bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elk, sagebrush, and saprotrophs: indirect top‐down control on microbial community composition and function
Authors: Peschel Anna R. , Zak Donald R. , Cline Lauren C. , Freedman Zachary
Published: March 2015

Saprotrophic microbial communities in soil are primarily structured by the availability of growth‐limiting resources (i.e., plant detritus), a bottom‐up ecological force. However, foraging by native ungulates can alter plant community composition and the nature of detritus entering soil, plausibly exerting an indirect, top‐down ecological force that shapes both the composition and function of soil microbial communities. To test this idea, we used physiological assays and molecular approaches to quantify microbial community composition and function inside and outside of replicate, long‐term (60–80 yr) winter‐foraging exclosures in sagebrush steppe of Wyoming, USA. Winter foraging exclusion substantially increased shrub biomass (2146 g/m2 vs. 87 g/m2), which, in turn, increased the abundance of bacterial and fungal genes with lignocellulolytic function; microbial respiration (+50%) and net N mineralization (+70%) also were greater in the absence of winter foraging. Our results reveal that winter foraging by native, migratory ungulates in sagebrush steppe exerts an indirect, top‐down ecological force that shapes the composition and function of soil microbial communities. Because ~25% of the Earth's land surface is influenced by grazing animals, this indirect top‐down ecological force could function to broadly shape the community membership and physiological capacity of saprotrophic microbial communities in shrub steppe.
Ecosystem health towards sustainability
Authors: Lu Yonglong , Wang Ruoshi , Zhang Yueqing , Su Hongqiao , Wang Pei , Jenkins Alan , Ferrier Rober C. , Bailey Mark , Squire Geoff
Published: March 2015

Ecosystems are becoming damaged or degraded as a result of stresses especially associated with human activities. A healthy ecosystem is essential to provide the services that humans and the natural environment require and has tremendous social and economic value. Exploration of the definition of ecosystem health includes what constitutes health and what it means to be healthy. To evaluate ecosystem health, it is necessary to quantify ecosystem conditions using a variety of indicators. In this paper, the main principles and criteria for indicator selection, classification of indicators for different kinds of ecosystems, the most appropriate indicators for measuring ecosystem sustainability, and various methods and models for the assessment of ecosystem health are presented. Drivers, sustainability, and resilience are considered to be critical factors for ecosystem health and its assessment. Effective integration of ecological understanding with socioeconomic, biophysical, biogeochemical, and public‐policy dimensions is still the primary challenge in this field, and devising workable strategies to achieve and maintain ecosystem health is a key future challenge.
Global methane and nitrous oxide emissions from terrestrial ecosystems due to multiple environmental changes
Authors: Tian Hanqin , Chen Guangsheng , Lu Chaoqun , Xu Xiaofeng , Ren Wei , Zhang Bowen , Banger Kamaljit , Tao Bo , Pan Shufen , Liu Mingliang , Zhang Chi , Bruhwiler Lori , Wofsy Steven
Published: March 2015

Greenhouse gas (GHG)‐induced climate change is among the most pressing sustainability challenges facing humanity today, posing serious risks for ecosystem health. Methane (CH
4
) and nitrous oxide (N
2
O) are the two most important GHGs after carbon dioxide (CO
2
), but their regional and global budgets are not well known. In this study, we applied a process‐based coupled biogeochemical model to concurrently estimate the magnitude and spatial and temporal patterns of CH
4
and N
2
O fluxes as driven by multiple environmental changes, including climate variability, rising atmospheric CO
2
, increasing nitrogen deposition, tropospheric ozone pollution, land use change, and nitrogen fertilizer use. The estimated CH
4
and N
2
O emissions from global land ecosystems during 1981–2010 were 144.39 ± 12.90 Tg C/yr (mean ± 2 SE; 1 Tg = 1012 g) and 12.52 ± 0.74 Tg N/yr, respectively. Our simulations indicated a significant (
P
< 0.01) annually increasing trend for CH
4
(0.43 ± 0.06 Tg C/yr) and N
2
O (0.14 ± 0.02 Tg N/yr) in the study period. CH
4
and N
2
O emissions increased significantly in most climatic zones and continents, especially in the tropical regions and Asia. The most rapid increase in CH
4
emission was found in natural wetlands and rice fields due to increased rice cultivation area and climate warming. N
2
O emission increased substantially in all the biome types and the largest increase occurred in upland crops due to increasing air temperature and nitrogen fertilizer use. Clearly, the three major GHGs (CH
4
, N
2
O, and CO
2
) should be simultaneously considered when evaluating if a policy is effective to mitigate climate change.
Evaluation of an Online Campaign for Promoting Help-Seeking Attitudes for Depression Using a Facebook Advertisement: An Online Randomized Controlled Experiment
Authors: Hui Alison , Wong Paul Wai-Ching , Fu King-Wa
Published: March 2015

Background

A depression-awareness campaign delivered through the Internet has been recommended as a public health approach that would enhance mental health literacy and encourage help-seeking attitudes. However, the outcomes of such a campaign remain understudied.

