bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Underbalanced Drilling Challenges in a High-Pour-Point Oil Reservoir in Sepanjang Island, Indonesia
Authors: Kitamura Tomoyuki , Zaki Hasan , Akbar Kitos , Palao Felbert B. , Sosa Julius Ceazar , Toralde Julmar Shaun , Nas Steve
Published: February 2010

The oil from the Ngimbang Carbonate reservoir in Sepanjang Island, East Java, Indonesia is composed mostly of heavy black oil with a pour point of 120°F and a wax content of 24.89%. Its specific and API gravity are 0.8574 and 33, respectively, and the bottomhole temperature is 223 °F.

Underbalanced drilling (UBD) operations in this high-pour-point oil marginal reservoir, for two wells, SED-3 and SED-4, were planned to achieve the main goals of improving reservoir productivity, avoiding reservoir damage, enabling fracture identification, and making testing while drilling possible. Secondary benefits expected by employing underbalanced drilling techniques included avoiding drilling fluid losses, increasing the rate of penetration, and minimizing drilling problems.

This paper presents the details as to how the challenges of drilling in UBD mode in a reservoir with high-pour-point and waxy oil were addressed in the planning stage and how the UBD program was implemented in the field. The circulating system for the UBD operation was designed with the capability to heat the fluid system to above the pour point to avoid solidification of the fluid. The drilling fluid was to be heated to 160°F and kept at this temperature to prevent damage to the drilling elastomers. Agitators were installed on all the tanks to prevent wax formation. The effectiveness of these measures and the lessons learned from the UBD operations on these two wells are presented. The paper provides an overview of the achieved well objectives and show that UBD in a heavy oil marginal reservoir is beneficial.
Overcoming Drilling Challenges in Northwest China using an Innovative MPD Technique
Authors: McMillan Scott , An Wen Hua , Zhang Yao Ming , Xu Zhi Xiong , Lovorn Randy , Ospina Jenny , Saeed Saad
Published: February 2010

PetroChina’s Tarim Oilfield Company (TOC) operates the Tazhong field, which is located in the central part of the Taklimakan Desert in the Tarim basin of Xinjiang, China. The Tazhong Field is a marginally over-pressured, fractured limestone reservoir that produces sour oil and gas from depths ranging between 4000 to 6500 m.

Conventionally drilled wells in this field frequently experience severe lost circulation, which leads to significant reservoir damage due to the drilling fluid, and often, suspension of drilling operations due to the loss of measurement/logging-while-drilling (M/LWD) signals and directional drilling control. Additionally, frequent gas-kick events create high-risk well control situations, and often, they require drilling operations to be terminated earlier than planned. Additionally, the large amount of non-productive time (NPT) and associated costs combined with the incapability to deliver the proposed laterals negatively impacts the economics of the project and recovery of reserves.

Recently, a new managed pressure drilling (MPD) system designed to resolve the drilling challenges of critical pressure environments was applied in the Tazhong Field. The technology provides the capability to maintain a constant bottomhole pressure (BHP) throughout all of the drilling stages, and enables rapid, automatic BHP adjustments according to well conditions. The advantages reduce the risk of combined losses and kick situations while drilling through narrow pressure-margin zones. The application of this new MPD technique in the Tazhong field has had an immediate impact on drilling operations, and its successful implementation in this field will be described in this paper.

The automated MPD System deployed in this project included a rotating control device and an autochoke system, a backpressure pump (BPP) to maintain back pressure and constant bottomhole pressure (BHP) while rig pumps are turned off, a pressure-while-drilling (PWD) sensor for real-time downhole pressure and temperature readings, and non-return valves (NRV) in the bottomhole assembly (BHA) to prevent backflow during MPD operations using a statically underbalanced mud system.

This paper will discuss the challenges, drivers for MPD, pre-well engineering, equipment, execution, and best practices derived from the implementation of this new closed-loop, pressure-optimization MPD system.
Assessment On The Performance Of Hollow Glass Microspheres In Low Density Fluids For Workover Programs In Fractured Basement Reservoir At The White Tiger Oil Fields, Cuu Long Basin, Vietnam
Authors: Ovcharenko A.V. , Devadass Melvin
Published: February 2010

This paper demonstrates the benefits of using hollow glass microspheres as a low density additive in fluids formulated for use in workover of wells operating under depleted pressure conditions as found in JV “Vietsovpetro” White Tiger (Bach Ho) Oil Fields, Cuu Long Basin in Vietnam. The paper details the requirements on hollow glass microsphere selection process as a function of bottom hole hydrostatic pressure and fluid density. Assessments on cost of fluids of different densities are also made on the basis of microsphere selection and concentration for the workover program in the White Tiger Oil Field. The paper proposes options to bring fluid costs to more economical levels based on microsphere regeneration. Detailed analysis has been made on all operating JV “Vietsovpetro” wells calculating the required amount of microspheres for workover in accordance with the selected grades. The data reported in this paper can be used for mud design and to provide technical support for well workovers whenever low density fluids (less than 1 g/cm3) are considered. In addition to mud properties and formulating practices, the paper also provides useful tips in the preparation, handling, and waste management of low density fluids for workover programs.
Prescribing Recovery as the New Mantra for Mental Health: Does One Prescription Serve All?
Authors: Lal Shalini
Published: February 2010

