bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reservoir Properties and Their Effects on Waterfloods
Authors: Huebner W.B.
Published: February 2020

Kansas Waterflood Symposium of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME,19 November, Great Bend, Kansas

The reservoir properties, both rock properties and fluid properties, are among the major factors affecting the success or failure of any waterflood project. Since this conference is primarily concerned with Lansing-Kansas City Limestone waterfloods, I will try to associate these properties with known properties of the Lansing-Kansas City Limestone.

Porosity, being a basic reservoir property, bears a substantial influence on the secondary recovery of a waterflood. This factor is probably the easiest property to obtain, and therefore it is a more widely known property of the Lansing-Kansas City Lime. It can be easily obtained from either core analyses or log interpretations.

The Lansing-Kansas City Limestone in most fields is a series of porous lime stringers with either shale or dense lime separating the porous stringers. Porosity development in the Lansing has been determined to be of various forms, that is, oolicastic, intergranual, vugular, etc.

The porosity distribution or Lansing reservoirs is very irregular, because of its stratigraphy and variations in types of porosity. Core analyses of two Lansing producers, one in Stafford County and the other in Russell County, indicated these wide variances in porosity. The Stafford County well varied from 10 per cent to 31 per cent, and the Russell County well varied from 14 per cent to 28 per cent. Log interpretations of Lansing reservoirs in the same field in Barton County have indicated porosity variations from 10 to 18per cent.

The ranges of porosity, as indicated by the three previous examples, indicate the necessity for accurately determining porosity, since the use of a" Rule of Thumb" could cause substantial errors in determining secondary recovery. An accurate porosity is also necessary to determine fluid saturations and primary recovery at the initiation of a waterflood.
Case History - Studley Pool Waterflood
Authors: LaRue John W.
Published: February 2020

Kansas Waterflood Symposium of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME,19 November, Great Bend, Kansas

A history of the Studley Pool in Sheridan County, Kansas, under both primary and secondary operation is presented. Included is a discussion of the primary performance of the various wells and Lansing-Kansas City zones and the individual performance history of each well since the waterflood was initiated. Also included is a discussion concerning the source of the injected water and the manner by which it was handled and injected.

Introduction

The Studley pool is located in the east central part of Sheridan County, Kansas. The discovery well, Pratt No. 1, was completed in March 1943 and potentialled through perforations opposite the fourth zone (" H" zone)in the Lansing-Kansas City formation for 689 barrels of 42 API oil per day natural. Nine additional wells were drilled during 1943 and 1944, three of which were dry holes, three of which were abandoned temporarily after completion difficulties, and three of which were completed successfully, making a total of four producing wells at that time.
Case History - Krug-Olson Waterflood
Authors: Franey W.R. , Sterling T.H.
Published: February 2020

Kansas Waterflood Symposium of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME,19 November, Great Bend, Kansas

The Krug-Olson Waterflood which is currently a part of a cooperative floodprogram, encompasses 480 floodable acres. It was initiated on the F. Krug" A" Lease, Hall-Gurney Field, Russell County, in 1953, as the firstknown, controlled Lansing limestone formation waterflood in Kansas. Inaugurated as a pilot venture with limited reservoir information available, this waterflood has demonstrated the flood-ability of the Lansing formation. Subsequently, extensive waterflood operations have been initiated in the Hall-Gurney Field Lansing formation and in the Lansing pays in other similar Kansas fields. The Krug-Olson waterflood, although developed on an irregular input well pattern and lacking differentiation of injection into the Lansing pay zones, has proven to be an effective and profitable operation. The inputwells are converted producers in which completions were generally through openhole. Injection profile surveys conducted on a portion of the input wells indicate a reasonable displacement can be expected in each of the several zones open to the well bores of input and producing wells. Performance to date indicates secondary recovery greater than 50 per cent of primary recovery can be expected.
Reaction and Properties of Silica-Portland Cement Mixtures Cured at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Patchen F.D.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 219, 1960, pages 281–287.

Changes in the properties of portland cement upon the addition of fine-ground silica are discussed. Data were collected from formulations cured for periods up to 60 days at temperatures varying from 180° to 350°F. Compressive strengths, permeabilities and thickening times are compared. It is demonstrated that addition of find-ground silica in proper proportion results in a hydrated cement with superior properties above 230°F; i.e., early compressive strengths are higher and increase with additional curing, permeabilities are significantly lover and thickening times are increased.

X-ray analysis of hydrated cement samples have been used to determine more fully the complex chemistry of these systems. Dicalcium silicate alpha-hydrate was found in all neat cements cured above 260°F. A 10 weight per cent silica addition produced a maximum amount of this phase. Xonotlite and tobermorite have been identified as hydration products at 320°F in systems containing 35 or more weight per cent silica. Formation of these components appears to be primarily responsible for the gain in strength and reduction of permeability observed after the addition of silica.

