Search Results (1,527)

Due to post-cementing hydraulic fracturing and other operational stresses, inadequate mechanical properties or suboptimal design of the cement sheath can lead to tensile failure and microcrack development, compromising both hydrocarbon recovery and well integrity. In this study, three field-deployed cement slurry systems were compared on the basis of their basic mechanical properties such as compressive and tensile strength. Laboratory-scale physical simulations of hydraulic fracturing during shale oil production were conducted, using dynamic permeability as a quantitative indicator of integrity loss. The experimental results show that evaluating only basic mechanical properties is insufficient for cement slurry system design. A more comprehensive mechanical assessment is re-quired. Incorporation of an expansive agent into the cement slurry system can alleviate the damage caused by the microannulus to the interfacial sealing performance of the cement sheath, while adding a toughening agent can alleviate the damage caused by tensile cracks to the sealing performance of the cement sheath matrix. Through this research, a microexpansive and toughened cement slurry system, modified with both expansive and toughening agents, was optimized. The expansive agent and toughening agent can significantly enhance the shear strength, the flexural strength, and the interfacial hydraulic isolation strength of cement stone. Moreover, the expansion agents mitigate the detrimental effects of microannulus generation on the interfacial sealing, while the toughening agents alleviate the damage caused by tensile cracking to the bulk sealing performance of the cement sheath matrix. This system has been successfully implemented in over 100 wells in the GL block of Daqing Oilfield. Field application results show that the proportion of high-quality well sections in the horizontal section reached 88.63%, indicating the system’s high performance in enhancing zonal isolation and cementing quality. Full article

Lightweight steel-framing (LSF) systems have become increasingly prominent in modern construction due to their structural efficiency, design flexibility, and sustainability. However, traditional facade materials such as stone are often cost-prohibitive, and brick veneers—despite their popularity—pose seismic performance concerns. This study introduces an innovative porcelain sheathing system for cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls. Porcelain has no veins thus it offers integrated and reliable strength unlike granite. Four full-scale CFS shear walls incorporating screwed porcelain sheathing (SPS) were tested under combined cyclic lateral and constant gravity loading. The experimental program investigated key seismic characteristics, including lateral stiffness and strength, deformation capacity, failure modes, and energy dissipation, to calculate the system response modification factor (R). The test results showed that configurations with horizontal sheathing, double mid-studs, and three blocking rows improved performance, achieving up to 21.1 kN lateral resistance and 2.5% drift capacity. The average R-factor was 4.2, which exceeds the current design code values (AISI S213: R = 3; AS/NZS 4600: R = 2), suggesting the enhanced seismic resilience of the SPS-CFS system. This study also proposes design improvements to reduce the risk of brittle failure and enhance inelastic behavior. In addition, the results inform discussions on permissible building heights and contribute to the advancement of CFS design codes for seismic regions. Full article

The cement sheath is critical for ensuring the long-term safety and operational efficiency of oil and gas wells. However, complex geological conditions and operational stresses during production can induce cement sheath deterioration and cracking, leading to reduced zonal isolation, diminished hydrocarbon recovery, and elevated operational expenditures. This study investigates the development of a novel microbial self-healing well cement slurry system, employing fly ash as microbial carriers and sustained-release microcapsules encapsulating calcium sources and nutrients. Systematic evaluations were conducted, encompassing microbial viability, cement slurry rheology, fluid loss control, anti-channeling capability, and the mechanical strength, permeability, and microstructural characteristics of set cement stones. Results demonstrated that fly ash outperformed blast furnace slag and nano-silica as a carrier, exhibiting superior microbial loading capacity and viability. Optimal performance was observed with additions of 3% microorganisms and 3% microcapsules to the cement slurry. Microscopic analysis further revealed effective calcium carbonate precipitation within and around micro-pores, indicating a self-healing mechanism. These findings highlight the significant potential of the proposed system to enhance cement sheath integrity through localized self-healing, offering valuable insights for the development of advanced, durable well-cementing materials tailored for challenging downhole environments. Full article

