bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nelfinavir inhibits proliferation and induces DNA damage in thyroid cancer cells
Authors: Jensen Kirk , Bikas Athanasios , Patel Aneeta , Kushchayeva Yevgeniya , Costello John , McDaniel Dennis , Burman Kenneth , Vasko Vasyl
Published: January 2017

The HIV protease inhibitor Nelfinavir (NFV) inhibits PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, emerging targets in thyroid cancers. We examined the effects of NFV on cancer cells that derived from follicular (FTC), papillary (PTC) and anaplastic (ATC) thyroid cancers. NFV (1–20 µM) was tested in FTC133, BCPAP and SW1736 cell lines. The effects of NFV on cell proliferation were determinedin vitrousing real-time microscopy and by flow cytometry. DNA damage, apoptotic cell death and expression of molecular markers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) were determined by Western blot and real-time PCR. Real-time imaging demonstrated that NFV (10 µM) increased the time required for the cell passage through the phases of cell cycle and induced DNA fragmentation. Growth inhibitory effects of NFV were associated with the accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase, downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). NFV also induced the expression of γH2AX and p53BP1 indicating DNA damage. Treatment with NFV (20 µM) resulted in caspase-3 cleavage in all examined cells. NFV (20 µM) decreased the levels of total and p-AKT in PTEN-deficient FTC133 cells. NFV had no significant effects on total ERK and p-ERK in BRAF-positive BCPAP and SW1736 cells. NFV had no effects on the expression of EMT markers (Twist, Vimentin, E- and N-Cadherin), but inhibited the migration and decreased the abilities of thyroid cancer cells to survive in non-adherent conditions. We conclude that NFV inhibits proliferation and induces DNA damage in thyroid cancer cell lines. Ourin vitrodata suggest that NFV has a potential to become a new thyroid cancer therapeutic agent.
Activities That May Influence the Risk of Crocodile (Crocodylus Acutus: Reptilia: Crocodilidae) Attack to Humans in the Tempisque River Area, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Authors: Sandoval-Hernández Iván , Duran-Apuy Alejandro , Quirós-Valerio Jacqueline
Published: January 2017

One of the largest populations of crocodiles in Costa Rica is located at the Tempisque River. The species is threatened by habitat loss and poaching; but its populations have grown due to the protection given by law. The research was conducted in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. We made a characterization of popular knowledge, activities and perceptions of 374 residents of the study area. It was found that 55% believe that the crocodiles are abundant, 70% believe that populations have increased. The most dangerous activities done are recreation, swimming and fishing. There are significant differences between the proportions of response (X2: 71, n = 10, p <0.0001 X2). These activities are done daily (25%), weekly (30%), monthly (18%) and annually (10%). The risk of attack and the crocodile’s density in the river are not recognized. Also, a lack of knowledge about the natural history and ecology of the species is shown. The reasons for attacks are: the aggressiveness of the animals and their density. There are differences in the responses on the reasons of the attacks (X2: 35, n 8 p <0.0001). Generally, the crocodile perception is unfavorable.
Modificación del índice de calidad de riberas: Inclusión del componente social en la evaluación de la calidad ribereña de la microcuenca del río Burío-Quebrada Seca
Authors: Araya-Yannarella Fabián , Fernández-Hernández Allan
Published: January 2017

Esta investigación se basó en la comparación de los resultados obtenidos mediante la aplicación del índice de calidad de riberas-QBR (Munné et al., 2003) y el índice de calidad de riberas modificado-QBRm (Araya y Fernández, 2011) en seis zonas de la microcuenca del río Burío y su tributario Quebrada Seca, ubicada en las provincias de Heredia y Alajuela, Costa Rica. El objetivo fue analizar el estado de la vegetación ribereña mediante la modificación del índice original (QBR) con la inclusión del componente social. Los resultados obtenidos de la aplicación del índice QBR fueron de 95 puntos (“muy buena” calidad) en los puntos de muestreo 1 y 2 (zona alta), 40 y 45 puntos (“mala” calidad) en los puntos de muestreo 3 y 4 (zona media), respectivamente y 15 y 10 puntos (“muy mala” calidad) en los puntos de muestreo 5 y 6, respectivamente (zona baja). Los resultados obtenidos a partir de la aplicación del índice QBRm mantienen la misma tendencia y no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (IC 95% p: 0, 092). El índice QBRm puede ser utilizado para complementar el componente estrictamente biológico del índice QBR y así contribuir a la toma de decisiones relacionadas con el manejo integral de la microcuenca.
Capacidad de humectación de soluciones irrigantes del tratamiento de conductos radiculares. In vitro
Authors: Anglas Machacuay Abel , Pineda-Mejía Martha , Salcedo-Moncada Doris
Published: January 2017

