bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative Lost Circulation Material for Depleted Reservoirs
Authors: Luzardo J. , Oliveira E. P. , Derks P. W. J. , Nascimento R. Vega , Gramatges A. Perez , Valle R. , Pantano I. Gianoglio , Sbaglia F. , Inderberg K.
Published: October 2015

The problem of lost circulation occurs almost permanently during drilling operations. When drilling highly permeable, highly fractured, and depleted zones, large drilling fluid losses lead to increased operational expenses. Lost circulation may have several consequences, including fluid inflow, wellbore collapse, formation damage, nonproductive rig time, and environmental issues. In the last century, lost circulation has presented great challenges to the petroleum industry, requiring large capital expenditures and time to address the problem. A particular challenge is depleted reservoirs. As the reserves decline, pore pressure decreases, resulting in weakened hydrocarbon-bearing rocks; nearby or inter-bedded low permeability rocks, however, may maintain their pore pressure. This situation can make the drilling of certain depleted zones extremely difficult. Generally, the fluid density necessary to support the shale above exceeds the fracture resistance of the sands, silts, or carbonates below. Consequently, it is vital to design the drilling fluid to minimize mud invasion into formation and prevent lost circulation, and to provide the possibility of removal at a later stage (completion).

To mitigate circulation loss risks, a broad range of treatments and preventive methods using lost circulation material (LCM) have been tried and recommended over the years with varying degrees of success and efficiency. This paper presents an extensive review of the applications of various technologies, both proven and potential, in LCM for sandstone and carbonate depleted reservoirs. It describes the state of the art, advantages, limitations, and suggested specific applications. It also presents recent references of their uses in the petroleum industry and discusses the application and the status of the technologies.

For sandstone, the materials discussed focus on LCM in the form of flakes, granules, fibers, blends of these materials, particulate materials, polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA) materials, as well as nanoparticles (NP) and nanocomposites. For carbonate formations, the scope includes conventional LCM, such as cement plugs, settable plugs, polyurethane grouting and other new technologies, such as gels, viscoelastic surfactant gels (VES), and crosslinked gels.

This review compiles crucial information necessary to design and formulate the fluid using LCM for the depleted reservoir challenges.
Experimental Investigation on the Influence of Liquid Cargo in Floating Vessels Motions
Authors: Rocha Thiago P. , Dotta Raul , Vieira Daniel P. , Mello Pedro C. de , Malta Edgard B. , Nishimoto Kazuo
Published: October 2015

The offshore exploration of gas requires the use of new platforms design called FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas). Nowadays just a few number of FLNG are in advanced stages of design or under construction. This type of vessel requires large tanks to storage the liquefied gas and in some cases the movement of the liquid inside the tanks can modify the vessel behavior in waves. The work objective is to obtain the influence of liquid cargo in the floating vessels motions.

An experimental setup was proposed to investigate this influence. A FLNG model was tested for two configurations: with fixed dry cargo and with liquid cargo. For the latter, the model was equipped with tanks which were filled with water in three different levels. In total six different tests were carried out in the Hydrodynamic Calibrator from University of Sao Paulo, a tank with 14 m long, 14 m wide and 4 m depth equipped with 144 flaps capable of generating waves with different angles of incidence. The vessel motion was obtained for the six degree of freedom using an optical system. Furthermore, numerical models were made in WAMIT for both configurations with and without free surface effect due the liquid inside tanks.

Results presented significant differences in the RAO curves. Basically, amplification in surge and sway motions was observed and changes in the roll natural period were obtained, both due the presence of liquid cargo. Furthermore, some limitations were obtained for numerical model mainly in cases with tanks filled at low levels. In these cases, the viscous forces presented significant influence and some effects as breaking waves (sloshing) inside tanks were observed. Both breaking waves and viscous forces are not considered in WAMIT model, once it uses the potential linear wave theory. Discussions are concerned in the comparison of motions obtained for the two tested configurations and in the limitations and applications of numerical model.
R&D in Reservoir Geomechanics in Brazil: Perspectives and Challenges
Authors: Serra de Souza A. L. , F. O. Lima Falcão
Published: October 2015

Reservoir Geomechanics is an important tool to study phenomena like compaction, fault reactivation and fracture propagation, which occur in several offshore sandstone and carbonate reservoirs in Brazil. This work summarizes the main R&D works developed in reservoir geomechanics in Brazil in recent years, as well as the main challenges the company will face in the next decades.