Diagnosing digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) pathologies, particularly manica flexoria (MF) tears, can be challenging with standard imaging modalities. Standing low-field MRI tenography (MRIt) may improve the detection rate of MF tears. This study aimed to compare ultrasonography, contrast radiography, pre-contrast MRI, and MRIt to detect naturally occurring MF lesions in horses undergoing tenoscopy. Ten horses with a positive DFTS block, which underwent contrast radiography, ultrasonography, MRI, MRIt, and tenoscopy were included. Two radiologists evaluated the images and recorded whether an MF lesion was present and determined the lesion side. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each modality using tenoscopy as a reference. MRIt and contrast radiography detected MF lesions with the same frequency, both showing 71% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Pre-contrast MRI and ultrasonography detected MF lesions with a lower sensitivity (57%); however, the MRI (100%) demonstrated a higher specificity than ultrasonography (33%). Adding contrast in MRI changed the sensitivity from (4/7 lesions) 57% to (5/7 lesions) 71%, with a constant high specificity (100%). MRIt diagnoses MF tears with a similar sensitivity to contrast radiography, with the same specificity, but with the added benefit of lesion laterality detection. The combined advantages of the anatomical detail of the T1 sequence and the post-contrast hyperintense appearance of the fluid may help diagnose MF tears and identify intact MFs. However, this needs to be substantiated in a larger number of cases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune peripheral neuropathy that affects both the myelin sheaths and axons of the peripheral nervous system. It is the leading cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis worldwide, with an annual incidence of less than two cases per 100,000 people. Although most patients recover, a small proportion do not regain mobility and even remain dependent on mechanical ventilation. In this study, we refer to the analysis of samples collected from GBS patients at different defined time points during hospital recovery and performed by a medical or research group. Methods: The conditions for whole blood collection, peripheral blood mononuclear cell isolation, and serum collection from GBS patients and volunteer donors are explained. Aliquots of these human samples have been used for red blood cell phenotyping, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, and serum biochemical parameter studies. Results: The initial sporadic preservation of human samples from GBS patients and control volunteers enabled the creation of a biobank collection for current and future studies related to the diagnosis and treatment of GBS. Conclusions: In this article, we describe the laboratory procedures and the integration of a GBS biobank collection, local medical services, and academic institutions collaborating in its respective field. The report establishes the intra-disciplinary and inter-institutional network to conduct long-term longitudinal studies on GBS. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that results from a culmination of acute and chronic damage to neural tissue, specifically the myelin sheath, thus impacting neurons’ abilities to synergistically perform their physiological roles. This review explores the molecular underpinnings of myelination, demyelination, and remyelination, emphasizing the role of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), astrocytes, and microglia in physiological, and pathophysiological, healing. Furthermore, we link these processes with emerging therapeutic strategies currently under investigation in animal and human models, underscoring areas of translational medicine that remain underutilized. The goal of this review is to provide a framework for developing more advanced interventions to restore function and improve outcomes for individuals with SCI. Full article

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) exhibits strong resistance to electromagnetic interference and excellent linear strain response, making it highly promising for structural health monitoring (SHM) in pavement. This research investigates the strain transfer characteristics of embedded FBG in pavement structure and materials by using the relevant theoretical models. Results indicate adhesive layer thickness and sheath modulus are the primary factors influencing the strain transfer coefficient. A thinner adhesive layer and high modulus of sheath enhance the coefficient. Additionally, the strain distribution of sheath significantly affects the transfer efficiency. When the stress level near the grating region is lower than the both ends, the coefficient increases and even exceeds 1, which typically occurs under multi-axle conditions. As for asphalt mixture, high temperature leads to lower efficiency, while accumulated plastic strain improves it. Although the increased load frequency results a higher strain transfer coefficient, the magnitude of this change is negligible. By employing polynomial fitting to the sheath strain distribution, the boundary condition of theoretical equation could be removed. The theoretical and numerical results of strain transfer coefficient for pavement embedded FBG demonstrate good consistency, indicating the polynomial fitting is adoptable for the theoretical calculation with non-uniform strain distribution. This study utilizes the FEM to clarify the evolution of FBG strain transfer in pavement structures and materials, providing a theoretical basis for the design and implementation of embedded FBG in pavement. Full article

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves progressive dopaminergic neuron degeneration and motor deficits. Oligodendrocyte dysfunction contributes to PD pathogenesis through impaired myelination. Methods: Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of PD mice revealed compromised oligodendrocyte differentiation and STAT5B downregulation. Pseudotemporal trajectory analysis via Monocle2 demonstrated impaired oligodendrocyte maturation in PD oligodendrocytes, correlating with reduced myelin-related gene expression (Sox10, Plp1, Mbp, Mog, Mag, Mobp). DoRothEA-predicted regulon activity identified STAT5B as a key transcriptional regulator. Results: Oligodendrocyte-specific STAT5B activation improved myelin integrity, as validated by Luxol Fast Blue staining and transmission electron microscopy; attenuated dopaminergic neuron loss; and improved motor function. Mechanistically, STAT5B binds the MBP promoter to drive transcription, a finding confirmed by the luciferase assay, while the DNMT3A-mediated hypermethylation of the STAT5B promoter epigenetically silences its expression, as verified by MethylTarget sequencing and methylation-specific PCR. Conclusions: DNMT3A inhibited the expression of STAT5B by affecting its methylation, which reduced the transcription of MBP, caused oligodendrocyte myelin damage, and eventually led to dopamine neuron damage and motor dysfunction in an MPTP-induced mouse model. This DNMT3A-STAT5B-MBP axis underlies PD-associated myelin damage, connecting epigenetic dysregulation with oligodendrocyte dysfunction and subsequent PD pathogenesis. Full article

