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The involvement of inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) in neuropathic pain has been established. However, there is limited understanding of the downstream mechanism through which Kir4.1 contributes to orofacial neuropathic pain. The objective of this study was to examine the regulation of Kir4.1 on the expression of pannexin 3 (Panx3) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and the underlying mechanism in the context of orofacial neuropathic pain caused by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI‐ION). The study observed a significant increase in Panx3 expression in the TG of mice with CCI‐ION. Inhibition of Panx3 in the TG of CCI‐ION mice resulted in alleviation of orofacial mechanical allodynia. Furthermore, conditional knockdown (CKD) of Kir4.1 in the TG of both male and female mice led to mechanical allodynia and upregulation of Panx3 expression. Conversely, overexpression of Kir4.1 decreased Panx3 levels in the TG and relieved mechanical allodynia in CCI‐ION mice. In addition, silencing Kir4.1 in satellite glial cells (SGCs) decreased Panx3 expression and increased the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK. Moreover, silencing Kir4.1 in SGCs increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elevated phosphorylation of P38 MAPK resulting from Kir4.1 silencing was inhibited by using a superoxide scavenger known as the tempol. Silencing Panx3 in the TG in vivo attenuated the mechanical allodynia caused by Kir4.1 CKD. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the reduction of Kir4.1 promotes the expression of Panx3 by activating the ROS‐P38 MAPK signalling pathway, thus contributing to the development of orofacial neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of particle shape on the suffusion of gap-graded soils is an essential although poorly understood subject in geotechnical engineering that requires further investigation. This work presents a macroscale and microscale numerical investigation into the effect of particle shape on the suffusion of gap-graded granular materials. Rounded, elliptical, and convex particles with the same volume-equivalent diameter and varying shape coefficients were generated and used to produce samples. Next, a series of resolved coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete-element method (DEM) simulations were performed to provide evidence of the effect of particle shape on the suffusion susceptibility of gap-graded soils. The evolution of particle orientation, moment, and drag force coefficient were analyzed to determine the mechanisms by which particle shape exerts influence. The fine angular particles under seepage flow were found to adjust their orientation, reducing the projected area of the particle perpendicular to the fluid flow direction. Fine particles in high-flow-velocity regions had a smaller projected area and drag force coefficient. The continuous rotation of the irregularly shaped particles during suffusion implies that their migration should counteract the moments exerted by the surrounding particles. In the sample containing various irregularly shaped particles, the initial position of the most irregularly shaped particle was closer to the outlet, implying that irregularly shaped particles are less susceptible to suffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of problem that current surface-volume hybrid modeling method for ore body divided a number of subblocks at boundary of surface model and interior volume element model, while calculation amount of subblocks will increase rapidly along with accuracy, the paper proposed an ore body modeling algorithm based on vector-grid integration method. It studied implementation of algorithm of intersection inspection of surface model and volume element model, algorithm of sectioning intersection volume element with ARTP volume element. The algorithm adopts divisional volume elements instead of subblocks and improves calculation accuracy and reduces data redundancy.