Objetivo: Determinar y analizar la capacidad de humectancia de soluciones irrigantes usadas en el tratamiento de conductos radiculares sobre la superficie dentinaria de dientes de bovino. Materiales y método: Estudio experimental in vitro. Se preparó 60 bloques de acrílicoautocurado de 40 mm x 30 mm x 8 mm donde una superficie expone tejido dentinario de diente de bovino. Los irrigantes de prueba fueron: solución de hipoclorito de sodio al 5,25%, gluconato de clorhexidina al 0.12%, suero fisiologico y agua de cal. En la superficie de dentina se depositó una gota calibrada de las soluciones irrigantes, estas gotas sésiles en contacto con dentina mostraron muchas formas las cuales fueron foto-grafiadas para posteriormente superponerle el trazo de una tangente desde el punto de contacto y sobre el ecuador del arco establecido, el ángulo resultante fue medido con un transportador estableciendo el ángulo de contacto. Resultados: Gluconato de Clorhexidina al 0,12 %, establecía un ángulo de con-tacto promedio de 41.33º, seguidos por el agua de cal: 43.23º, hipoclorito de sodio al 5,25%: 61.17º y la solución salina al 9/1000 con 61.43º. Conclusiones: Se concluye que la clorhexidina y el agua de cal son los líquidos con mayor capacidad de humectancia sobre dentina de diente de bobino. Resultado no esperado pues por las características moleculares se creía que el hipoclorito de sodio tendría una mejor capacidad de humectancia.
Niveles de hemoglobina glicosilada en pacientes con periodontitis crónica
Authors: Velásquez Machuca Victor Eder , Alejandro Estrada Andrew , Espinoza Escajadillo Sofía , García Linares Sixto
Published: January 2017

Objetivo: Evaluar si existe relación entre el nivel de hemoglobina glicosilada y la presencia de periodon-titis crónica. Materiales y método: se evaluaron 77 pacientes, agrupados en función a si presentaban o no periodontitis crónica. Los datos fueron recolectados en una ficha donde se consideró edad, género, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y antecedentes de dislipidemias, se llenaron los periodontogramas para establecer al grupo de pertenencia de los pacientes, se les envió a laboratorio clínico para recabar y pro-cesar las pruebas de hemoglobina glicosilada. Todos firmaron el consentimiento informado. Resultado: se obtuvo un 5,58% de HbA1c para el grupo con periodontitis crónica (38 pacientes), y un 5,31% para el grupo sin periodontitis (39 pacientes), valores sin ajustar, se determinó una diferencia significativa (P=0,000), al realizar el estudio de las variables de riesgo, se obtuvo que no hay influencia estadística del género ni del IMC. Considerando estos factores la diferencia sigue siendo significativa (P=0,001). No se halló diferencia significativa (P=0,921) entre varones (5,58%) y mujeres (5,60%) con periodontitis crónica. Tampoco hubo diferencia significativa (P=0,230) entre varones (5,33%) y mujeres (5,29%) sin periodontitis crónica. Conclusiones: existe diferencia significativa en el porcentaje de hemoglobina glicosilada y la presencia de periodontitis crónica. No existe diferencia significativa en los pacientes en función al género, en los grupos con y sin periodontitis crónica. El análisis de factores de riesgo, mostró que los niveles elevados de Hemoglobina Glicosilada se deben a periodontitis crónica, edad del paciente y presencia de dislipidemias, más no del género y el IMC.
Kesalehan ‘Alawi dan Islam di Asia Tenggara
Authors: Zulkifli Zulkifli
Published: January 2017

Chiara Formichi and R. Michael Feener, eds. 2015. Shi‘ism in Southeast Asia: ‘Alid Piety and Sectarian Constructions. London: Hurst & Company.Sunni and Shi’i studies have thus far been conducted along existing sectarian lines. But this volume edited by Formichi and Feener is an attempt to depart from that long-lasting academic tradition. Assuming the continuous tradition of Hodgson’s ‘Alid loyalism, the book intends to develop the assessment and analysis of diverse elements of ‘Alid piety among Muslims in Southeast Asia. The use of ‘Alid piety as the conceptual framework is path-breaking work in the academic study of Southeast Asian Islam, because this concept transcends Sunni and Shi‘i sectarian identities. The book tries to trace the historical foundation of ‘Alid piety in Southeast Asia, its manifestation in literary legacies, its modalities and cultural expressions, and contemporary developments in the sectarian construction. However, it would have provided more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of elements of ‘Alid piety if certain aspects of popular Sufi and religious tradition, particularly the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, were included.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i3.3344
Ta’bīd al-waqf wa ta’qītuhu fī wilāyāt mukhtārah fī Malaysia
Authors: Rahman Muhamad Firdaus Ab. , Amanullah Muhammad
Published: January 2017

Muslim jurists differ in the declaration (ṣīghah) of waqf, specifically on whether an endowment can be temporary or it must be in perpetuity. In Malaysia most of the states impose waqf solely on perpetuity property based on the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence. The objective of this paper is to research whether temporary endowments have been enacted and applied in selected states in Malaysia, namely Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor. A qualitative methodology was used to analyze the data through inductive, deductive and comparative methods. The research shows that Johor is the only state of Malaysia that has allowed the application of temporary endowments, as stated in section 17 of the Rules of Waqf Johor 1983. It can be implied that fatwas which were issued by the Fatwa Committee regarding Endowments are required to be reassessed from time to time and not limited to the view of a single school of jurisprudence, especially in the field of waqf, without considering the best interests (maṣlaḥah) of contemporary society.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i3.3592
Exclusivism and Radicalism in Schools: State Policy and Educational Politics Revisited
Authors: Abdallah Abdallah
Published: January 2017

