bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upstream Industry Collaboration Delivers Refreshed Life-Saving Rules
Authors: Walker Kirsty , Carvalho Mariana , Skar Olav , Pedersen Knut Ørjan , Adeogun Odunlami , Lawrie Graeme
Published: March 2020

The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) is a global upstream focused forum in which member companies identify and share best practices to achieve improvements in many areas including safety. In 2017, the IOGP launched an initiative called Project Safira with the aim of eliminating fatalities. One of the work streams within this project was to refresh, simplify and reduce the number of industry Life-Saving Rules to encourage industry standardization.

The development of the original IOGP eight core and ten supplemental Life-Saving Rules was based on an analysis of thousands of fatal and high potential events. An industry team of subject matter experts, HSE, and operations professionals formed as a task force. This group conducted a comprehensive analysis of the latest 10 years of fatality data and developed an updated set incorporating the latest thinking on human performance and lessons learned from member companies’ experiences in implementation.

From 2008 to 2017, 376 workers lost their lives in incidents that may have been prevented by following one of the new nine IOGP Life-Saving Rules. With the benefit of having an additional seven years of data and feedback from member companies on their adoption of the previous set of Life-Saving Rules, the IOGP has streamlined the original 18 rules down to nine, while retaining the level of applicability in fatality prevention.

The Life-Saving Rules are not intended to replace company HSE management systems, but are rather aimed at complementing existing organizational processes and procedures. The rules provide simple actions in the form of ‘I statements’ which can provide a final barrier that individuals have control over, and by their own actions can prevent fatalities.

Having the largest database of safety performance and fatality data in the upstream oil and gas industry, the IOGP has the ability to analyze trends and build on learning from fatal incidents on an industry-wide basis.
A Risk-Based Approach to Mechanical Lifting
Authors: Walker Kirsty , Pert Aimee
Published: March 2020

This paper describes the approach taken by an oilfield services company to prevent mechanical lifting incidents by implementing industry best practice in the form of fundamental and risk-based controls throughout the company.

The risk-based approach to mechanical lifting operations allows locations to focus on controlling specific operational risks. The risk-based controls supplement a set of fundamental controls describing company requirements which are mandatory at all locations. The fundamental controls include the introduction of a designated lifting crew, Country Mechanical Lifting Champion and Country Mechanical Lifting Procedure. A lift categorization questionnaire was developed to identify the risk level associated with mechanical lifting operations which also enables consistent identification of the required risk-based controls.

The introduction of Country Mechanical Lifting Procedures and Champions has allowed applicable local regulations to be clearly identified to enable compliance in accordance with the revised company standard. Site Mechanical Lifting Champions have been assigned to support implementation of the updated standard at local level by developing and maintaining a site specific Mechanical Lifting and DROPS Procedure. This has allowed the workforce to have a local point of contact for specific mechanical lifting queries and compliance information. To monitor implementation, an internal compliance audit tool was revised to ensure every location with mechanical lifting operations is assessed for compliance with the company fundamental and risk-based controls, as well as local regulatory requirements.

In addition to the documentation and roles created, new training and innovative materials were developed to communicate the company expectations for the control of mechanical lifting operations. These tools have been designed to engage personnel in a memorable and interactive manner in using the principles of spaced learning.

The risk-based company standard and associated innovative training and communications materials provide personnel with a clear understanding of the control measures required to prevent mechanical lifting incidents.
Reuse of Produced Water in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Gray Madeleine
Published: March 2020

Oil and gas operations handle and manage large volumes of produced water. In recent years, the increased demand for and natural variability of water resources have driven interest by policy makers, regulators and society in the potential opportunities for its reuse. Such reuse may include the beneficial utilization of produced water with or without treatment to meet the requirements for use within oil and gas operations, or by external users. In recognition of the need to gain a full understanding of produced water management and the potential for reuse, IPIECA conducted an internal survey of 14 IPIECA member companies, interviews with selected external stakeholders covering a range of sectors and geographic regions and a literature review of readily available information regarding this subject. The external stakeholders were identified from the membership survey as well as from IPIECA and consultant's experience with the aim to learn from, and build on, existing work on produced water reuse. Numerous factors can influence the practicability of implementing the reuse of produced water either within the oil and gas industry or by external users. Based on the local circumstances of an operation, the same factors can provide either opportunities and/or constraints, with associated risks. Four main aspects have been identified for considering the reuse of produced water: Economic, Regulatory – Permits, Social and Corporate Policy and Infrastructure.
Aligning Responsibilities Between Operator and Contractor Community Liaison Teams in a Mature Oilfield in the Latin American Region
Authors: Pérez Benítez Marcelo , Zambrano Celly John J. , Vallejo Gabriela , Paz Manuel , Abrahams Nicholas
Published: March 2020

This paper explores the collective actions operators and oilfield services companies can take with local communities to promote long-term operational stability using a case study from a mature oilfield in the Latin American region.

