Paleo-geomorphic features of pre-Jurassic and its oil-controlling effect in Wuqi-Dingbian area.

The Fuxian-Yan10 layers are the main oil-producing reservoirs of Jurassic in Wuqi-Dingbian area of Ordos Basin. However, due to the lack of understanding of the pattern and distribution characteristics of oil reservoirs, the benefits of exploration and development are restricted. In order to provide theoretical guidance for the study of similar geological features, based on the analysis of paleogeomorphic features and evolution, the analysis focuses on the influence of palaeo-geomorphology on oil reservoir distribution, and summarizes the main types of reservoir models in the study area. The results show that there are four types of palaeo-geomorphic units in the Wuding area: palaeo-river, slope, highland and interriver hill. In the study area, the Jurassic paleogeomorphology controls the sedimentary development and distribution from Fuxian Formation to Yan 9 Formation. The compacted structure and lithologic barrier provide good trapping conditions for the paleogeomorphic oil. Moreover, the swampy coal measures and mudstone at the top of Yan 9 play a sealing role for oil accumulation, and the bottom water was obviously driven. In addition, the pre-Jurassic deep valley was the main channels for oil migration. On this basis, it is concluded that there are four reservoir-forming models in Wuding area: slope type, river hill type, ancient river type and highland type.

Low Dose of Folic Acid Can Ameliorate Hyperhomocysteinemia-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

To evaluate whether lowering plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels at different doses of folic acid (FA) could reduce cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) and investigate the possible mechanism of action.We randomly divided 32 male SHRs into control, Hhcy, Hhcy + low-dose FA (LFA), and Hhcy + high-dose FA (HFA) groups. Echocardiography and Masson staining of cardiac tissue were used to assess diastolic function and cardiac fibrosis. Blood pressure (BP) and Hcy levels were measured during the experiment. We also measured the indicators of oxidative stress (OS) and examined the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) genes and proteins using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry, and western blotting to explore the possible mechanism of action.FA treatment reversed SHR cardiomyocyte interstitial and perivascular collagen deposition and diastolic dysfunction exacerbated by Hhcy. These effects were associated with promoting the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, activating HO-1 expression and inhibiting OS. However, HFA did not show any additional benefit from LFA in reducing cardiac injury.Even at a low dose, FA can ameliorate Hhcy-induced cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in SHRs by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting OS, independent of BP, providing evidence for the efficacy of LFA in the treatment of hypertension associated with Hhcy.

The correlation between IL-20 and the Th2 immune response in human asthma.

BACKROUND: Interleukin-20 (IL-20) belongs to the IL-10 family, which has been shown to be crucial in immune responses, regulation of inflammatory responses, hemopoiesis, and epidermal cell and keratinocyte differentiation. However, the role of IL-20 in asthma remains unclear. Here, our aim is to evaluate the correlation between IL-20 and the Th2 immune response in human. METHODS: In this study, we recruited 100 asthma patients and 100 control subjects for collection of serum samples and biopsy material. Firstly, We observed the expression of IL-20 in the airway epithelium of asthma patients by immuno-histochemical analysis, and then used an enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) to analyze the serum levels of IL-20, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in patients with asthma. RESULTS: We found high levels of expression of IL-20 in the airway epithelium of asthma patients. We also found that the concentrations of IL-20 and the Th2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, were significantly higher in patients with asthma and a positive correlation were found between IL-20 and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13). Furthermore, levels of IL-20 gradually increased according to the severity of the asthma. CONCLUSIONS: IL-20 levels are increased in the epithelium and serum of asthmatic patients. The correlation between IL-20 levels and Th2 cytokines suggests that IL-20 may play a patho-physiologic role in the Th2 immune response in human asthma and may be a potential biomarker of asthma severity.

Interleukin-20 promotes airway remodeling in asthma.

Previous studies have demonstrated that interleukin-20 (IL-20) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and it has been implicated in psoriasis, lupus nephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and ulcerative colitis. Little is known about the effects of IL-20 in airway remodeling in asthma. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the function of IL-20 in airway remodeling in asthma. To identify the expression of IL-20 and its receptor, IL-20R1/IL-20R2, in the airway epithelium in bronchial tissues, bronchial biopsy specimens were collected from patients and mice with asthma and healthy subjects and stained with specific antibodies. To characterize the effects of IL-20 in asthmatic airway remodeling, we silenced and stimulated IL-20 in cell lines isolated from mice by shRNA and recombinant protein approaches, respectively, and detected the expression of α-SMA and FN-1 by Western blot analysis. First, overexpression of IL-20 and its receptor, IL-20R1/IL-20R2, was detected in the airway epithelium collected from patients and mice with asthma. Second, IL-20 increased the expression of fibronectin-1 and α-SMA, and silencing of IL-20 in mouse lung epithelial (MLE)-12 cells decreased the expression of fibronectin-1 and α-SMA. IL-20 may be a critical cytokine in airway remodeling in asthma. This study indicates that targeting IL-20 and/or its receptors may be a new therapeutic strategy for asthma.