Background. “Recovery” is the new mantra for reforming the mental health system and occupational therapists have embraced the change. Purpose. To critically examine the concept of recovery across five dimensions: clarity, simplicity, generality, accessibility, and importance. Key Issues. The implicit assumption that the recovery concept is universally applicable is challenged. This examination raises concerns about the application of the recovery concept cross culturally, across the lifespan, and at different levels of service delivery. Implications. The meaning and application of the recovery concept will need to be cautiously applied to populations traditionally underserved by the mental health care system, including seniors, visible minorities, children and youth, recent immigrants, and refugees. Research exploring the meaning and process of recovery across diverse groups and at different levels of service delivery is needed. Occupational therapists must continue to critically examine the concept of recovery to position our field thoughtfully and inclusively within mental health care reform.
The relation between delivery type and cord blood levels of chitotriosidase and Troponin T
Authors: Tunc Turan , Demirkaya Erkan , Kul Mustafa , Yaman Halil , Karadeniz Sinan , Gungor Tayfun , Alpay Faruk , Kurt Ismail
Published: February 2010

The operative deliveries can expose the fetus to acute and systemic hypoxia along with an increase in perinatal morbidity. The aim of this study was to reveal any relationship between delivery type and Chitotriosidase and Troponin T levels in cord blood. Ninety babies born in Ankara Etlik Maternity and Women’s Health Teaching Hospital were involved in the study. The babies were divided into three groups; Group 1: Normal vaginal; Group 2: Caesarean section; Group 3: Forceps application. Cord blood samples were drawn from umbilical arteries of the babies soon after the birth. Chitotriosidase enzyme activities in group 3 (141 nmol/ml/h (0–246)) were found higher than groups 1 (100 nmol/ml/h (0–208)) and 2 (91 nmol/ml/h (0–202)) (p<0.01 and p<0.03 respectively). Although cardiac Troponin T levels were higher in group 3, the difference among groups was not statistically significant (p=0.79). Acute or systemic hypoxic exposure of the organism gives rise to a microvascular response characterized by interactions between leukocytes and endothelium. We are hypothesizing that the high levels of chitotriosidase found in the forceps group were due to hypoxia, and that chitotriosidase level can be used as a marker of acute and systemic hypoxia.
Acute effect of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation method on vertical jump performance
Authors: Nogueira Carlos , dos Santos Galdino Leonardo , de Souza Vale Rodrigo , de Mello Danielli , Dantas Estélio
Published: February 2010

Acute effect of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation method on vertical jump performance

Study aim: To assess the acute effect of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation method (PNF) on the explosive strength of lower extremities of male soldiers.

Material and methods: A group of 26 male soldiers performed two exercise sessions on different days, in a random order: without stretching (control exercise) or by applying PNF (experimental exercise). Before and after the PNF (0, 10, 20, 40 and 60 min), 3 vertical counter-movement jumps on a tensometric platform were executed.

Results: CMJ results in the experimental sessions were significantly (p<0.001) decreased after the PNF exertion in relation to the initial (pre-session) value. No significant post-session decreases were found in the control exercise. However, the differences between the experimental and control results were significant (p<0.05) only immediately after the PNF exertion and 10 min later.

Conclusion: The PNF method negatively affects the vertical jump performance and, thus, ought not to be used as part of warm-ups.
The Changing Disease-Scape in the Third Epidemiological Transition
Authors: Harper Kristin , Armelagos George
Published: February 2010

The epidemiological transition model describes the changing relationship between humans and their diseases. The first transition occurred with the shift to agriculture about 10,000 YBP, resulting in a pattern of infectious and nutritional diseases still evident today. In the last two centuries, some populations have undergone a second transition, characterized by a decline in infectious disease and rise in degenerative disease. We are now in the throes of a third epidemiological transition, in which a resurgence of familiar infections is accompanied by an array of novel diseases, all of which have the potential to spread rapidly due to globalization.
Covalent Anchoring of Chloroperoxidase and Glucose Oxidase on the Mesoporous Molecular Sieve SBA-15
Authors: Jung Dirk , Streb Carsten , Hartmann Martin
Published: February 2010

Functionalization of porous solids plays an important role in many areas, including heterogeneous catalysis and enzyme immobilization. In this study, large-pore ordered mesoporous SBA-15 molecular sieves were synthesized with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of the non-ionic triblock co-polymer Pluronic P123 under acidic conditions. These materials were grafted with 3 aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (ATS), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GTS) and with 3 aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde (GA-ATS) in order to provide covalent anchoring points for enzymes. The samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, powder X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, diffuse reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance UV/Vis spectroscopy. The obtained grafted materials were then used for the immobilization of chloroperoxidase (CPO) and glucose oxidase (GOx) and the resulting biocatalysts were tested in the oxidation of indole. It is found that enzymes anchored to the mesoporous host by the organic moieties can be stored for weeks without losing their activity. Furthermore, the covalently linked enzymes are shown to be less prone to leaching than the physically adsorbed enzymes, as tested in a fixed-bed reactor under continuous operation conditions.
Regulatory Components for Treating Persistent Pain in Long-term Care
Authors: Planton Jonathan , Edlund Barbara J.
Published: February 2010

