Search

Abstract Rock typing techniques have relied on either electrical or hydraulic properties. The study introduces a novel approach for reservoir rock typing, the hydraulic-electric index (HEI), which combines the strengths of traditional electrical and hydraulic rock typing methods to characterize carbonate reservoirs more accurately. By normalizing the ratio of permeability and formation resistivity factor (K/FRF) with respect to porosity, the HEI method is applied to two datasets of carbonate core samples: dataset 1 consists of 112 carbonate core samples from the Tensleep formation in the Bighorn basin of Wyoming and Montana, and dataset 2 includes 81 carbonate core samples from the Asmari formation in the south-west of Iran. Statistical analysis confirms the effectiveness of the HEI in predicting permeability, with high determination coefficients for both datasets (resulting in determination coefficients (R2) of 0.965 and 0.904 for dataset 1 and dataset 2, respectively). The results classify the rock samples into distinct rock types, nine rock types for dataset 1 and four rock types for dataset 2, and demonstrate the HEI ability to capture the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and electrical resistivity in carbonate reservoir rocks. Applying the HEI method to the validation dataset yielded highly accurate permeability predictions, with average of determination coefficients of 0.883 and 0.859 for dataset 1 and dataset 2, respectively. Validation of the HEI method further confirms (20% of the dataset was set aside for validation, while the remaining 80% was used for the rock typing approach (5 folds)) its accuracy in predicting permeability, highlighting its robust predictive capacity for estimating permeability in carbonate reservoirs.

Abstract In this paper, a microstrip Wilkinson power divider (MWPD) based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is designed, simulated, and fabricated using novel resonators. In addition, attenuators and open-ended stubs are incorporated to generate a broad cut-off band and reduce unwanted harmonics. The proposed power divider has a central frequency of 1 GHz. The performance of each used resonator is analyzed based on lumped-element circuit models.The L and C parameters of the equivalent circuit of the used resonators are predicted and optimized with the assistance of the PSO method. The subsequent phase was the fabrication of the proposed MWPD, after which its performance was evaluated in the light of the results obtained from the simulation. It was discovered that there was a high degree of concordance between the two. On the other hand, the fabricated circuit has several benefits, including a suitable S12 of − 3.15 dB, a high return loss of less than − 24 dB at the operating frequency, a compact size of 0.058 $${\varvec{\lambda}}_{{\varvec{g}}}$$ λ g × 0.064 $${\varvec{\lambda}}_{{\varvec{g}}}$$ λ g , and the ability to remove undesired harmonics. The results show a high level of suppression of the unwanted harmonics (up to the 16th harmonic) and a great responsiveness in the passband, while having very low ripple. As a result, the proposed circuit may be used in a wide variety of electronic devices, such as radar transmitter and receiver circuits, and many other high-frequency systems.

Abstract In this study, a split-type photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR), incorporating suspended graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as photocatalyst and a layered polymeric composite (using polyamide, polyethersulfone and polysulfone polymers) as a membrane was fabricated to remove tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solutions as the world's second most used and discharged antibiotic in wastewater. The photocatalyst was synthesised from melamine by ultrasonic-assisted thermal polymerisation method and, along with the membrane, was characterised using various methods, including Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The PMR process was optimised, using Design-Expert software for tetracycline removal in terms of UV irradiation time, pH, photocatalyst loading, tetracycline concentration, and membrane separation iteration. It was revealed that a membrane-integrated reactor as a sustainable system could effectively produce clean water by simultaneous removal of tetracycline and photocatalyst from aqueous solution. The maximum removal of 94.8% was obtained at the tetracycline concentration of 22.16 ppm, pH of 9.78 with 0.56 g/L of photocatalyst in the irradiation time of 113.77 min after six times of passing membrane. The PMR system showed reasonable reusability by about a 25.8% drop in TC removal efficiency after seven cycles at optimal conditions. The outcomes demonstrate the promising performance of the proposed PMR system in tetracycline removal from water and suggest that it can be scaled as an effective approach for a sustainable supply of antibiotic-free clean water.

