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In the present study, experimental investigations were carried out on a diesel engine fuelled with castor oil–diesel–n-butanol blends to determine the combustion characteristics and emissions. In comparison with diesel fuel, the blends represented the retarded start of combustion (SOC), the higher peak in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate, and the shortened combustion duration. The brake-specific fuel consumption of the blends was higher by 7% for CD80B20, and 11% for CD60B40, respectively, whereas the difference of the brake thermal efficiency was less than 3%. The blends exhibited bi-modal particle size distribution (PSD), and diesel showed uni-modal behaviour under all operating conditions. The total number concentration of blends was larger, but the geometric mean diameters were 83, 47 and 40 nm for diesel fuel, CD80B20 and CD60B40, respectively. Nitrogen oxide emissions of the blends were higher by 14% and slightly increased with the growth of n-butanol content in the blends. Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions were decreased at 1000 r/min and increased at 1400 r/min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin filler is an option for treating skin aging and wrinkles; however, currently used fillers are limited by poor biocompatibility, rapid degradation, and possible hypersensitivity reactions. Autologous adipose tissue-derived products have been recognized as promising options for skin rejuvenation.Objectives: This study aimed to develop a novel adipose-derived product for skin filling.Methods: Adipose collagen fragment (ACF) was prepared through pulverization, filtration, and centrifugation. The macrography, structure, types of collagen, and cell viability of ACF were evaluated by immunostaining, western blotting, and cell culture assays. ACF, nanofat, and phosphate-buffered saline (9 spots/side, 0.01 mL/spot) were intradermally injected in the dorsal skin of 36 female BALB/c nude mice; the skin filling capacity and the collagen remodeling process were then investigated. Twenty-one female patients with fine rhytides in the infraorbital areas were enrolled and received clinical applications of ACF treatment. Therapeutic effects and patients' satisfaction scores were recorded.Results: The mean [standard deviation] yield of ACF from 50 mL of Coleman fat was 4.91 [0.25] mL. ACF contained nonviable cells and high levels of collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin. Fibroblasts and procollagen significantly increased in ACF and ACF-treated dermis (P < 0.05). Overall, 85.7% of patients were satisfied with the therapy results, and no infections, injection site nodules, or other unwanted side effects were observed.Conclusions: ACF significantly improved dermal thickness and collagen synthesis and may serve as a potential autologous skin filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adipose tissue engineering plays a key role in the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects. The acellular adipose matrix (AAM) is a promising biomaterial for the construction of engineered adipose tissue. However, AAM lacks sufficient adipoinduction potency because of the abundant loss of matrix-bound adipokines during decellularization., Methods: An adipose-derived extracellular matrix collagen scaffold, "adipose collagen fragment" (ACF), was prepared using a novel mechanical method that provides sustained release of adipokines. Here, the authors used label-free proteomics methods to detect the protein components in AAM and ACF. In vivo, ACF was incorporated into AAM or acellular dermal matrix and implanted into nude mice to evaluate adipogenesis. Neoadipocytes, neovessels, and corresponding gene expression were evaluated. The effects of ACF on adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells and tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells were tested in vitro., Results: Proteomics analysis showed that ACF contains diverse adipogenic and angiogenic proteins. ACF can release diverse adipokines and induce highly vascularized, mature adipose tissue in AAM, and even in nonadipogenic acellular dermal matrix. Higher expression of adipogenic markers peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha and greater numbers of tubule structures were observed in ACF-treated groups in vitro., Conclusion: The combination of ACF and AAM could serve as a novel and promising strategy to construct mature, vascularized adipose tissue for soft-tissue reconstruction., Clinical Relevance Statement: The combined use of AAM and ACF has been proven to induce a highly vascularized, mature, engineered adipose tissue in the nude mouse model, which may serve as a promising strategy for soft-tissue reconstruction., (Copyright © 2023 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)