Molecular Dynamic Simulation Study on Replacement of Methane Hydrates with Carbon Dioxide Under Different Temperatures, Pressures, and Concentrations of Ethylene Glycol.

In order to alleviate the world energy resources crisis, the research and development of natural gas hydrates has a very important economic value and strategic significance. The CH4-CO2 replacement method can not only achieve geological storage of carbon dioxide but also more effectively mine natural gas hydrates. Based on molecular dynamics theory and the properties of natural gas hydrates, this paper delves into the replacement of methane hydrate with carbon dioxide under different temperatures, pressures, and concentrations of ethylene glycol (EG). We established a CO2-Hydrate model and three CO2/EG-Hydrate models with different concentrations of EG, and we simulated the radial distribution function (RDF), mean square displacement (MSD), and relative density distribution of each particle in the system in different conditions. The higher the temperature, the more unstable the methane hydrates are, and the methane hydrates are more prone to decomposition. Compared with 280 and 290 K, the temperature of 270 K is more favorable for carbon dioxide molecules to enter the hydrate layer and form carbon dioxide hydrates. The changes in pressure have little impact on the decomposition of methane hydrates, the rupture of water cages of methane hydrates, and the number of carbon dioxide molecules entering the hydrate layer under temperatures of 280 K and pressures of 1, 4, and 7 MPa. But overall, a pressure of 1 MPa is more conducive for carbon dioxide molecules to enter the hydrate layer and form carbon dioxide hydrates. Adding EG to CO2 molecules can inhibit the decomposition of methane hydrates. However, the higher the concentration of EG, the faster the decomposition of methane hydrates. The degree of fracture of the water cages in methane hydrates is greater under pure CO2 conditions. Adding EG to CO2 molecules is more conducive for CO2 molecules to enter the hydrate layer and form carbon dioxide hydrates. This review is of great significance to improve the mining efficiency and CO2 storage efficiency of the replacement of natural gas hydrates with CO2.

Comprehensive analysis and prognostic assessment of senescence-associated genes in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and mortality of bladder cancer (BLCA) present a significant medical challenge. While the function of senescence-related genes in tumor development is recognized, their prognostic significance in BLCA has not been thoroughly explored. METHODS: BLCA transcriptome datasets were sourced from the TCGA and GEO repositories. Gene groupings were determined through differential gene expression and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) methodologies. Key senescence-linked genes were isolated using singular and multivariate Cox regression analyses, combined with lasso regression. Validation was undertaken with GEO database information. Predictive models, or nomograms, were developed by merging risk metrics with clinical records, and their efficacy was gauged using ROC curve methodologies. The immune response's dependency on the risk metric was assessed through the immune phenomenon score (IPS). Additionally, we estimated IC50 metrics for potential chemotherapeutic agents. RESULTS: Reviewing 406 neoplastic and 19 standard tissue specimens from the TCGA repository facilitated the bifurcation of subjects into two unique clusters (C1 and C2) according to senescence-related gene expression. After a stringent statistical evaluation, a set of ten pivotal genes was discerned and applied for risk stratification. Validity tests for the devised nomograms in forecasting 1, 3, and 5-year survival probabilities for BLCA patients were executed via ROC and calibration plots. IC50 estimations highlighted a heightened responsiveness in the low-risk category to agents like cisplatin, cyclopamine, and sorafenib. CONCLUSIONS: In summation, our research emphasizes the prospective utility of risk assessments rooted in senescence-related gene signatures for enhancing BLCA clinical oversight.

Leydig cell metabolic disorder act as a new mechanism affecting for focal spermatogenesis in Klinefelter syndrome patients: a real world cross-sectional study base on the age.

Background: Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) was once considered infertile due to congenital chromosomal abnormalities, but the presence of focal spermatozoa changed this. The key to predict and promote spermatogenesis is to find targets that regulate focal spermatogenesis. Objective: To explore the trend of fertility changes in KS patients at different ages and identify potential therapeutic targets. Methods: Bibliometric analysis was used to collect clinical research data on KS from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 1992 to 2022. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 KS patients who underwent microscopic testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) from 2017 to 2022 in the real world. The reproductive hormones, testicular histopathology, androgen receptors, insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) receptors and sperm recovery rate (SRR) were analyzed. Results: Male infertility, dysplasia, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, testosterone and spermatogenesis were the research focuses related to KS. Luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and INSL3 were evaluation indicators of Leydig cell function that fluctuate with age. Testosterone and LH peaked at ages 13-19 and 30-45, while INSL3 only peaked at ages 13-19. 27 patients (27/75) recovered sperm through mTESE and experienced SRR peaks at the ages of 20, 28, 34, and 37. The SRR of fibrosis patients was 46.15%, fatty degeneration was 7.14%, and melanosis was 40.00%. The INSL3 and androgen receptors were highly expressed and roughly balanced in focal spermatogenesis. Conclusion: Abnormal metabolism of Leydig cells led to imbalanced expression of INSL3 and androgen receptors, which might be a potential target for spermatogenesis in KS.