When the current operator became the license holder, it also took ownership of all community-facing responsibilities. In the years that followed, the company signed a long-term commercial agreement to co-manage three blocks with specific project management responsibilities for the preparation of the field development plan, drilling campaigns, and facilities construction.

Following social due diligence during the business development phase, the company prioritized allocating time for analysis and planning to establish its own community liaison team. The priority was to align responsibilities and interfaces with the operator, while establishing structured long-term plans for community engagement, local content, and social investment.

With an operational footprint covering over 1200 km2 and over 80 indigenous and settler communities with a diversity of backgrounds, operational activities had to be managed sensitively.

In creating its own community liaison team, with limited responsibilities for direct interface with communities, the company focused on implementing fundamental and risk-based controls from its social management system.

The company focused on building a culture of respect for communities, mapping areas of potential sensitivity, managing tier 2 contractors’ social and environmental performance, optimizing local content by prioritizing local supplier participation and development and ensuring worker hiring processes are perceived as fair and transparent, and implementing a strategic social investment program along with the operator. Collaboration between the operator and company can lead to improved community well-being, operational stability and improved business performance.

The paper highlights the importance of social performance integration across the oil and gas industry value-chain. It provides insights into the practical application of the 2018 IPIECA community liaison officers’ team building and management guidance from a company perspective.
Hurricane Response: A Case Study on the Innovative use of IT Communication Tools for Crisis Management
Authors: Englehardt Eric , LaBelle Scott
Published: March 2020

A core component of crisis response management is delivering clear and consistent communication to those affected by the event. This paper describes a crisis communication strategy implemented by an oilfield service company in response to hurricane devastation of an area where over 12,000 employees live and work.

A key component of the company's crisis management process includes a well prepared communication strategy that can be deployed pre-crisis, during a crisis, and post-crisis. The communication plan includes recommendations on the content and frequency of messaging, stakeholder targeting, and use of multiple communication channels and tools. Communication tools include mass email distribution and text alert messaging with receipt confirmation, company intranet, 24-hour emergency call center, internal social media, and standard IT tools. Effective execution of the communication plan was enabled by a communication committee responsible for the deployment of the strategy.

Utilizing established company communication tools, such as email distribution lists, text message alerts and dynamic intranet pages, the company delivered timely and reliable information to employees. The updates included the ongoing status of the hurricane and its impact, how to access resources and the actions the company was taking to address hurricane-related issues. Within days of the storm making landfall, a 24-hour emergency call center was established to connect those employees unable to access the internet or email with local aid. This also accelerated assistance for employees most impacted by the event. Another key communication channel was the company's internal social media platform. This was the first time this tool had been utilized as part of a crisis management communication strategy. Incorporating internal social media into the crisis response enabled employees to become active participants in the hurricane recovery by providing peer-to-peer information and connecting employees with colleagues in close proximity who required or could provide assistance.

The use of a crisis management communication committee ensured effective execution of the hurricane response communication plan. The innovative use of well-established communication tools was the key factor to dispatching employee assistance during and after the hurricane.
Estimation of Effective Permeability, Fracture Spacing, Drainage Area, and Incremental Production from Field Data in Gas Shales with Nonnegligible Sorption
Authors: Eftekhari B. , Marder M. , Patzek T. W.
Published: March 2020