Introduction

For several years it has been recognized that loss of compressive strength occurs when portland cement is cured at a temperature above 250°F. This phenomenon has been called "strength retrogression". More recently it has been recognized that increased permeability usually is associated with decreased compressive strength at these temperatures. At curing temperatures above 300°F, these factors reach serious proportions. A compressive strength loss of 50 per cent between curing times of 24 hours and 14 days has been reported, and permeabilities as high as 10 md have been measured in neat cements cured at 320°F for seven days.

Earlier investigators, although unsuccessful in eliminating strength retrogression, stated ". . . it appears possible that by the proper selection of additives for cement, strength loss with age at high temperatures can be either eliminated or considerably lessened". One solution suggested was the use of a pozzolanic material, hydrated lime, and a retarder.
Well Testing by Multiphase Flow Meter in Ogdcl Nashpa Field
Authors: Hussain Shahid , Fasih Muhammad , Sheikh Ahsan , Qayyum Faisal , Ali Ashraf , Qureshi Imran
Published: February 2020

The numerous advantages and benefits of Multiphase Flow Meters (MPFM) experienced globally by major oil & gas operating companies were studied by and have driven OGDCL for using MPFM for well testing their challenging fields. During the past year, OGDCL has installed, field-tested and deployed their first multiphase flow meter at Nashpa oil field. The objective of the field-testing program of the MPFM was to establish the meter ability to accurately measure the three production phases (oil, water, and gas) and to determine meter reliability in a field environment. During trial testing, the MPFM flow rates were compared to reference conventional test separators and storage tanks within the allowable accuracy bands. Both the meter accuracy and operational reliability were satisfactory to OGDCL acceptance criteria. The application of MPFMs in OGDCL production operations will provide continuous on-line well production monitoring and eliminate large conventional test separators and test lines. As a result, tremendous economic savings would be realized due to a significant reduction in capital and operating expenditures associated with well-testing activities. The MPFM covers a wide range of multiphase applications at several different oil and gas-condensate fields. This technically developed, compact non-radioactive MPFM is targeted for testing wells at remote onshore fields and for future potential unmanned offshore platforms, where weight and space are major concerns. Currently, in OGDCL the combination of MPFM technology with a well-designed test plan is leading to the optimization of the well performance Continuous well-test data being obtained from MPFM is leading to accurate production allocation and better reservoir management. Thus, the introduction of online Multi-phase Flow Metering (MPFM) technology presents a reliable alternative to conventional test separators for well testing and flow measurement in Pakistan's oil and gas industry. This overcomes the limitation of conventional well testing means and technologies to operate with higher gas volume fraction, varying water cut and changing dynamics of the multi-phase flow. This paper discusses in detail the success story of multiphase flow meter (MPFM) and its application program in OGDCL. The paper also presents an overview of MPFM technology. This will add to the existing SPE literature a focused technical paper describing the MPFM installation and application experience in OGDCL Pakistan that can be used as a reference by other operating companies, academic personnel, R&D organizations and New Technology promoters in the country.
Correlation between separate findings in 60 dogs suffering from CKD in IRIS stage 1
Authors: Sehn Maximiliane , Nolte Ingo , Bach Jan-Peter
Published: February 2020

Background The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) reports guidelines for classification and therapy for dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dogs in stage 1 show no elevated serum creatinine, but some other sign of kidney disease like elevated Symmetric Dimethylarginin (SDMA), proteinuria, low urine specific gravity or abnormalities in the sonography of the kidneys. Objective of this study was to access the correlation between inclusion criteria and to give an estimation whether a more detailed staging or a substaging for patients with elevated SDMA levels might be useful regarding possible treatment recommendations. Results Sixty patients in IRIS stage 1 were included into the study. Most of these dogs were included due to raised SDMA level (n=22) or sonographic abnormalities of the kidneys (n=16). In order to rank and compare results of ultrasonography, a sonography score was developed. Additionally, results from blood work, urinalysis, ultrasonography and in some cases glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were examined. Correlation analysis showed positive correlation between creatinine and urea and negative correlation between creatinine and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (Up/c). Between SDMA, phosphate, urine specific gravity and sonographic findings there is no dependency with any other examined parameter. Conclusion Results showed that patients in IRIS stage 1 are a heterogeneous group and giving precise treatment recommendation might be challenging. If future studies will suggest treatment in this stage of CKD, such as renal diet, a more detailed classification is needed.
A convolutional neural network-based system to classify patients using FDG PET/CT examinations
Authors: Kawauchi Keisuke , Furuya Sho , Hirata Kenji , Katoh Chietsugu , Manabe Osamu , Kobayashi Kentaro , Watanabe Shiro , Shiga Tohru
Published: February 2020