APELIN-13 AMELIORATES LPS-INDUCED ENDOTHELIAL-TO-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION AND POST-ACUTE LUNG INJURY PULMONARY FIBROSIS BY SUPPRESSING TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-Β1 SIGNALING.

ABSTRACT: The pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) involves cytokine storms, alveolar-capillary barrier destruction, and fibrotic progression. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis is an important factor affecting the prognosis of ARDS patients. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) plays an important role in the development of fibrotic diseases, and the occurrence of EndMT has been observed in experimental models of LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Apelin is an endogenous active polypeptide that plays an important role in maintaining endothelial cell homeostasis and inhibiting fibrotic progression in various diseases. However, whether apelin attenuates EndMT in ALI and post-ALI pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. We analyzed the serum levels of apelin-13 in patients with sepsis-associated ARDS to examine its possible clinical value. A murine model of LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis and an LPS-challenged endothelial cell injury model were used to analyze the protective effect and underlying mechanism of apelin-13. Mice were treated with apelin-13 by i.p. injection, and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were incubated with apelin-13 in vitro . We found that the circulating apelin-13 levels were significantly elevated in sepsis-associated ARDS patients compared with healthy controls. Our study also confirmed that LPS induced EndMT progression and pulmonary fibrosis, which were characterized by decreased CD31 expression and increased α-smooth muscle actin expression and collagen deposition. LPS also stimulated the production of transforming growth factor ß1 and activated the Smad signaling pathway. However, apelin-13 treatment significantly attenuated these changes. Our findings suggest that apelin-13 may be a novel biomarker in patients with sepsis-associated ARDS. These results demonstrate that apelin-13 ameliorates LPS-induced EndMT and post-ALI pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing transforming growth factor ß1 signaling.

Treatment progress of cryptozoospermia with Western Medicine and traditional Chinese medicine: A literature review.

Background and Aims: Cryptozoospermia is an extreme oligozoospermia with an unsatisfactory treatment effect, with an incidence rate of approximately 8.73% in male infertility, whose effective solution has become the call of the times. Western Medicine has achieved certain effects through drugs, surgery, and assisted reproductive therapy, but this is still not ideal. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has made many achievements in other disciplines; however, there is still a lack of evidence-based medical evidence to improve sperm production. Methods: The relevant literatures from the China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) and PubMed in the past 10 years were collected in this article, of which the mechanisms, advantages, or current controversies of various treatment methods of Western Medicine and TCM were analyzed, to find new treatment methods and research directions. Results: With the development of modern science and technology, medical treatments for cryptozoospermia have become increasingly abundant; however, there is still no universally recognized unified and effective guiding plan. Although TCM has not been fully verified by evidence-based medicine, most TCM combined with Western Medicine can achieve unexpected results. Conclusion: The combination of TCM and Western Medicine may become a bane for cryptozoospermia and bring good news to infertile men worldwide.

