bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A History Matching Approach to Estimate Caprock Morphology Parameters for CO2 Storage in Saline Aquifers
Authors: Ahmadinia Masoud , Shariatipour Seyed , Andersen Odd , Sadri Mahdi
Published: April 2019

To improve the reservoir simulation model, uncertain parameters such as porosity and permeability in the reservoir rock strata need to be adjusted to match the simulated production data with the actual production data. This process is known as History Matching (HM). In geological CO2 storage that is being promoted for use in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and saline aquifers, CO2 tends to migrate upwards and accumulate as a separate plume in the zone immediately beneath the reservoir caprock. Thus caprock morphology is of considerable importance with respect to storage safety and migration prediction for the purpose of long-term CO2 storage. Moreover, small scale caprock irregularities, which are not captured by seismic surveys, could be one of the sources of errors while matching the observed CO2 plume migration and the numerical modelling results (e.g. Sleipner). Thus here we study the impact of uncertainties in slope and rugosity (small scale caprock irregularities not captured by seismic surveys) on plume migration, using a history-matching process. We defined 10 cases with different initial guesses to reproduce the caprock properties representing an observed plume shape. The results showed a reasonable match between the horizontal plume shape in calibrated and observed models with an average error of 2.95 percentages
Evaluation of Environmentally Friendly Drilling Fluid Additives in Water-Based Drilling Mud
Authors: Al-Hameedi Abo Taleb , Alkinani Husam H. , Dunn-Norman Shari , Alashwak Nawaf A. , Alshammari Abdullah F. , Alkhamis Mohammed M. , Mutar Rusul A. , Ashammarey Alaa
Published: April 2019

Drilling wastes generated in large volumes is recognized to have many effects on the environment. Several techniques have been applied by the oil and gas industry to overcome the impacts of drilling waste on the environment, an example of these techniques is using environmentally friendly drilling fluid additives.

This work investigates the potential of using Fibrous Food Waste Material (FFWM) as an environmentally friendly drilling fluid additive. This material was prepared in-house. Experimental evaluation has been carried out to investigate the ability of FFWM to enhance several properties of water-based drilling fluid under two different pH conditions. The FFWM was first evaluated at 9.3 pH then the pH was increased using sodium hydroxide to 11.5. Several properties of drilling fluid were measured. The measurements included testing the rheological properties using viscometer, measuring the filtration using standard low-pressure low-temperature filter press, the pH using pH tester, and other important properties.

The findings of this work showed that FFWM in 9.3 pH environment reduced the fluid loss by 18% and 30% when 1% and 2% concentrations of FFWM were added, respectively. This reduction in fluid loss was along with forming a thin filter cake. The filter cake thickness of the reference fluid was decreased from 3 mm to 2.14 mm and 1.9 mm at 1% and 2% concentrations of FFWM. Additionally, FFWM resulted in increasing the plastic viscosity (PV) compared to the reference fluid by 33.33% at 1% and 2% concentrations. While the yield point (YP) was increased by 22.22% and 44.44% when 1% and 2% concentrations of FFWM were added, respectively. Both the initial and final gel strengths were increased by 27.27%, 44.44 %, 7.14% and 14.28% at 1% and 2% concentrations, respectively. Moreover, the results in 11.5 pH emphasized the efficient performance of FFWM, and it showed better improvement in the filtration specifications and the rheological properties. In other words, PV, YP, and gel strength were significantly increased; while the fluid loss was very low and the filter cake was very thin at 11.5 pH condition compared to 9.3 pH condition for the same concentrations, proving the ability of FFWM to perform better under higher pH condition.

The significant enhancement in the rheological and filtration properties, suggesting the applicability of using this additive as a rheology modifier and filtration control agent. These results showed the potential use of FFWM as an alternative for some of the toxic materials used today in the oil and gas industry. This work demonstrates that this additive will help to reduce both the impact on the environment along with reducing the cost of drilling fluid and drilling waste handling.
Assessing Waterflood Efficiency with Deconvolution Based Multi-Well Retrospective Test Technique
Authors: Aslanyan Artur , Grishko Fedor , Krichevsky Vladimir , Gulyaev Danila , Panarina Ekaterina , Buyanov Anton
Published: April 2019

A waterflood study has been performed on a heterogeneous oil deposit with a rising water-cut and production decline after 10 years of commercial production.

The objective was to analyze the efficiency of waterflood patterns across the field and suggest injection optimization opportunities.

The production is facilitated by ESP with Permanent Downhole Gauges (PDGs) which provides an opportunity to analyze the productivity index and cross-well interference.

The PDG analyzes was performed in PolyGon pressure modelling facility and followed Multi-well Retrospective Testing (MRT) workflow which is based on the mathematical procedure of multiwell deconvolution (MDCV).

MDCV trains the correlation between bottom-hole pressure (BHP) variations from PDG data records and rates variations from daily production history of a given well and other wells around it.

This provides a robust short-term predictor for production response for different rate/BHP scenarios and makes a basis for injection optimization opportunities.

MDCV allows reconstructing formation pressure and productivity index back in time, pick up the changes and understand if they were caused locally (by skin) or massively (by transmissibility).