Ions are formed during the combustion process in internal combustion engines. The measurement of ions inside the combustion chamber produces reliable information about the combustion process. The present study focuses on the formation of ions inside the combustion chamber of diesel engines with different injection timing. For this purpose, a multi-zone thermodynamic model is utilized to simulate the closed cycle of the engine. To understand the kinetic behavior of the ions, the model is connected to an ionic chemical kinetics mechanism with 336 reactions and 81 species. Six important ionic reactions comprising 5 ions are used in the ionic mechanism. Dvode differential equation solver is also employed to calculate the energy and kinetics equations. The developed model has an acceptable accuracy in predicting the performance and pollutants of diesel engines. Based on the results, the ion formation is delayed by delaying the fuel injection timing. The maximum amount of in-cylinder ions depends on injection timing. In-cylinder ion current can predict the start of combustion accurately.

Abstract Herein, we have presented a new insight for the synthesis of a hybrid heterogeneous catalyst. For this purpose, phosphonic acid tagged carbon quantum dots of CQDs-N(CH2PO3H2)2 encapsulated and assembled in channels of SBA-15 using a post-modification strategy. The mesoporous catalyst of functionalized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was characterized by several techniques. CQDs-N(CH2PO3H2)2/SBA-15 as an excellent catalyst was applied for the preparation of novel pyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives by using pyrazole, barbituric acid and indole moieties at 100 °C under the solvent-free condition. The present work shows that a significant increase in the catalytic activity can be achieved by a rational design of mesoporous SBA-15 modified with CQDs for the synthesis of biological active candidates. The synthesized compounds did not convert to their corresponding pyridines via an anomeric-based oxidation mechanism.

Abstract Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process for embryonic development during which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics, and the underlying mechanisms confer malignant features to carcinoma cells such as dissemination throughout the organism and resistance to anticancer treatments. During the past decades, an entire class of molecules, called non-coding RNA (ncRNA), has been characterized as a key regulator of almost every cellular process, including EMT. Like protein-coding genes, ncRNAs can be deregulated in cancer, acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The various forms of ncRNAs, including microRNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, transfer RNA-derived RNA fragments, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs can orchestrate the complex regulatory networks of EMT at multiple levels. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying ncRNAs in EMT can provide fundamental insights into cancer metastasis and may lead to novel therapeutic approaches. In this review, we describe recent advances in the understanding of ncRNAs in EMT and provide an overview of recent ncRNA applications in the clinic.

Objective: Recently, development of multifunctional contrast agent for effective targeted molecular computedtomography (CT) imaging of cancer cells stays a major problem. In this study, we explain the ability of Triptorelinpeptide-targeted multifunctional bismuth nanoparticles (Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs) for molecular CT imaging.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the formed nanocomplex of Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPswas characterized using different methods. The MTT cytotoxicity test was performed to determine the appropriateconcentration of nanoparticles in the MCF-7 cells. The X-ray attenuation intensity and Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) oftargeted and non-targeted nanoparticles were measured at the concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 μg/ml and X-ray tubevoltages of 90, 120 and 140 kVp.Results: We showed that the formed Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs with a Bi core size of approximately ~8.6 nm are nontoxicin a given concentration (0-200 μg/ml). At 90, 120, and 140 tube potentials (kVp), the X-ray attenuation of targeted cells were1.35, 1.36, and 1.33-times, respectively, more than non-targeted MCF-7cells at the concentration of 75 μg/ml. The CNRvalues at 90, 120, and 140 kVp tube potentials were 171.5, 153.8 and 146.3 c/ϭ, respectively.Conclusion: These findings propose that the diagnostic nanocomplex of Bi2S3@ BSA-Triptorelin NPs can be appliedas a good contrast medium for molecular CT techniques.

The lysosomal cation channel TMEM175 is a Parkinson’s disease-related protein and a promising drug target. Unlike whole-cell automated patch-clamp (APC), lysosomal patch-clamp (LPC) facilitates physiological conditions, but is not yet suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) applications. Here, we apply solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology (SSME), which enables both direct access to lysosomes and high-throughput electrophysiological recordings. In SSME, ion translocation mediated by TMEM175 is stimulated using a concentration gradient at a resting potential of 0 mV. The concentration-dependent K+ response exhibited an I/c curve with two distinct slopes, indicating the existence of two conducting states. We measured H+ fluxes with a permeability ratio of PH/PK = 48,500, which matches literature findings from patch-clamp studies, validating the SSME approach. Additionally, TMEM175 displayed a high pH dependence. Decreasing cytosolic pH inhibited both K+ and H+ conductivity of TMEM175. Conversely, lysosomal pH and pH gradients did not have major effects on TMEM175. Finally, we developed HTS assays for drug screening and evaluated tool compounds (4-AP, Zn as inhibitors; DCPIB, arachidonic acid, SC-79 as enhancers) using SSME and APC. Additionally, we recorded EC50 data for eight blinded TMEM175 enhancers and compared the results across all three assay technologies, including LPC, discussing their advantages and disadvantages.

