SUMMARY
In the exploration and development of carbonate reservoirs, borehole azimuthal acoustic reflection imaging can be used to survey the near-borehole geological structures such as fractures, ...faults or caves in the formation, but the accuracy of azimuth measurement and imaging quality are usually deteriorated due to the amplitudes of event signals being often much weaker than those of borehole mode waves. This study proposes a data processing method for borehole azimuthal acoustic reflection imaging to improve the accuracy of azimuth measurement and imaging quality of the near-borehole geological structures. First, three adjacent receiving sensors in the vertical plane closest to the given azimuth are selected to form a linear phased array receiver subarray, and the elevation angle of the event signals can be obtained by comparing the amplitudes of the stacked waveforms in the vertical plane for different elevation angles. Further, three receiving sensors, closest to the given azimuth, are selected from the arcuate phased array receiver, where the central sensor of the linear phased array receiver subarray is located, to form an arcuate phased array receiver subarray, and the 3-D stacked waveforms with the known elevation and azimuth angle can be calculated. In the incident direction of the event signals, the event signals will be significantly enhanced because the event signals in waveforms of each sensor in the subarray satisfy the in-phase stack condition, so as to improve the migration image quality and interpretation accuracy fundamentally. We confirmed this method by processing azimuth reflection acoustic data from a field experiment including two adjacent fluid-filled artificial boreholes. The comparison of the field data processing results with and without 3-D waveform stacking demonstrated that 3-D waveform stacking significantly improves the accuracy of azimuth interpretation and imaging quality.
ABSTRACT Metabolites such as crotonyl-CoA and lactyl-CoA influence gene expression by covalently modifying histones, known as histone lysine crotonylation (Kcr) and lysine lactylation (Kla). However, ...the existence patterns, dynamic changes, biological functions and associations of these modifications with histone lysine acetylation and gene expression during mammalian development remain largely unknown. Here, we find that histone Kcr and Kla are widely distributed in the brain and undergo global changes during neural development. By profiling the genome-wide dynamics of H3K9ac, H3K9cr and H3K18la in combination with ATAC and RNA sequencing, we reveal that these marks are tightly correlated with chromatin state and gene expression, and extensively involved in transcriptome remodeling to promote cell-fate transitions in the developing telencephalon. Importantly, we demonstrate that global Kcr and Kla levels are not the consequence of transcription and identify the histone deacetylases (HDACs) 1-3 as novel ‘erasers’ of H3K18la. Using P19 cells as an induced neural differentiation system, we find that HDAC1-3 inhibition by MS-275 pre-activates neuronal transcriptional programs by stimulating multiple histone lysine acylations simultaneously. These findings suggest that histone Kcr and Kla play crucial roles in the epigenetic regulation of neural development.
A multiwalled carbon nanotube/sulfur (MWCNT@S) composite with core–shell structure was successfully embedded into the interlay galleries of graphene sheets (GS) through a facile two-step assembly ...process. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images reveal a 3D hierarchical sandwich-type architecture of the composite GS-MWCNT@S. The thickness of the S layer on the MWCNTs is ∼20 nm. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirm that the sulfur in the composite is highly crystalline with a mass loading up to 70% of the composite. This composite is evaluated as a cathode material for Li/S batteries. The GS-MWCNT@S composite exhibits a high initial capacity of 1396 mAh/g at a current density of 0.2C (1C = 1672 mA/g), corresponding to 83% usage of the sulfur active material. Much improved cycling stability and rate capability are achieved for the GS-MWCNT@S composite cathode compared with the composite lacking GS or MWCNT. The superior electrochemical performance of the GS-MWCNT@S composite is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of GS and MWCNTs, which provide a 3D conductive network for electron transfer, open channels for ion diffusion, strong confinement of soluble polysulfides, and effective buffer for volume expansion of the S cathode during discharge.
It is widely accepted that cognitive and memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) primarily result from synaptic failure. However, the mechanisms that underlie synaptic and cognitive dysfunction ...remain unclear.
We utilized molecular biology techniques, electrophysiological recordings, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), immuno- and Golgi-staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP); lentivirus (LV)-based microRNA overexpression and ‘sponging’, and behavioral tests to assess upregulated miR-30b causing synaptic and cognitive declines in APP transgenic (TG) mice.
We provide evidence that expression of miR-30b, which targets molecules important for maintaining synaptic integrity, including ephrin type-B receptor 2 (ephB2), sirtuin1 (sirt1), and glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 2 (GluA2), is robustly upregulated in the brains of both AD patients and APP transgenic (TG) mice, an animal model of AD, while expression of its targets is significantly downregulated. Overexpression of miR-30b in the hippocampus of normal wild-type (WT) mice impairs synaptic and cognitive functions, mimicking those seen in TG mice. Conversely, knockdown of endogenous miR-30b in TG mice prevents synaptic and cognitive decline. We further observed that expression of miR-30b is upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines and Aβ42 through NF-κB signaling.
Our results provide a previously undefined mechanism by which unregulated miR-30b causes synaptic and cognitive dysfunction in AD, suggesting that reversal of dysregulated miR-30b in the brain may prevent or slow cognitive declines in AD.
This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01NS076815, R01MH113535, R01AG058621, P30GM103340 Pilot Project, and by the LSUHSC School of Medicine Research Enhancement Program grant (to C.C.).
To explore the effects of the introduction order of calcium sources and the bacteria-to-calcium ratio on the microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) product CaCO
and to achieve the ...regulation of CaCO
crystal morphology, the mineralisation products of MICP were compared after combining bacteria and calcium at ratios of 1/9, 2/9, 3/9, 4/9, 5/9, and 6/9. A bacterial solution was combined with a urea solution in two calcium addition modes: calcium-first and calcium-later modes. Finally, under the calcium-first addition method, the output of high-purity vaterite-type CaCO
was achieved at bacteria-to-calcium ratios of 2/9 and 3/9; under the calcium-later addition method, the output of calcite-type CaCO
could be stabilised, and the change in the bacteria-to-calcium ratio did not have much effect on its crystalline shape.