The diffusion modelling of deconvolved data allows a robust quantification of some reservoir properties in cross-well intervals, such as the current drained volume around each well, potential drained volume (as if the offset wells are shut-down), apparent cross-well transmissibility, boundary types and compare them against the various geological scenarios and possible well-reservoir contact scenarios.

The quantitative analysis allows picking up anomalously high cross-well interference which may be caused by thin-bedding circuiting or induced fracture. It also provides a strong hint for thief-injection and thief-production in cases of poor cross-well interference.
Overestimation in Operators Budgets and Long-Term Forecasting; A Non-Operator Perspective
Authors: Leeftink Tom , Aramburo Velez Daniel , Godderij Raymond
Published: April 2019

EBN is the Dutch state energy company that is a large non-operating partner of over 10 different operators that produce from more than 200 on- and offshore assets with more than 850 projects defined on them. Estimating budget production, medium and long-term forecasts and its associated operating and capital expenditures are of vital importance to EBN. Larger companies with many assets and even more projects, at varying degree of maturity, have great difficulty to reliably predict an aggregated forecast.

Historically, EBN would copy and risk operator data, which led to continuous overestimation of both budget production and longterm forecasts. A straightforward correction method was developed; that consists of two parts: firstly, the budget production is set for all producing assets and projects by assessing technical, subsurface, infrastructural and human factors on the operator's fields and projects performance. Secondly, the medium and longterm forecast is delayed with 1 to 4 years for respective SPE PRMS resource classes "justified for development" to "project unviable" and the associated project forecasts are risked with a chance of development according to their subclasses of the contingent resource classes.

Data analytics on almost 10 years of reserve reporting according to SPE PRMS standards led to a straightforward solution to reduce short and medium-term forecasting error. The short-term absolute average error used to be 8%. Through the implementation of the new method, 7 years ago, the absolute average short-term forecasting error dropped to 4%. The long-term aggregated forecast, obtained by simply copying the operator data, resulted in an overestimation of up to 50% 5 years ahead. The overestimation was reduced to an absolute average error of 23% by an earlier correction method, which only used risking factors on contingent projects, but no time delay. This paper presents a new method, that uses both risking factors and time delays on the realization of projects. The method reduced the error in the long-term forecast to an uncertainty band of a few percent.

Various causes for the overestimation were identified. The budget production errors were primarily attributed to wrong uptime predictions. Longterm forecast errors are impacted by the overestimation of the number of executed projects, while the timing and performance of new projects affects both the short and middle term forecasts.

The solution presented is the first methodology for EBN that is able to predict aggregated forecasts of hundreds of projects of several operators with an accuracy within a 5% margin over a lengthy period. The described risking factors described, and delay times, are dependent on the portfolio maturity and investment climate. Historic data has to be utilized to determine these factors for your portfolio.
Thermally-Induced Secondary Fracture Development in Shale Formations During Hydraulic Fracture Water Invasion and Clay Swelling
Authors: Eveline Vena F. , Santos Laura P. , Akkutlu I. Yucel
Published: April 2019

Current trends in shale gas industry require an advanced-level understanding of fracturing water invasion into formation and the subsequent water-shale interactions. Previously, we studied osmosis and clay swelling effects on the permeability of the shale formation. Shale, with an average 50% clay content, could hold large cation-exchange-capacity and significantly improved membrane efficiency, which may promote swelling and changes in the stress. In addition, large temperature-gradient effects due to cold water contacting the formation has not been investigated in detail.

A new geomechanically-coupled reservoir flow simulator is developed, which accounts for cold freshwater imbibition, osmosis and clay-swelling effects on the formation permeability under stress. The model includes aqueous and gaseous phases with three components: water, gas and salt. Governing geomechanical equation includes pore-pressure as well as temperature gradients. Volumetric strain (porosity changes) is calculated as a function of the mean normal stress, pore pressure and temperature. Imbibition occurs in water-wet inorganic part of the matrix, in the micro-cracks. Osmosis and clay swelling effects develop when the imbibed water in the micro-cracks interacts with the saline water in clay pores, which acts as a semi-permeable membrane to the water and experiences pore (osmotic) pressure changes and swelling of the clay in the formation.

The effect of temperature is pronounced early during the shut-in when imbibition of cold water takes place rapidly. Cold water introduces a low-stress region near the fracture due to thermal expansion effect and pore pressure buildup. We used a criterion and discuss the potential for fracturing. It is anticipated that the fracturing develops during forced imbibition of cold water given that a large difference exists between the injected water and the formation temperatures.
Multiscale Integration for Karst Reservoir Flow Simulation Models
Authors: Correia Manuel , Hohendorff João , Schiozer Denis
Published: April 2019

The significant oil reserves related to karst reservoirs in Brazilian pre-salt field adds new frontiers to the development of upscaling procedures to reduce time on numerical simulations. This work aims to represent karst reservoirs in reservoir simulators based on special connections between matrix and karst mediums, both modeled in different grid domains of a single porosity flow model. This representation intends to provide a good relationship between accuracy and simulation time.