Background: As the number of PET/CT scanners increases and FDG PET/CT becomes a common imaging modality for oncology, the demands for automated detection systems on artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent human oversight and misdiagnosis are rapidly growing. We aimed to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based system that can classify whole-body FDG PET as 1) benign, 2) malignant or 3) equivocal.
Methods: This retrospective study investigated 3,485 sequential patients with malignant or suspected malignant disease, who underwent whole-body FDG PET/CT at our institute. All the cases were classified into the 3 categories by a nuclear medicine physician. A residual network (ResNet)-based CNN architecture was built for classifying patients into the 3 categories. In addition, we performed a region-based analysis of CNN (head-and-neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvic region).
Results: There were 1,280 (37%), 1,450 (42%), and 755 (22%) patients classified as benign, malignant and equivocal, respectively. In the patient-based analysis, CNN predicted benign, malignant and equivocal images with 99.4%, 99.4%, and 87.5% accuracy, respectively. In region-based analysis, the prediction was correct with the probability of 97.3% (head-and-neck), 96.6% (chest), 92.8% (abdomen) and 99.6% (pelvic region), respectively.
Conclusion: The CNN-based system reliably classified FDG PET images into 3 categories, indicating that it could be helpful for physicians as a double-checking system to prevent oversight and misdiagnosis.
Study Protocol Daiobotanpito combined with antibiotic therapy for treatment of acute diverticulitis: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ogawa-Ochiai Keiko , Yoshimura Keinichi , Shirai Akiko , Sakai Seisho , Moriyama Hideki , Nakamura Keishi , Murayama Toshinori , Ishikawa Hideki
Published: February 2020

Background: Colonic diverticular disease has been increasing in prevalence due to the rapidly aging global population, but standard treatment has not changed dramatically in recent years. Daiobotanpito (DBT; Da Huang Mu Dan Tang in Chinese) has been used in medical treatment of acute abdominal abscesses, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis in traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine for many years, based on more than 3000 years of experience. Prior to this study, a retrospective open-label trial was conducted to compare patients with acute diverticulitis who received oral DBT combined with intravenous antibiotics with those who received intravenous antibiotic alone; it showed a positive effect of DBT on acute diverticulitis. We aim to investigate whether moderate to severe acute diverticulitis shows greater improvement with intravenous antibiotics plus orally administered DBT compared with intravenous antibiotics with placebo. Methods: This is a two-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, which is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DBT for moderate to severe diverticulitis patients treated with intravenous antibiotics. Eligible participants will be randomized to either a treatment group receiving a 10-day oral DBT regimen plus conventional therapy or a control group receiving a 10-day placebo regimen plus conventional therapy. The primary outcome will be the treatment success rate of diverticulitis defined as fever relief to <37.5℃ within 3 days or/and elimination of abdominal pain within 4 days. In other words, the primary outcome will be the treatment success rate of diverticulitis defined as elimination of abdominal pain within 4 days for all patients, and if they have fever ≧37.5℃ on inclusion to this study, fever relief to <37.5℃ within 3 days. Secondary endpoints will include hospitalization days, changes in inflammatory response (CRP, WBC, neutrophil count), thermal type, number of days before beginning food intake, recurrence rate (observation for 1 year after registration), and adverse event expression rate. Assessments will be performed at baseline and on the day of discharge. The recurrence rate will be recorded at 1 year after registration. Discussion: This study is expected to provide evidence to support the clinical benefits of DBT in the treatment of acute diverticulitis. It may also provide evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of DBT in the recurrence of acute diverticulitis. Trial registration: UMIN000027381, registered on April 27th, 2017 https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/ctr/ctr_view_reg.cgi?recptno=R000031377, and changed to jRCTs041180063, registered on July 30th, 2019; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCTs041180063 as a result of the revision of the domestic law in 2018 in Japan.
DJ-1 exerts anti-inflammatory effects and regulates NLRX1-TRAF6 via SHP-1 in stroke
Authors: Peng Li , Zhou Yang , Jiang Ning , Wang Tingting , Zhu Jin , Chen Yanlin , Li Linyu , Zhang Jinyan , Yu Shanshan , Zhao Yong
Published: February 2020

Background: Acute inflammation induced by reactive astrocytes after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is important for protecting the resultant lesion. Our previous study demonstrated that DJ-1 is abundantly expressed in reactive astrocytes after cerebral I/R injury. Here, we show that DJ-1 negatively regulates the inflammatory response by facilitating the interaction between SHP-1 and TRAF6, thereby inducing the dissociation of NLRX1 from TRAF6.
Methods: We used oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro in primary astrocyte cultures and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) in vivo to mimic I/R insult.
Results: The inhibition of DJ-1 expression increased the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. DJ-1 knockdown facilitated the interaction between NLRX1 and TRAF6. However, the loss of DJ-1 attenuated the interaction between SHP-1 and TRAF6. In subsequent experiments, a SHP-1 inhibitor altered the interaction between SHP-1 and TRAF6 and facilitated the interaction between NLRX1 and TRAF6 in DJ-1-overexpressing astrocytes.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that DJ-1 exerts an SHP-1-dependent anti-inflammatory effect and induces the dissociation of NLRX1 from TRAF6 during cerebral I/R injury. Thus, DJ-1 may be an efficacious therapeutic target for the treatment of I/R injury.
NTP42, a novel antagonist of the thromboxane receptor, attenuates experimentally induced pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Mulvaney Eamon , Reid Helen , Bialesova Lucia , Bouchard Annie , Salvail Dany , Kinsella B. Therese
Published: February 2020