Amongst others, the following subjects with their main challenges are discussed:

A typical work to develop a Mechanical Earth Model (MEM) for geomechanical studies;

Studies for compaction and dilation in sandstone and carbonate fields;

Fault reactivation and its main implications, like the connection of different layers or even different fields;

Numerical studies developed for some special fields;

Studies for Injection with fracture propagation pressure;

Works in progress to monitor faults and fractures;

Studies made together with universities in Brazil and other countries;

The main conclusion is that several progresses have been made in reservoir geomechanics, but a lot of work and investment in R&D must still be done in order to solve the problems related to reservoir geomechanics in the main fields of the company, particularly those located in deep water environment.
Ultra-Deepwater Blowout Well Control and Abandonment Operations Through Relief Well Under Capping and Containment Scenario After Worst Case Discharge
Authors: Terra F. , Lage A. , Yoiti T. , Yuan Z. , Bueno D.
Published: October 2015

For ultra-deepwater wells, the ability to control and plug the blowout well is more and more important as regulatory agency has more strict rules to issue a drill permit. After the blowout well is killed, cement plugs need to be placed in the borehole to prevent migration of fluids between the different formations. Because of the mixing and contamination process of the cement slurry pumping through relief well, to ensure required cement height and good quality for blowout well, is more challenging than the topside intervention well plugging operations.

In this study, dynamic simulations are carried out to assess the difficulties faced during blowout well control and abandonment. In the selected scenarios, the capping stack system is installed on the wellhead of the blowout well and three vessels are used to capture the oil with risers connected to each vessel separately. Through the relief well, sea water is pumped to the blowout well, increasing the hydrostatic pressure and reducing the rate of production. The injection of sea water together with the manipulation of choke outlet pressures on the vessels provides proper conditions for controlling the blowout well, keeping the liquid flow rates within the limits imposed by the processing capacity at surface. As sea water accumulates in the blowout well, reducing oil production rate, each vessel is shut down accordingly. Once the blowout well is completely filled up with sea water, kill mud is used to replace sea water to ensure static kill. Cement slurry is then pumped to blowout well to set the cement plug. The displacement is specially studied when the cement slurry is flowing into the blowout well. In the sensitivity analysis, borehole enlargement, cement slurry rheology, and flow rate are considered to investigate the contamination of the cement slurry.

The presented outcomes allow engineers to better understand the operation procedures for blowout well control with capping, containment and zero discharge to the environment under capping and containment scenario after worst case discharge, and the methods to mitigate cement slurry contamination and ensure good cement plug for well abandonment.
Critical Equipment Monitoring in Production Platforms
Authors: Campos M. M. , Grizante R. , Junior L. , Rosa T. , Crippa B. , Santos S. , Machado M. M. , Ribeiro F. , Azevedo C. , Cavadas L. , Oliveira S.
Published: October 2015

The offshore platforms, located at great distances from the coast, pose many challenges to maintain and increase reliability of critical equipment, in order to decrease operational and maintenance costs. The difference between planned and non-planned shutdowns can be roughly millions of dollars for one platform. These facts justify the need for an enhanced monitoring system for critical equipment of offshore platforms, contributing to reduce risks, loss of production, and to raise equipment availability. One way to deal with this problem is to have remote monitoring centers which follow performance indicators of the various critical platforms' equipment (heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, etc.), with the main goal of identifying deviations, before they evolve to more serious faults. This center should have a well trained staff, good process to foster multidisciplinary collaboration with other specialized teams to diagnose and define required actions, and, last but not least, good tools to monitor the process variables. This paper will describe a set of tools for monitoring equipment performance, such as heat exchangers, pumps, and compressors. These tools try to identify the quality of equipment's sensors, to assess the performance of PID controllers associated with this equipment, and many other performance indicators as, for example, deviations from the optimal (high efficiency) operating regions. These tools are connected with plant data information and acquire real time data (flowrates, pressures, and temperatures) from the process streams, and can send them to rigorous process simulator in order to close mass and energy balances. This strategy can reconcile data and infers missing operational information, like some key performance indicators. These tools can also receive inspection data of equipment, obtained by mobile systems, to be used to identify deviations from the desired operational region. Finally, this paper will also present results and gains of the application of these tools, process, and equipment monitoring center for offshore platforms. This paper will show the benefits to improve equipment reliability and safety, thus reducing risks and losses due to possible equipment failure. It will also presents and discuss new tools and process to monitor critical equipment.
Flow Assurance Aspects and Optimization of Subsea Choke Valve – Sand Management and Erosion
Authors: Gharaibah E. , Zhang Y.
Published: October 2015

In Subsea production systems (SPS), choke valves can be considered to be the heart of the system and are typically set up to control the hydrocarbon production flow and injection of gas and water during both steady-state production and transient flow scenarios. The control functionality of subsea choke valves comprises several aspects: balance of the subsea manifold pressure (when fed from multiple wells with different reservoir pressures), reduction of the flowline pressures (and cost), mitigation for reservoir collapse during startup, adjustment of the flowrates to extend production life and support the functionality of the subsea gate valves to avoid high-pressure drops during startup and shutdown.

Safe and reliable operation as well as the controllability performance of the subsea choke valve depend on the effectiveness of the sizing and selection process as well as on the positioning of the choke in the SPS when designing the SPS. The optimum location of the choke valve in the SPS and the arrangement of the piping system upstream and downstream of the choke, including any intrusive probes, are crucial and can impact the operation of the choke valve itself and affect the SPS integrity. The optimized location must consider the production profiles and operation philosophy of the wells, as well as the associated flow assurance issues. Sand particle production and erosion risks, flow induced vibration, hydrates and other deposit hazards are major flow assurance challenges that can affect the choke valve performance and in turn these effects can be amplified by the choke valve and impact the SPS integrity. This mutuality should be considered when designing the SPS and positioning the choke valve in it.