The sheaths of bamboo shoots, characterized by distinct colors and spotting patterns, are key phenotypic markers influencing species classification, market value, and genetic studies. This study introduces YOLOv8-BS, a deep learning model optimized for detecting these traits in Chimonobambusa utilis using a dataset from Jinfo Mountain, China. Enhanced by data augmentation techniques, including translation, flipping, and contrast adjustment, YOLOv8-BS outperformed benchmark models (YOLOv7, YOLOv5, YOLOX, and Faster R-CNN) in color and spot detection. For color detection, it achieved a precision of 85.9%, a recall of 83.4%, an F1-score of 84.6%, and an average precision (AP) of 86.8%. For spot detection, it recorded a precision of 90.1%, a recall of 92.5%, an F1-score of 91.1%, and an AP of 96.1%. These results demonstrate superior accuracy and robustness, enabling precise phenotypic analysis for bamboo germplasm evaluation and genetic diversity studies. YOLOv8-BS supports precision agriculture by providing a scalable tool for sustainable bamboo-based industries. Future improvements could enhance model adaptability for fine-grained varietal differences and real-time applications. Full article

Background and Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate in an ex vivo setting the impact of the holmium laser lithotripsy over the temperature of the irrigation fluid. Materials and Methods: We recorded temperature changes in an ex vivo porcine model during laser activation using dusting (18 Hz, 0.6 J, 10.8 W) and fragmenting settings (8 Hz, 2 J, 16 W). The temperature was recorded for each of these modes in three settings: without irrigation or access sheath, with irrigation but no access sheath, and with irrigation and a 10/12 F access sheath in place. Results: Using dusting settings, the maximum recorded temperatures were 42.3 degrees Celsius (no irrigation, no sheath), 37.3 degrees Celsius (with irrigation but no access sheath) and 36.2 degrees Celsius (with irrigation and access sheath). In fragmenting mode, the maximum recorded temperatures were 52 degrees Celsius (no irrigation, no sheath), 43.1 degrees Celsius (with irrigation but no access sheath), and 42.9 degrees Celsius (with irrigation and access sheath). Conclusions: In certain conditions (no irrigation, more watts) the temperature may rise to dangerous levels. However, in closer to real-life settings (with irrigation and especially when ureteral access sheaths are employed) the magnitude of this effect is limited, making flexible intrarenal laser lithotripsy a reasonably safe procedure. Full article

Oat sheath rot disease significantly reduces commercial oat yields, yet research on its incidence, causative pathogens, and control strategies remains limited, particularly in China. This study investigated the occurrence of oat sheath rot in major oat-producing regions of Northern China. Here, we isolated and identified two species of primary pathogenic fungi, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Alternaria alternata. Next, we conducted pathogenicity tests to confirm their role in the progression of oat sheath rot disease. Subsequently, we screened putative biocontrol fungi and identified Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma koningii as effective antagonistic biocontrol fungi. Both species demonstrated strong inhibitory effects against two primary pathogens through competitive interactions, with T. koningii achieving 100% inhibition in one test. Overall, T. harzianum and T. koningii both exerted strong inhibitory effects against pathogenic fungi via different forms of competition. Most importantly, infection experiments showed that T. harzianum and T. koningii both exerted strong antifungal effects against the pathogenic fungi that cause oat sheath rot. Taken together, our findings provide a foundation for developing biological control strategies to mitigate oat sheath rot in oat cultivation in China. Full article