Background
NTP42 is a novel antagonist of the thromboxane prostanoid receptor (TP), currently in development for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is a devastating disease with multiple pathophysiological hallmarks including excessive pulmonary vasoconstriction, vascular remodelling, inflammation, fibrosis, in situ thrombosis and right ventricular hypertrophy. Signalling through the TP, thromboxane (TX) A 2 is a potent vasoconstrictor and mediator of platelet aggregation. It is also a pro-mitogenic, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic agent. Moreover, the TP also mediates the adverse actions of the isoprostane 8-iso-prostaglandin F 2α , a free-radical-derived product of arachidonic acid produced in abundance during oxidative injury. Mechanistically, TP antagonists should treat most of the hallmarks of PAH, including inhibiting the excessive vasoconstriction and pulmonary artery remodelling, in situ thrombosis, inflammation and fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of NTP42 in the monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat model, alongside current standard-of-care drugs.
Methods
PAH was induced by subcutaneous injection of 60 mg/kg MCT in male Wistar–Kyoto rats. Animals were assigned into groups: 1. ‘No MCT’; 2. ‘MCT Only’; 3. MCT + NTP42 (0.25 mg/kg BID); 4. MCT + Sildenafil (50 mg/kg BID), and 5. MCT + Selexipag (1 mg/kg BID), where 28-day drug treatment was initiated within 24 h post-MCT.
Results
From haemodynamic assessments , NTP42 reduced the MCT-induced PAH, including mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and right systolic ventricular pressure (RSVP), being at least comparable to the standard-of-care drugs Sildenafil or Selexipag in bringing about these effects. Moreover, NTP42 was superior to Sildenafil and Selexipag in significantly reducing pulmonary vascular remodelling, inflammatory mast cell infiltration and fibrosis in MCT-treated animals.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that NTP42 and antagonism of the TP signalling pathway have a relevant role in alleviating the pathophysiology of PAH, representing a novel therapeutic target with marked benefits over existing standard-of-care therapies.
Interventions for prudent antibiotic use in primary healthcare: An econometric analysis
Authors: Lampi Elina , Carlsson Fredrik , Sundvall Pär-Daniel , Torres Marcela Jaime , Ulleryd Peter , Åhrén Christina , Jacobsson Gunnar
Published: February 2020

Background

Rational antibiotic prescribing is crucial to combat antibiotic resistance. Optimal strategies to improve antibiotic use are not known. Strama, the Swedish strategic program against antibiotic resistance, has been successful in reducing antibiotic prescription rates. This study investigates whether two specific interventions directed toward healthcare centers, an informational visit and a self-evaluation meeting, played a role in observed reduction in rates of antibiotic prescriptions in primary healthcare.

Methods

The study was a retrospective, observational, empirical analysis exploiting the variation in the timing of the interventions and considering past prescriptions through use of estimations from dynamic panel data models. Primary healthcare data from 2011 to 2014 were examined. Data were from public and private primary healthcare centers in western Sweden. The key variables were prescription of antibiotics and indicator variables for the two interventions.

Results

The first intervention, an educational information intervention, decreased the number of prescriptions among public healthcare centers, but this effect was only temporary. We found no proof that the second intervention, a self-evaluation meeting at the healthcare center, had an impact on the reduction of prescriptions.

Conclusions

Single educational interventions aimed at influencing rates of antibiotic prescriptions have limited impact. A multifaceted approach is needed in efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in primary health care.
Spatial variation in the frequency of knockdown resistance genotypes in Florida Aedes aegypti populations
Authors: Mundis Stephanie Jane , Estep Alden S. , Waits Christy M. , Ryan Sadie J.
Published: February 2020

