shales from immature to late mature was studied. • Pore evolution of different pore types was discussed separately. • Pore size distribution of different pore types with increasing thermal maturity was studied. • Organic-matter pores start to develop at a maturity level of R o 0.77% and higher. • Total porosity evolution of shales is more complex than a monotonous trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]