Objective

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an online depression awareness campaign, which was informed by the theory of planned behavior, to encourage help-seeking attitudes for depression and to enhance mental health literacy in Hong Kong. The second aim was to examine click-through behaviors by varying the affective facial expressions of people in the Facebook advertisements.

Methods

Potential participants were recruited through Facebook advertisements, using either a happy or sad face illustration. Volunteer participants registered for the study by clicking on the advertisement and were invited to leave their personal email addresses to receive educational content about depression. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups (campaign or control), and over a four consecutive week period, received either the campaign material or official information developed by the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. Pretests and posttests were conducted before and after the campaign to measure the differences in help-seeking attitudes and mental health literacy among the campaign and control groups.

Results

Of the 199 participants that registered and completed the pretest, 116 (55 campaign and 62 control) completed the campaign and the posttest. At the posttest, we found no significant changes in help-seeking attitudes between the campaign and control groups, but the campaign group participants demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in mental health literacy (P=.031) and a higher willingness to access additional information (P<.001) than the control group. Moreover, the happy face Facebook advertisement attracted more click-throughs by users into the website than did the sad face advertisement (P=.03).

Conclusions

The present study provides evidence that an online campaign can enhance people’s mental health literacy. It also demonstrates the practicality and effectiveness of an online depression awareness campaign using a Facebook-based recruitment strategy and distribution of educational materials through emails. It is important for future studies to take advantage of the popularity of online social media and conduct evaluative research on mental health promotion campaigns.
Retraction: Radenovic L, Selakovic V. Kainate-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in the rat brain, Arch Biol Sci, 2005, 57(4):259-266, DOI: 10.2298/ABS0504259R
Authors: Editorial E
Published: March 2015

This is a notice of retraction of the article:
Kainate-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in the rat brain,
published in the Archives of Biological Sciences in 2005, Vol. 57, Issue 4.
The Editor-in-Chief has been informed that this paper plagiarizes an earlier
paper: Radenovic L, Jovanovic M, Vasiljevic I, Selakovic V. Superoxide
production and the activity of MnSOD in rat brain after intrahippocampal
kainate-induced seizure. Neurosci Res Comm, 2004, 34(2):92-103. This claim
is correct and almost the entire paper is a verbatim copy of the earlier
one. After confirmation of this fact, the Editor-in-Chief of the Archives of
Biological Sciences has decided to retract the paper immediately. We
apologize to the readers of the journal that it took so many years to notice
this error and to retract the paper. We request readers of the journal to
directly get in touch with the editorial office and the editors of the
journal for similar cases in the future, so that they can be handled
promptly.

 Link to the retracted article 10.2298/ABS0504259R
Serotonin-promoted elevation of ROS levels may lead to cardiac pathologies in diabetic rat
Authors: Ali Tahir , Shaheen Farhat , Mahmud Madiha , Waheed Hina , Ishtiaq Muhammad , Javed Qamar , Murtaza Iram
Published: March 2015

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) develop tendencies toward heart disease.
Hyperglycemia induces the release of serotonin from enterochromaffin cells
(EC). Serotonin was observed to elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
downregulate antioxidant enzymes. As a result, elevated levels of serotonin
could contribute to diabetic complications, including cardiac hypertrophy. In
the present study, diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by alloxan
administration; this was followed by the administration of serotonin to
experimental animals. ROS, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), B-type
natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression, and histopathological assessments were
performed. Elevated ROS concentrations and decreased antioxidant enzyme
activities were detected. Further, we observed an increase in cell surface
area and elevated BNP expression which suggests that events associated with
cardiac hypertrophy were increased in serotonin-administered diabetic rats.
We conclude that serotonin secretion in diabetes could contribute to diabetic
complications, including cardiac hypertrophy, through enhanced ROS
production.
In-Transit Metastasis from Primary Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Nonimmunosuppressed Patient
Authors: Kocatüurk Emek , Ülkümen Pelin Kuteyla , Kizitaç Utkan , Yüksel Tülin , Kunter Ayşle Seza , Erhan Selma Şlengiz
Published: March 2015

Background

In-transit metastases are dermal and subcutanous metastatic foci located between the tumor and the closest regional lymph node. Although in-transit metastasis has been commonly described for malignant melanoma, there have been some reports of in-transit metastases arising from primary cutaneous malignancies. The risk of development of in-transit metastases is higher in patients with high-risk squamous cell carcinoma.

Case Report

We present a case of in-transit metastasis in a nonimmunosuppressed patient with a primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Acitretin-Induced Hepatitis: When to Monitor Cholestatic Enzymes
Authors: Sauder Maxwell B. , Cheung Loretta , Beecker Jennifer
Published: March 2015

Importance

Acitretin is a systemic retinoid that is used in dermatology for a variety of conditions. A well-recognized potential adverse event from acitretin is elevated transaminases, indicating acute hepatocyte damage. Less well known is the possible cholestatic injury that can occur, signaled by elevated γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

Observations

Our patient presented with an acute acitretin-induced hepatitis with a mixed pattern of elevated transaminases as well as GGT and ALP. A literature review demonstrated that most cases of acitretin-induced hepatitis, outside clinical trials, describe patients with a similar mixed hepatitis pattern.