Persistent or chronic pain is frequently reported by older adults and has the potential to dramatically influence quality of life. Estimates indicate that 25% to 50% of community-dwelling older adults experience this kind of pain. This rate is even higher in long-term care facilities, where 50% to 75% of residents have chronic pain syndromes that are untreated or undertreated. To promote optimal pain management and enumerate the responsibilities of skilled nursing facilities to effectively treat and prevent pain, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a new pain management surveyor guidance, F-Tag 309, which endorses the presence of an interdisciplinary team approach to pain management that involves the resident. The guidance delineates pain management principles, the need for ongoing professional education in all components of pain management, and emphasizes the important role of appropriate pharmacological treatment in conjunction with nonpharmacological interventions to aggressively manage pain. This directive will help skilled nursing facilities achieve optimal pain management for their residents.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Zeolite from Coal Class F Fly Ash. Influence of Temperature
Authors: Goñi S. , Peña R. , Guerrero A.
Published: February 2010

The influence of temperature of alkaline hydrothermal treatment on the conversion in zeolite of Spanish coal low calcium-fly ash (ASTM class F) is presented in this work. Zeolite Na-P1 gismondine type (Na6Al6Si10O32.12H2O) was formed at the temperature of 100ºC, which transformed in zeolite; analcime-C type (Na(Si2Al)O6H2O) and sodalite (1.08 Na2O.Al2O3.1.68SiO2.1.8H2O) at 200ºC together with traces of tobermorite-11Å (Ca5(OH)2Si6O16.4H2O). At this temperature the 100% of the fly ash reaction was allowed. An equivalent study was carried out in water as reference. The zeolite conversion of the fly ash was characterized by X ray diffraction (XRD), FT infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface area (BET-N2) and thermal analyses.
COMPARATIVE KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE RANGE OF MOVEMENT OF A NORMAL HUMAN KNEE JOINT, STANDARD ARTIFICIAL KNEE AND NOVEL ARTIFICIAL HIGH FLEXION KNEE
Authors: Rajkumar Sam Prasanna , Sivarasu Sudesh , Mathew Lazar
Published: February 2010

Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) using standard artificial knee implant has a limitation in restriction in the range of motion and freedom of movements'. This study was worked out to compare the kinematics of a reconstructed 3D knee with standard and high flexion artificial knee designs. A CT bone model reconstructed with MIMICS for a 3D normal knee joint and the simulation was done for normal knee, standard version of artificial knee as well as the high flexion knee designs. The results of the analyses, provides us an insight that high flexion designs were most suited and gives increased range of motion and also provides an additional degree of freedom so that it almost mimics the normal knee movement.

The high flexion design when tested under simulated environment provided a better functionality and increased movements. It was concluded that the normal knee has 6 degrees of freedom (DOF); the standard version has 1 rotation and 1 translation. The high flexion design provides 2 rotations and 1 translation.
Functionalized Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes for Lipase Immobilization
Authors: Pavlidis I. V. , Tsoufis T. , Enotiadis A. , Gournis D. , Stamatis H.
Published: February 2010

We examine the immobilization of lipase B from Candida antarctica on functionalized multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through physical adsorption. MWCNTs functionalized with carboxyl‐, amine‐ and ester‐ terminal groups on their surface are used as immobilization carriers. Dispersion of the nanotubes and the immobilization procedure take place in aqueous and low‐water media. High enzyme loadings are attained, up to 25% of the weight of the carbon nanotubes. These novel biomaterials are characterized though FT‐IR and Raman spectroscopy. The MWCNT–lipase bioconjugates exhibit high catalytic activity and increased storage and operational stability. The biomaterials retain more than 55% of their initial activity after 6 months at 4 °C, while they retain approximately 25% of their initial activity after 30 d of incubation in hexane at 60 °C. The catalytic behaviour of the immobilized enzyme depends on the terminal group of the carbon nanotubes, the concentration of the enzyme and the immobilization method employed.
Vertically Aligned Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Chemical Assembly – Methodology, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Diao Peng , Liu Zhongfan
Published: February 2010

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), as one of the most promising one‐dimension nanomaterials due to its unique structure, peculiar chemical, mechanical, thermal, and electronic properties, have long been considered as an important building block to construct ordered alignments. Vertically aligned SWNTs (v‐SWNTs) have been successfully prepared by using direct growth and chemical assembly strategies. In this review, we focus explicitly on the v‐SWNTs fabricated via chemical assembly strategy. We provide the readers with a full and systematic summary covering the advances in all aspects of this area, including various approaches for the preparation of v‐SWNTs using chemical assembly techniques, characterization, assembly kinetics, and electrochemical properties of v‐SWNTs. We also review the applications of v‐SWNTs in electrochemical and bioelectrochemical sensors, photoelectric conversion, and scanning probe microscopy.
Photocontrol of Protein Activity in Cultured Cells and Zebrafish with One‐ and Two‐Photon Illumination
Authors: Sinha Deepak Kumar , Neveu Pierre , Gagey Nathalie , Aujard Isabelle , Benbrahim‐Bouzidi Chouaha , Le Saux Thomas , Rampon Christine , Gauron Carole , Goetz Bernard , Dubruille Sylvie , Baaden Marc , Volovitch Michel , Bensimon David , Vriz Sophie , Jullien Ludovic
Published: February 2010