Abstract Objective Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of most opportunistic pathogens that can be related to nosocomial infections. Increased acquisitions of multidrug resistance in this bacterium as well as the transfer of genes to other strains have caused concern. Integrons play key role in the acquisition and the spread of resistance genes. The aim of this study was evaluated the frequency of resistance genes sulI, sulII, tetA, tetB, class I (intI gene), class II integrons (intII gene) and the association between multidrug resistance and the presence of integrons in K. pneumoniae. Results Antibiotics susceptibility test was performed on 126 of K. pneumoniae isolates. Also, DNA extraction was done and genes were detected using PCR method. In this study, 67 isolates (53%), carrying both the sulI and sulII genes. Forty-five percent tetracycline-resistant isolates were tetA or tetB positive. The prevalence of intI gene was 96%, while only sixteen isolate harboring intII gene (12.5%). Our results showed the high prevalence of integrons in MDR K. pneumoniae, indicating the important role of these genes in the transmission of antibiotic resistance.

Abstract Over the time by increasing global demand for source of energy and decreasing hydrocarbon production from reservoirs, recovery methods have become important. The surface area and porosity are central physical characteristics that highly affect the estimation of original oil and gas in place and understanding the mechanisms incorporating in production. The surface area is the internal surface area per unit of pore volume and determines the amount of space in rocks exposed to injectant during injection operation. The occurrence of fractures system in carbonated reservoirs increases the complexity and decreases the homogeneity; hence, it is difficult to determine the correct surface area of reservoir. Therefore, the existence of a local correlation which relates effective porosity to specific surface area is needed and it can help to estimate effective surface area exposed to chemicals during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process. In this study, the specific surface area in carbonate reservoir rocks was measured by gas adsorption (nitrogen) method and petro-graphical image analysis. In addition, the effective porosity was determined by a gas porosimeter, followed by plotting specific surface area measured by the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) method versus specific surface area determined from core scan and calibration curve. According to this calibration curve, a new relationship was developed (with R 2 = 0.92) that could give BET data for a known data of core scan. The relationship between porosity and specific surface area was analyzed statistically and a relationship with accuracy of R 2 = 0.89 was proposed. This relationship was compared with other models such as Pirson and Kotyakhov. Results show that the latter one is more accurate than other models and is more compatible with experimental data (with R 2 = 0.84). The results obtained from the experiment indicate that the specific surface area shows an initial decrease upon increasing of porosity up to 0.2. After this decrease, the curve indicates an increasing trend. Moreover, a novel relationship was developed depending on the specific surface area, porosity and permeability and some constant parameters for carbonate rocks (with R 2 = 0.95).

The production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as the most expensive constituent of concrete is associated with destructive environmental effects and significant energy consumption. Thus, the use of supplementary cementitious materials such as Natural or synthetic pozzolans is a fundamental solution that affects the kinetics of hydration of cementitious materials. In this article, to evaluate the effect of ball clay in the presence or absence of silica fume on the performance of cementitious materials, compressive strength and ultrasonic tests were performed at replacement weight percentages of 0, 10 and 20% for ball clay and 0 and 7% for silica fume. Also, thermodynamic modeling during hydration was carried out based on the Gibbs free energy minimization. The results showed that mere presence of ball clay does not have a positive effect, but it can improve the structure and strength of cement in the presence of silica fume, since it resulted in complete consumption of portlandite and consequently increasing C-S-H gel. In addition to examine the type and volume of phases formed during hydration, the optimum substitution of ball clay and silica fume was studied. Accordingly, the best overall performance of ball clay was observed in the 10% substitution in the presence of 7% silica fume.