Religious Education is an important part of a nation’s political culture, and Indonesia is no exception. Since independence, Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president, insisted that the role of Islamic education was not only character-building but also nation-building. Islamic religious education is expected to have a stake in building the character of the nation and to participate in actualizing the promises of independence. The objective of Islamic education in Indonesia is not only to create a religious person, but also making a good citizen.The values ​​of piety assume that a person will be a good citizen: tolerant, democratic and respectful of others. However, practically, piety does not guarantee that a person is able to uphold such values ​​of citizenship. Today, religious radicalism which leads to violent behavior and labelling the other as unbeliever (takfīrīyah) is booming in the community. Ironically, the radical ideology infiltrates education sector. In Jombang, in March 2015, the Ansor Youth Movement (Gerakan Pemuda Ansor) associated with Nahdlatul Ulama found radical ideology on senior high school worksheets which called for killing people deemed idolatrous; the worksheet reads: “only Allah can and should be worshipped, and those who worship anything besides Allah have become idolatrous and should be killed.” As it turned out, this was not only in Jombang; the same materials can be found in Jakarta, Depok and Bandung.DOI: 10.15408/sdi.v23i3.4425
Tendencias, explicaciones y control policial frente a la violencia delictiva bajo el gobierno bolivariano
Authors: Gabaldón Luis Gerardo
Published: January 2017

Los delitos violentos en Venezuela, en particular los homicidios, vienen aumentando sostenidamente desde la década de 1990, aunque de manera exponencial a partir de 1998, coincidiendo con la instauración de un gobierno de izquierda. Las explicaciones académicas usuales en Venezuela enfatizan la desigualdad, la tensión, la privación, el mercado de las drogas e incluso la impunidad como actores asociados, pese a que el gobierno chavista redujo sustancialmente la desigualdad, especialmente desde 2005, cuando los homicidios continuaron su ascenso, y promovió  na reforma policial orientada a mejorar el desempeño técnico y a racionalizar el uso de la fuerza física. Esta aparente contradicción se discute en el contexto de una reforma policial inconclusa, de la ineficacia para controlar la disponibilidad y uso de las armas de fuego y de una creciente militarización de la seguridad ciudadana, que probablemente han contribuido al incremento situacional de la violencia, más allá de las políticas de reducción de la desigualdad social.
Structure and Magnetism of Co and CoAg Nanocrystals
Authors: Spasova Marina , Radetic Tamara , Sobal Nelli S. , Hilgendorff Michael , Wiedwald Ulf , Farle Michael , Giersig Michael , Dahmen Uli
Published: January 2017

Monodisperse, air-stable Co/CoO and CoAg55 nanoparticles with a mean diameter of about 11 nm have been synthesized using methods of colloidal chemistry. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) element-specific TEM images reveal a multiply-twinned fcc Co metallic core covered with a 2-2.5 nm thick CoO shell. The lattice parameters are in agreement with those of bulk Co and CoO. A shift of the hysteresis loop of 0.4 T, induced by field CoOling of the Co/CoO particles, indicates a strong unidirectional exchange anisotropy due to the interaction between the ferromagnetic Co core and the antiferromagnetic CoO shell. CoAg55 composite particles consist of grains of fcc Co and fcc Ag. No evidence for alloy formation was observed. Electron energy-loss and X-ray microanalysis indicate that Co is predominantly found in the surface region of the particles. SQUID magnetometry shows that at room temperature the CoAg55 particles are superparamagnetic while at 90 K a hysteresis loop was detected with a coercive field of 0.07 T and a remanent magnetization of 32 % of the saturation value.
Terabit Density Cobalt Nanowire Arrays With Tunable Magnetic Properties
Authors: Ursache Andrei , Bal Mustafa , Goldbach James T. , Sandstrom Robert L. , Black C. T. , Russell Thomas P. , Tuominen Mark T.
Published: January 2017

Nanoporous templates made from diblock copolymer films are used for electrochemical fabrication of hexagonal arrays of vertical cobalt magnetic nanowires at terabit/in2 density. The nanowire diameter and areal density are determined by the copolymer molecular weight, whereas the nanowire length and internal crystal morphology are controlled through the dc electrodeposition growth process. The array magnetic properties can be modified substantially by electrodeposition pH conditions while keeping wire size and interwire distance constant. Optimum pH control results in preferential growth of c-axis oriented crystallites with large perpendicular coercivity. The appearance of exchange bias behavior, exhibited at low temperatures, is also investigated.
Rate-equation modelling of ion beam assisted homoepitaxy on low-index surfaces of Ag and Cu
Authors: Sillanpää Jussi K. , Koponen Ismo T. , Grønbech-Jensen Niels
Published: January 2017