The concept follows the Embedded Discrete Fracture Model (EDFM) developed by Moinfar, 2013; however, this work extends the approach for karst reservoirs (Embedded Discrete Karst Model - EDKM) by adding a representative volume through grid blocks to represent karst geometries and porosity. For the extension of EDFM approach in a karst reservoir, we adapt the methodology to four stages: (a) construction of a single porosity model with two grid domains, (b) geomodeling of karst and matrix properties for the corresponding grid domain, (c) application of special connections through the conventional reservoir simulator to represent the transmissibility between matrix and karst medium, (d) calculation of transmissibility between karst and matrix medium.

For a proper validation, we applied the EDKM methodology in a carbonate reservoir with mega-karst structures, which consists of non-well-connected enlarged conduits and above 300 mm of aperture. The reference model was a refined grid with karst features explicitly combined with matrix facies, including coquinas interbedded with mudstones and shales. The grid block of the reference model measures approximately 10 × 10 × 1 meters. For the simulation model, the matrix grid domain has a grid block size of approximately 100 × 100 × 5 meters. The karst grid domain had the same block size as the refined grid. Flow in the individual karst grid domain or matrix grid domain is governed by Darcy's equation, implicitly solved by simulator. However, the transmissibility for the special connections between karst and matrix blocks is calculated as a function of open area to flow, matrix permeability and block center distance. The matrix properties were upscaled through conventional analytical methods. The results show that EDKM had a considerable performance regarding a dynamic matching response with reference model, within a reduced simulation time while maintaining a higher dynamic resolution in the karst grid domain without using an unconstructed grid.

This work aims to contribute to the extension of EDFM approach for karst reservoirs, which can be applied to commercial finite-difference reservoir simulators and it presents itself as a solution to reduce simulation time without disregarding the explicit representation of karst features in structured grids.
Investigation of Pore-Scale Mechanisms of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery MEOR Using Microfluidics Application
Authors: Gaol Calvin , Wegner Jonas , Ganzer Leonhard , Dopffel Nicole , Koegler Felix , Borovina Ante , Alkan Hakan
Published: April 2019

Utilisation of microorganisms as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method has attracted much attention in recent years because it is a low-cost and environmentally friendly technology. However, the pore-scale mechanisms involved in MEOR that contribute to an additional oil recovery are not fully understood so far. This work aims to investigate the MEOR mechanisms using microfluidic technology, among others bioplugging and changes in fluid mobilities. Further, the contribution of these mechanisms to additional oil recovery was quantified.

A novel experimental setup that enables investigation of MEOR in micromodels under elevated pressure, reservoir temperature and anaerobic and sterile conditions was developed. Initially, single-phase experiments were performed with fluids from a German high-salinity oil field selected for a potential MEOR application: Brine containing bacteria and nutrients was injected into the micromodel. During ten days of static incubation, bacterial cells and in-situ gas production were visualised and quantified by using an image processing algorithm. After that, injection of tracer particles and particle image velocimetry were performed to evaluate flow diversion in the micromodel due to bioplugging. Differential and absolute pressures were measured throughout the experiments. Further, two-phase flooding experiments were performed in oil wet and water wet micromodels to investigate the effect of in-situ microbial growth on oil recovery.

In-situ bacteria growth was observed in the micromodel for both single and two-phase flooding experiments. During the injection, cells were partly transported through the micromodel but also remained attached to the model surface. The increase in differential pressure confirmed these microscopic observations of bioplugging. Also, the resulting permeability reduction factor correlated with calculations based on the Kozeny-Carman approach using the total number of bacteria attached. The flow diversion of the tracer particles and the differences in velocity field also confirmed that bioplugging occurred in the micromodel may lead to an improved conformance control. Oil viscosity reduction due to gas dissolution as well as changes in the wettability were also identified to contribute on the incremental oil. Two-phase flow experiments in a newly designed heterogeneous micromodel showed a significant effect of bioplugging and improved the macroscopic conformance of oil displacement process.

This work gives new insights into the pore-scale mechanisms of MEOR processes in porous media. The new experimental microfluidic setup enables the investigation of these mechanisms under defined reservoir conditions, i.e., elevated pressure, reservoir temperature and anaerobic conditions.
Simulation of Injectivity and Fracture Containment: Water Injection in a Turbidite Reservoir, Offshore Ghana
Authors: Hwang Jongsoo , Sharma Mukul , Amaning Kwarteng , Singh Arvinder , Sathyamoorthy Sekhar
Published: April 2019

Understanding injectivity is a critical element to ensure that sufficient volumes of water are being injected into the reservoir to maintain reservoir pressure, to ensure good reservoir sweep and minimize well remediation. It is, however, challenging to describe the large injectivity changes that are sometimes observed in injectors operating under fracturing conditions. This study presents a field case study with the following objectives: 1) explain the complicated injectivity changes caused by fracture opening/closure with injection-rate variations, 2) define a safe operating envelope (for injection pressure and rate) that ensures fracture containment and injection into the target zone, and 3) prescribe how the injection rate should be changed to achieve higher injectivities. Injector operating conditions are developed using results from a full 3-dimensional fracture growth simulation to ensure fracture containment in a multi-layered reservoir.