A comprehensive investigation of turbulent combustion is accomplished to study the relationship between nitrogen oxide (NO) formation and entropy generation distribution in a non-premixed propane combustion. The radiation heat transfer and combustion are simulated, employing the discrete ordinates model and laminar flamelet model, respectively. A post processing model is employed to estimate the NO formation rate. The present results of NO species formation, mean temperature and velocity are compared with the existing experimental data, and good agreements are obtained. It is shown that the main region of total entropy generation rate and NO formation rate is at the same axial position. The entropy generation distribution may be defined as an index by which the combustion region and main region of NO formation are predicted. However, total entropy generation rate is more sensitive to high temperature (1500–1930 K) than that of NO formation rate. With an increase of 28.7% in temperature, the entropy generation and NO formation rates rise by 900% and 127%, respectively. The occurrence of chemical reactions plays the major role in the generation of entropy.

Abstract Background Adherence to therapy is a key predictor of the success of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment. There is limited information available from Iran about that and there is a need for more knowledge about factors influencing treatment adherence. The aim of this study is to examine adherence levels and to explore patients’ views about barriers and facilitators to HIV treatment adherence. Methods This mixed-method study with the sequential explanatory design has two phases. The first phase (quantitative phase) is a cross- sectional study to assess the in Tabriz, the sixth large city of Iran. A convenience sampling method will be used to select 150 HIV positive patients who visit health centers in Tabriz. The second phase is a qualitative study designed to explore the HIV positive patients’ views of barriers and facilitators that can affect their adherence to therapy. In this phase, purposive sampling and in-depth individual interviews will be conducted for data collection. The conventional content analysis approach will be employed for data analysis. In addition to literature review and nominal group technique, the findings of the qualitative and quantitative phases, will be used to recommend some strategies to support adherence to therapy in HIV positive patients. Discussion This is the first study looking into adherence to therapy and exploring of factors influencing in HIV positive patients which will be performed via a mixed-method approach, aiming to develop health practices improvement strategies. It is worth noting that there is no strategic guideline in Iran’s health system for improvement of treatment adherence in HIV positive patients. Health professionals and policy makers can be aware of factors influencing HIV treatment adherence. Therefore, it is hoped that the strategy proposed in the current study can lead to improvements their ability to treatment adherence.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide a multi-objective model for ground transportation of hazardous materials in the hub network that tries to minimize the costs of transportation and construction of the hubs and the links, considering the existing risk in the hazardous materials transportation. Methods: The problem with the proposed Hub Location model will be solved using the real data of National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company and applying the Global Criterion Method. Then the sensitivity analysis of the model's results on some parameters is performed. Results: Considering the results of the model for 10 hubs, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari was chosen as the new hub location. The supply of oil products to each of the areas was also provided. Conclusion: Hazardous materials as raw materials or strategic products in different industries play an important role in the industrial development of the country. Transportation of hazardous materials is very important due to their perilous nature and consequences. On the other hand, the proper design of a transportation network and optimal distribution of the products from production sources to consumers can reduce the costs of production and result in the optimum consumption of energy.

Sulfate attack is a series of physico-chemical reactions between hardened cement paste and sulfate ions. Sulfate ion penetration into the hydrated cement results in the formation of voluminous and deleterious phases such as gypsum and ettringite which are believed to cause deterioration and expansion of concrete. Concrete deterioration due to sulfate attack depends on many parameters, however, in experimental studies, the implementation of the parameters and obtaining the results in a short time are too difficult. In this paper the effect of wollastonite, with and without silica fume, on the performance of cement based materials during hydration and magnesium sulfate attack was studied by thermodynamic modeling. Thermodynamic modelling was carried out using the Gibbs free energy minimization program GEMS. By this method, in addition to investigating the type and volume of the produced material, the optimal substitution percentage of wollastonite and silica fume were studied as well. In sulfate attack, especially at higher percentages of substitution, wollasonite is not very effective in itself. Wollasonite replacement has a reverse effect on monosulfate and ettringite phases. Volume of these phases increases with addition of the substitution percentage. Substituting a portion of the cement with wollastonite and silica fume would improve sulfate resistance. Substitution of 5% of wollasonite and 10% of silica fume has shown the best performance, highest increase in C-S-H gel volume and reduction in harmful phases such as gypsum, ettringite and brucite.