We develop a rate-equation model for ion beam assisted homoepitaxy. The model describes how island diffusion, detachment and breakup, generation of surface damage and interlayer transitions of adatoms and monovacancies affect the growth. We simulate the (100) and (110) surfaces of silver and the (100) surface of copper using potential energy barriers calculated using either surface embedded atom method (SEAM) or the effective medium theory (EMT). We study how the choice of the potential barriers affects the growth and comment on the suitability of SEAM and EMT for calculating barriers for surface simulation. We demonstrate how different processes affect the microstructure of the film, compare the growth on different surfaces and study the scaling properties of the results.
The Environmental Relevance of the Idea of a Relational Self
Authors: McKim Robert
Published: January 2017

Some scholars propose that the idea of the self as relational is environmentally relevant. I question the meaning, coherence, plausibility, and environmental relevance of the idea of a relational self. However, I also contend that the profoundly important purposes of those who consider this idea about the metaphysics of the self to be environmentally relevant may be achieved by a more commonsensical analysis of the self that has no particular metaphysical implications. Central to this alternative analysis is the idea that we should be in relationships that promote the achievement of an environmental goal that I briefly sketch.
Mourning Nature
Authors: Pike Sarah M.
Published: January 2017

Radical environmental and animal rights activists mourn nonhuman others in a variety of ways that express their kinship with these others and strengthen their commitments to radical causes. Grief is a central motivating factor in conversion and commitment to activism. It is both an expression of deeply felt kinship bonds with other species and a signilcant factor in creating those bonds. Nearly all environmental and animal rights protests reference some kind of loss, including mass extinction. Activists’ very participation in protests is part of an ongoing process of remembering the dead and disappearing, including those who were intimately known, as well as the more abstract dead of mass extinction and deforestation. For these reasons, radical environmental and animal rights protests themselves can be understood as rites of mourning, as they are so frequently motivated by loss and grief.
FIELD NOTES: The United Nations (Via Religion and Its Affiliated Agencies) to the Rescue in the Cause of Conservation?
Authors: Taylor Bron
Published: January 2017

Environment-focused institutions aflliated with the United Nations and other non-governmental agencies have long sought to mobilize religious individuals and groups to construct environmentally sustainable societies. Often, those involved have come from the world’s academic, religious, and political intelligentsias. Two major conferences in 2016 continue the pattern, which, generally speaking, is characterized by religionists and scholars sympathetic to specilc traditions contending that, properly understood, the world’s religions promote environmental concern. Social scientilc studies regarding the role of religion in environmental behaviors question these earnest hopes. Indeed, comprehensive reviews of pertinent studies suggest that such assertions may represent a form of strategic essentialism designed to spur religious peoples to engage in something that, given their traditions’ foci, does not come naturally to them, namely, putting a priority on environmental conservation.
The threat of drier summers to agriculture and the environment in eastern England
Authors: Evans David
Published: January 2017

In the established climate, evaporation dominates eastern England’s water regime, taking it near to desiccation in dry summers. Now, hotter drier summers are predicted – even more evaporation, coupled with less rainfall. If true, the reduction in summer water will be very large – far more than all abstractions put together, even by the 2020s. Thereafter, summer droughts will intensify and spread westwards, threatening river flows, agriculture and natural vegetation. In particular, irrigation need will escalate, with no summer water to meet it – a climate change impact that is being underperceived. This paper explores the scale of the issues and the adaptation options. It demonstrates synergy between the interests of agriculture and of water supply and calls for integrated strategic planning, with reservoirs and reuse high on the adaptation agenda.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: an obstetric review
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Kumar Binay
Published: January 2017

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and potentially fatal form of systolic heart failure which presents in later months of pregnancy and post-partum. Incidence varies over geography and ethnicity. It is highest in the African tribes of Hausa and Fulani. The incidence in the United States ranges from 1 in 1500-7500 births. Risk factors include advanced maternal age, multiparity, preeclampsia, multifetal gestation and African descent. Various etiologies such as viral myocarditis, abnormal immune and hemodynamic response to pregnancy, inflammatory mediation and genetic susceptibility have been proposed. Of late, the role of abnormal prolactin metabolism and resulting myocardial toxicity have been explored and bromocriptine has shown promise as a potential treatment option. Medical management is similar to other causes of systolic heart failure, except that ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are avoided in pregnancy. Complications include cardiac arrhythmias, thromboembolism and refractory heart failure can occur. Maternal deaths are not uncommon.
A study comparing vaginal misoprostol alone with vaginal misoprostol in combination with Foley catheter for cervical ripening and labour induction
Authors: Bhatiyani Binti R. , Gandhewar Manisha R. , Kapsikar Swati , Gaikwad Pradip
Published: January 2017