Background
The development of insecticide resistance in disease-vectoring mosquito species can lead to vector control failure and disease resurgence. However, insecticide applications remain an essential public health intervention. In Florida, insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti , an anthropophilic mosquito species capable of transmitting dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus, is a major concern. Understanding the location, scale, and driving factors of insecticide resistance can enhance the ability of vector control organizations to target populations effectively.
Methods
We used previously collected data on frequencies of mutations that confer resistance to commonly used pyrethroid insecticides in Aedes aegypti specimens from 62 sites distributed across 18 counties in Florida. To determine the scale of clustering for the most resistant variant, we used a Ripley’s K function. We also used a spatial scanning statistic technique to identify the locations of clusters where higher than expected frequencies of susceptible or resistant mosquitoes occurred. We then tested for associations between landscape, demographic, and insecticide-use factors using a beta regression modelling approach and evaluated the effect of spatial lag and spatial error terms on overall explanatory power of these models.
Results
The scale at which maximum clustering of the most resistant variant occurs is approximately 20 kilometers. We identified statistically significant clusters of genotypes associated with resistancein several coastal cities, although some of these clusters were near significant clusters of susceptible mosquitoes, indicating selection pressures vary at the local scale. Vegetation density, distance from roads, and pyrethroid-use by vector control districts were consistently significant predictors of knockdown resistance genotype frequency in the top-performing beta regression models, although pyrethroid-use surprisingly had a negatively associated with resistance. The incorporation of spatial lags resulted in improvements to the fit and explanatory power of the models, indicating an underlying diffusion process likely explains some of the spatial patterns observed.
Conclusions
The genetic mutations that confer resistance to pyrethroids in Aedes aegpyti mosquitoes in Florida exhibit spatial autocorrelation and patterns that can be partially explained by landscape and insecticide-use factors. Further work at local scales should be able to identify the mechanisms by which these variables influence selection for alleles associated with resistance.
BRAF V600 mutation profiling in primary skin nodular melanoma in Indonesia: an analysis using high resolution pyrosequencing
Authors: Rinonce Hanggoro Tri , Aji Rovi Panji Mustiko , Hayati Ni’mah , Pudjohartono Maria Fransiska , Kameswari Bidari , Anwar Sumadi Lukman , Irianiwati -
Published: February 2020

Objective : We aimed to investigate the prevalence and type of BRAF V600 mutations and the associations with clinicopathological variables in primary skin nodular melanoma cases in Yogyakarta and Central Java, Indonesia using pyrosequencing.
Results : BRAF V600 mutations of the V600E type were found in 21 (53.85%) specimens. The variant allele frequencies (VAFs) ranged from 5.07% to 94.70%, averaging 29.05%. However, most cases had low VAFs, with 13 (61.9%) specimens below 20% and 4 (19.05%) below 10%.
Comparison of Bacterial Communities in Soil Samples with and without Tomato Bacterial Wilt Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex
Authors: Zhang Ying , Hu Anna , Zhou Jianuan , Zhang Wenfei , Li Peng
Published: February 2020

Background: Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most notorious soil-borne phytopathogens. It causes a severe wilt disease with deadly effects on many economically important crops. The microbita of disease-suppressive soils are thought that they can contribute to the disease resistance of crop plants, thus, to conduct the microbial community and their interaction characteristics between suppressive soil (SS) and conducive soil (CS) will help to understand resistance mechanism. Here, the bacterial community structure, correlation analysis with soil chemical properties, interaction network of SS (nearly no disease in three years), and CS (suffered heavy bacterial wilt disease) were analyzed.
Results: Compared with CS, a higher bacterial community diversity index was found in SS , and the relative abundance of main genera Bacillus , Gaiellales , Roseiflexus , Gemmatimonadaceae , Nocardioides , and Anaerolineacear reached significant levels. Redundancy analysis at the genus level indicated that the available phosphate played a key role in the bacterial community distribution, and its role was negatively correlated with soil pH, organic matter content, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and available potassium contents. Interaction network analysis further demonstrated that greater diversity at the genus level existed in the SS network and formed a stable network. Additionally, the species of Mycobacterium , Cyanobacteria , and Rhodobiaceae are the key components that sustain the network stability. Seven clusters of orthologous groups exhibited significant differences between SS and CS. Moreover, 55 bacterial strains with distinct antagonistic activities to R. solancearum were isolated and identified.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the bacterial diversity and interaction network differed between the CS and SS samples, providing a good foundation in the study of bacterial wilt.
Vertical pons hyperintensity and hot cross bun sign in cerebellar-type multiple system atrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3
Authors: Sugiyama Atsuhiko , Yokota Hajime , Yamanaka Yoshitaka , Mukai Hiroki , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Hirano Shigeki , Koide Kyosuke , Ito Shoichi , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: February 2020