This paper summarizes GE Oil & Gas experience in sizing and selection of the subsea choke and its placement in the SPS. The focus is on the integration of a subsea choke valve in the SPS to achieve safe and reliable operation and extend the life of the valve and SPS. In general, the paper provides an overview of flow assurance aspects related to sand production and erosion that should be considered when designing the SPS and optimal positioning of the choke valve. It describes methods to examine erosion issues associated with the subsea choke valve by the means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Numerical experiments were performed on various choke and SPS arrangements to explore these issues and provide best practices.

The results show that details of the fluid composition and operating conditions strongly affect the fluid/particle flow patterns in and around the choke and trim, suggesting the necessity for erosion analysis to ensure safe and reliable operation and emphasize the benefit from using CFD tools for system optimization.
Improvements in the Practices for Mooring Integrity Management
Authors: Kilner A. , Washington D. , Carra C. , Potts A.
Published: October 2015

The requirement for improvements to existing practices for the management of mooring system integrity has been bought into sharp focus in recent years, with the failure rate for FPS mooring systems being significantly higher than expected. This paper will provide an overview of the recently published risk based guidelines for the management of mooring system integrity, developed by AMOG for DeepStar. The DeepStar Mooring Integrity Management (MIM) guidelines will be of interest to operators of a wide range of floating production systems, as well as to the designers of such systems.

This paper will outline the key aspects of the risk based process for the management of mooring system integrity set out in the DeepStar MIM Guidelines. The integrity management framework developed in the DeepStar MIM Guidelines includes the identification of required practices at each stage of a mooring system's life cycle, in order to minimize the risk of degradation mechanisms arising from design, construction, installation and operational practices.

The guidelines include two case studies to demonstrate how the model guidelines should be applied, at the design phase for a new system, and to a legacy system already in operation. In addition, the guidelines include a detailed industry survey of instances of mooring system failures or early replacement due to unanticipated degradation, which was undertaken to provide a more rigorous understanding of the failure probabilities of mooring system components.

This paper presents significant contributions to the effective management of mooring system integrity, through the development of enhanced design practices that better account for through-life integrity management of moorings for new systems, and development of enhanced inspection and monitoring/prediction practices for legacy mooring systems.
Evaluation of Clash Energy in Long Risers
Authors: Galgoul E. , Massa A.
Published: October 2015

The subsea oil and gas industry in ultra-deep waters requires very long risers, flexible or rigid, which may clash due to their proximity in some field configurations. Clashing should be avoided whenever possible. However, when no mitigation is effective to avoid clashing in a chosen layout or configuration, it is critical to ensure that no damage will occur in any one of the riser sections.

The key to avoiding damage is to correctly evaluate the clashing energy, which is a function of the relative speed between the risers at the moment when clashing occurs, as well as the clashing stiffness and damping of each riser section. The correct evaluation of the clashing stiffness grows in importance when the possibility exists for impact between risers with a high relative velocity.

In order to evaluate the energy effectively absorbed by the riser sections, it is necessary to perform parametric analyses involving different riser types and diameters, riser configurations (single catenary, lazy wave), field layouts, water depths, and associating global clashing analysis with local analysis of the clashing sections using finite element software.

When high velocity impacts occur, part of the kinetic energy is transferred as strain energy at the contact point. Part of this strain energy occurs at the clashing section which will be deformed (local strain), while the other part is transferred to the surrounding area of the risers as axial and bending strains (global strain). This makes it extremely difficult to correctly evaluate the clashing stiffness of each riser. In order to obtain the local stiffness in the contact section, it is necessary to identify how much of the kinetic energy is locally transmitted by the sections.

The aim of this paper is to present a discussion about alternatives on how to evaluate the clashing energy based on the clashing stiffness of each riser. A methodology for the energy clashing calculation is presented in a way where it is possible to identify and separate the local strain from the global strain in a specific contact section based on the kinetic energy transmitted by each part.
Tax Benefits for Technological Innovation To Protect the Environment in the Corporate Income Tax: Reform Proposal for Brazil Based on the Spanish Experience
Authors: Mafra Barreto R. P.
Published: October 2015