Background: Induction of labor is a commonly practised intervention in modern obstetrics. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol alone with vaginal misoprostol in combination with Foley catheter for labour induction. It aims to assess the induction delivery interval, the outcome of labour, the incidence of instrumental delivery and Cesarean section. The neonatal outcomes and maternal complications would also be assessed.Methods: 105 women with singleton viable pregnancies of 28 weeks or more gestation with cephalic presentation, intact membranes and an unfavorable cervix (Bishops score less than 6) were randomly assigned to induction of labor using vaginal misoprostol or Foley catheter in combination with vaginal misoprostol. Women in the misoprostol only group received 25 micrograms of misoprostol per vagina every 4 hours for a maximum of six doses. Whereas women in the combination group received vaginal misoprostol and in addition Foley catheter was introduced through the cervix for 12 hours. Interruption of the trial was done in case of failure to enter the active phase of labour after 24 hours of induction, fetal distress, hyperstimulation, hypersensitivity to drugs.Results: The induction to delivery time was shorter in misoprostol group as compared to the Foley with misoprostol group by 3 hours. There was no significant change in Bishops score after induction with Foley in combination with misoprostol as compared to misoprostol alone. There was no increase in the maternal and fetal complications in the misoprostol group as compared to Foley with misoprostol.Conclusions: Misoprostol alone was more efficacious for ripening and inducing agent as compared to Foley in combination with misoprostol.
Active management of third stage of labour with low doses of oral misoprostol and oxytocin on low: risk parturient in a Sub-Saharan hospital, Dakar, Sénégal
Authors: Diallo Moussa , Sylla Toura , Diouf Abdoul Aziz , Moreira Phillipe Marc , Gassama Omar , Ndiaye Gueye Mame Diarra , Faye Dieme Marie Edouard , Niang Mouhamadou Mansour , Moreau Jean Charles , Diouf Alassane
Published: January 2017

Background: Assess the effectiveness of oral misoprostol as an alternative to oxytocin in the active management of the third stage of labour in Dakar/Senegal.Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in the maternity ward of a university hospital on 304 women who had vaginal delivery. These women were randomly assigned into 2 groups based on active delivery conditions: the first group received an oral administration of misoprostol (400 mcg) and the second group 5 IU oxytocin through intravenous route.Results: The average volume of blood loss was 196.55 ml in the misoprostol group and 208.39 ml in the oxytocin group (p=0.63). The incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (>500 cc) was 6.49% in the misoprostol group and 9.33% in the oxytocin group (p=0.358). The average rate of haemo globin decline was 0.38 g/dl in the misoprostol group and 0.29 g/dl in the oxytocin group (p=0.99). The proportion of hyperthermia, shivering, and nausea in the misoprostol and oxytocin groups were respectively: 2.59% against 0.6% (p=0.123), 7.14% against 2% (p=0.001) and 2.59% against 0.6% (p=0.498).Conclusions: In Senegal, Misoprostol despite its side effects, is an effective alternative to oxytocin in the active management of the third stage of labour for low-risk parturient women to reduce the risk of maternal deaths due to post-partum hemorrhage.
Role of hysteroscopy and histopathology in evaluating patients with abnormal uterine bleeding
Authors: Firdous Nighat , Mukhtar Samar , Bilal Sheikh , Beigh Salma Kounsar
Published: January 2017

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding is one of the leading causes for seeking gynaecological advice. The aim and objectives of the study was to determine the pattern of hysteroscopic abnormalities and histopathological features of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and to correlate hysteroscopic findings with histopathological findings.Methods: The present study “Role of Hysteroscopy and Histopathology in Evaluating patients with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding” was an observational study carried out in the Postgraduate Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Postgraduate Department of Pathology of Government Medical college, Srinagar after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical committee. The period of the study was One and a Half Years from April 2014 to September 2015.Results: The most common abnormality detected by hysteroscopy was Endometrial Hyperplasia (27 cases, 27%) followed by endometrial polyps (21 cases, 21%). Endometrial Hyperplasia was the most common abnormality found in Menorrhagia followed by polyps while polyps were the most common finding in polymenorrhea and endometrial hyperplasia was the most common pathology in postmenopausal bleeding. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 93.2%, specificity of 83.9%, positive predictive value of 82%, Negative Predictive Value of 94% in diagnosing etiology of abnormal uterine bleeding.Conclusions: This study confirms that hysteroscopy has a definitive role in evaluating patients with abnormal uterine bleeding and hysteroscopy and histopathology complement each other in the evaluation of a patient with Abnormal uterine bleeding.
Role of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine device in management of heavy menstrual bleeding: a conservative approach
Authors: Singh Kalpana , Bharati Geetam , Prasad Dipali , Kumari Smita
Published: January 2017