Background The “hot cross bun” (HCB) sign, a cruciform hyperintensity in the pons on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has gradually been identified as a typical finding in multiple system atrophy, cerebellar-type (MSA-C). Few reports have evaluated the sensitivity of an HCB, including a cruciform hyperintensity and vertical line in the pons, which precedes a cruciform hyperintensity, in the early stages of MSA-C. Moreover, the difference in frequency and timing of appearance of an HCB between MSA-C and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) has not been fully investigated.Methods This study investigated the time at which an HCB and orthostatic hypotension (OH) appeared in 41 patients with MSA-C, based on brain MRI and head-up tilt test. The MRI findings were compared with those of 26 patients with SCA3. The pontine signal findings on T2-weighted MRI were graded as 0 (no change), 1 (a vertical T2 high-intensity line), or 2 (a cruciform T2 high-intensity line), with grades 1 or 2 considered as an HCB. OH 30/15 was defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of > 30 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of > 15 mmHg.Results Among the 24 patients with MSA-C within 2 years from the onset of motor symptoms, an HCB was detected in 91.7%, whereas OH 30/15 was present in 60.0%. Among the 36 patients with MSA-C within 3 years from the onset of motor symptoms, a grade 2 HCB was detected in 66.7% of those with MSA-C but in none of those with SCA-3.Conclusions HCB is a highly sensitive finding for MSA-C, even in the early stages of the disease. A grade 2 HCB in the early stage is an extremely specific finding for differentiating MSA-C from SCA-3.
The interrupted effect of autophagic flux and lysosomal function induced by graphene oxide in p62-dependent apoptosis of F98 cells
Authors: Zhang Chao , Feng Xiaoli , He Longwen , Zhang Yaqing , Shao Longquan
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background : Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely applied in various fields, especially in biomedical applications. Extensive studies have suggested that GO can pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and induce abnormal autophagy and cytotoxicity in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the effect and specific mechanism of GO on astrocytes, the most abundant cells in the brain still has not been extensively investigated.
Results: In this study, we systematically explored the toxicity and mechanism of GO exposure in the rat astroglioma-derived F98 cell line using molecular biological techniques (immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and Western blot) at the subcellular level and the signaling pathway level. Cells exposed to GO exhibited decreased cell viability and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. GO-induced autophagy was evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence staining. Western blots showed that LC3II/I and p62 were upregulated and PI3K/Akt/mTOR was downregulated. Detection of lysosomal acidity and cathepsin B activity assay indicated the impairment of lysosomal function. Annexin V-FITC-PI detection showed the occurrence of apoptosis after GO exposure. The decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) with an accompanying upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 further suggested that endogenous signaling pathways were involved in GO-induced apoptosis.
Conclusion: The exposure of F98 cells to GO can elicit concentration- and time-dependent toxicological effects. Additionally, increased autophagic response can be triggered after GO treatment and that the blocking of autophagy flux plays a vital role in GO cytotoxicity, which was determined to be related to dysfunction of lysosomal degradation. Importantly, the abnormal accumulation of autophagic substrate p62 protein can induce capase-3-mediated apoptosis. Inhibition of abnormal accumulation of autophagic cargo could alleviate the occurrence of GO-induced apoptosis in F98 cells.
Keyword: Graphene oxide; Astrocyte; p62; Autophagy; Apoptosis
Survive and Thrive in Brazil: The Boa Vista Early Childhood Program: Study protocol of a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brentani Alexandra , Ferrer Ana Paula Scolezze , Bessa Luana , Chang Susan , Walker Susan , Powell Christine , Hamadani Jena , Grisi Sandra , Fink Günther
Published: February 2020

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that early life health and developmental outcomes can be improved through parental support programs. The objective of this project was to test the feasibility, impact, and relative cost-effectiveness of an adapted “Reach Up and Learn” program delivered through home visiting programs as well as through center-based parenting groups on child health and development in the municipality of Boa Vista, Brazil. Methods: A randomized stepped wedge design was used to roll out and evaluate the two parenting platforms in Boa Vista municipality. A total of 39 neighborhoods with high vulnerability index were selected for the study. For the first phase of the program, 9 neighborhoods were randomly selected for home visits, and 2 were randomly selected for the center-based parenting groups. In the second phase of the program, 10 neighborhoods were added to the home visiting program, and 8 were added to the center-based program. In the final phase of the program, the remaining 10 control areas will also be assigned to treatment. Study eligibility will be assessed through a baseline survey completed by all pregnant women in the 39 study areas. Pregnant women will be eligible to participate in the study if they are either classified as poor, were under age 20 when they became pregnant, or if they indicate to have been exposed to domestic or sexual violence. To assess program impact, an endline survey will be conducted when children reach age 2. The primary study outcome is child development at age 2 as measured by the PRIDI instrument. Secondary outcome will be infant mortality, which will be assessed linking municipal vital registration systems to the program rollout. Discussion: This trial will assess the feasibility and impact of parenting programs rolled out at medium scale. The results from trial should create evidence urgently needed for guiding Brazil’s national Criança Feliz program as well as similar efforts in other countries.
Prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV and cervical pathological results in Sichuan Province, China: a three years surveys prior to mass HPV vaccination
Authors: Luo Qing , Jiang Ni , Wu Qiaoyuan , Wang Jiaqiang , Zhong Jialing
Published: February 2020