This paper analyses the use of some economic instruments for the environmental protection. It takes as its starting point the Spanish experience in terms of the measures used to influence environmental practices regulated under the corporate income tax and discusses two types of tax deductions relating to technological innovation: in R&D and in environmental investments. In a second moment, we compare the proposals to extend tax mechanisms that could be implemented in environmental policy and deserves to be highlighted in the Brazilian legislative scenario. Finally, we present a proposal of environmental tax benefit for Brazil in the ambit of corporate income tax based on the Spanish experience. Note that, the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil recognizes the need for integration between the economy and new environmental requirements when establishes as principle of economic order the environmental protection. Therefore, the State is authorized to intervene in the economic domain through ecologically appropriate tax policies. In addition, the use of economic instruments for environmental purposes although it has diversified is insufficient; the environmental value taxation is more widespread at the level of federal states and municipalities; and regarding the taxes under federal jurisdiction, the environmental non-tax performance is weak and limited. Finally, it is important notice that state intervention in the economy is not sufficient to achieve a healthy environment and ecologically balanced environment for present and future generations. It is necessary to raise awareness among companies of their corporate environmental social responsibility and encourage them to increase the budget designated for the preservation of the environment.
Data Envelopment Analysis of Navigation Records Improve Ship Fleet Management
Authors: Cepeda M. A. Fun-sang , Caprace J. D.
Published: October 2015

This paper describes the use of navigation data to generate a model in order to answer to the following questions. What is the ship with less efficiency in my fleet? What is the best strategy to improve the overall efficiency of my fleet? What is the ship that I should sell in priority? What is the influence of this maintenance policy on the performance of my fleet?

The application case of this paper is based on one fleet of 13 ships containing 223 trips that gather approximately 6844 traveling days. The developed mathematical model is using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) based on Fuel consumption performance, Aging, Work performance, Sea condition, Steaming Time, Emissions, and Port Logistic. Afterwards a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is discussed. Both laden and ballast conditions are considered. Afterwards, a Multi Criterion Decision Analysis (MCDA) is proposed in order to assist the ship-owner in the improvement of the performance of their fleet.

A methodology to compare the efficiency of various ships in a fleet has been introduced in this paper and it provides a way to compare similar or different ship types and sizes during their operation. This study offers a method to exclude the engineer subjectivity by assessing the ship efficiency from different aspects using Data Envelopment Analysis. The results suggest that this new methodology can efficiently provide a multi-criteria decision framework to improve maintenance and fleet management strategies. The outcomes show a performance classification of the ships inside a fleet in a way that best and worst ships are identified at any moment.

These findings provide a new way to address efficiency and performance in ship fleet management. Developed methodology allows to minimize operational resources hence reduce costs.
Design of Chamber with Carbon Nanotubes for Deep Water Installations
Authors: Pino Veliz P. , Kong D. P.
Published: October 2015

In the last twenty years offshore oil development is being increased below the deep level of 1,500 m (5,000 ft) arriving to the ultra deep level of almost 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in several parts of the world as Brazil, Gulf of Mexico and West Africa with increased technical demand because of the severe conditions.

These challenges include methods and equipment that will be adapted or designed specifically for deep water contraints as high water pressures, low temperature and distance from vessels or platforms. Some companies are developing some capability to install equipment and systems in the sea bed in order to offer solutions and the necessary assurance. In the other hand new advances in materials as nanotechnologies are progressing in a very fast rate creating advanced materials and solutions for critical operations or new challenges that are each time more close to the industry in general (oil & gas, mining, aerospace) with use of innovative material and products.

This paper describe the computer based research comparing a chamber or hull for installation of equipment and systems for oil production in conditions of "deep water" and "ultra deep water" fabricated with use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and the same structure built with use of high strength low carbon steel [1] ASTM A710 which is an age hardening, alloy steel used where weight reduction, ease of fabrication and reduced welding costs are important. A710 is used in the manufacturing of jack-up rigs, construction equipment, pressure vessels, truck frames, piping components and shipbuilding.
Decontamination of Drilled Cuttings by a Semi-Industrial Continuous Microwave Dryer
Authors: Petri I. , Ataíde C. H. , Duarte C. R. , de Toledo R. N. , Morais A. S. , de A. Panisset C. M. , de Sá C. H. M. , Martins A. L.
Published: October 2015

The drilling fluids most commonly used in oil and gas drilling operations are the non-aqueous drilling fluids. These fluids adhere to the drilled cuttings, and because of the Brazilian environmental legislation demands, they need to undergo a reduction on the organic phase content before disposal. Microwave drying has been investigated as a remediation technique for drilled cuttings. The objective of this work is update the industry on the experimental results of a new cuttings drying equipment based on microwave heating. The motivation is to provide new field alternatives for efficient cuttings drying. A semi industrial continuous microwave dryer was built to process cuttings wet with an organic phase at a flow rate of 0.5 ton/hr. Construction parameters were based on extensive lab scale down experiments. Real cuttings and internal olefin based drilling fluids were used. A low field Nuclear Magnetic Ressonance (NMR) technology was used to evaluate oil contents in inflow and outflow samples. During the tests the initial content of synthetic base on the drill cuttings and feed flow rate were the controlled variables and the response variables were the residual content and specific energy (the amount of energy spent per unit of mass). Results obtained from preliminary tests and a test matrix show that the technology is able to reduce base oil concentration in cutting to values as low as 0.1%. The operational limits of the equipment were successfully investigated to allow processing a cuttings flow rate of 0.75 ton/h. The specific energy of this equipment proved to be competitive to become a commercial equipment. The present experimental campaign encourages the continuation of the research with the intent to build full-scale field microwave cutting dryer to operate either at a floating rig.
Tripartite Motif (TRIM) 12c, a Mouse Homolog of TRIM5, Is a Ubiquitin Ligase That Stimulates Type I IFN and NF-κB Pathways along with TNFR-Associated Factor 6
Authors: Chang Tsung-Hsien , Yoshimi Ryusuke , Ozato Keiko
Published: October 2015