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is defined as prolonged (>7 days) or excessive menstrual blood loss greater than or equal to 80 ml per menstrual cycle. The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy, acceptability and side effects of LUS IUS in women with heavy menstrual bleeding.Methods: 42 women with heavy menstrual bleeding with or without associated dysmenorrhoea or chronic pelvic pain and had no contraindication to IUS insertion were included in the study. Patients having active genital tract infection, suspicion of pregnancy, uterine fibroids >2.5 cm in size or sub mucosal distorting the uterine cavity, uterine size >12 weeks, atypical endometrial hyperplasia or malignancy, abnormal cervical cytology, coagulopathy or liver disease were excluded from the study. Preliminary endometrial biopsy was done to rule out malignancy and LNG IUS was inserted under anaesthesia. Women were followed for 3,6,12 and 24 months post insertion.Results: In first 3 months, 20% patients achieved normal menstrual cycle, and at 6 months 44.44% had scanty menstrual flow and after 1 year of use 81.5% achieved amenorrhoea. In initial 3 months 37.5% patients had irregular heavy bleeding, which reduced to 13.89% at 6 months and 0% at 1 year follow up. Irregular spotting was second most complaint in 32.5% patients in initial 3 months that persisted in 7.4% patients at 1year follow up. In 5.0% patients, there was spontaneous expulsion of the device in first 3 menstrual cycles. After 3 months of use 57.5% patients were satisfied with the device and at the end of 1 year 92.5% were satisfied.Conclusions: LNG IUS is highly effective in controlling blood loss, well tolerated and better alternative for hysterectomy with higher user satisfaction in all age group of women.
Role of probiotics in lower reproductive tract infection in women of age group 18 to 45 years
Authors: Shamshu Rukshana , Vaman Jayasree , C. Nirmala
Published: January 2017

Background: This study has been designed to assess the effectiveness of the probiotic strains having Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 in the management of lower genital infections (bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis) as an integral therapy with antibiotics.Methods: Double blind, randomized placebo controlled study in women between 18-45 years attending Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital (SATH), Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India with symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Women giving consent were given probiotics along with conventional antibiotics and were followed up over a period of two months. Outcome is measured as percentage of women showing a score of less than 4 at the end of thirty days of treatment, and sixty days of treatment in the test and control group in the case of bacterial vaginosis and no discharge and absence of hyphae and pseudohyphae in wet smear and gram stain in case of candidiasis.Results: Out of 42 women studied, 32 had bacterial vaginosis and 10 had vulvovaginal candidiasis. 81.3% women with BV had a normal vaginal picture after sixty days of treatment as compared to placebo which was only 31.3%. The p value is 0.004 which is significant. In the treatment of VC, the percentage of women cured was the same in both probiotic and placebo group.Conclusions: In the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, addition of probiotics to the conventional antibiotics can improve the cure rate of bacterial vaginosis and reduce the rate of recurrences. In the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, addition of probiotics to the conventional antifungal did not have a significant improvement.
Study on HELLP syndrome - maternal and perinatal outcome
Authors: Kota Lakshmi Narayana , Garikapati Kavitha , Kodey Prabha Devi , K. B. Gayathri
Published: January 2017

Background: HELLP Syndrome is a serious obstetric complication in pregnancy characterised by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. Incidence is 0.5-0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10-20% of cases with severe preeclampsia and eclampsia. The aim of the study was to study the incidence, different clinical presentations and diagnosis of HELLP syndrome in Pre eclampsia and Eclampsia and to analyze the severity, complications, maternal and perinatal outcome.Methods: It is a 16 months period retrospective study of 102 cases of preeclampsia and eclampsia admitted in NRIMC and GH in OBGY Department with more than 28 weeks gestation. Of these, 91 cases had preeclampsia and 11 cases had eclampsia. Out of these, 15 cases developed HELLP Syndrome. The available history, clinical data, detailed laboratory investigations were studied and categorized by Mississippi classification for better analysis of complications and outcome in HELLP syndrome.Results: Of 91 cases of Preeclampsia, 12 cases (13.18%) developed HELLP syndrome and out of 11 cases of Eclampsia, 3 cases (27.27%) had HELLP Syndrome. Majority of the cases belonged to 21-25years age group and were mostly from lower Socio economic status. The present study showed 60% maternal morbidity and 6.6% maternal mortality and the perinatal morbidity and mortality was 46.6% each.Conclusions: HELLP Syndrome is a severe variant and a dreadful complication of Preeclampsia and Eclampsia, it needs early diagnosis and timely intervention in the form of termination of pregnancy to arrest further progress of pathophysiology leading to complications.
Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Abdominal Wall in a Premature Infant: A Case Study
Authors: Narvey Michael , Byrne Paul , Fraser Debbie
Published: January 2017

We present a first report of necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall in a 23-day-of-age, former 32-week-gestation premature infant. She was successfully treated with antibiotics without the need for initial debridement. After reviewing the etiology of necrotizing fasciitis, we discuss the unique aspects of this case, including the noninvasive approach to initial treatment, which we consider significantly contributed to her survival.
La Seguridad Social desde la perspectiva de género
Authors: Barrera Jiménez Patricia
Published: January 2017

Jornada celebrada el  17 de octubre de 2016 en la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.doi: https://doi.org/10.20318/femeris.2017.3555
HEAVY METALS (Ni, Cu, Zn AND Cd) CONTENT IN SERUM OF RAT FED GREEN MUSSELS
Authors: Azis Muhammad Yudhistira , Gandasasmita Suryo , Syakti Agung Dhamar
Published: January 2017