Background HPV persistent infection is a strong carcinogenic factor to induce cervical cancer. Investigation of HPV epidemiology and genotype distribution is meaningful for the development cervical cancer prevention and control strategies. Methods By using PCR-based hybridization gene chip assay, HPV genotype was detected of 14185 women that came from HEC (Health Examination Center) or OGOC (Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinics) between 2015 and 2017 in Sichuan area. The epidemiology and genotype distribution as well as the relationship to in histology and cytology abnormalities were analysed. Results The positivity of HPV was 23.84%. The HPV-positive rate of OGOC group (37.62%) is significantly higher than that of HEC group (15.29%), p <0.05. The prevalence of HPV reached peak at 41-50 age (5.86%) in HEC group, but at 21-30 age (14.74%) in OGOC group. Of the HPV positive women, single genotype infection was the most common form in both HEC and OGOC group, accounted for 62.06% in total screening population, 74.36% in HEC group and 54.01% in OGOC group. Three most prevalent HPV types were HPV-52 (5.02%), 58 (3.61%), 16 (3.24%) in total screening population. Of the HPV positive women, the top three were HPV-52 (20.93%), CP8304 (15.32%), 58 (14.42%) in HEC group, while were HPV-52 (21.14%), 16 (16.34%), 58 (15.61%) in OGOC group. HPV 52/16/58 accounted for the 41.84% of cytology and 56.52% of histological abnormalities. Conclusions Women in Sichuan area are facing with the great threat of HPV infection, especially the women of 21~30 or 41-50 years old. HPV 52, 58, 16 were the priority HPV type in OGOC group, while in in HEC group is HPV 52, CP8304, 58. HPV 52/16/58 accounted for the majority of cytology and histological abnormalities. These accurate data could provide a scientiﬁc basis for the prevention and control strategies of cervical cancer in Sichuan area.
Maximum emergency department overcrowding is correlated with occurrence of unexpected cardiac arrest
Authors: Kim June-sung , Bae Hyun-Jin , Sohn Chang Hwan , Cho Sung-Eun , Hwang Jeongeun , Kim Won Young , Kim Namkug , Seo Dong-Woo
Published: February 2020

Background Emergency department overcrowding negatively impacts critically ill patients and could lead to the occurrence of cardiac arrest. However, associations between emergency department crowding and occurrence of both in-hospital cardiac arrest and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between emergency department occupancy rates and incidence of in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods A single-center, observational, registry-based cohort study was performed including all consecutive adult, non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients between January 2014 and June 2017. We used emergency department occupancy rates as a crowding index at time of presentation time of cardiac arrest and at the time of maximum crowding, and the average crowding rate for the duration of emergency department stay for each patient. To calculate incidence rate, we divided the number of arrest cases for each emergency department occupancy period by accumulated time. The primary outcome is association between the incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and emergency department occupancy rates. Results During the study period, 629 adult, non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients were enrolled in our registry. Among these, 187 patients experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest and 442 patients had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In-hospital cardiac arrest patients compared to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients had a significantly higher return of spontaneous circulation rates (16.5% vs. 4.8%; P < .01) and better neurologic outcomes at discharge (cerebral performance category scales 4.7 vs. 4.0; P < .01). Emergency department occupancy rates were positively correlated with in-hospital cardiac arrest occurrence. Moreover, maximum emergency department occupancy in the critical zone had the strongest positive correlation with in-hospital cardiac arrest occurrence (Spearman rank correlation ρ = 1.0, P < .01). Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence was negatively correlated with emergency department occupancy (ρ = -0.79, P = .04). Conclusion Maximum emergency department occupancy was strongly associated with in-hospital cardiac arrest occurrence, while occupancy rate was negatively correlated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence.
The epidemiology of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients in the Gansu Province: the EACG Study
Authors: Chen Yu , Feng Fang , Chang Xueni , Liu Dong , Yuan Yuan , Li Min , Yuan Jiaojiao , Mu Chenghua , Dong Chenming
Published: February 2020