We present field injectivity observations, a comprehensive simulation workflow and its results to explain injector performance in a deep-water turbidite sand reservoir with multiple splay sands. Understanding the impact on fracture propagation and containment allows us to make quantitative suggestions for the operating envelopes for long-term injection-production management. Strategies for high-rate injection to sustain the injection well performance long-term are discussed.

Simulation results show that, at injection rates over 5,000 bwpd, injection induced fractures propagate. Fracture closure induced by injection shut-down is used to compute the bottom-hole pressure decline as a function of time. The fracture opening/closure events and the thermally induced stress were the primary factors impacting injectivity. The simulation results suggested several ways to improve the injectivity while ensuring fracture containment. Injection under fracturing conditions into a single zone at a high rate is shown to be feasible and this allows us to support a substantial increase in injectivity. This must, however, be done at pressures that will not cause a breach in the bounding shales. The 3-dimensional fracture simulations identified the operating pressure and rate envelope to maximize the injection rates while minimizing the risk of breaching the cap rock and inter-zone shales.
LASIK-induced Corneal Changes after Correction of Hyperopia with and without Application of Mitomycin-C
Authors: Moawad Ehab M. , Elghany Ahmed A. Abd , Gab-Alla Amr A. , Elbassiouny Osama M. , Badawy Mohsen S.
Published: April 2019

Background

The study aimed to assess the role of intraoperative mitomycin-C (MMC) application during hyperopic LASIK correction (+1.00 D to +6.00 D) by examining topographic corneal changes and incidence of regression over a one-year follow-up period.

Methods

This comparative randomized control study included 136 eyes of 68 hyperopic patients divided into two groups; Group A included 68 eyes of 34 patients that had LASIK with the application of 0.02% MMC for 10 seconds on the stromal bed after excimer laser treatment, and group B included 68 eyes of 34 patients that had LASIK without MMC application. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), refraction, keratometry and topography were recorded at 1st week and 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months postoperation. Predictability and treatment efficacy were also recorded at the end of the follow-up period.

Results

Better predictability was noted in group A than in group B at the 6 month and 12 month follow-up visits, with a mean cycloplegic refraction SE of +0.5 ± 0.31 D in group A and +0.67 ± 0.39 D in group B at the 6 month visit, and +0.63 ± 0.37 D in group A and +0.89 ± 0.48 D in group B at the 12 month visit. The efficacy of the treatment at the end of the follow up period was better in group A than in group B. Group A showed fewer topographic corneal changes than group B.

Conclusions

Intraoperative MMC application during hyperopic LASIK achieves better predictability and efficacy and induces fewer topographic changes and lower regression rate of hyperopia during the first postoperative year.

Trial registration: the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR201901543722087, on 29 January 2019.
Cytokine profiling reveals increased serum inflammatory cytokines in idiopathic choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Guo Shenchao , Yin Houfa , Zheng Mingjie , Tang Yizhen , Lu Bing , Chen Xinyi , Fu Qiuli , Qin Zhenwei , Lyu Danni , Tang Qiaomei , Zhang Lifang , Ma Jian , Zhang Li , Fang Xiaoyun
Published: April 2019

Background: The exact pathogenesis of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) remains unclear. Cytokine-mediated inflammation has been thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of ICNV. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum cytokine profiles in patients with ICNV and to explore the relationship between serum cytokine levels and ICNV severity.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 32 ICNV patients and 30 healthy volunteers. Clinical and demographic information was obtained from the medical data platform and the serum was analysed with a multiplex assay to determine the levels of seven cytokines: interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, IL-15, IL-17, basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Results: Serum levels of IL-2, IL-10, IL-17, basic FGF, and VEGF were elevated in ICNV patients compared to controls. Serum GM-CSF levels were positively related to central retinal thickness, and serum IL-17 levels were positively related to CNV lesion area.
Conclusion: Serum inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in ICNV patients compared to controls. This suggests that systemic inflammation may play a critical role in the physiopathology of ICNV.
Bimodális (kétcsúcsú) termékenységi görbe Magyarországon - leíró eredmények és lehetséges okok
Authors: Kapitány Balázs
Published: April 2019

A termékenység időbeni lefutásának, a termékenységi görbe (fertility curve) mintázatának és változásainak vizsgálata évtizedek óta a nemzetközi és a hazai demográfia klasszikus tárgyát alkotja. Emiatt már régóta ismert az a tény is, hogy egyes ritka, speciális esetekben előfordul, hogy egy társadalomban – jellemzően egy átmeneti időszakban – két termékenységi csúccsal rendelkező (bimodális) termékenységi görbe alakul ki. A friss magyarországi adatok arra utalnak, hogy az utóbbi  években, hazánkban is kialakult ez a bimodális eloszlású termékenységi görbe. A jelenség esetleges társadalom- és népesedéspolitikai jelentősége miatt indokoltnak érezzük a bimodális termékenységi mintázatok kapcsán született szakirodalom vázlatos bemutatását és a hazai eredmények részletesebb vizsgálatát. Eredményeink szerint a jelenség kialakulása feltehetően a 2011–2016 között, Magyarországon megfigyelhető mintegy 20%-os, társadalmilag, demográfiailag meglehetősen szelektív termékenységemelkedéshez köthető, mintegy annak mellékhatása.
Regiszteradatok felhasználási lehetőségei a kohorszkutatásban
Authors: Veroszta Zsuzsanna
Published: April 2019