Green mussel (Perna viridis) can playing role as bio-indicator or biomonitoring agent for heavy-metalcontaminations in the sea. In this research, the concentrations of four elements Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd in P. viridis and in the serum of rat which orally feed by P. viridis were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) following dry acid digestion. Parameter analysis was evaluated by determining confidence limit for the obtained results. The result showed that there was a sequence of heavy-metal content in green mussels sample and laboratory rats serum, such as Ni < Cd < Cu < Zn.Keywords: heavy metals, green mussels, laboratory rats serum, AAS
Pengaruh Saat Pemberian Pupuk Kandang dan Pupuk Anorganik Terhadap Pertumbuhan Wijen di Lahan Pasir Pantai
Authors: Nurhayati Dewi Ratna , Prapto Y. , Taryono Taryono , Hanudin Eko
Published: January 2017

Coastal sandy land as one of marginal land which potential become to be a sustainable productive land. Annual crops such as Sesame cultivation proper to developed as an agribusiness crops in coastal sandy land by chicken manure, or organic fertilizer and in organic fertilizer through the combination treatment of manure and inorganic proportionately. This study aimed to determine the best of time for fertilize on growth and yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L). This study conducted in Keburuhan, Purworejo, Coastal sandy land, Gadjah Mada's Agricultural station laboratory, from May until November 2014. This study used a factorial experiment Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications. Experiment arranged in with two-factor. First factor is the kind of variety: Sumberrejo-1, Sumberrejo-2. The second factor is, time of fertilize by chicken manure 11,25 tonnes/ha (75% of farmers recommendation)+inorganic fertilizers (N, P, K deficiency replacement dose equivalent to 18,75 tonnes/ha of chicken manure. Variable observed were: plant height, days to flowering, number of branch, root volume. The data analyzed by using analysis of variance at 5% level significance. The results showed that fastest flowering (45 days) was on the control treatmentin Sumberrejo-1.

 

Keywords: coastal sandy land, organic fertilizer, in organic, Sumberrejo-1, Sumberrejo-2 Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Seismic Shifts in Oklahoma Lead to Stricter Regulations
Authors: Jacobs Trent
Published: January 2017

Industry regulators in Oklahoma have rolled out broad new restrictions on more than 600 disposal wells as part of the largest action of its kind taken in response to earthquakes. An additional 118 wells have been included in an “area of interest” and face increased reporting and monitoring requirements. Altogether, the plan affects approximately 20% of the state’s disposal wells and marks a major change for the fourth-largest oil- and gas-producing state in the US.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the state’s industry regulator, spent a year issuing volume reductions and shut-ins at a number of specific disposal sites, efforts that failed to slow the rising rate of earthquakes. Then on 13 February, the third-strongest earthquake in Oklahoma history shook homes across the state and was felt hundreds of miles away by residents of three neighboring states. No serious damage or injuries were reported. But just days after the 5.1 magnitude trembler, regulators abandoned their pinpoint approach and announced a “regional earthquake response plan” that covers approximately 10,000 sq miles—an area twice the size of Qatar.

For the foreseeable future, no new disposal well permits will be granted in the restricted zone, and operators must curtail fluid injections into existing wells by 40% of their 2014 average rate. Based on last year’s figures, that means a reduction of fluid injection of approximately 300,000 B/D.

Because water disposal is a necessary component of oil and gas operations, the immediate scarcity of disposal wells may drive up fees at sites operated by third parties. Recycling or trucking the water outside of the restriction zone are expensive options that few operators can afford right now.

If there are no feasible alternatives, ongoing production declines may accelerate in the Mississippian Lime, the most significant play affected by the order. The play is a carbonate formation, and unconventional techniques are used to recover oil and gas from it. Last year, production in the Mississippian Lime was estimated to be around 100,000 B/D, which accounted for a quarter of the state’s overall production.
Technology Focus: Multilateral/Extended-Reach Wells (May 2016)
Authors: Aadnøy Bernt
Published: January 2017

Technology Focus

The development of multilateral wells and long-reach wells has become important to maximizing recovery for many fields. These technologies are often applied in offshore environments, where large reservoir areas are drained from one or more platforms.

In the late 1980s, long-reach wells started to use existing infrastructure better by drilling beyond the design limits of that time. Several major operators were extending their limits, and, in the late 1990s, BP Wytch Farm showed that a horizontal departure exceeding 10 km was feasible. This had a significant effect on the industry because offshore platforms now could be designed for up to 10-km reach, as opposed to the early 1980s when 3-km reach was common. A field could now be developed with one platform instead of three, resulting in enormous savings.

Multilateral-well technology also matured during the past 2 decades. There were many drivers for this development. One of the more important was the desire to increase production in tight reservoirs. Another advantage is directional control. Well stimulation with fracturing has the drawback that the fracture direction is controlled by the in-situ stresses in the rock. Multilateral branches, on the other hand, can be drilled in any direction.

There has been considerable development around these technologies. Those that help clear the challenges, such as those related to wellbore stability, wellbore friction, equipment limitations, and operational aspects, can be considered mature technologies today.