We present a new method to evaluate the hydraulic jump characteristics in a horizontal rectangular channel with a positive step. We considered the flow curvature effect and the free surface’s small rise at the A-type hydraulic jump’s end. First, we present a novel method to give jump length estimation based on the similarity of the jump and the turbulent wall-jet, considering the pressure gradient. Then, considering the jump as a curvilinear flow and using a one-dimensional momentum equation, we present an accurate expression for the conjugate flow depth regarding the initial Froude number and step height. Finally, we compute the jump’s energy dissipation rate. Compared to the theoretical models for conjugate flow depth in a hydraulic jump, the proposed equation in this study fit the experimental data better, even for high steps and large initial Froude numbers. However, for low Froude numbers (F1 < 5), the equation was less accurate in estimating the jump length. Regarding the jump’s energy dissipation rate, the results agreed well with the experimental data from previous investigations. However, it is noted that the increased energy dissipation rate dwindled in larger Froude numbers.

A full factorial design of experiment was applied running 36 experiments to investigate the effects of milling parameters including cutting speed with three levels of 62.83, 94.24 and 125.66 m/min, feed rate with three levels of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mm/tooth, cutting depth with two levels of 0.5 and 1 mm and machining media with two levels, on surface integration properties of magnesium AZ91C alloy such as grain size, secondary phase percent, surface microhardness and surface roughness. In all cases, a fine grained surface with higher secondary phase sediment and microhardness obtained comparing the raw material. According to analysis of variance results, the most effective parameter on grain size, secondary phase percent and microhardness was cutting depth and the most effective parameter on surface roughness was feed rate. although the grain size in all machined samples was smaller than that of the raw material but due to the dual effect of cryogenic conditions, which both cool and lubricate and reduce the temperature and strain rate at the same time, the direct effect of this parameter on grain size was not significant. Also, the all interaction effects of parameters on grain size and microhardness were significant.

Abstract Phospholipids occurring in cell membranes and lipoproteins are converted into oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) by oxidative stress promoting atherosclerotic plaque formation. Here, OxPL were characterized as novel targets in acute and chronic inflammatory pain. Oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (OxPAPC) and its derivatives were identified in inflamed tissue by mass spectrometry and binding assays. They elicited calcium influx, hyperalgesia and induced pro-nociceptive peptide release. Genetic, pharmacological and mass spectrometric evidence in vivo as well as in vitro confirmed the role of transient receptor potential channels (TRPA1 and TRPV1) as OxPAPC targets. Treatment with the monoclonal antibody E06 or with apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide D-4F, capturing OxPAPC in atherosclerosis, prevented inflammatory hyperalgesia, and in vitro TRPA1 activation. Administration of D-4F or E06 to rats profoundly ameliorated mechanical hyperalgesia and inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis. These data reveal a clinically relevant role for OxPAPC in inflammation offering therapy for acute and chronic inflammatory pain treatment by scavenging OxPAPC.

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) like oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (OxPAPC) were recently identified as novel proalgesic targets in acute and chronic inflammatory pain. These endogenous chemical irritants are generated in inflamed tissue and mediate their pain-inducing function by activating the transient receptor potential channels TRPA1 and TRPV1 expressed in sensory neurons. Notably, prototypical therapeutics interfering with OxPL were shown to inhibit TRP channel activation and pain behavior. Here, we asked how OxPL excite primary sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG neurons from mice of either sex). Acute stimulation of sensory neurons with the prototypical OxPL 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaryl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PGPC) evoked repetitive calcium spikes in small-diameter neurons. As NaV1.9, a voltage-gated sodium channel involved in nociceptor excitability, was previously shown to be essential for the generation of calcium spikes in motoneurons, we asked if this channel is also important for OxPL mediated calcium spike and action potential generation in nociceptors. In wild-type and NaV1.9-deficient neurons, the action potential firing rate and the calcium spike frequency to an acute PGPC stimulus was similar. When preincubated with inflammatory mediators, both, the action potential firing rate and the calcium spike frequency were markedly increased in response to an acute PGPC stimulus. However, this potentiating effect was completely lost in NaV1.9-deficient small-diameter neurons. After treatment with inflammatory mediators, the resting membrane potential of NaV1.9 KO neurons was slightly more negative than that of wild-type control neurons. This suggests that NaV1.9 channels are active under this condition and therefore increases the ease with which action potentials are elicited after OxPL stimulation. In summary, our data suggest that NaV1.9 has a switch function to potentiate the receptor potentials induced by OxPL under inflammatory conditions. Since human NaV1.9 has been shown to mediate painful and painless channelopathies, this study provides new insights into the mechanism by which NaV1.9 amplifies stimuli of endogenous irritants under inflammatory conditions.