A tanulmány a magyarországi gyakorlatban rendelkezésre álló adminisztratív adatok kutatási célú felhasználási lehetőségeit tekinti át, egy speciális vizsgálati területre, a születési kohorszvizsgálatokra fókuszálva. Ezen belül is a 2018 elején, a KSH Népességtudományi Kutatóintézetben indult longitudinális, survey módszertanon alapuló születési kohorszvizsgálat, a Kohorsz ’18 kutatás szempontjából összegzi az adminisztratív adatfelhasználási lehetőségeket, adatkapcsolási eljárásokat és az azokat meghatározó szabályozó környezeti feltételeket. Az elemzés eredményei általánosabb szinten a jelenleg tervezett, avagy zajló adminisztratív adatokkal is dolgozó survey típusú kutatások számára nyújthatnak új szempontokat.
Direct numerical simulation of strong compression of the axisymmetric gas cavity in a liquid
Authors: Aganin A.A. , Khalitova T.F. , Khismatullina N.A.
Published: April 2019

A technique for computing strong compression of an axisymmetric gas bubble in a liquid by direct numerical simulation based on the equations of fluid dynamics is presented. This technique uses a scheme of the second-order accuracy in space and time for smooth solutions. Some results of numerical investigation of efficiency of this technique are given. It is established that this technique is much more effective than the classical first order accurate Godunov scheme widely known in the literature.
Experimental investigation of foam flow in two- and three-dimensional models of porous medium
Authors: Amel’kin S.V. , Gubaidullin A.A. , Shnaider A.V.
Published: April 2019

The results of experiments on the formation and flow of foam in a two-dimensional glass model of the porous medium and three-dimensional porous rock sample are compared.
Simulation of non-stationary thermal fields from a buried thermally insulated pipeline and its diagnostics
Authors: Vaganova N.A.
Published: April 2019

To detect damage to the underground pipeline, a mathematical model, allowing to take into account the most significant Factors affecting the distribution of temperature on the day surface. To implement this model, a software package has been developed and results of numerical calculations. With the help of these calculations, in particular, It is established that modern thermal imaging equipment has a principal possibility to determine an unauthorized frame in the main pipeline at a depth of two meters in clay soil.
Chemical transformations modelling in countercurrent reactors on the example of reduction of iron
Authors: Nazmutdinova L.R.
Published: April 2019

Model of reduction of iron in countercurrent reactors in various modes is observed. The parameters providing the optimal yield of the final product were obtained.
Discovery and Development of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8 Inhibitors
Authors: Lv Xiao , Tian Yongbing , Li Shiyu , Cheng Kai , Huang Xufeng , Kong Haiyan , Liao Chenzhong , Xie Zhouling
Published: April 2019

Cyclin-dependent Kinase 8 (CDK8), a member of the CDKs family, has been widely
focused owing to investigations of its critical roles in transcription and oncogenesis in recent years.
Selective inhibition of CDK8 and its paralog CDK19 offers a novel therapeutic strategy for the
treatment of some cancers. Up to now, though many small molecules against CDK8 have been discovered,
most of them are discontinued in the preclinical trials due to the low selectivity and poor
physicochemical properties. This review mainly summarizes the design strategies of selective CDK8
inhibitors having different chemical scaffolds with the aim to improve the inhibitory activity, selectivity,
metabolic stability and solubility. Their corresponding Structure-activity Relationships (SAR)
are also reviewed. On the basis of the discussion in this review, we hope more effective, selective
and drug-like CDK8 inhibitors will be developed and demonstrate therapeutic values in the near
future.
Role of Antioxidant Molecules and Polymers in Prevention of Bacterial Growth and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Francolini Iolanda , Piozzi Antonella
Published: April 2019

Background:

Antioxidants are multifaceted molecules playing a crucial role in several cellular functions. There is by now a well-established knowledge about their involvement in numerous processes associated with aging, including vascular damage, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. An emerging area of application has been lately identified for these compounds in relation to the recent findings indicating their ability to affect biofilm formation by some microbial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods:

A structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature was performed using a focused review question. The quality of retrieved papers was appraised using standard tools.

Results:

One hundred sixty-five papers extracted from pubmed database and published in the last fifteen years were included in this review focused on the assessment of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of antioxidant compounds, including vitamins, flavonoids, non-flavonoid polyphenols, and antioxidant polymers. Mechanisms of action of some important antioxidant compounds, especially for vitamin C and phenolic acids, were identified.