Conclusions

This is the first literature review on acitretin-induced hepatitis. Although acitretin-induced hepatoxicity is rare, the seemingly unusual presentation of a mixed pattern of hepatocyte injury and cholestasis may be more common than previously thought. The findings should encourage clinicians not only to monitor transaminases but also to consider measuring cholestatic enzymes (ALP/GGT) in patients with transaminase abnormalities.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Descriptive Cohort Study
Authors: Weizman Adam V. , Huang Brian , Targan Stephan , Dubinsky Marla , Fleshner Phillip , Kaur Manreet , Ippoliti Andrew , Panikkath Deepa , Vasiliauskas Eric , Shih David , Mcgovern Dermot P.B. , Melmed Gil Y.
Published: March 2015

Background

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a severe extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Objective

To better characterize PG features and management among an IBD cohort.

Methods

Subjects with PG were identified using a large database at a tertiary center. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results

Eighty patients with an episode(s) of PG were identified, yielding an overall prevalence of 1.9%. Overall, 93% of patients with PG had some degree of colonic inflammation. Thirty-one (39%) patients required hospitalization for PG. Underlying bowel disease was active at the time of PG episode(s) in 52 (65%) patients. The PG location was variable, with the lower extremity being the most common. Most patients (71.3%) required multiple therapies to achieve PG healing.

Conclusions

We describe one of the largest case series of PG among patients with IBD. The variety of treatment strategies used highlights the lack of clear guidelines in managing this complex group of patients.
Tinea Cruris and Tinea Corporis Masquerading as Tinea Indecisiva: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sonthalia Sidharth , Singal Archana , Das Shukla
Published: March 2015

Background

Tinea indecisiva is characterized by concentric scaly rings simulating tinea imbricata but caused by dermatophytes other than Trichophyton concentricum.

Objective

Tinea indecisiva has been rarely reported. We report a unique case and review of the previously reported cases, pathogenesis, and management.

Methods

An adult Indian man developed extensive tinea cruris and tinea corporis with concentric rings of scaly lesions over the groin, buttocks, and thighs following the use of oral corticosteroids and antifungal-steroid cream for 3 months. Mycologic and immunologic studies were performed for diagnosis.

Results

Diagnosis of tinea indecisiva was confirmed on the appearance of “ring-within-a-ring”; lesions clinically and isolation of Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale as the etiologic agent on mycologic testing. Intradermal testing with Trichophyton extract showed fluctuating hypersensitivity responses. Four-week treatment with daily oral terbinafine resulted in complete resolution.

Conclusion

Tinea indecisiva should be considered in a patient with tinea imbricata-like lesions with local immunosuppression caused by a non-concentricum dermatophyte.
Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Imiquimod 5% for Plaque-Type Morphea: A Multicenter, Prospective, Vehicle-Controlled Trial
Authors: Dytoc Marlene , Wat Heidi , Cheung-Lee Melody , Sawyer Douglas , Ackerman Thomas , Fiorillo Loretta
Published: March 2015

Background

There is currently a lack of evidence-based therapies that are safe and effective for plaque-type morphea. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential and safety profile of imiquimod 5% cream in plaque-type morphea.

Methods

We enrolled 25 adult patients from two Canadian centers with histologically confirmed plaque-type morphea. Imiquimod 5% was applied to a representative plaque, and vehicle was applied to a control plaque for 9 months. Treatment efficacy was assessed with the Dyspigmentation, Induration, Erythema, and Telangiectasias (DIET) score, histology, and ultrasound evaluation.

Results and Conclusions

Twenty-two patients completed the entire length of the study. Imiquimod 5% was superior to vehicle in reducing DIET scores at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months ( p < .05). Induration demonstrated the greatest response. Histologic evaluation showed significant improvement or resolution of disease. However, no ultrasonographic differences were found in dermal and hypodermal thicknesses between the treatment and vehicle groups ( p > .05). Adverse effects were minimal and well tolerated.
Low Glutathione Peroxidase Activity Levels in Patients with Vitiligo
Authors: Zedan Hatem , Abdel-Motaleb Amira Ali , Kassem Nahed Mahmoud Ali , Hafeez Heba Ahmed Abdel , Hussein Mahmoud Rezk Abdelwhahed
Published: March 2015

Background

Vitiligo is an idiopathic skin disease characterized by white areas on the skin due to loss of the functional melanocytes, with possible involvement of oxidative stress. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an antioxidant enzyme that protects cells against oxidative damage.

Aim

To examine serum GPx levels in patients with vitiligo and to relate the findings to the clinical features.

Patients and Methods

The study group included 60 patients with vitiligo and 30 matching healthy controls. GPx activity was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

We found a significant decrease in serum GPx activity level in the patients with vitiligo compared to the healthy controls (0.29 ± 0.14 versus 0.47 ± 0.13, p < .001). The levels were significantly low in skin phenotypes III and IV ( p < .001). Higher levels were also observed with increasing age (≥ 14 years), prolonged disease duration (≥ 3 years), and generalized and extensive vitiligo (<50%). However, these variations were statistically insignificant.