We have implemented a noninvasive optical method for the fast control of protein activity in a live zebrafish embryo. It relies on releasing a protein fused to a modified estrogen receptor ligand binding domain from its complex with cytoplasmic chaperones, upon the local photoactivation of a nonendogenous caged inducer. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to design cyclofen‐OH, a photochemically stable inducer of the receptor specific for 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (ERT2). Cyclofen‐OH was easily synthesized in two steps with good yields. At submicromolar concentrations, it activates proteins fused to the ERT2 receptor. This was shown in cultured cells and in zebrafish embryos through emission properties and subcellular localization of properly engineered fluorescent proteins. Cyclofen‐OH was successfully caged with various photolabile protecting groups. One particular caged compound was efficient in photoinducing the nuclear translocation of fluorescent proteins either globally (with 365 nm UV illumination) or locally (with a focused UV laser or with two‐photon illumination at 750 nm). The present method for photocontrol of protein activity could be used more generally to investigate important physiological processes (e.g., in embryogenesis, organ regeneration and carcinogenesis) with high spatiotemporal resolution.
Guidance on Safety/Health for Process Intensification Including MS Design. Part III: Risk Analysis
Authors: Klais O. , Westphal F. , Benaissa W. , Carson D. , Albrecht J.
Published: February 2010

The new technology of process intensification by multiscale equipment can significantly contribute to achieve a safer design by going from batch/semi‐batch to continuous operation combined with a reduction of inventory of hazardous substances in critical stages. On the other hand, the shift to higher space‐time‐yields comprises new risks such as runaway reactions with hot spot formation, described in Part I, and handling an explosive atmosphere in the presence of potential permanent ignition sources, described in Part II. A tool was developed for preliminary risk assessments, called HAZOP‐LIKE study, to cover the characteristic features of micro‐designed equipment that are relatively unimportant when handling conventional equipment. Two generic cases concerning liquid/liquid and gas/gas reactions were studied to demonstrate the method.
Preferential Activation of Primary CH Bonds in the Reactions of Small Alkanes with the Diatomic MgO+. Cation
Authors: Schröder Detlef , Roithová Jana , Alikhani Esmail , Kwapien Karolina , Sauer Joachim
Published: February 2010

The CH bond activation of small alkanes by the gaseous MgO+. cation is probed by mass spectrometric means. In addition to H‐atom abstraction from methane, the MgO+. cation reacts with ethane, propane, n‐ and iso‐butane through several pathways, which can all be assigned to the occurrence of initial CH bond activations. Specifically, the formal CC bond cleavages observed are assigned to CH bond activation as the first step, followed by cleavage of a β‐CC bond concomitant with release of the corresponding alkyl radical. Kinetic modeling of the observed product distributions reveals a high preference of MgO+. for the attack of primary CH bonds. This feature represents a notable distinction of the main‐group metal oxide MgO+. from various transition‐metal oxide cations, which show a clear preference for the attack of secondary CH bonds. The results of complementary theoretical calculations indicate that the CH bond activation of larger alkanes by the MgO+. cation is subject to pronounced kinetic control.
Preparation of “Si‐Centered” Chiral Silanes by Direct α‐Lithiation of Methylsilanes
Authors: Däschlein Christian , Gessner Viktoria H. , Strohmann Carsten
Published: February 2010

The direct α‐lithiation of methyl‐substituted silanes as an efficient method for the preparation and elaboration of Si‐chiral compounds is reported. Deprotonation of chiral oligosilanes occurs selectively and with high yields at the methyl group of the stereogenic silicon center, even in the presence of multiple methylsilyl or methylgermyl substituents. Computational studies have confirmed this preference as a consequence of pre‐coordination of the lithiating agent by the amino side‐arm and repulsion effects in the corresponding transition state. This complexation is also obvious from X‐ray structure analyses of the α‐lithiated silanes, which exhibit intriguing structure formation patterns differing in the type of aggregation and the amount of alkyllithium used. An alternative route to Si‐chiral compounds is also presented, which involves desymmetrization of dimethylsilanes mediated by a chiral side‐arm. Structure analyses and computational studies have shown that the diastereoselectivity of this α‐lithiation is influenced by the selectivity of the formation of the stereogenic nitrogen upon complexation of the alkyllithium.
Anxiety disorders in advanced cancer patients
Authors: Spencer Ryan , Nilsson Matthew , Wright Alexi , Pirl William , Prigerson Holly
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

The authors explored associations between anxiety disorders and advanced cancer patients' physical performance status, physician‐patient relationships, end‐of‐life (EOL) treatment preferences and outcomes, and quality of death.