Herein we report a strategy concerning Rh(III)-catalyzed direct ortho-C–H bond carbonylation to construct benzoxazinones from anilines and their derivatives with high atom economy. Interestingly, ...the corresponding amides were generated in situ from anilines when excess Ac2O was added and directed the following C–H bond carbonylation to form benzoxazinones. Extensive functional group tolerance can be achieved when the alkyl amide directing groups were installed. Moreover, this method allows convenient derivatization of some drugs with aryl amine groups to show its potential application.
Microglia are the primary source of transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) in the brain; however, the roles of microglial TGM2 in neural development and disease are still not well known. The aim of this study is ...to elucidate the role and mechanisms of microglial TGM2 in the brain. A mouse line with a specific knockout of Tgm2 in microglia was generated. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and qRT‐PCR assays were performed to evaluate the expression levels of TGM2, PSD‐95 and CD68. Confocal imaging, immunofluorescence staining and behavioural analyses were conducted to identify phenotypes of microglial TGM2 deficiency. Finally, RNA sequencing, qRT‐PCR and co‐culture of neurons and microglia were used to explore the potential mechanisms. Deletion of microglial Tgm2 causes impaired synaptic pruning, reduced anxiety and increased cognitive deficits in mice. At the molecular level, the phagocytic genes, such as Cq1a, C1qb and Tim4, are significantly down‐regulated in TGM2‐deficient microglia. This study elucidates a novel role of microglial TGM2 in regulating synaptic remodelling and cognitive function, indicating that microglia Tgm2 is essential for proper neural development.
Microglial transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) is essential for regulating synaptic remodelling and cognitive function. Deletion of microglial Tgm2 causes impaired synaptic pruning, reduced anxiety and increased cognitive deficits in mice. At the molecular level, the phagocytic genes, such as Cq1a, C1qb and Tim4, are significantly down‐regulated in TGM2‐deficient microglia.
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic, highly relapsing, severe mental disorder with an unclear etiology. Cytokine-mediated neuroimmune abnormalities have been repeatedly revealed. IL-1β was reported to ...play a vital role in expanding the inflammatory response. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we found that miR-3653-3p with the NLRP3 binding site in Targetscan was differentially expressed in miRNA high-throughput sequencing in schizophrenia (SCZ), and indeed, its downregulation in SCZ peripheral blood was also verified by RT-qPCR (P-value = 0.015). Furthermore, we found that the mRNAs of caspase 1 and IL-1β are elevated in people who suffer from SCZ (P = 0.044 and P = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the interaction of NLRP3, Caspase1, and IL-1β was found in the peripheral blood of patients with SCZ. The expression level of miR-3653-3p was negatively correlated with NLRP3 and IL-1β mRNA contents (r = 0.487, P = 0.04 and r = 0.508, P = 0.037, respectively). NLRP3 mRNA was positively correlated with caspase1 mRNA. Meanwhile, the expression of miR-3653-3p was also negatively correlated with negative symptom subscores of PANSS (r = 0.450, P = 0.046). IL-1β mRNA is positively correlated with the total scores of PANSS (r = 0.690, P = 0.002) and the sub-scores of general psychopathology of PANSS (r = 0.583, P = 0.014). Additionally, a significant positive relationship exists between IL-1β and the total duration (r = 0.638, P = 0.006). We found that the combination of miR-3653-3p, caspase 1, and IL-1β have better diagnostic values. The results indicate that miR-3653-3p, caspase 1, and IL-1β can potentially be biomarkers of SCZ, identifying negative symptoms or a chronic course. A further understanding of the involvement of IL-1β in SCZ may be a crucial molecular effector for the chronic course to intervene.
Neurotrauma has been recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, and sex difference of the incidence and outcome of neurodegenerative diseases has long been recognized. Past studies ...suggest that microglia could play a versatile role in both health and disease. So far, the microglial mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and potentially lead to sex‐specific therapies are still very open. Here we applied whole transcriptome analysis of microglia acutely isolated at different timepoints after a cortical stab wound injury to gain insight into genes that might be dysregulated and transcriptionally different between males and females after cortical injury. We found that microglia displayed distinct temporal and sexual molecular signatures of transcriptome after cortical injury. Hypotheses and gene candidates that we presented in the present study could be worthy to be examined to explore the roles of microglia in neurotrauma and in sex‐biased neurodegenerative diseases.
Main Points
Microglia display distinct temporal and sexual molecular signatures of transcriptome after cortical injury.
Hypotheses and gene candidates are presented to explore the roles of microglia in neurotrauma and in sex‐biased neurodegenerative diseases.
Structural degradation and low conductivity of transition-metal oxides lead to severe capacity fading in lithium-ion batteries. Recent efforts to solve this issue have mainly focused on using ...nanocomposites or hybrids by integrating nanosized metal oxides with conducting additives. Here we design specific hierarchical structures and demonstrate their use in flexible, large-area anode assemblies. Fabrication of these anodes is achieved via oxidative growth of copper oxide nanowires onto copper substrates followed by radio-frequency sputtering of carbon-nitride films, forming freestanding three-dimensional arrays with core-shell nano-architecture. Cable-like copper oxide/carbon-nitride core-shell nanostructures accommodate the volume change during lithiation-delithiation processes, the three-dimensional arrays provide abundant electroactive zones and electron/ion transport paths, and the monolithic sandwich-type configuration without additional binders or conductive agents improves energy/power densities of the whole electrode.
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