Conclusion:

The findings of this review confirm the potential benefits of the use of natural antioxidants as antimicrobial/antibiofilm compounds. Generally, gram-positive bacteria were found to be more sensitive to antioxidants than gram-negatives. Antioxidant polymeric systems have also been developed mainly derived from functionalization of polysaccharides with antioxidant molecules. The application of such systems in clinics may permit to overcome some issues related to the systemic delivery of antioxidants, such as poor absorption, loss of bioactivity, and limited half-life. However, investigations focused on the study of antibiofilm activity of antioxidant polymers are still very limited in number and therefore they are strongly encouraged in order to lay the foundations for application of antioxidant polymers in treatment of biofilm-based infections.
Role of Dietary Gluten in Development of Celiac Disease and Type I Diabetes: Management Beyond Gluten-Free Diet
Authors: Pei Jinli , Wei Shuangshuang , Pei Yechun , Wu Hao , Wang Dayong
Published: April 2019

Gluten triggers Celiac Disease (CD) and type I diabetes in genetically predisposed population
of human leukocyte antigen DQ2/DQ8+ and associates with disorders such as schizophrenia
and autism. Application of a strict gluten-free diet is the only well-established treatment for patients
with CD, whereas the treatment for patients with celiac type I diabetes may be depend on the timing
and frequency of the diet. The application of a gluten-free diet in patients with CD may contribute to
the development of metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and may also lead to a
high glycemic index, low fiber diet and micronutrient deficiencies. The alteration of copper
bioavailability (deficient, excess or aberrant coordination) may contribute to the onset and progress
of related pathologies. Therefore, nutrient intake of patients on a gluten-free diet should be the focus
of future researches. Other gluten-based therapies have been rising with interest such as enzymatic
pretreatment of gluten, oral enzyme supplements to digest dietary gluten, gluten removal by breeding
wheat varieties with reduced or deleted gluten toxicity, the development of polymeric binders to
suppress gluten induced pathology.
Tear Inflammatory Molecules in Contact Lens Wearers: A Literature Review
Authors: López-de la Rosa Alberto , González-García María J. , Calonge Margarita , Enríquez-de-Salamanca Amalia
Published: April 2019

Background:

Numerous studies have analysed the effect of using different Contact
Lenses (CLs) or care solutions, and suffering discomfort or diseases associated with CL wear
on the inflammatory mediator release into the tears.

Objective:

To summarize the published data on tear inflammatory molecules related to CL use.

Methods:

A PubMed-NCBI search has been conducted and those publications which carried
out original investigations including the analysis of tear inflammatory mediators in CL wearers
were selected.

Results:

Forty-three articles, from 1990 to 2019, have been included. Wearing hydrogel CLs,
rigid gas permeable CLs, and special designs for irregular corneas in keratoconus patients (CLs
with keratoconic design, hybrid CLs, piggyback fit, and scleral CLs) have been reported to alter
the concentration of several molecules in tears. Moreover, there seems to be an effect of the
wearing time and schedule, CL materials and designs, and care solutions used. Regarding CL
discomfort, its relation with inflammatory mediators is not clear. However, some diseases associated
to CL wear, such as giant papillary conjunctivitis, CL induced acute red eye, CL induced
peripheral ulcer, and acanthamoeba keratitis have been related to the release of certain inflammatory
mediators, which may serve as potential biomarkers.

Conclusion:

There is evidence suggesting that different aspects of CL wear alter the inflammatory
mediator profile in tears, which may indicate an inflammatory state of the lacrimal functional
unit. However, more studies need to be carried out to better understand how this inflammatory
process works and its repercussion on the different aspects of CL wear.
Depression and Treatment with Effective Herbs
Authors: Fathinezhad Zohre , Sewell Robert D.E , Lorigooini Zahra , Rafieian-Kopaei Mahmoud
Published: April 2019

Depression is a common psychiatric disease and one of the main causes of disability worldwide. In
spite of certain developments in this field, chemical and synthetic drugs used for the treatment of depression
disrupt the treatment process due to numerous side effects and high cost. Today, the goal of using a potential
method for treating depression involves the use of medicinal and phytochemical plants, which have many therapeutic
benefits. Studies have shown that medicinal plants affect the nervous system and exert antidepressant effects
in various ways, including synaptic regulation of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, and inflammatory
mediators. In this study, depression as well as the factors and mechanisms involved in its development are first
addressed, and then medicinal plants effective in the treatment of depression along with their mechanisms of
actions are reported.
Synthetic Optimization of Ellipticine and Antitumor Activity of Novel Hexacyclic Derivatives of Ellipticine
Authors: Lin Jingjing , Tang Mei , Zhao Ru , Du Qianqian , Shen Longying , Du Guohua , Zhang Yafen , Li Yan , Pan Xiandao
Published: April 2019

Background:

For decades, a great deal of research work has been done to synthesize ellipticine and
its derivatives because of their potential antitumor properties and anti-HIV activities. However, the resonance
structures in different media, a low level of solubility at physiological pH and systemic toxicity have prevented
the use of ellipticine as a therapeutic agent. Besides, the low yield and complex steps of ellipticine synthesis limit
its application.