Jiawei Runjing Decoction Improves Spermatogenesis of Cryptozoospermia With Varicocele by Regulating the Testicular Microenvironment: Two-Center Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the evidence of JWRJD in the treatment of cryptozoospermia. Methods: A total of 162 cryptozoospermia patients with varicocele who refused to undergo surgery were included from January 2021 to December 2021. They were divided into the Jiawei Runjing Decoction group (group A), tamoxifen group (group B), and no treatment group (group C), and after the follow-up for 3 months, therapeutic effectiveness was compared. Network pharmacology was used to analyze and validate the effects and mechanisms of JWRJD. Results: Fifty-eight patients were treated with JWRJD, 55 with tamoxifen, and 49 without any treatment. After treatment, five patients were lost: one in group A, one in group B, and three in group C. The sperm count and the decrease of FSH in group A were significantly higher, but the degree of decline in the testicular volume and the degree of vein expansion have decreased significantly, which were closely related to the testicular volume (TV) [especially changes in the left testicular volume (ΔL-TV)], citric acid (CC) and its changes (ΔCC), and the vein width (VW) [especially left spermatic vein width (L-VW) and mean vein width (M-VW) and their changes (ΔL-VW and ΔM-VW)], as well as the sperm count before the treatment (bSC), which were the significant indexes to predict the therapeutic effect, especially for patients >35 years old and with grade III varicoceles. Network pharmacological analysis verifies that it can be regulated by fluid shear stress and the atherosclerosis pathway to improve the testicular microenvironment for spermatogenesis. Conclusion: JWRJD may promote spermatogenesis in cryptozoospermia patients with varicocele, which may be closely related to improving the testicular microenvironment, especially for >35 year olds and grade III varicocele patients.

Circulating microRNAs in seminal plasma as predictors of sperm retrieval in microdissection testicular sperm extraction.

Background: Because of focal spermatogenesis in some nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients, testicular spermatozoa can be retrieved by microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to achieve successful fertilization. Currently, testicular biopsy is widely performed for the prognosis of micro-TESE; however, it might miss foci with active spermatogenesis because of the 'blind manner' of puncture, highlighting the needs for biomarkers that could indicate actual spermatogenesis conditions in the testis. Thus, we screened microRNAs in the seminal plasma for potential biomarkers to provide a non-invasive and reliable preoperative assessment for micro-TESE. Methods: We screened the seminal plasma microRNAs from NOA patients with and without sperm retrieval (n=6 in each group) together with fertile men (n=6) by RNA sequencing, and the selected microRNAs were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Next, a predictive model was established by performing ordered logistic regression using the qPCR data of 56 specimens, and the predictive accuracy of this model was evaluated using 40 more specimens in a blind manner. Results: Four microRNAs (hsa-miR-34b-3p, hsa-miR-34c-3p, hsa-miR-3065-3p, and hsa-miR-4446-3p) were identified as biomarkers, and the predictive model Logit = 2.0881+ 0.13448 mir-34b-3p + 0.58679 mir-34c-3p + 0.15636 mir-3065-3p + 0.09523 mir-4446-3p was established by machine learning. The model provided a high predictive accuracy (AUC =0.927). Conclusions: We developed a predictive model with high accuracy for micro-TESE, with which NOA patients might obtain accurate assessment of spermatogenesis conditions in testes before surgery.

"Dancing Coins?" Unexpected Finding During microsurgery and Potential Risk of Sperm Damage: Intrascrotal Calculi: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objective: Microsurgery of andrology always brings unexpected findings. Scrotal calculi are rare and unique, which are easily confused with tumor. To understand its etiology and harm, our study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of men with scrotal calculi to provide a reference for clinical practice. Methods: The clinical data of patients who underwent microscopic testicular sperm extraction (MTESE) and microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Data screening was performed on cases in which calculi were found or not, and the relationship between calculi and spermatogenesis was analyzed. Results: A total of 405 patients were recruited. After screening, 218 nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), 83 obstructive azoospermia (OA), and 13 cryptozoospermia (CZ) patients were included in the study. Calculi were found in 3 patients [incidence was 0.74% (3/405)], in which 2 patients had obstructive azoospermia (1 was epididymal calculi, 1 was intrascrotal calculi) and 1 patient had cryptozoospermia (intrascrotal calculi). Pathological results showed that chronic granuloma with abscess infiltration appeared in epididymal tissue, basement membrane thickening and fibrosis appeared in seminiferous tubules, and fibrous hyperplasia with calcium deposition was found in scrotal calculus. White blood cells, lymphocytes, red blood cells, abstinence time and urethritis were closely related to the occurrence of calculi. While abstinence time might be a potential predictor, which increased the risk by approximately 1.2 times. Conclusion: Disturbance of the testicular microenvironment caused by lymphocyte infiltration may be the main reason for scrotal calculi and ultimately cause spermatogenesis disorders. Prolonged sexual abstinence was a potential risk.

Effects of stocking density on growth, stress, and immune responses of juvenile Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) in a recirculating aquaculture system.