Tripartite motif (TRIM) protein TRIM5 of the primate species restricts replication of HIV and other retroviruses. Whereas primates have a single TRIM5 gene, the corresponding locus in the mouse has expanded during evolution, now containing more than eight related genes. Owing to the complexity of the genomic organization, a mouse homolog of TRIM5 has not been fully studied thus far. In the present study, we report that Trim12c (formerly Trim12-2) encodes a TRIM5-like protein with a ubiquitin ligase activity. Similar to the primate TRIM5, TRIM12c is expressed in the cytoplasm as a punctate structure and induced upon IFN and pathogen stimulation in macrophages and dendritic cells. We show that TRIM12c interacts with TRAF6, a key protein in the pathogen recognition receptor signaling, and reciprocally enhances their ubiquitination, leading to cooperative activation of IFN and NF-κB pathways. This study identifies TRIM12c as a mouse TRIM5 equivalent, critical for host innate immunity.
MicroRNA-26b Modulates the NF-κB Pathway in Alveolar Macrophages by Regulating PTEN
Authors: Zhang Li , Huang Chaoqun , Guo Yujie , Gou Xuxu , Hinsdale Myron , Lloyd Pamela , Liu Lin
Published: October 2015

NF-κB is one of the best-characterized transcription factors, providing the link between early membrane–proximal signaling events and changes in many inflammatory genes. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. In this study, we evaluated the role of miR-26b in the LPS-induced inflammatory response in bovine alveolar macrophages (bAMs). LPS stimulation of bAMs upregulated miR-26b at 1 h and downregulated it at 6 and 36 h. Overexpression of miR-26b in bAMs enhanced the LPS-induced mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-10, but it directly inhibited that of IL-6. A similar trend was observed for the release of these cytokines and chemokines from bAMs. miR-26b directly bound the 3′-untranslated region of PTEN, leading to the reduction of PTEN protein in bAMs. miR-26b also enhanced the LPS-induced NF-κB signaling pathway, as revealed by increased NF-κB transcriptional activity and phosphorylation of p65, IκBα, IκB kinase, and Akt. Moreover, PTEN silencing increased the LPS-induced mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 and upregulated the NF-κB pathway. Taken together, we conclude that miR-26b participates in the inflammatory response of LPS-stimulated bAMs by modulating the NF-κB pathway through targeting PTEN.
Aire Expression Is Inherent to Most Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells during Their Differentiation Program
Authors: Kawano Hiroshi , Nishijima Hitoshi , Morimoto Junko , Hirota Fumiko , Morita Ryoko , Mouri Yasuhiro , Nishioka Yasuhiko , Matsumoto Mitsuru
Published: October 2015

Aire in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) plays an important role in the establishment of self-tolerance. Because Aire+ mTECs appear to be a limited subset, they may constitute a unique lineage(s) among mTECs. An alternative possibility is that all mTECs are committed to express Aire in principle, but Aire expression by individual mTECs is conditional. To investigate this issue, we established a novel Aire reporter strain in which endogenous Aire is replaced by the human AIRE-GFP-Flag tag (Aire/hAGF-knockin) fusion gene. The hAGF reporter protein was produced and retained very efficiently within mTECs as authentic Aire nuclear dot protein. Remarkably, snapshot analysis revealed that mTECs expressing hAGF accounted for >95% of mature mTECs, suggesting that Aire expression does not represent a particular mTEC lineage(s). We confirmed this by generating Aire/diphtheria toxin receptor–knockin mice in which long-term ablation of Aire+ mTECs by diphtheria toxin treatment resulted in the loss of most mature mTECs beyond the proportion of those apparently expressing Aire. These results suggest that Aire expression is inherent to all mTECs but may occur at particular stage(s) and/or cellular states during their differentiation, thus accounting for the broad impact of Aire on the promiscuous gene expression of mTECs.
Igs as Substrates for Transglutaminase 2: Implications for Autoantibody Production in Celiac Disease
Authors: Iversen Rasmus , Fleur du Pré M. , Di Niro Roberto , Sollid Ludvig M.
Published: October 2015