Conclusions

Low levels of serum GPx activity, indicative of a disturbed oxidant-antioxidant system, may contribute to the development of vitiligo.
Skin Necrosis from Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Authors: Kim Whan B. , Alhusayen Raed O.
Published: March 2015

Background

Tissue necrosis is a rare yet potentially serious complication of intra-articular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective

To report a case of a patient with cutaneous necrosis after IA HA injection for treatment of knee osteoarthritis, presenting as a livedoid violaceous patch on the right knee.

Method

We report a case of cutaneous necrosis as a rare complication of IA HA injection for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. A literature review was undertaken of similar cases.

Results

Use of HA IA injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis can result in similar skin necrosis at uncommon anatomic locations corresponding to the site of HA injection.

Conclusion

Although tissue necrosis is a rare complication, physicians need to be aware of this possibility as a complication of HA IA injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis and should be mindful of potential treatment options to manage this adverse event.
Management of Onychomycosis in Canada in 2014
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Paquet Maryse
Published: March 2015

Background

Onychomycosis has several clinical presentations and is caused by various infectious organisms.

Objective

To provide guidance for selection of appropriate treatment.

Methods

The literature on onychomycosis management was reviewed to generate an evidence-based decision tree.

Results and Conclusion

Several options are available: terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, ciclopirox 8% nail lacquer, efinaconazole 10% nail solution, and laser therapy. Further studies on lasers are needed before use can be recommended. Nondermatophyte molds or mixed infection can be managed with terbinafine or itraconazole with or without topicals. Itraconazole, fluconazole, and efinaconazole can be used for Candida infection. For dermatophytes, topicals can be considered for mild to moderate onychomycosis. For moderate to severe cases, any oral monotherapy can be used; however, we suggest terbinafine if there is a possibility of a drug interaction. These recommendations can be applied for all ages, immune function, or metabolic status, but proper monitoring and contraindications should be taken into consideration.
Dermatologic Surgical Pearls Part 4: Tips for Full-Thickness Skin Grafts
Authors: Nantel-Battista Melissa , Murray Christian
Published: March 2015

Dermatologic surgery procedures can sometimes be time consuming in an office setting. We present a series of tips for dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons that will enhance the efficiency of skin graft procedures.

Les interventions en chirurgie dermatologique peuvent parfois prendre beaucoup de temps en cabinet. Seront présentés aux dermatologues et aux chirurgiens dermatologues une serie de conseils qui auront pour effet d'accroître l'efficacité des operations touchant les greffes de peau.
Paradoxical, Cupping-Induced Localized Psoriasis: A Koebner Phenomenon
Authors: Vender Reid , Vender Ronald
Published: March 2015

Background

Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine used to heal psoriasis. The Koebner phenomenon is the occurrence of psoriatic lesions at the site of cutaneous injury.

Objective

To describe the first case of biopsy-proven cupping-induced localized psoriasis, an example of the Koebner phenomenon.

Methods

The histopathology of the lesions is described. A brief review of the literature regarding cupping therapy and its efficacy are discussed.

Results

A 45-year-old Asian male presented himself to the dermatology clinic for further treatment of his psoriasis. Four unusually circular plaques on the lower back were discovered. Pathologic diagnosis revealed an early lesion of psoriasis. on further inquiry, the patient admitted to undergoing a recent ‘'cupping'’ procedure in an attempt to cure his condition.

Conclusion

The efficacy of cupping therapy is controversial, and psoriatic patients may develop localized psoriasis through koebnerization as a result of cupping therapy rather than achieve desirable therapeutic benefits.
Recall Dermatitis to Metronidazole
Authors: Mussani Farheen , Skotnicki Sandy
Published: March 2015

Background and Objective

Recall dermatitis is an uncommon entity that has been noted with patch testing, repeat exposures to a medication or allergen, and the concurrent use of ultraviolet radiation and certain medications. Recall dermatitis from primary cutaneous exposure and subsequent oral exposure are rare, and the etiology remains unknown.

Conclusion

We report a case of recall dermatitis with a drug eruption secondary to metronidazole. Therapy with this medication was initially topical for rosacea and subsequently oral for a gastrointestinal infection. This case draws attention to the use of metronidazole and the risk of recall dermatitis.

Contexte et objectif

La dermatite immunitaire secondaire est une affection rare, qui s'observe a la suite de la realisation de tests epicutanes, de reexpositions à des medicaments ou a des allergenes ou encore de l'emploi concomitant des rayons ultraviolets et de certains medicaments. La dermatite immunitaire secondaire, liee a une premiere exposition a une substance par voie cutanee et à une exposition ultérieure par voie orale a cette même substance est un phénomène rare, de cause inconnue.