The present study was to investigate the effects of stocking density on the welfare of juvenile Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for three months. Fish (average weight 760.86 g) were reared in triplicate under three densities: low density (4.80 kg m-2), medium density (8.99 kg m-2), and high density (12.68 kg m-2). The results showed that the 12.68 kg m-2 treatment significantly suppressed fish growth, gene expression of glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and enhanced serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, glucose, lactate levels, and the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA level (P < 0.05). Additionally, the 12.68 kg m-2 treatment significantly decreased serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and increased the formation of malondialdehyde (P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM), lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase activities showed a significant decline in this group (P < 0.05). Transcriptions of immune-related genes, including lysozyme, hepcidin antimicrobial peptide 1 (HAMP1), tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ), interleukin 1ß, and interleukin 8 significantly reduced in the 12.68 kg m-2 group (P < 0.05). In the somatotropic axis, both the serum values and gene expressions of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) resulted in a down-regulation in the 12.68 kg m-2 group (P < 0.05). Overall, these results suggest that high stocking density could negatively influence the growth, stress, and immune responses of juvenile Chinese sturgeon. Consequently, the appropriate stocking density recommended for culturing juvenile Chinese sturgeon in an RAS is between 4.80 kg m-2 and 8.99 kg m-2.

Carnitine/organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2) contributes to rat epididymal epithelial cell growth and proliferation.

Carnitine/organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2) is localized at the basolateral membrane of epididymal epithelial cells, and mainly serves to reabsorb carnitine as an essential factor for sperm maturation; however, its functional features in epididymal epithelial cells have remained unclear. We isolated primary epididymal epithelial cells from rat epididymides and verified their phenotype by detecting the presence of cytokeratin-19 (CK-19, an epithelial cell marker) and the absence vimentin (an interstitial cell marker). We found that cultured epididymal epithelial cells isolated from rat epididymides expressed high levels of CK-19 but barely expressed vimentin. Gain-of-function assays, which included the CCK-8 assay and EdU flow cytometry assay, indicated that overexpression of OCTN2 significantly promoted epididymal epithelial cell growth and proliferation. Moreover, forced expression of OCTN2 inhibited the cell apoptosis process, and at the same time increased expression of the pro-apoptosis factor BAX, and decreased expression of the anti-apoptosis factors BCL-2 and Survivin. Furthermore, we also found that OCTN2 overexpression dramatically increased the levels of biomarkers associated with spermatogenesis, including azoospermia-like (DAZL), phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK2), and protamine 2 (PRM2). These results demonstrate that OCTN2 plays a positive role in epididymal epithelial cells, and might be useful in the clinical treatment of male infertility by serving as a key regulatory factor.

Tunable integration of absorption-membrane-adsorption for efficiently separating low boiling gas mixtures near normal temperature.

Separation of low boiling gas mixtures is widely concerned in process industries. Now their separations heavily rely upon energy-intensive cryogenic processes. Here, we report a pseudo-absorption process for separating low boiling gas mixtures near normal temperature. In this process, absorption-membrane-adsorption is integrated by suspending suitable porous ZIF material in suitable solvent and forming selectively permeable liquid membrane around ZIF particles. Green solvents like water and glycol were used to form ZIF-8 slurry and tune the permeability of liquid membrane surrounding ZIF-8 particles. We found glycol molecules form tighter membrane while water molecules form looser membrane because of the hydrophobicity of ZIF-8. When using mixing solvents composed of glycol and water, the permeability of liquid membrane becomes tunable. It is shown that ZIF-8/water slurry always manifests remarkable higher separation selectivity than solid ZIF-8 and it could be tuned to further enhance the capture of light hydrocarbons by adding suitable quantity of glycol to water. Because of its lower viscosity and higher sorption/desorption rate, tunable ZIF-8/water-glycol slurry could be readily used as liquid absorbent to separate different kinds of low boiling gas mixtures by applying a multistage separation process in one traditional absorption tower, especially for the capture of light hydrocarbons.

Protective effect of allicin against glycidamide-induced toxicity in male and female mice.