In a previous work, we introduced a three-parameter scaling solution that models the long-term recovery of dry gas from a hydrofractured horizontal well far from other wells and the boundaries of a shale reservoir with negligible sorption. Here, we extend this theory to account for the contribution of sorbed gas and apply the extended theory to the production histories of 8,942 dry-gas wells in the Marcellus Shale. Our approach is to integrate unstructured big data and physics-based modeling. We consider three adsorption cases that correspond to the minimum, median, and maximum of a set of measured Langmuir isotherms. We obtain data-driven, independent estimates of unstimulated shale permeability, spacing between hydrofractures, well-drainage area, optimal spacing between infill wells, and incremental gas recovery over a typical well life. All these estimates decrease to varying extents with increasing sorption. We find that the average well with median adsorption has a permeability of 250 nd, fracture spacing of 16 m, 30-year drainage length of 79 m, and a 30-year incremental recovery of 67%.
Multimineral Modeling and Estimation of Brittleness Index of Shaly Sandstone in Upper Assam and Mizoram Areas, India
Authors: Gogoi Triveni , Chatterjee Rima
Published: March 2020

The brittleness index (BI) has major implications for hydraulic fracture studies and production toward optimized recovery in unconventional reservoirs. The paucity of brittleness studies in Mizoram and Upper Assam, located in northeastern India, motivates us to take up multimineral modeling and estimation of BI. Two commonly used BI estimation approaches, mineralogical and geomechanical, have been implemented to characterize the shaly sandstone in the study area. Laboratory analyses of the available drill-cutting samples and crossplots from well log data along with previous literature confirm the types of minerals present in the study area. With this mineralogical information, a new approach of BI log estimation from multimineral modeling is suggested here using conventional log data in the absence of core/drill cutting samples. A multimineral model for Mizoram and Upper Assam is developed by using bulk density (ρ), compressional sonic velocity (Vp), shear sonic velocity (Vs), lithodensity, and acoustic impedance (AI) logs to calculate volumetric percentage of minerals. Estimated mineralogical BI from well log data using four established models are compared and calibrated with X-ray diffraction (XRD)-derived BI to validate the proposed procedure. Most brittle zones having a BI ≥ 66% are demarcated for high Young’s modulus (Y ≥ 60 GPa) and low Poisson’s ratio (ν ≤ 0.25) values in the Y vs. ν crossplot for the study area. The presence of brittle minerals estimated from both XRD and the multimineral model suffices the reason for the high brittleness of shaly sandstone in Mizoram compared with Upper Assam.
Are Malaysian Type 2 Diabetes patients willing to be trained to speak to their offspring about risk of diabetes and preventive measures?
Authors: Badlishah-Sham Siti Fatimah , Ramli Anis Safura , Isa Mohamad Rodi , Mohd-Zaki Nurzakiah , Whitford David Leonard
Published: March 2020

Background : Offspring of diabetes patients have an absolute risk of 20-40% of developing the condition. Diabetes patients should be encouraged to speak to their offspring regarding diabetes risk and prevention strategies. The Health Belief Model conceptualises that the higher the perceived risk, the more likely an individual will modify their behaviour. The objectives of this study were to i) determine the distribution of type 2 diabetes patients regarding their willingness to accept training to speak to their offspring, ii) determine the distribution of type 2 diabetes patients regarding their willingness to accept training based on the HBM and iii) to determine the factors associated with their willingness to accept training.
Methods : This was a cross-sectional study amongst type 2 diabetes patients attending two primary care clinics in Malaysia. Sociodemographic data and knowledge of diabetes risk factors were collected. The adapted, translated and validated Diabetes Mellitus in the Offspring Questionnaire-Malay version (DMOQ-Malay) was self-administered. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, univariate and multiple logistic regression.
Results : A total of 425 participants were recruited. Of these, 61.6% were willing to accept training. In MLogR, six variables were found to be significantly associated with willingness to accept training. These were i) positive family history [Adj. OR 2.06 (95% CI: 1.27, 3.35)], ii) having correct knowledge that being overweight is a risk factor [Adj. OR 1.49 (95%CI: 1.01, 2.29)], iii) correctly identifying age 40 years old as a risk factor [Adj. OR 1.88 (95%CI: 1.22, 2.90)], iv) agreeing that speaking to their offspring would help them to prevent type 2 diabetes [Adj. OR 4.34 (95%: 1.07, 17.73)], v) being neutral with the statement ‘I do not have much contact with my offspring’ [Adj. OR: 0.31 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.810] and vi) being neutral with the statement ‘my offspring are not open to advice from me’ [Adj. OR: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.84].
Conclusion : The majority of type 2 diabetes patients were willing to accept training to speak to their offspring to prevent diabetes. A training module should be designed to enhance their knowledge, attitude and skills to become family health educators.
Achieving blood pressure control targets in hypertensive patients of rural China – A pilot randomized trial
Authors: Huang Xiao , Liu Lishun , Song Yun , Gao Lan , Zhao Min , Bao Huihui , Qin Xianhui , Wu Yanqing , Wu Qinghua , Bi Chonglei , Yue Aiping , Fang Chongqian , Ma Hai , Cui Yimin , Tang Genfu , Li Ping , Zhang Yan , Li Jianping , Wang Binyan , Xu Xiping , Wang Hong , Parati Gianfranco , Spence J. David , Wang Xiaobin , Huo Yong , Chen Guangliang , Cheng Xiaoshu
Published: March 2020