Conclusions

Sera expose ici un cas de dermatite immunitaire secondaire, se manifestant par une eruption d'origine médicamenteuse, consecutive à l'utilisation du metronidazole. Le medicament avait été employe une premiere fois par voie topique pour traiter la rosacee et une deuxième fois par voie orale pour traiter une infection gastro-intestinale. Ce cas attire l'attention sur l'utilisation du metronidazole et sur le risque de dermatite immunitaire secondaire.
Increased Efferent Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Defective Intrinsic Heart Rate Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Thaung H.P. Aye , Baldi J. Chris , Wang Heng-Yu , Hughes Gillian , Cook Rosalind F. , Bussey Carol T. , Sheard Phil W. , Bahn Andrew , Jones Peter P. , Schwenke Daryl O. , Lamberts Regis R.
Published: March 2015

Elevated sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) coupled with dysregulated β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) signaling is postulated as a major driving force for cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes; however, cardiac SNA has never been assessed directly in diabetes. Our aim was to measure the sympathetic input to and the β-AR responsiveness of the heart in the type 2 diabetic heart. In vivo recording of SNA of the left efferent cardiac sympathetic branch of the stellate ganglion in Zucker diabetic fatty rats revealed an elevated resting cardiac SNA and doubled firing rate compared with nondiabetic rats. Ex vivo, in isolated denervated hearts, the intrinsic heart rate was markedly reduced. Contractile and relaxation responses to β-AR stimulation with dobutamine were compromised in externally paced diabetic hearts, but not in diabetic hearts allowed to regulate their own heart rate. Protein levels of left ventricular β1-AR and Gs (guanine nucleotide binding protein stimulatory) were reduced, whereas left ventricular and right atrial β2-AR and Gi (guanine nucleotide binding protein inhibitory regulatory) levels were increased. The elevated resting cardiac SNA in type 2 diabetes, combined with the reduced cardiac β-AR responsiveness, suggests that the maintenance of normal cardiovascular function requires elevated cardiac sympathetic input to compensate for changes in the intrinsic properties of the diabetic heart.
Legacy Effect of Foxo1 in Pancreatic Endocrine Progenitors on Adult β-Cell Mass and Function
Authors: Talchai Shivatra Chutima , Accili Domenico
Published: March 2015

β-Cell dysfunction in diabetes results from abnormalities of insulin production, secretion, and cell number. These abnormalities may partly arise from altered developmental programming of β-cells. Foxo1 is important to maintain adult β-cells, but little is known about its role in pancreatic progenitor cells as determinants of future β-cell function. We addressed this question by generating an allelic series of somatic Foxo1 knockouts at different stages of pancreatic development in mice. Surprisingly, ablation of Foxo1 in pancreatic progenitors resulted in delayed appearance of Neurogenin3+ progenitors and their persistence into adulthood as a self-replicating pool, causing a fourfold increase of β-cell mass. Similarly, Foxo1 ablation in endocrine progenitors increased their numbers, extended their survival, and expanded β-cell mass. In contrast, ablation of Foxo1 in terminally differentiated β-cells did not increase β-cell mass nor did it affect Neurogenin3 expression. Despite the increased β-cell mass, islets from mice lacking Foxo1 in pancreatic or endocrine progenitors responded poorly to glucose, resulting in glucose intolerance. We conclude that Foxo1 integrates cues that determine developmental timing, pool size, and functional features of endocrine progenitor cells, resulting in a legacy effect on adult β-cell mass and function. Our results illustrate how developmental programming predisposes to β-cell dysfunction in adults and raise questions on the desirability of increasing β-cell mass for therapeutic purposes in type 2 diabetes.
TNF-α Antibody Therapy in Combination With the T-Cell–Specific Antibody Anti-TCR Reverses the Diabetic Metabolic State in the LEW.1AR1-iddmRat
Authors: Jörns Anne , Ertekin Ümüs Gül , Arndt Tanja , Terbish Taivankhuu , Wedekind Dirk , Lenzen Sigurd
Published: March 2015

Anti–tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) therapy (5 mg/kg body weight), alone or combined with the T-cell–specific antibody anti–T-cell receptor (TCR) (0.5 mg/kg body weight), was performed over 5 days immediately after disease manifestation to reverse the diabetic metabolic state in the LEW.1AR1-iddm rat, an animal model of human type 1 diabetes. Only combination therapy starting at blood glucose concentrations below 15 mmol/L restored normoglycemia and normalized C-peptide. Increased β-cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis led to a restoration of β-cell mass along with an immune cell infiltration–free pancreas 60 days after the end of therapy. This combination of two antibodies, anti-TCR/CD3, as a cornerstone compound in anti–T-cell therapy, and anti–TNF-α, as the most prominent and effective therapeutic antibody in suppressing TNF-α action in many autoimmune diseases, was able to reverse the diabetic metabolic state. With increasing blood glucose concentrations during the disease progression, however, the proapoptotic pressure on the residual β-cell mass increased, ultimately reaching a point where the reservoir of the surviving β-cells was insufficient to allow a restoration of normal β-cell mass through regeneration. The present results may open a therapeutic window for reversal of diabetic hyperglycemia in patients, worthwhile of being tested in clinical trials.
High Rate of Spontaneous Normalization of Celiac Serology in a Cohort of 446 Children With Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Study
Authors: Castellaneta Stefania , Piccinno Elvira , Oliva Marica , Cristofori Fernanda , Vendemiale Marcella , Ortolani Federica , Papadia Francesco , Catassi Carlo , Cavallo Luciano , Francavilla Ruggiero
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE

In children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), elevated levels of antitissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibody may spontaneously normalize, despite continued consumption of gluten. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of spontaneous normalization of anti-tTG levels and the existence of factors predictive for this outcome.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

All children referred from 2002 to 2012 were screened for celiac disease (CD) at diabetes onset and at specific intervals. In the presence of a high anti-tTG titer or clinical symptoms, children were offered endoscopy, and asymptomatic patients with a low anti-tTG titer were invited to a second serological test after 6 months of eating a gluten-containing diet.