METHODS:

The Coping with Cancer study was a National Cancer Institute/National Institute of Mental Health‐sponsored, prospective, longitudinal, multicenter cohort study of patients with advanced cancer. Six hundred thirty‐five patients completed the anxiety disorders module of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV. The results were compared with patients' baseline physical performance status, treatment preferences, perceptions of the physician‐patient relationship, and advance care planning (ACP).

RESULTS:

Approximately 7.6% of patients met criteria for an anxiety disorder. Patients who were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder were more likely to be women and younger and to have a worse physical performance status. Although there were no significant differences in patients' EOL treatment preferences or care, ACP, hospice enrollment, or patients' location of death, there were significant differences in how patients with anxiety disorders perceived the physician‐patient relationship. Patients with anxiety disorders had less trust in their physicians, felt less comfortable asking questions about their health, and felt less likely to understand the clinical information that their physicians presented. They also were more likely to believe that their physicians would offer them futile therapies and would not adequately control their symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Women, patients who were more physically impaired, and younger patients with advanced cancer were more likely to meet criteria for an anxiety disorder. Patients with advanced cancer who had an anxiety disorder were more likely to experience greater challenges to the physician‐patient relationship. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Color constancy using achromatic surface
Authors: Li Bing , Xu De , Xiong Weihua , Feng Songhe
Published: February 2010

Although a number of elaborate color constancy algorithms have been proposed, methods such as Grey World and Max‐RGB are still widely used because of their low computational costs. The Grey World algorithm is based on the grey world assumption: the average reflectance in a scene is achromatic. But this assumption cannot be always satisfied well. Borrowing on some of the strengths and simplicity of the Grey World algorithm, W. Xiong et al. proposed an advanced illumination estimation method, named Grey Surface Identification (GSI), which identifies those grey surfaces no matter what the light color is and averages them in RGB space. However, this method is camera‐dependent, so it cannot be applied on the images from unknown imaging device. Motivated by the paradigm of the GSI, we present a novel iteration method to identify achromatic surface for illumination estimation. Furthermore, the local Grey Edge method is introduced to optimize the initial condition of the iteration so as to improve the accuracy of the proposed algorithm. The experiment results on different image datasets show that our algorithm is effective and outperforms some current state‐of‐the‐art color constancy algorithms. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2010
Single amino acid resolution of proteolytic fragments generated in individual cells
Authors: Brown Robert B. , Hewel Johannes A. , Emili Andrew , Audet Julie
Published: February 2010

The complex nature of enzyme regulation mandates that enzyme activity profiles be measured in the context of the intact cell. Single‐cell capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with laser‐induced fluorescence is a powerful approach for quantitation and separation of analytes present in small samples and single live cells; however, it does not allow for the definitive identification of the reaction products. On the other hand, mass spectrometry (MS) is able to identify analytes but still lacks the requisite sensitivity for most single‐cell analysis applications. Thus, it follows that by determining the relative amounts of reaction products generated in single cells using CE and by producing larger quantities of these products using bulk cell populations to identify them using MS, it is possible to determine enzyme activity profiles in single cells. In this study, the applicability of this approach was demonstrated by examining the intracellular fate of a protease substrate derived from the β‐amyloid precursor protein (β‐APP). In single live TF‐1 cells, three distinct fragments were generated from the β‐APP peptide, which differed by a single uncharged amino acid. The CE measurements indicated that the proteolytic fragment profiles (i.e., the relative amounts of each fragment) were consistent from cell to cell but that they were different from those obtained in cell lysates. Furthermore, measurements obtained at the single cell level made it possible to observe a modest but statistically significant negative correlation between the total amount of β‐APP peptide loaded in cells and the fraction of peptide that remained intact. This study demonstrates how single‐cell CE, MS, and peptide substrates can be combined to identify and measure enzyme activities in single live cells. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Epithelioid cell granulomas in urine cytology smears: Same cause, different implications
Authors: Arora Sandeep Kumar , Gupta Nalini , Nijhawan Raje , Mandal A. K.
Published: February 2010

Tuberculosis of the urinary tract is usually secondary to tuberculosis of the kidney. Multinucleated giant cell histiocytes, often with peripheral nuclei (Langhans' cells), may be identified. Acid‐fast bacilli on smear or positive urine cultures confirm the diagnosis. Similar findings can also be seen in patients treated with Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) for transitional cell carcinoma or after bladder surgery. Here, we present two cases showing epithelioid cell granulomas and multinucleated giant cells on urine cytology, and discuss the differentiating features on cytomorphology and their therapeutic implications. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:765–767. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ancillary testing in liquid based cytology to distinguish cervical glandular neoplasia from tuboendometrial metaplasia in a young woman
Authors: Narine Nadira , Rana Durgesh N. , McVey Rhona J. , Fitzmaurice Richard
Published: February 2010