Methods:

A high-yield synthetic procedure of ellipticine has been optimized, and the total yield was up to 50%
without silica gel column chromatography. Novel hexacyclic ellipticine derivatives were synthesized by coupling
ellipticine with o-aminobenzoic acid. Their cytotoxicities against HCT116, MGC803, HT29 and MCF-7 tumor
cells were evaluated.

Results:

The synthesis process of ellipticine was optimized, and the total yield of the synthetic route was increased
to 50% through several operation steps optimization. Fourteen ellipticine hexacyclic derivatives were
synthesized. The synthetic compounds were screened for anti-tumor activity in vivo and in vitro, and some of the
derivatives had good anti-tumor activity.

Conclusion:

Compared with ellipticine, the compound 1l showed higher antitumor activity and better tolerance to
tumor models. The compound 1l treatment increased the percentage of late apoptotic cells from 3.1% (DMSO) to
21.6% (20.0 μM) in NCI-H460 cells. It also was observed the effect of 1l on G2 phase arrest was similar as that
of ellipticine. The mechanism of action indicated compound 1l could be a topoisomerase IIα poison. These studies
provided the basis for the pharmacodynamics and toxicology of ellipticine, and further clarifies the structureactivity
relationship of antitumor activity of ellipticine.
Hyperuricemia and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Zhang Shuangshuang , Wang Yong , Cheng Jinsong , Huangfu Ning , Zhao Ruochi , Xu Zhenyu , Zhang Fuxing , Zheng Wenyuan , Zhang Dandan
Published: April 2019

Purine metabolism in the circulatory system yields uric acid as its final oxidation product, which is believed to be linked to the development of gout and kidney stones. Hyperuricemia is closely correlated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease, as attested by the epidemiological and empirical research. In this review, we summarize the recent knowledge about hyperuricemia, with a special focus on its physiology, epidemiology, and correlation with cardiovascular disease. This review also discusses the possible positive effects of treatment to reduce urate levels in patients with cardiovascular disease and hyperuricemia, which may lead to an improved clinical treatment plan.
Expression and Significance of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lian Jiangshan , Zhang Xiaolin , Lu Yingfeng , Hao Shaorui , Zhang Zhe , Yang Yida
Published: April 2019

Objective:

To investigate the expression of long-chain non-coding RNA MINCR (LncRNAMINCR)
and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 (CDK2) mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma, and to
analyze the relationship between its expression and clinical pathological parameters and prognosis of
hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods:

Seventy-five surgically resected primary hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and paracancerous
tissues were selected. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2
mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues. The relationship of clinicopathological
parameters and prognosis between hepatocellular carcinoma and LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA
were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficient describes the correlation between LncRNA-MINCR and
CDK2 mRNA.

Results:

The expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma
tissues was higher than that in the adjacent tissues [(5.51±0.62) vs (1.62±0.51), (4.52±0.73) vs (1.85±0.95),
P<0.05]. The expression of LncRNA-MINCR in the primary hepatocellular carcinoma group was
positively correlated with CDK2 mRNA (r=0.352, P<0.05), and the expression of LncRNA-MINCR in the
paracancerous tissue group was not correlated with CDK2 mRNA (r=0.024, P>0.05). LncRNA-MINCR
expression was associated with TNM staging, lymph node metastasis, and cirrhosis (P<0.05). CDK2
mRNA expression was associated with tumor diameter, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and serum
alpha-fetoprotein levels (P<0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with high expression of LncRNAMINCR
was lower than that of LncRNA-MINCR low expression group [53.49% vs 77.38%, 2=13.024,
P<0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with high CDK2 mRNA expression was lower than that of
CDK2 mRNA low expression group [51.29] % vs 80.38%, 2 = 10.15, P < 0.05].

Conclusion:

The expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma
tissues increased significantly. The two play a synergistic role in the invasion, invasion and metastasis of
hepatocarcinoma cells. High expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA indicates poor prognosis
in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
MADD Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma and its Impact on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Ye Bo , Zhong Fangming , Yu Guocan , Lou Haizhou , Hu Jian
Published: April 2019

Objective:

This study investigated the expression of MAPK-activating death domaincontaining
protein (MADD) in lung adenocarcinoma and its impact on lung adenocarcinoma SPCA-
1 cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Methods:

Clinicopathological lung specimens were collected. MADD expression levels in normal
human lung and human lung adenocarcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.
Lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells were cultured, and IG20 gene expression in the SPC-A-1
cells was detected using reverse-transcription PCR. SPC-A-1 cells were transfected with a plasmid
carrying the MADD gene and a lentiviral vector capable of silencing MADD expression. CCK-8
assay, western blot and flow cytometry were performed to detect MADD expression, proliferation
and apoptosis in the SPC-A-1 cells.

Results:

MADD expression levels in the lung adenocarcinoma tissue were significantly higher than
those in the normal lung tissue and lung squamous carcinoma cells. MADD can be expressed in
lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells. High MADD expression can inhibit SPC-A-1 cell apoptosis
and enhance SPC-A-1 cell proliferative activity, while silencing MADD expression can promote
apoptosis and reduce SPC-A-1 cell proliferation.