RESULTS

The study included 446 children. Of these, 65 (14.5%) became positive for celiac serology: 38 (58%) had a persistently elevated anti-tTG titer and 27 (41%) fluctuating anti-tTG titer; 18 (28%) became negative. The prevalence of positive CD autoimmunity and overt CD was 14.3% (95% CI 11–17) and 8.5% (95% CI 5–10), 15- and 8-times higher than the general pediatric population, respectively. Asymptomatic children older than 9.1 years at T1DM onset had the lowest risk to develop CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum anti-tTG levels decreased spontaneously in 40% of children with T1DM and became negative in 20%, despite gluten consumption. This finding supports the hypothesis of a state of temporary positivity of celiac serology in children with diabetes. In absence of clinical symptoms or signs of CD, histological confirmation of the disease and the gluten-free diet should be postponed to avoid unnecessary procedures and reduce an additional psychological burden.
Investigation of stability and nonlinear optical properties CdSe colloidal nanocrystals
Authors: Majdabadi Abbas , Gaeeni Mohammad Reza , Ghamsari Morteza Sasani , Majles-Ara Mohammad Hossein
Published: March 2015

The present paper investigates the linear and nonlinear optical properties of CdSe colloidal nanocrystals which have been prepared by an improved sol-gel green technique. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and Z-scan technique were used to identify the linear and nonlinear optical properties of CdSe colloidal nanocrystals. The maximum peaks absorption for two samples 2.5 nm and 3 nm were 480 nm and 485 nm, respectively. In addition, the linear absorption coefficients (α), the nonlinear absorption coefficients (β), and the nonlinear refractive index (n2), with their signs and magnitudes for two different sizes of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were obtained in 15, 25, and 50 mW laser intensities using the single beam Z-scan method by a continuous wave He-Ne laser at 632.8 nm wavelength. Finally, the photostability and chemical stability of the CdSe QDs were studied that have shown high stability of CdSe colloidal nanocrystals. The mentioned nonlinear optical properties have not been reported before.
Regional Lifestyle Segmentation in the Western Balkans
Authors: Husić-Mehmedović Melika , Čičić Muris , Agić Emir
Published: March 2015

With this paper the authors aim not only to investigate the lifestyle specifics of the Western Balkan market, but also to define common lifestyle segments for the entire region. The question addressed in this research is whether current political issues and economic differences have led to dissimilar ways of living, or whether cultural similarities have prevailed and lifestyles can be defined accordingly.

Based on the research conducted using six underlying factors, three lifestyle clusters are identified. Analysis shows that there are three almost identical lifestyles for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, and they are applicable to the entire region. These findings have significant managerial implications, as potential investors can apply identical marketing strategies to target the approximately 20 million consumers in the region.
Explaining the Undeclared Economy in Bulgaria: an Institutional Asymmetry Perspective
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Franic Josip , Dzhekova Rositsa
Published: March 2015

This paper proposes a way of explaining the undeclared economy that represents participation in undeclared work as a violation of the social contract between the state and its citizens, and as arising when the informal institutions comprising the norms, values and beliefs of citizens (civic morality) do not align with the codified laws and regulations of a society’s formal institutions (state morality). Drawing upon evidence from 1,018 face-to-face interviews conducted in Bulgaria during 2013, the finding is that the greater is the asymmetry between formal and informal institutions (i.e., citizens’ civic morality and state morality), the greater is the likelihood of participation in the undeclared economy, and vice versa. The outcome is that tackling the undeclared economy requires a focus upon reducing this lack of alignment of formal and informal institutions. How this can be achieved in Bulgaria in particular and South-East Europe and beyond more generally, is then discussed.
New Generation of High Strength Sour Service Drill Pipe: A Breakthrough Innovation to Address Ultradeep and Extended - Reach Drilling Challenges Combined With H2S Environments
Authors: Flores Vincent Pierre , Rodrigues Ricardo , Godeke Keneth , Thebault Florian
Published: March 2015

"Sour Service" refers to a well environment containing Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), which is naturally associated with acid conditions. It is well known that H2S is hazardous to human health, living organisms, and more generally to the environment. It is for this reason that wells found with Sour Gas were often carefully plugged and abandoned in the past. H2S can also lead to catastrophic brittle failure of drillstring components: the physical phenomenon associated with Sour Service Environments and affecting steel based products under applied or residual stress is known as H2S embrittlement or more specifically as Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC).