Autoantibodies specific for the enzyme transglutaminase 2 (TG2) are a hallmark of the gluten-sensitive enteropathy celiac disease. Production of the Abs is strictly dependent on exposure to dietary gluten proteins, thus raising the question how a foreign Ag (gluten) can induce an autoimmune response. It has been suggested that TG2-reactive B cells are activated by gluten-reactive T cells following receptor-mediated uptake of TG2–gluten complexes. In this study, we propose a revised model that is based on the ability of the BCR to serve as a substrate to TG2 and become cross-linked to gluten-derived peptides. We show that TG2-specific IgD molecules are preferred in the reaction and that binding of TG2 via a common epitope targeted by cells using the IgH variable gene segment (IGHV)5–51 results in more efficient cross-linking. Based on these findings we hypothesize that IgD-expressing B cells using IGHV5–51 are preferentially activated, and we suggest that this property can explain the previously reported low number of somatic mutations as well as the overrepresentation of IGHV5–51 among TG2-specific plasma cells in the celiac lesion. The model also couples gluten peptide uptake by TG2-reactive B cells directly to peptide deamidation, which is necessary for the activation of gluten-reactive T cells. It thereby provides a link between gluten deamidation, T cell activation, and the production of TG2-specific Abs. These are all key events in the development of celiac disease, and by connecting them the model may explain why the same enzyme that catalyzes gluten deamidation is also an autoantigen, something that is hardly coincidental.
A Truncated Variant of ASCC1, a Novel Inhibitor of NF-κB, Is Associated with Disease Severity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Torices Silvia , Alvarez-Rodríguez Lorena , Grande Lara , Varela Ignacio , Muñoz Pedro , Pascual Dora , Balsa Alejandro , López-Hoyos Marcos , Martinez-Taboada Víctor , Fernández-Luna Jose L.
Published: October 2015

Loss of the regulatory mechanisms that avoid excessive or constitutive activation of NF-κB may be associated with chronic inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After massive sequencing of 158 regulators of the NF-κB pathway in RA patients, we focused on a scarcely known gene, ASCC1, and showed that it potently inhibits the expression of NF-κB target genes (TRAIL, TNF-α, cIAP-1, IL8) and blocks activation of a NF-κB–luciferase reporter construct in five different human cell lines. Therefore, ASCC1 may contribute to avoiding a pathologic activation of this transcription factor. A truncated variant of ASCC1 (p.S78*) was found in RA patients and control individuals. Functional in vitro studies revealed that truncation abrogated the NF-κB inhibition capacity of ASCC1. In contrast with full-length protein, truncated ASCC1 did not reduce the transcriptional activation of NF-κB and the secretion of TNF-α in response to inflammatory stimuli. We analyzed the clinical impact of p.S78* variant in 433 patients with RA and found that heterozygous carriers of this variant needed more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and more patients with this genotype needed treatment with corticoids and biologic agents. Moreover, the truncated allele-carrier group had lower rates of remission compared with the full-length variant carriers. Overall, our findings show for the first time, to our knowledge, that ASCC1 inhibits NF-κB activation and that a truncated and inactive variant of ASCC1 is associated with a more severe disease, which could have clinical value for assessing the progression and prognosis of RA.
Identification of Cell Surface Straight Chain Poly-N-Acetyl-Lactosamine Bearing Protein Ligands for VH4-34–Encoded Natural IgM Antibodies
Authors: Bhat Neelima M. , Adams Christopher M. , Chen Yi , Bieber Marcia M. , Teng Nelson N. H.
Published: October 2015

B cell binding and cytotoxicity by human VH4-34–encoded Abs of the IgM isotype has been well documented. A VH4-34-IgM has recently shown a favorable early response in a phase 1 trial for treatment of B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Although its B cell ligand has been identified as straight chain poly-N-acetyl-lactosamine (SC-PNAL), the carrier of the sugar moiety has not been identified. Using nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry, we identify the metabolic activation related protein complex of CD147-CD98 as a major carrier of poly-N-acetyl-lactosamine (SC-PNAL) on human pre-B cell line Nalm-6. Previous studies have suggested CD45 as the SC-PNAL carrier for VH4-34–encoded IgG Abs. Because Nalm-6 is CD45 negative, human peripheral blood B lymphocytes and human B cell line, Reh, with high CD45 expression, were examined for SC-PNAL carrier proteins. Western blot analysis shows that the CD147-98 complex is indeed immunoprecipitated by VH4-34–encoded IgMs from human peripheral blood B lymphocytes and human B cell lines, Reh, OCI-Ly8, and Nalm-6. However, CD45 is immunoprecipitated only from peripheral B lymphocytes, but not from Reh despite the high expression of CD45. These results suggest that human B cells retain SC-PNAL on the CD147-98 complex, but modulate the sugar moiety on CD45. Because the carbohydrate moiety may act as a selecting Ag for VH4-34 autoantibody repertoire, its differential expression on proteins may provide a clue to the intricate atypical regulation of the VH4-34 gene.
Small bowel cancer diagnosis: role of nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Morotti Alessandro , Gned Dario , Di Martino Leonardo , Vaccheris Claudia , Lia Salvatore , Familiari Ubaldo , Veltri Andrea , Guerrasio Angelo
Published: October 2015

The diagnosis of small intestine tumors is challenging. Even in the era of modern medicine, standard approaches including echography, computed tomography-scan and conventional endoscopy are unable to reveal small bowel lesions. Video-capsule has substantially improved the evaluation of small bowel; however this procedure cannot be proposed to all patients and in particular to those experiencing intestine sub-occlusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NRM) of the abdomen is an additional diagnostic approach that offers high sensitivity in the identification of small bowel lesions. Here, we describe a case of small bowel neoplasia indentified with NRM of the abdomen.
Reply to: Emphysematous pyelonephritis: a case report
Authors: Modesto dos Santos Vitorino
Published: October 2015