A 33‐year old woman had a cervical sample taken at colposcopy clinic. Seven years prior to this, at the age of 26, she had had a cytological diagnosis of cervical glandular neoplasia (cytology descriptor indicated cells suspicious of endocervical neoplasia) and severe dyskaryosis. Confirmation and treatment were by LLETZ and knife cone, and, in keeping with England and Wales National Health Service guidelines, this woman was under follow‐up by the colposcopy clinic. Intervening cytological follow‐up included a number of negative cytological samples interspaced with one equivocal report. A recent repeat cytology which was rather cellular contained several hyperchromatic crowded cell groups (HCCG's). Careful examination revealed benign endometrial clusters, LUS, TEM and endocervical cells in strips showing pseudostratification and loss of polarity. Following an agar block, there was positive staining for p16 and Ki‐67 in the abnormal groups whilst the benign TEM cells stained positive for bcl‐2. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:828–832. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The association between depression and health‐related quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review
Authors: Ali Saima , Stone Margaret , Skinner Timothy Chas , Robertson Noelle , Davies Melanie , Khunti Kamlesh
Published: February 2010

The relationships between co‐morbid depression in people with diabetes and adverse outcomes including poor HbA1ccontrol, adherence to medication and mortality have been examined and confirmed. However, as the awareness of the decrement to health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with diabetes and its clinical consequences grows, investigators have become increasingly interested in measuring HRQOL in clinical trials. Given that the psychological factors such as depression may contribute to diminished HRQOL, the present review sought to summarize the association between these variables in people with type 2 diabetes. Articles for a systematic review were obtainedviaa search performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO (1980–2007).

Fourteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Studies indicated that self‐reported depressive symptoms markedly impaired HRQOL on several domains. However, depression was not related to all sub‐domains of HRQOL in all studies, suggesting that the effects of depression on certain aspects of HRQOL may vary between clinical and demographic subgroups. Although a number of shortcomings identified in the current literature should be taken into account for future research, the importance of this review lies in the possibility it raises that the improvements in HRQOL and clinical practice may potentially be achieved by placing greater attention on the identification and management of depression. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
[60]Fullerene–Metal Cluster Complexes: Understanding Novel η1 and η2[6:5] Bonding Modes of Metallofullerenes
Authors: Han Young‐Kyu , Kim Kyoung Hoon , Kim Jong Chan , Park Bo Keun , Park Joon T.
Published: February 2010

We performed extensive density functional calculations on various metallofullerene complexes and their polyanions to gain insight into novel η1 and η2[6:5] metal (M)–C60 bonding modes. For LnMC60 (L = ligand), the η1 mode is calculated to be the most stable, followed by η2[6:5] and η2[6:6] for –3 anions, in contrast to η2[6:6] >> η2[6:5] ≈ η1 for neutral cases. This observation is responsible for the transformation from η2[6:6] to η1 for LnM3C60, such as [Os3(CO)9C60], upon successive electron reductions. Our energy partitioning analysis (EPA) indicates that the π‐type character of η2[6:6] is much larger than that of η2[6:5]. An electron addition decreases the π‐type interaction of both the η2[6:6] and η2[6:5] modes by about 35 %, whereas it has little effect on σ‐type interactions. Because of the large proportion of π‐character in η2[6:6] coordination, the stability of η2[6:6] coordination decreases steeply as electron reductions continue. On the basis of the EPA results, we could explain why the reaction of [Os3(CO)8(CNR)(μ3‐η2[6:6],η2[6:6],η2[6:6]‐C60)] (R = CH2Ph) with CNR (4e donor) produces [Os3(CO)8(CNR)(μ3‐CNR)(μ3‐η1,η2[6:5],η1‐C60)]. The η1 and η2[6:5] bonding modes of M–C60 are crucial to fully understand the bonding nature of M–C60 bonds in exohedral metallofullerene complexes.
Simulating climate change-induced alterations in bioaccumulation of organic contaminants in an Arctic marine food web
Authors: Borgå Katrine , Saloranta Tuomo M. , Ruus Anders
Published: February 2010

Climate change is expected to alter environmental distribution of contaminants and their bioaccumulation due to changes in transport, partitioning, carbon pathways, and bioaccumulation process rates. Magnitude and direction of these changes and resulting overall bioaccumulation in food webs is currently not known. The present study investigates and quantifies the effect of climate change in terms of increased temperature and primary production (i.e., concentrations of particulate organic carbon, CPOC), on bioaccumulation of organic contaminants in biota at various trophic levels. The present study covers only parts of the contaminant behavior that is influenced by climate change, and it was assumed that there were no changes in food web structure and in total air and water concentrations of organic contaminants. Therefore, other climate change-induced effects on net bioaccumulation, such as altered contaminant transport and food web structure, should be addressed in future studies. To determine the effect of climate change, a bioaccumulation model was used on the pelagic marine food web of the Arctic, where climate change is expected to occur fastest and to the largest magnitude. The effect of climate change on model parameters and processes, and on net bioaccumulation, were quantified for three modeling substances (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane [HCH], polychlorinated biphenyl [PCB]-52, and PCB-153) for two possible climate scenarios. In conclusion, increased temperature and CPOC reduced the overall bioaccumulation of organic contaminants in the Arctic marine food web, with the largest change being for PCB-52 and PCB-153. Reduced bioavailability, due to increased CPOC, was the most influential parameter for the less water soluble compounds. Increase in temperature resulted in an overall reduction in net bioaccumulation. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1349–1357. © 2010 SETAC
Comparison of pharyngocutaneous fistula between patients followed by primary laryngopharyngectomy and salvage laryngopharyngectomy for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Tsou Yung‐An , Hua Chun‐Hung , Lin Meng‐Hung , Tseng Hsien‐Chang , Tsai Ming‐Hsui , Shaha Ashok
Published: February 2010

Background

We analyzed the incidence rate, possible etiology, and management of pharyngocutaneous fistula after laryngopharyngectomy between hypopharyngeal cancer patients who received surgery first and subsequently concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) and those who received CCRT first followed by surgical salvage.