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology of acute kidney injury and to clarify the risk factors associated with the prognosis of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients in the Gansu Province.Methods : This was a multicenter, retrospective study. The clinical data of all patients from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019, in the intensive care unit of the selected hospitals were screened. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed first, and then the patients were divided into a survival group and a nonsurvival group based on survival status at discharge. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute kidney injury. RESULTS : (1) Among the 8106 patients admitted, a total of 3019 patients were excluded according to the exclusion criteria. Among the included patients, 890 patients met the diagnostic criteria for AKI, with an incidence of 17.5% and mortality of 41.3%. The etiology of acute kidney injury was 64% prerenal, 33% renal, and 2.7% postrenal. Prerenal AKI was the most common, among which cases caused by sepsis and septic shock accounted for 44.7%. Among the selected AKI patients, AKI stage I accounted for 22.02%, AKI stage II accounted for 31.01%, AKI stage III accounted for 46.97%, and 35.8% of the AKI patients received renal replacement therapy. (2) Logistic regression analysis showed that sex , age, AKI stage, RRT, infection, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, cardiac output, mechanical ventilation, diuretics, white blood cells, platelets, blood urea nitrogen, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly associated with the prognosis of acute kidney injury (P <0.05). Further analysis showed that male sex, old age, high AKI stage, RRT treatment, low cardiac output, mechanical ventilation, elevated leukocyte count, reduced platelet count and reduced serum albumin were independent risk factors for a poor prognosis of acute kidney injury.Conclusions : Large-scale epidemiological data from several representative general hospitals in the Gansu Province showed that the incidence and mortality of acute kidney injury in intensive care units were still very high. Sepsis and septic shock are the main causes of AKI.
Clinical Application and Observation of Single-Port Inflatable Mediastinoscopy Combined With Laparoscopy for Radical Esophagectomy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yin Qifan , Liu Huining , Song Yongbin , Zhou Shaohui , Yang Guang , Wang Wenhao , Qie Peng , Liu Lijun
Published: February 2020

Background Transthoracic esophagectomy is a crucial independent risk factor for the incidence of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly or comorbid patients. To reduce postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and promote postoperative recovery. We made a bold attempt to adopt the single-port inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy for radical esophagectomy in esophageal cancer to observe the clinical application and effect. Method Data of patients with esophageal carcinoma were collected in the Hebei General Hospital from May 2018 to November 2019. The operation time、surgical blood loss、the number of dissected lymph nodes、duration of drainage tube、postoperative complications、the length of postoperative hospital stay were collected to assess the safety and feasibility of the single-port inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy for radical esophagectomy in esophageal cancer. Results A total of 22 patients with esophageal cancer were analyzed in our research. There was no case of switching to thoracotomy、perioperative death or postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. The average operation time、surgical blood loss、amount of dissected lymph nodes、duration of drainage tube、postoperative hospital stay of all enrolled patients was 4.26±0.52 hours、142±36.50 ml、21.6±4.2、5.8±2.5 days、12.6±2.5 days, respectively. Among all the enrolled patients, one patient(4.5%) developed anastomotic fistula on the third day after surgery. 5 patients(22.7%) with anastomotic stricture. Pleural effusion was found in 4 cases (18.2%). Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury caused hoarseness or cough after drinking water in 3 cases (13.6%). one patients(4.5%) was switched from laparoscopy to open surgery as the patient had serious peritoneal adhesion. All of the patients were discharged successfully. Conclusion Our results showed that this surgery of single-port inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy for radical esophagectomy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is safe and feasible. The feasibility and safety could be further and better investigated with a RCT to achieve more conclusive results.
Equality And Poverty: Views From Public Services' Multi-Professional Team And Household Heads In The Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area, Brazil
Authors: FRANÇA VIVIANE HELENA , Modena Celina Maria , Confalonieri Ulisses Eugenio Cavalcanti
Published: February 2020

Background: Tackling poverty requires reconsideration of quantitative factors related to "who" is poor and by "how much” and qualitative factors addressing "what poverty means in these individuals’ lives". Greater understanding is required concerning the types of access actually used by families in poverty in attempts to meet their basic needs. Poverty must be addressed based on the question: “Inequality of what?” It is in reflecting on the realities of such groups when their basic needs are not met that public policies can be improved and implemented with legitimate priorities. Objective: Describe coverage and access to public health, education and social assistance services and the related effects on the quality of life of families in extreme poverty. Methods: An exploratory mixed methods study was performed applying Amartya Sen's “basic capability equality” framework, with: I) 27 interviews with managers and professionals from public services serving territories with extreme poverty; II) Survey with a systematic proportionate stratified sample of 336 heads of households in extreme poverty, from a total 2,605 families. The resulting data was analyzed with thematic content analysis and descriptive statistics, respectively. Results: The managers and professionals described the lives of families in extreme poverty with phrases such as, “ These people suffer. Sadness weighs on their lives! ” and “ Depression is the most common illness ”. Their precarious circumstances and inadequate access were cited as causes. Quality of life was considered bad or very bad by 41.4% of heads of households. A total income of less than 1/3 of the minimum wage was received by 56.9%. One or more people were unemployed in the family in 55.8% of cases. For 53.3%, public services “ did not meet any or few of their needs”. The main social determinants of health were described as: Alcohol and drugs 68.8%; Lack of good health care 60.7%; Absence of income/work 37.5%. The following were identified as solutions to improve their quality of life: 1 - Health 40.5%; 2 - Education 37.8%; 3 - Employment 44.6%. Conclusions: The social determinants of poverty and health must be addressed jointly through intersectoral public policies and egalitarian mechanisms that promote investment in social protection.