Conclusion:

MADD expression is significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissue.
MADD can promote lung adenocarcinoma cell growth by inhibiting apoptosis. This study may
improve lung adenocarcinoma levels in patients and, thus, is worthy of clinical promotion.
Identification of Genes Associated with Lung Adenocarcinoma Prognosis
Authors: He Zhe-Hao , Lv Wang , Wang Lu-Ming , Wang Yi-Qing , Hu Jian
Published: April 2019

Objective:

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world, and lung adenocarcinoma is the most common lung cancer subtype. Identification and determination of relevant prognostic markers are the key steps to personalized cancer management.

Methods:

We collected the gene expression profiles from 265 tumor tissues of stage I patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Using Cox regression model, we evaluated the association between gene expression and the overall survival time of patients adjusting for gender and age at initial pathologic diagnosis.

Results:

Age at initial pathologic diagnosis was identified to be associated with the survival, while gender was not. We identified that 15 genes were significantly associated with overall survival time of patients (FDR < 0.1). The 15-mRNA signature- based risk score was helpful to distinguish patients of high-risk group from patients of low-risk group.

Conclusion:

Our findings reveal novel genes associated with lung adenocarcinoma survival and extend our understanding of how gene expression contributes to lung adenocarcinoma survival. These results are helpful for the prediction of the prognosis and personalized cancer management.
Preterm Birth, Inflammation and Infection: New Alternative Strategies for their Prevention
Authors: Muñoz-Pérez Víctor M. , Ortiz Mario I. , Cariño-Cortés Raquel , Fernández-Martínez Eduardo , Rocha-Zavaleta Leticia , Bautista-Ávila Mirandeli
Published: April 2019

Background:

Worldwide, the progress in reducing neonatal mortality has been very slow. The rate of preterm birth has increased over the last 20 years in low-income and middle-income countries. Its association with increased mortality and morbidity is based on experimental studies and neonatal outcomes from countries with socioeconomic differences, which have considered implementing alternative healthcare strategies to prevent and reduce preterm births.

Methods:

Currently, there is no widely effective strategy to prevent preterm birth. Pharmacological therapies are directed at inhibiting myometrial contractions to prolong parturition. Some drugs, medicinal plants and microorganisms possess myorelaxant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that have proved useful in preventing preterm birth associated with inflammation and infection.

Results:

This review focuses on the existing literature regarding the use of different drugs, medicinal plants, and microorganisms that show promising benefits for the prevention of preterm birth associated with inflammation and infection. New alternative strategies involving the use of PDE-4 inhibitors, medicinal plants and probiotics could have a great impact on improving prenatal and neonatal outcomes and give babies the best start in life, ensuring lifelong health benefits.

Conclusion:

Despite promising results from well-documented cases, only a small number of these alternative strategies have been studied in clinical trials. The development of new drugs and the use of medicinal plants and probiotics for the treatment and/or prevention of preterm birth is an area of growing interest due to their potential therapeutic benefits in the field of gynecology and obstetrics.
Molecular Docking of Natural Phenolic Compounds for the Screening of Urease Inhibitors
Authors: Kataria Ritu , Khatkar Anurag
Published: April 2019

Background:

Bacterial ureases have been the cause of various human and animal pathogenicity including hepatic encephalopathy, hepatic coma urolithiasis, gastric and peptic ulcers, pyelonephritis, and urinary catheter encrustation by the production of ammonia. Hence, in view of the side effects of existing drugs, there is a strong need to discover, more safe, effective and potent compounds for the treatment of infections caused by urease.

Methods:

For this purpose, several natural phenolic compounds have been screened by molecular modelling techniques, wherein the phenolic compounds were docked to the active site of Jack bean urease (PDB ID 3LA4) using the Schrodinger docking software.

Results:

The lead compounds were identified via in-silico screening technique where docking score, binding energy, ADME and toxicity data were considered to screen the lead compounds as compared with the available standard drugs. From the docking study of screened natural phenolic compounds, five compounds diosmin, morin, chlorogenic acid, capsaicin and resveratrol were selected based upon their better affinity towards the receptor and were considered for further wet lab studies.

Conclusion:

The in-silico results were confirmed by in vitro experiments by use of the Jack bean urease using Weatherburn method.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Skeletal Muscle Pathologies
Authors: Abrigo Johanna , Simon Felipe , Cabrera Daniel , Vilos Cristian , Cabello-Verrugio Claudio
Published: April 2019

Several molecular mechanisms are involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle function.
Among them, mitochondrial activity can be identified. The mitochondria is an important and essential
organelle in the skeletal muscle that is involved in metabolic regulation and ATP production, which are
two key elements of muscle contractibility and plasticity. Thus, in this review, we present the critical
and recent antecedents regarding the mechanisms through which mitochondrial dysfunction can be
involved in the generation and development of skeletal muscle pathologies, its contribution to detrimental
functioning in skeletal muscle and its crosstalk with other typical signaling pathways related to
muscle diseases. In addition, an update on the development of new strategies with therapeutic potential
to inhibit the deleterious impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle is discussed.