Methods

This is a case cohort, retrospective study collected in a tertiary medical center from January 1996 to July 2007.

Results

From the total of 160 patients, 52 patients (32.5%) developed pharyngocutaneous fistula. There is a significant difference between the pharyngocutaneous fistula rate of those with initial CCRT and the initial surgery groups. By univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression, tests revealed that preoperative radiation and hypo‐albuminemia are risk factors for pharyngocutaneous fistula. A prolonged hospital course was noted among patients in the fistula group, especially when they received surgical repair, had hypo‐albuminemia (albumin, <2.5 g/dL), or received preoperative radiation therapy (pre‐OPRT).

Conclusions

Preoperative radiation therapy and hypo‐albuminemia increase the fistula rate significantly. A prolonged hospital course was noted among all fistula patients. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
Application of post‐surgical stimulated thyroglobulin for radioiodine remnant ablation selection in low‐risk papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Vaisman Alon , Orlov Steven , Yip Jonathan , Hu Cindy , Lim Terence , Dowar Mark , Freeman Jeremy L. , Walfish Paul G.
Published: February 2010

Background

We present our ongoing experience in the use of postsurgical stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Stim‐Tg) to assist in radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) decision‐making.

Methods

Patients with low‐risk well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) with undetectable anti‐Tg antibodies were prospectively followed after total thyroidectomy and therapeutic central compartment neck dissection, when indicated.Stim‐Tg was performed 3 months postoperatively and used to base RRA selection.

Results

Of 104 patients, 59 patients (56.7%) had an undetectable Stim‐Tg after thyroidectomy, 35 (33.7%) had Stim‐Tg values of 1–5 μg/L, and 10 (9.6%) had Stim‐Tg values >5 μg/L. RRA was administered to 1 patient (1.7%) with undetectable Stim‐Tg, 6 patients (17.1%) with Stim‐Tg1–5 μg/L, and 9 patients (90%) with Stim‐Tg >5 μg/L, for a total of 16 patients (15.4%) receiving RRA. When compared to current RRA selection guidelines, the proposed protocol achieved a significantly lower RRA administration rate.

Conclusion

Stim‐Tg measurement performed several months after total thyroidectomy is a useful objective parameter in assisting RRA decision‐making for patients with low‐risk WDTC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
Bone gla protein (osteocalcin) assay standardization report
Authors: Delmas P. D. , Christiansen C. , Mann K. G. , Price P. A.
Published: February 2010

The major conclusion of this study is that the different laboratory assays for serum BGP give a reasonably consistent picture of bone metabolism in the metabolic bone diseases examined only if the results are expressed as a percentage of serum BGP levels in normal individuals. This requires that all laboratories establish a mean control serum BGP value in an appropriate population of normal individuals. Since BGP levels determined by different laboratories on the same serum sample can vary by more than fourfold, the absolute serum BGP levels determined in one laboratory cannot be compared directly with the serum BGP levels determined in another. Although we cannot comment on the efficacy of different laboratory assays for serum BGP as measures of bone metabolism in disease states that were not examined, such as osteoporosis, it is clear that the large differences between laboratory assays make it imperative that all interlaboratory comparisons be based on values expressed as a percentage of serum BGP in an appropriate population of normal individuals
Alteration of Vitamin D metabolism in mexican-Americans
Authors: Reasner Charles A. , Dunn James F. , Fetchick Diane A. , Mundy Gregory R. , Liel Yair , Hollis Bruce W. , Shary Judith , Bell Norman H. , Epstein Sol
Published: February 2010

Studies were performed to investigate vitamin D metabolism in Mexican-Americans. Groups of 15 whites and 16 Mexican-Americans ranging in age from 18 to 41 years were evaluated. All of them were within 25% of their ideal body weight. Each of them was admitted to the Clinical Research Center of the University of Texas Health Science Center and placed on a daily diet estimated to contain 400 mg calcium and 900 mg phosphate. It was found that whereas serum vitamin D (1.8 ± 0.5 versus 7.6 ± 1.3 ng/ml, P < 0.001) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (9 ± 1 versus 17 ± 2 ng/ml, P < 0.01) were significantly lower and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (37 ± 2 versus 28 ± 2 pg/ml, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in the Mexican-Americans than in the whites, serum calcium (9.1 ± 0.1 versus 9.2 ± 0.1 mg/dl), magnesium (1.84 ± 0.07 versus 1.80 ± 0.07 mEq/liter), and Gla protein (19 ± 3 versus 21 ± 2 ng/ml) were not different in the two groups. Urinary calcium (144 ± 14 versus 124 ± 16 mg/day), phosphate (672 ± 51 versus 683 ± 44 mg/ day), sodium (110 Ω 8 versus 99 ± 9 mEq/day), potassium (43 ± 4 versus 49 ± 3 mEq/day), and magnesium (7.3 ± 0.7 versus 7.7 ± 0.5 mEq/day) and creatinine clearance (173 ± 14 versus 154 ± 7 liters/day) were not different in the two groups. Serum immunoreactive PTH (390 ± 25 versus 299 ± 21 pg/ml, P < 0.02) was significantly higher in the Mexican-Americans than in the whites and urinary cyclic AMP (2.64 Ω 0.27 versus 2.59 ± 0.39 nM/dl GF) was not different in the two groups. The results indicate that Mexican-Americans are depleted of vitamin D and, as a result, have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and compensatory increases in serum immunoreactive PTH and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. The depletion of vitamin D in Mexican-Americans is attributed to increased skin pigment
Concentration of Bone elements in osteoporosis
Authors: Baslé M. F. , Rebel A. , Mauras Y. , Allain P. , Audran M. , Clochon P.
Published: February 2010