In present study, molecular dynamics simulation of Cadmium (II), Lead (II) and Copper (II) removal from aqueous electrolyte solutions using the ion-exchange process with the zeolite particles was done. The results showed that, most of the particles had the highest affinity of ion exchanging with Lead (II) and the lowest affinity with Copper (II). The calculated mean ion-exchange ratios showed that, except for the zeolites which their pore sizes are in the same range of heavy-metal ions’ size, an inverse relationship exists between this ratios and pore size of the zeolites. Furthermore, the ion-exchanging of zeolites LTJ, ANA, SVR, BEC and MER with aqueous electrolyte mixtures containing equal amounts of Cadmium (II), Lead (II) and Copper (II) were simulated. The results demonstrated that in the competitive exchange of electrolyte mixtures, the maximum mean ion-exchange ratio belongs to the ion which has the highest ratio in the single-ion system. Moreover, ion-exchanging of zeolites LTJ, ANA, SVR, BEC and MER with an aqueous electrolyte solution containing Copper (II), in the temperature range of 300-345 K were simulated. The results showed that, no significant change in the mean ion-exchange ratios were found as a result of temperature variations.

Antinociceptive pathways are activated in the periphery in inflammatory pain, for instance resolvins and opioid peptides. Resolvins are biosynthesized from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Resolvin D1 (RvD1) and resolvin E1 (RvE1) initiate the resolution of inflammation and control of hypersensitivity via induction of anti-inflammatory signaling cascades. RvD1 binds to lipoxin A4/annexin-A1 receptor/formyl-peptide receptor 2 (ALX/FPR2), RvE1 to chemerin receptor 23 (ChemR23). Antinociception of RvD1 is mediated by interaction with transient receptor potential channels ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). Endogenous opioid peptides are synthesized and released from leukocytes in the tissue and bind to opioid receptors on nociceptor terminals. Here, we further explored peripheral mechanisms of RvD1 and chemerin (Chem), the ligand of ChemR23, in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced hindpaw inflammation in male Wistar rats. RvD1 and Chem ameliorated CFA-induced hypersensitivity in early and late inflammatory phases. This was prevented by peripheral blockade of the μ-opioid peptide receptor (MOR) using low dose local naloxone or by local injection of anti-β-endorphin and anti-met-enkephalin (anti-ENK) antibodies. Naloxone also hindered antinociception by the TRPA1 inhibitor HC-030031. RvD1 did not stimulate the release of β-endorphin from macrophages and neutrophils, nor did RvD1 itself activate G-proteins coupled MOR or initiate β-arrestin recruitment to the membrane. TRPA1 blockade by HC-030031 in inflammation in vivo as well as inhibition of the TRPA1-mediated calcium influx in dorsal root ganglia neurons in vitro was hampered by naloxone. Peripheral application of naloxone alone in vivo already lowered mechanical nociceptive thresholds. Therefore, either a perturbation of the balance of endogenous pro- and antinociceptive mechanisms in early and late inflammation, or an interaction of TRPA1 and opioid receptors weaken the antinociceptive potency of RvD1 and TRPA1 blockers.

The aim of this study was to assess the radiosensitivity of bismuth sulfide nanoparticles conjugated with a synthetic agonist analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormones in targeted radiotherapy for breast cancer. After synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles, cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was measured by MTT assay, and the survival fraction was determined by colony formation assay. Finally, flow cytometry was performed to identify the mechanism of radiosensitization. Characterization results determined the spherical shape of Bi2S3@BSA with an average size of 8.649 ± 1.6 nm, and Fourier transform infrared confirmed the successful binding of triptorelin to the surface of the nanoparticles. MTT test results show that the Bi2S3@BSA–triptorelin did not cause any toxicity (P < 0.05) even up to 75 μg/ml. At all doses of ionizing radiation, colony formation assays showed that the nontoxic concentration of Bi2S3@BSA–triptorelin significantly increased cell death in MCF-7 cells compared to Bi2S3@BSA (P < 0.05). The apoptosis test also confirmed colony formation assay results at all doses and introduced apoptosis as a mechanism of radiosensitivity produced by nanoparticles. Certainly, targeted bismuth sulfide nanoparticles can be a good candidate for increasing radiosensitivity against tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]