With the increasing demand of gas worldwide, some highly sour oil and gas reservoirs are being explored, mainly in Russia, the Middle East, China and North America, and are now more and more associated with complex well profiles – such as deep reservoirs or extended reach wells. The use of high strength drill pipe is essential to achieve such drilling objectives; however it does represents significant technical challenges in terms of drill pipe integrity and operational safety with the current high strength grades available on the market, such as S-135 drill pipe. Because higher strength is generally detrimental to Sulfide Stress Cracking, innovative chemistries and new heat treatment processes are needed to push Sour Service material limits even further.

A new high strength drill pipe family has been developed to specifically address those challenges: these new grades exhibit a minimum Yield Strength (120 ksi) higher than the current Sour Service grades available on the market as described by the current industry standards (95ksi or 105 ksi Specified Minimum Yield Strength). In order to guarantee the SSC resistance of these high strength materials, pipes and tool joints are tested as per the NACE standards. A first string of this high strength material is already being commercialized and used for the first time in offshore wells in the North Sea.
Recognising the Effective Parameters and their Influence on Candidate-Well Selection for Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment by Decision Making Method
Authors: Mehrgini Behzad , Memarian Hossein , Fotouhi Akbar , Moghanian Mozhgan
Published: March 2015

Obviously, improving hydrocarbon production concerning the increased demand of hydrocarbon is essential. Matrix stimulation and hydraulic fracturing (HF) are two common methods for reservoir stimulation, which are intended to improve the flow connection of the wellbore with reservoir body. Beside the remarkable effects of HF on production recovery, regarding to the size of the operation, HF treatment requires huge capital investments. In order to efficiently mitigate the risk of HF treatment, choosing the best candidate well is the first step of this process. Multi criteria decision making (MCDM) methods provide us a powerful tool to evaluate parameters, especially when some parameters are qualitative and experts' knowledge based. In this study, first 14 effective parameters have been recognized by a decision makers' committee for choosing the candidate wells. Then the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) has been applied for assigning the quantitative weight of each parameter on candidate well selection. By mentioned procedure, the productivity is defined as the most significant factor while water cut and production method are the least influencing parameters in the candidate well selection.

Choosing an excellent candidate for treatment often ensures success, while selecting a poor candidate will normally end in failure. In this regard, a comprehensive approach is so vital to recognize the most effective parameters and their influence which is practically presented in this research.

1. Introduction

While, due to the pressure decline, the recovery rate of Iranian hydrocarbon reservoirs is lowering, demand for crude oil and its products are growing up fast. In this challenging situation, implementing supplementary production methods to increase the rate of recovery in a short time is indispensable. It should be noted that the oil and gas industry is aiming to reach a rate of recovery of 50% for oil and more than 80% for gas (Rückheim et al., 2005).

Reservoir stimulation, especially hydraulic fracturing (HF) is one of the main activities, which aims to enhance hydrocarbon recovery by the faster delivery of the petroleum fluid. Fundamentally, HF by improving the connections of the wellbore with the reservoir, helps wells to produce hydrocarbon fluides more quickly (Economides and Nolte, 2000; Daneshy, 2010). Although HF treatment has significant effects on hydrocarbon production recovery, it requires huge capital investments. So, the potential risk of failure must be recognized and mitigated before operation. Generally the first step of pre-operation deliberation is selecting a target well and a target formation. Choosing an excellent candidate for treatment often ensures success, while choosing a poor candidate will normally end in failure (Vincent, 2011; Malik et al., 2006).
Geochemistry as a Powerful Tool in Oil Exploration: A Case Study from the Karstified Reservoirs of the Middle East: SW Iran
Authors: Mehrabi Hamzeh , Rahimpour-Bonab Hossain , Navidtalab Amin
Published: March 2015

The Cretaceous-aged reservoirs of Iran and their counterparts on the Arabian platform are among the most important carbonate reservoirs developed under the warm equable climate. Intense tectonic activities combined with the eustatic sea-level changes caused sporadic exposures of these carbonate successions in SW Iran and some other areas of the Middle East.

Under the domination of warm and humid climate and long-term exposures, several erosional disconformities formed throughout these successions. To investigate these palaeoexposure surfaces, petrographic and geochemical studies were carried out in four subsurface sections of giant and supergiant oilfields located in northern and southern parts of the Dezful Embayment.

Some of the most important diagenetic features (such as extensive meteoric dissolution/karstification, palaeosol development, and collapsed-dissolution brecciation) were used as evidence for recognition of main palaeoexposure surfaces and associated karsts.

Isotopic composition (δ13C and δ18O) and trace element concentrations of these carbonate rocks were used to elaborate the effects of these surfaces on diagenetic evolutions of palaeo-karstic Bangestan reservoirs. Both carbon and oxygen isotope ratios show a spectacular decline just below these disconformities in comparison with the expected values for the simultaneous marine carbonates, indicating that the Bangestan carbonates underwent extensive meteoric diagenesis. Elemental concentrations (Mn, Fe, and Sr) also point to moderate to intense meteoric diagenetic alterations associated with the palaeoexposure surfaces.