Sheath blight (ShB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani), poses severe threats to global rice production. Developing a resistant variety with an ShB-resistance gene is one of most efficient and economical approaches to control the disease. Here, we identified a highly conserved chloroplast-localized stem-loop-binding protein encoding gene (OsCSP41b), which shows great potential in developing an ShB-resistant variety. OsCSP41b-knockout mutants exhibit chlorotic leaves and increased ShB susceptibility, whereas OsCSP41b-overexpressing lines (CSP41b-OE) display significantly enhanced resistance to R. solani, as well as to drought, and salinity stresses. Notably, CSP41b-OE lines present a completely comparable grain yield to the wild type (WT). Transcriptomic analyses reveal that chloroplast transcripts and photosynthesis-associated genes maintain observably elevated stability in CSP41b-OE plants versus WT plants following R. solani infection, which probably accounts for the enhanced ShB resistance of CSP41b-OE. Our findings nominate the OsCSP41b gene as a promising molecular target for developing a rice variety with stronger resistance to both R. solani and multi-abiotic stresses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Radical cystectomy performed via midline laparotomy is associated with substantial postoperative pain, frequently necessitating a high opioid consumption, which may impair immune function and delay recovery. The rectus sheath block (RSB) is widely used as part of multimodal analgesia to enhance postoperative pain control; however, the duration of analgesia is limited when using single-injection techniques. Dexamethasone has increasingly been used as a perineural adjuvant to prolong the effects of peripheral nerve blocks and enhance analgesia. This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding perineural dexamethasone to an RSB improves analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing a radical cystectomy. Methods: Fifty-two adult patients scheduled for radical cystectomy were randomly assigned to receive an ultrasound-guided bilateral RSB with either 0.25% ropivacaine alone or 0.25% ropivacaine combined with 4 mg dexamethasone per side after skin closure. Postoperative pain was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h following surgery. Cumulative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) in terms of fentanyl consumption and the incidence of rebound pain—defined as an increase in the NRS from ≤3 to ≥7 within 24 h after the block administration—were also recorded. Results: The dexamethasone group exhibited significantly reduced cumulative fentanyl consumption. Pain scores were consistently lower in the dexamethasone group compared with the ropivacaine-only group at all time points except 3 h postoperatively. The incidence of rebound pain was also substantially lower in the dexamethasone group. Conclusions: Perineural dexamethasone as an adjuvant to an RSB provides effective and prolonged analgesia, reduces opioid requirements, and lowers rebound pain incidence in patients undergoing a radical cystectomy. Full article

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) are a deadly subtype of soft tissue sarcoma for which effective therapeutic options are lacking. Currently, the best treatment for MPNSTs is complete surgical resection with wide negative margins, but this is often complicated by the tumor size and location and/or the presence of metastases. Radiation or chemotherapy may be combined with surgery, but patient responses are poor. Targeted treatments, including small-molecule inhibitors of oncogenic proteins such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), and Src-homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2), are promising therapeutics for MPNSTs, especially when combined together, but they have yet to gain approval. Immunotherapeutic approaches have been revolutionary for the treatment of some other cancers, but their utility as single agents in sarcoma is limited and not approved for MPNSTs. The immunosuppressive niche of MPNSTs is thought to confer inherent treatment resistance, particularly to immunotherapies. Remodeling an inherently “cold” tumor microenvironment into a “hot” immune milieu to bolster the anti-tumor activity of immunotherapies is of great interest throughout the cancer community. This review focuses on novel therapeutics that target dysregulated factors and pathways in MPNSTs, as well as different types of immunotherapies currently under investigation for this disease. We also consider how certain therapeutics may be combined to remodel the MPNST immune microenvironment and thereby generate a durable anti-tumor immune response to immunotherapy. Full article

Cardiac tissue engineering is a promising strategy to restore cardiac function in heart failure patients. Understanding the cardiac tissue architecture including the cardiac stroma is essential for developing not only advanced cardiac tissue engineering but also novel therapeutic strategies. One of the crucial components of the cardiac stroma is the myocardial vasculature. To enhance the spatial visualization of the cardiac stromal cytoarchitecture with a particular focus on myocardial vasculature, we performed 3D reconstructions of the murine cardiac micro vessels using Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM). These analyses revealed that pericyte cell bodies were primarily oriented lengthwise and extended several cellular protrusions towards the endothelium. At capillary branching points, some pericytes made contact with both capillaries emerging from branching. In addition to pericytes that are completely encapsulated by the common basal lamina together with capillary endothelial cells, we identified other vascular-associated cells located outside this sheath. Based on marker expression, these cells were distinguished from fibroblasts and suggested to be telocytes. The vascular-associated cells formed electron-dense contact zones with endothelial cells, suggesting functional coupling between these both cell types. In conclusion, this study provides detailed three-dimensional visualizations of the cardiac stroma with a particular focus on cardiac microvasculature, offering enhanced insight into the cardiac stromal cytoarchitecture. Full article