Not available
How do repeat suicide attempters differ from first timers? An exploratory record based analysis
Authors: Menon Vikas , Kattimani Shivanand , Sarkar Siddharth , Mathan Kaliaperumal
Published: October 2015

Background: Evidence indicates that repeat suicide attempters, as a group, may differ from 1st time attempters. The identification of repeat attempters is a powerful but underutilized clinical variable. Aims: In this research, we aimed to compare individuals with lifetime histories of multiple attempts with 1st time attempters to identify factors predictive of repeat attempts. Setting and Design: This was a retrospective record based study carried out at a teaching cum Tertiary Care Hospital in South India. Methods: Relevant data was extracted from the clinical records of 1st time attempters (n = 362) and repeat attempters (n = 61) presenting to a single Tertiary Care Center over a 4½ year period. They were compared on various sociodemographic and clinical parameters. The clinical measures included Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Coping Strategies Inventory – Short Form, and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Statistical Analysis Used: First time attempters and repeaters were compared using appropriate inferential statistics. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of repeat attempts. Results: The two groups did not significantly differ on sociodemographic characteristics. Repeat attempters were more likely to have given prior hints about their act (χ2 = 4.500, P = 0.034). In the final regression model, beck hopelessness score emerged as a significant predictor of repeat suicide attempts (odds ratio = 1.064, P = 0.020). Conclusion: Among suicide attempters presenting to the hospital, the presence of hopelessness is a predictor of repeat suicide attempts, independent of clinical depression. This highlights the importance of considering hopelessness in the assessment of suicidality with a view to minimize the risk of future attempts.
Population-Based Multicentric Survey of Hepatitis B Infection and Risk Factors in the North, South, and Southeast Regions of Brazil, 10–20 Years After the Beginning of Vaccination
Authors: Ximenes Ricardo A. A. , Figueiredo Gerusa M. , Cardoso Maria Regina A. , Stein Airton T. , Moreira Regina C. , Coral Gabriela , Crespo Deborah , dos Santos Alex A. , Montarroyos Ulisses R. , Braga Maria Cynthia , Pereira Leila M. M. B.
Published: October 2015

A population-based hepatitis survey was carried out to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its predictive factors for the state capitals from the north, south, and southeast regions of Brazil. A multistage cluster sampling was used to select, successively, census tracts, blocks, households, and residents in the age group 10–69 years in each state capital. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was lower than 1% in the north, southeast, and south regions. Socioeconomic condition was associated with HBV infection in north and south regions. Variables related to the blood route transmission were associated with HBV infection only in the south whereas those related to sexual behavior were associated with HBV infection in the north and south regions. Drug use was associated in all regions, but the type of drug differed. The findings presented herein highlight the diversity of the potential transmission routes for hepatitis B transmission in Brazil. In one hand, it reinforces the importance of national control strategies of large impact already in course (immunization of infants, adolescents, and adults up to 49 years of age and blood supply screening). On the other hand, it shows that there is still room for further control measures targeted to different groups within each region.
One Hundred Years After Its Discovery in Guatemala by Rodolfo Robles, Onchocerca volvulus Transmission Has Been Eliminated from the Central Endemic Zone
Authors: Richards Frank , Rizzo Nidia , Diaz Espinoza Carlos Enrique , Monroy Zoraida Morales , Crovella Valdez Carol Guillermina , de Cabrera Renata Mendizabal , de Leon Oscar , Zea-Flores Guillermo , Sauerbrey Mauricio , Morales Alba Lucia , Rios Dalila , Unnasch Thomas R. , Hassan Hassan K. , Klein Robert , Eberhard Mark , Cupp Ed , Domínguez Alfredo
Published: October 2015

We report the elimination of Onchocerca volvulus transmission from the Central Endemic Zone (CEZ) of onchocerciasis in Guatemala, the largest focus of this disease in the Americas and the first to be discovered in this hemisphere by Rodolfo Robles Valverde in 1915. Mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin was launched in 1988, with semiannual MDA coverage reaching at least 85% of the eligible population in > 95% of treatment rounds during the 12-year period, 2000–2011. Serial parasitological testing to monitor MDA impact in sentinel villages showed a decrease in microfilaria skin prevalence from 70% to 0%, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based entomological assessments of the principal vector Simulium ochraceum s.l. showed transmission interruption by 2007. These assessments, together with a 2010 serological survey in children 9–69 months of age that showed Ov16 IgG4 antibody prevalence to be < 0.1%, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for stopping MDA, and treatment was halted after 2011. After 3 years an entomological assessment showed no evidence of vector infection or recrudescence of transmission. In 2015, 100 years after the discovery of its presence, the Ministry of Health of Guatemala declared onchocerciasis transmission as having been eliminated from the CEZ.
Antileishmanial Activity of Compounds Derived from the Medicines for Malaria Venture Open Access Box Against Intracellular Leishmania major Amastigotes
Authors: Khraiwesh Mozna , Leed Susan , Roncal Norma , Johnson Jacob , Sciotti Richard , Smith Philip , Read Lisa , Paris Robert , Hudson Thomas , Hickman Mark , Grogl Max
Published: October 2015