Acrylamide is known to be a neurotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic compound. Glycidamide has a close relationship to the toxic mechanism of acrylamide. In order to explore the toxic mechanism of acrylamide, we further discussed the effects of oral administration of allicin on glycidamide-induced toxicity by determining the hematological parameters like AST, ALT, LDH, BUN, creatinine, ROS, and 8-OHdG, and biochemical parameters such as MDA, MPO, SOD, GST and GSH in the kidney, liver, brain and lung of male and female mice for the first time. We found that the same dose of glycidamide had more toxic effects and damage effects to the mice compared to the previous study of acrylamide. It could markedly increase the level of AST, ALT, LDH, BUN, ROS, 8-OHdG, MDA, MPO while decrease the SOD, GST and GSH. However, our data showed the oral administered allicin with a concentration of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg b.w./day could significantly decrease the damage indexes of AST, ALT, LDH, BUN, ROS, 8-OHdG, MDA, and MPO, while increase the antioxidant indicators of SOD, GST and GSH. Thus allicin could be used as an effective dietary supplement for the chemoprevention of glycidamide genotoxicity internally, and to prevent the tissue damage and toxicity induced by glycidamide.

Risk factors for No. 12p and No. 12b lymph node metastases in advanced gastric cancer in China.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for No. 12p and No. 12b lymph node (LN) metastases in advanced gastric cancer (GC) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for No. 12p and No. 12b LN metastases in advanced GC. METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2005, a retrospective analysis of 163 patients with advanced GC who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy in addition to No. 12p and No. 12b LN dissections was conducted. Potential clinicopathological factors that could influence No. 12p and No. 12b LN metastases were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: There were 15 cases (9.2%) with No. 12p LN metastases and 5 cases (3.1%) with synchronous No. 12b LN metastases. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the Borrmann type (III/IV versus I/II, P = 0.029), localization (lesser/circular versus greater, P = 0.025), and depth of invasion (pT4 versus pT2/pT3, P = 0.009) were associated with 11.1-, 3.8-, and 5.6-fold increases, respectively, for risk of No. 12p and No. 12b LN metastases. A logistic regression analysis also showed that No. 5 (P = 0.006) and No. 12a (P = 0.004) LN metastases were associated with 6.9- and 11.3-fold increases, respectively, for risk of No. 12p and No. 12b LN metastases. In addition, significant differences in 5-year survival of patients with and without No. 12p and No. 12b LN metastases were observed (13.3% versus 35.1%, P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: We conclude that Borrmann type, localization, and depth of invasion are significant variables for identifying patients with No. 12p and No. 12b LN metastases. Individuals with No. 5 or No. 12a LN metastases should be on high alert for the possibility of additional metastases to the No. 12p and No. 12b LNs.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spleen accompanying with hepatic cyst: report of a case and review of the literature.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the spleen is extremely rare. Since the first description of primary splenic MFH reported by Govoni et al in 1982, to the best of our knowledge, only 13 cases of MFH of the spleen have been reported in the English language literature in Medline. We herein report a rare case of primary splenic MFH accompanying with hepatic cyst in a 48-year-old Chinese female who treated successfully by laparoscopic splenectomy and fenestration, which has not yet been reported in the literature. Compared with the 13 previously cases of MFH of the spleen, our case is the first case accompanied with other disease, and also the first case treated successfully by laparoscopic splenectomy. A literature review of MFH of the spleen previously reported in the English language literature in Medline is also provided.

[Relationship between testis volume and types of spermatogenic cells from testicular biopsy in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the testis volume and types of spermatogenic cells derived from testicular biopsy in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia. METHODS: We collected testicular pathological biopsies from 492 infertile patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia reported in our hospital, classified them according to the testicular histological classification methods in WHO Manual for Standardized Investigation, Diagnosis and Management of the Infertile Male, and analyzed the relationship of the testis volume with the results of semen analyses and testicular histology. RESULTS: Of the 492 cases, 90.5% (445/492) were azoospermia and 9.5% (47/492) cryptozoospermia; mature spermatozoa were present in the seminiferous tubules in 17.9% (88/492) but absent in 42.9% (211/492), and Sertoli cell-only syndrome indicated in 39.2% (193/492); the testis volume was < or = 10 ml in 38.6% (190/492) and < or = 5 ml in 7.9% (39/492). Cryptozoospermia was detected in 14.8% (13/88) of those with mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules, in 11.4% (24/211) of those without, and in 5.2% (10/193) of those with Sertoli cell-only syndrome, with a significantly lower rate in the latter group than in the former two (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Spermatogenesis of the testis may be focal and difficult to be completely reflected by a single testicular biopsy, and it may exist even if the testis volume is significantly below the reference value. The indications for testicular biopsy should not be improperly expanded. The WHO testicular histological classification methods have provided a convenient and effective guidance for further clinical examinations and establishment of a protocol.