Introduction

Palaeoexposures have had an irrefutable role in the formation of carbonate reservoir rocks under warm equable conditions (Weidlich, 2010; Mazzullo, 2004). These reservoir rocks ?namely palaeo-karstic carbonates? host an important portion (20 to 30%) of the world's hydrocarbon (Mazzullo and Chilingarian, 1992; Mazzullo, 2004). Owing to the influences of palaeoexposure surfaces on the reservoir quality of carbonates, they must be traced through rock record by considerable changes in facies characteristics, diagenetic features, paleontological evidence, and of the most importance, geochemical tracers (Immenhauser et al., 2000; Weissert et al., 2008).

Abiogenic and most of biogenic carbonate sediments precipitate geochemically in equilibrium with their contemporaneous sea waters (Veizer et al., 1999). Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions change through carbonate alterations. Ancient and modern exposure surfaces indicate a clumped variation in oxygen and carbon isotope compositions. Weight of eo-diagenetic alteration on the isotopic composition of carbonates is mainly controlled by several factors including soil-gas CO2, primary mineralogy and geochemical composition, meteoric waters characteristics, exposure duration, and system openness (Hudson, 1977; Allan and Matthews, 1982).
LWD Image Logging Advances: High-Resolution Images Acquired in Highly Resistive Formation
Authors: El Wazeer Fathy , Baradi Ali , El Farouk Omar
Published: March 2015

Continued technological advances have made logging-while-drilling (LWD) technologies a reliable and widely used class of tools to evaluate and describe the reservoir. High-resolution imaging-while-drilling, in particular, offers a detailed view of fractures, vugs, faults, bedding planes, and other borehole features in deviated and horizontal wells.

One benefit of imaging-while-drilling is the ability to evaluate the formation in real time. This can provide better well placement in the target formation. However, unlike many conventional logging tools that can be used in a wide range of conductive and non-conductive mud environments, resistivity imaging tools require special considerations to obtain high-quality data. Drilling fluid resistivity is one of the important considerations to be verified when a micro-imaging log is planned.

In the Arabian Gulf, the most common muds used for drilling horizontal wells are non-damaging fluid (NDF) systems that use calcium chloride to weight the mud. This brine mud is highly conductive, which can cause the emitted current of a micro-imager to flow into the mud instead of the formation, which results in poor image data quality. If a highly conductive mud is combined with a moderate- to high-resistive formation, the image quality can further deteriorate. While a mud system with lower conductivity (such as barite-based mud) is preferred when imaging high resistivity formations, the use of such a mud system may not be possible.

Several ADCO wells with various mud and formation conditions were drilled with a new micro-imaging tool. This tool features a unique button design that creates multiple image resolutions and depths of investigation, which improves the chances of obtaining a high-quality image in various drilling conditions.

While the resulting images from these wells varied, the tool enabled the development of a logging and integrated geoscience solution to overcome the mud and formation challenges and provide better reservoir characterization.

This extended abstract reviews the micro-imager's deployment, the considerations that need to be reviewed before a micro-imaging job commences, and the integrated solution that was developed for imaging highly resistive formations.
Pore Scale Modeling and Its Advantage for Enhanced Oil Recovery of Near Miscible Three-Phase Flow WAG Flooding in Carbonate Reservoir
Authors: Gibrata Muhammad Antonia , Van Dijke Rink , Geiger Sebastian
Published: March 2015

Pore Scale modeling in carbonate reservoir is challenging and important for getting an accurate reservoir characterization, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and reservoir management. In this case, 3D pore-scale modeling for immiscible and near miscible three phase flow in gas and water alternating gas (WAG) flooding of carbonate reservoir. It is useful to predict and guide SCAL based to access effects on pore-scale and EOR of field scale.

A Research has been started in carbonate reservoir with water alternating gas (WAG) injection activity which has various heterogeneity conditions such as: porosity, permeability, relative permeability, cementation, saturation exponent, rock types, fluid types/contacts, interfacial tension, wettability and capillary pressure. Inaccurate to characterize and model of these reservoir properties and fluid will lead to give high uncertainty of reservoir characterization, minimum oil recovery and reservoir management concern.

The reliable pore-scale modeling approach is needed by the data integration of various sources such as those from petrophysical, reservoir, geology and geophysical data. Research and utilize of X-ray CT in micro and nano to capture the 3D network structure of representative reservoir rock properties. In prediction and guide SCAL based; investigation the effects (sensitivity) of interfacial tensions, contact angles, wettability and spreading coefficient into miscibility on the oil layers between gas and water in a fully interconnected three-phase flow pore-network model. Utilize thermodynamic criteria for rock properties and oil layers, which affect the oil relative permeability at low oil saturation for accurate prediction of residual oil and maximize oil recovery.

In 3D Pore scale modeling workflow; validation with SCAL-lab, up scaling to well logs and field with utilizing logs, formation pressure/sampling/testing and combination with structural data of geology-seismic are necessary in field scale modeling approach. It will provide reliable rock type/properties for a reservoir dynamic model. The special approach needs to be developed and used in simulation model for getting appropriate relative-permeability, rock type/properties and water saturation in Gas and Water Alternating Gas (WAG) flooding of carbonate reservoirs. Thus it can give an accurate and robust of reservoir characterization, maximize oil recovery and reservoir management.