Leishmaniasis is a complex tropical disease caused by kinetoplastid parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the sand fly insect vector. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common form of this disease, and CL infections often result in serious skin lesions and scars. CL remains a public health problem in many endemic countries worldwide because of the absence of effective, safe, and cost-effective drugs for treatment. One of the strategies we chose to use to find novel chemical entities worthy of further development as antileishmanials involved screening synthetic and natural products libraries. In our study, we developed a Leishmania major intracellular amastigote assay that uses the activity of luciferase as a measure of parasite proliferation and used this assay to screen a collection of 400 compounds obtained from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) for their antileishmanial activity. Our results showed that 14 compounds identified by MMV as antimalarial drugs have antileishmanial activity and can potentially be optimized for CL drug development.
Development and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against the Nucleoprotein of Heartland Virus
Authors: Calvert Amanda E. , Brault Aaron C.
Published: October 2015

Heartland virus (HRTV), a phlebovirus first isolated from two Missouri farmers in 2009, has been proposed to be transmitted to humans by the bite of infected Amblyomma americanum ticks. It is closely related to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) from China, another previously unrecognized phlebovirus that has subsequently been associated with hundreds of cases of severe disease in humans. To expand diagnostic capacity to detect HRTV infections, 20 hybridoma clones secreting anti-HRTV murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed using splenocytes from HRTV-inoculated AG129 alpha/beta and gamma interferon receptor–deficient mice. Nine of these MAbs were characterized herein for inclusion in future HRTV diagnostic assay development. All of the MAbs developed were found to be non-neutralizing and reactive to linear epitopes on HRTV nucleocapsid protein. MAb 2AF11 was found to be cross-reactive with SFTSV.
Effect of Latitude and Seasonal Variation on Scrub Typhus, South Korea, 2001–2013
Authors: Jeung Ye Sul , Kim Choon-Mee , Yun Na Ra , Kim Seok-Won , Han Mi Ah , Kim Dong-Min
Published: October 2015

In South Korea, scrub typhus is one of the most common rickettsial diseases. The number of scrub typhus patients has increased in South Korea, a total of 69,210 cases were reported from 2001 to 2013. The seasonality and relation of scrub typhus cases to latitude were analyzed in this article using data obtained from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System website of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The incidence of scrub typhus tended to increase in the later months of the year, especially in October–December. In general, lower latitudes were associated with a later peak incidence. Our results suggest for the first time that the monthly observed incidence tended to increase in the later months of the year as the latitude decreased, and on a yearly basis in Korea.
Blanco y negro: un lenguaje para la arquitectura de Antonio Fernández Alba
Authors: Bernal López-San Vicente Amparo
Published: October 2015

Juan Daniel Fullaondo definía a Antonio Fernández Alba como “un hombre de método y cultura”, un arquitecto que acompañó el proceso de su desarrollo arquitectónico de un intenso despliegue cultural (1970, p. 3). La dimensión intelectual del arquitecto ha propiciado que, tanto su arquitectura y obra escrita, como su labor docente hayan sido interpretadas desde la evolución consciente de una investigación metodológica propia. Por ello, la expresión gráfica de su arquitectura no puede entenderse tan solo como el resultado de una experimentación desde la improvisación. En este artículo se plantea el análisis estético de sus planos en los que se evidencia la investigación sistemática de una técnica de representación que, desde la dualidad del contraste del blanco y negro, exploraba en la formalización de sus proyectos hacia una configuración coherente de su concepción arquitectónica.
Ideación gráfica revertida
Authors: Marcos Carlos L. , Domingo Gresa Jorge
Published: October 2015

Este artículo continúa la investigación de una propuesta de innovación docente, parcialmente abordada en el último Congreso EGA bajo el planteamiento de un ‘viaje imaginario a la mente del diseñador´. Se pretende desarrollar mecanismos vinculados al pensamiento gráfico y fomentar un dibujo desinhibido, eficaz y de respuesta rápida como recurso característico de la ideación. Desde hace años la ideación protagoniza diferentes propuestas docentes en el ámbito académico de E.G.A. generalmente vinculadas al dibujo inespecífico. Intencionalmente, se trata aquí de revertir el proceso de ideación, de ponerse en la piel de quien diseñó un edificio y, a partir de lo edificado –referente directo– tratar de reconstruir los bosquejos de ideación que debieron realizarse para concebirlo y darle forma.
En esta nueva investigación hemos confrontado los dibujos originales de los arquitectos –muchos inéditos– con dibujos de indudable atractivo e innegable desparpajo de estudiantes sobre dichos edificios, analizándolos dialécticamente para validar la pertinencia del enfoque pedagógico.