In aging and in osteoporosis, decreased bone density is associated with decreased bone mass. However, changes in the bone mineral phase remain a matter for investigation. In particular, it is unknown whether bone mineral loss is directly related to reduction in bone mass or associated with changes in the concentration of mineral elements in mineralized bone tissue. In this study, the cortical bone concentration of elements was determined in biopsies of the ilium from 33 subjects (12 controls and 21 individuals with untreated severe osteoporosis). Calcium and phosphorus concentrations were evaluated in cortical and trabecular bone using energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) microanalysis and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES). Bone concentrations of Na, K, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Sr, Al, B, and Si were also determined in cortical bone using ICPOES. Additionally, the concentration of F in cortical bone was measured with a specific ion electrode and the concentration of Pb was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. In mineralized bone tissue there was no significant age-dependent variation in the concentration of Ca, P, or other elements either in controls or in osteoporotic subjects. Moreover, the concentration of elements in bone tissue did not differ in the two groups. These results suggest that the decrease in bone density in osteoporosis is directly related to evolution of the bone mass, without detectable changes in the concentration of elements in bone
Production of both interleukin-lα and ß by newborn mouse calvarial cultures
Authors: Lorenzo Joseph A. , Sousa Sandra L. , Van Brink-Webb Suzanne E. Den , Korn Joseph H.
Published: February 2010

The conditioned medium (CM) from 4–6 day newborn mouse calvarial cultures was found to contain thymocyte comitogen proliferation activity. This activity was blocked by an antiserum to murine interleukin-1α (IL-1α) but not by an antiserum to murine interleukin-1ß. The release of thymocyte comitogen proliferation activity from the cultures did not appear dependent on endotoxin and was not associated with detectable interleukin-2 activity in the CM. Activity in the CM eluted from a gel filtration column with a peak Mr of 16–18 kD (the Mr of mature murine IL-1α and ß is 17 kD). Western immunoblots of 100-fold concentrated CM demonstrated only a single 33 kD band with an antiserum to murine IL-1ß and no bands with an antiserum to murine IL-1α. However, this assay was relatively insensitive (limit of detection 1–10 ng compared with 1–10 pg for the thymocyte comitogen proliferation assay). Immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled CM with three different anti-IL-1α antisera, a more sensitive assay, demonstrated 15–17 kD bands in all cases.

These results demonstrate that 4–6 day newborn mouse calvarial cultures spontaneously release 17 kD IL-1α and 33 kD IL-1ß into their conditioned medium. It appears that although 17 kD IL-1α is the major bioactive form in the CM, 33 kD IL-1ß is present in greater amounts. These results also suggest that local production of IL-1 can regulate bone cell function and may play a role in bone growth and remodeling
Long-term organ culture of embryonic chick femora: A system for investigating bone and cartilage formation at an intermediate level of organization
Authors: Roach Helmtrud I.
Published: February 2010

Bone organ culture is an experimental system in which skeletal cells remain within their extracellular matrix but are removed from systemic influences. Femurs from 14-day-old chick embryos, which contain bone and cartilage matrix in approximately equal proportions, were cultured for up to 9 days in a serum-free medium. Cell proliferation, differentiation into chondrocytes and osteoblasts, formation of bone and cartilage matrix, and in vitro mineralization as well as bone and cartilage resorption were assessed using histologic and analytic methods. Particular attention was paid to the differences between cartilage and bone growth and to interpreting analytic data in the light of histologic observations.

The first 2 days of culture represented an “adaptation” period, characterized by the release of intracellular enzymes into the culture medium, probably as a consequence of cell breakdown. Days 3–9 in culture represented a period of “steady growth” during which skeletal cells continued to multiply in the absence of fetal serum and to secrete large amounts of bone and cartilage matrix. De novo mineralization could be induced by Ca-ß-glycerophosphate, but calcium deposits in tissues other than bone and cartilage were also induced. Resorption of bone or cartilage matrix was virtually absent.

Bone organ culture facilitates the study of bone and cartilage formation at an intermediate level of organization and thereby provides the necessary link between in vivo studies and investigations at the cellular level