The main benefit from directional drilling is the maximizing of reservoir recovery. From this perspective, multilateral/ extended-reach wells may be considered one of the more important means of improved oil recovery.

Although these directional-well concepts have been used for some years, they were initially costly with a high economic risk. There is a continuous technology development at many levels that leads to improvements. These result in more-efficient processes, with increased field recoveries as a consequence. Therefore, multilaterals and extended-reach wells are now common and will be very important for future cost-effective oil and gas production.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 174035 Technology Qualification and Installation Plan of Efficient and Accurate Multilaterals Drilling Stimulation Technology for Sandstone Oil Application by Kevin Rice, Fishbones, et al.

SPE/IADC 168055 Expanding the Extended-Reach Envelope at Chayvo Field, Sakhlin Island by Vishwas P. Gupta, ExxonMobil, et al.

SPE 168235 CT Extended Reach: Can We Reach Farther? by Ken Newman, KNewman Engineering, et al.
Project Tests High-Performance Cloud Computing for Reservoir Simulations
Authors: Wilson Adam
Published: January 2017

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 167877, “Reservoir Simulations in a High-Performance Cloud-Computing Environment,” by Morgan Edward Eldred, Asma Aboubakr, Ahmed Abubakr Al-Emadi, Thomas James O’Reilly, Nedal Barghouti, and Abdollah Orangi, Maersk Oil, prepared for the 2014 SPE Intelligent Energy Conference and Exhibition, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 1–3 April. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

In the upstream oil and gas industry, cloud computing is very immature because the industry has always been challenged by storage and computational capability. However, there is recent evidence for considering high-performance cloud computing (HPCC) because of the promise of benefits such as flexibility, accessibility, and cost reduction. HPCC may create an opportunity for small to midsized upstream companies that do not want to invest in the infrastructure needed for evaluating scientific applications.

Project Overview

The target of this project was to prove the concept of running simulation software in a high-performance computing cloud and use the findings to design a framework or methodology enabling companies to pursue business opportunities iteratively while learning along the way. The outcome of the methodology is a dynamic tactical and strategic roadmap that leverages trends in HPCC.

Calculations and Results

The following cases were run on a local cluster at an early stage for the purpose of run validations:

HP_ICLOUD on reference workstation with one central processing unit (CPU)

HP_ICLOUD on the Enterprise Cloud (ECL) server with one CPU

HP_ICLOUD_4 on the ECL server with four CPUs

HP_ICLOUD_8 on the ECL server with eight CPUs

The four cases showed identical results for oil-production rate and cumulative oil for the duration of the field history, as expected.

The case with a single CPU was completed in approximately 20 hours. The run times with four and eight CPUs were 7.7 and 5.7 hours, respectively.

Fig. 1 shows that wall-clock time decreased as more CPUs were added, both for calculations performed internally and for those performed on the cloud servers. It was also observed that internal calculations stagnated at more than four CPUs (i.e., sublinear scaling). On the other hand, close to linear scaling was observed when calculations were run on the cloud servers.

Assuming that this linear scaling persists when adding more than eight CPUs and extrapolating from this observation, it is hypothesized that, for larger jobs, the performance of the cloud servers would increase significantly compared with what can be achieved internally.
A More-Rigorous Development Framework for Unconventional Reservoirs
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: January 2017

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 171913, “From a Standard to a More-Rigorous Development Framework for Unconventional Reservoirs,” by I. Colombo, E. Spelta, D. Giamminonni, S.D. Russo, F. Rotelli, and M. Rotondi, Eni, prepared for the 2014 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, 10–13 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Major oil companies have been struggling as they attempt to make the unconventional business a profitable one. Indeed, the strategy of building an unconventional portfolio by means of mergers and acquisitions is not providing a satisfactory return on investment. This paper describes how seismic reservoir integration, advanced production analysis, and accurate nanoscale and 3D full-field simulations may address profitability issues and help oil companies to be more efficient in developing unconventional portfolios.

Introduction

While, from approximately 2008–2011, independents were building and developing their US unconventional portfolio, majors were trying to enter the same business by means of multibillion-dollar mergers and acquisitions. The majors were not fast enough to be able to repay the premium for this endeavor as a consequence of the combination of a low- margin-profit type of business and hydrocarbon-price evolution. Majors tend to be essentially process- driven organizations; therefore, they are not structured for rapid-decision-making approaches. Furthermore, they quickly align to the general concept of thinking about unconventional plays as if they are statistical ones. Their initial main effort was essentially made for unit cost reduction, whereas technology innovation has become a principal focus currently.

Key plays have experienced an impressive production growth. If, on one hand, the system is improving its efficiency, on the other, the incremental production is also associated with a huge increase in the average number of fracturing stages per well.

Few attempts were made to optimize wells and fracturing-stage placement by applying a more-scientific approach. Indeed, many sources estimate that only 40 to 60% of fracturing stages contribute to well production when they are placed on the basis of an equal-spacing strategy.