Background: This study aimed to test the feasibility and titration methods to achieve specific BP control targets in hypertensive patients of rural China. Methods: A randomized, controlled, open-label trial was conducted in Rongcheng, China. We enrolled 105 hypertensive participants aged over 60 years, and who had no history of stroke and cardiovascular disease. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three systolic BP target groups: standard: 140 - < 150mmHg; moderately intensive: 130 - < 140mmHg; and intensive: <130mmHg. Patients were followed for 6 months. Discussion: The optimal target for SBP lowering is still uncertain worldwide and such information is critically needed, especially in China. However, in China the rates of awareness, treatment and control are only 46.9%, 40.7% and 15.3%, respectively. It is challenging to achieve BP control in the real world and it is very important to develop population-specific BP control protocols that fully consider the population’s characteristics, such as age, sex, socio-economic status, compliance, education level and lifestyle. This randomized trial showed feasibility and safety of the titration protocol to achieve desirable SBP targets (<150, <140, and <130mmHg) in a sample of rural Chinese hypertensive patients. The three BP target groups had similar baseline characteristics. After 6 months of treatment, the mean SBP measured at an office visit was 137.2mmHg, 131.1mmHg, and 124.2mmHg in the three groups. Home BP and central aortic BP measurements were also obtained. At 6 months, home BP measurements (2 hours after drug administration) showed a mean SBP of 130.9 mmHg in the standard group, 124.9 mmHg in the moderately intense group, and 119.7 mmHg in the intensive group. No serious adverse events were recorded over the 6-month study period. Rates of adverse events including dry cough, palpitations, and arthralgia were low and showed no significant differences between the three groups. This trial gained real world experience and laid the foundation for a future large-scale BP target study.Trial registration: Feasibility Study of the Intensive Systolic Blood Pressure Control; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02817503. Registered 29 June 2016 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=02817503&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=
An exploration of the experiences of professionals supporting patients approaching the end of life in medicines management at home. A qualitative study.
Authors: Wilson Eleanor , Caswell Glenys , Latif Asam , Anderson Claire , Faull Christina , Pollock Kristian
Published: March 2020

Background: The management of medicines towards the end of life can place increasing burdens and responsibilities on patients and families. This has received little attention yet can be a source of great difficulty and distress patients and families. Dose administration aids can be useful for some patients but there is no evidence for their wide spread use or the implications for their use as patients become increasing unwell. The study aimed to explore how healthcare professionals describe the support they provide for patients to manage medications at home at end of life.
Methods: Qualitative interview study with thematic analysis. Participants were a purposive sample of 40 community healthcare professionals (including GPs, pharmacists, and specialist palliative care and community nurses) from across two English counties.
Results: Healthcare professionals reported a variety of ways in which they tried to support patients to take medications as prescribed. While the paper presents some solutions and strategies reported by professional respondents it was clear from both professional and patient/family caregiver accounts in the wider study that rather few professionals provided this kind of support. Standard solutions offered included: rationalising the number of medications; providing different formulations; explaining what medications were for and how best to take them. Dose administration aids were also regularly provided, and while useful for some, they posed a number of practical difficulties for palliative care. More challenging circumstances such as substance misuse and memory loss required more innovative strategies such as supporting ways to record medication taking; balancing restricted access to controlled drugs and appropriate pain management and supporting patient choice in medication use.
Conclusions: The burdens and responsibilities of managing medicines at home for patients approaching the end of life has not been widely recognised or understood. This paper considers some of the strategies reported by professionals in the study, and points to the great potential for a more widely proactive stance in supporting patients and family carers to understand and take their medicines effectively. By adopting tailored, and sometimes, ‘outside the box’ thinking professionals can identify immediate, simple solutions to the problems patients and families experience with managing medicines.
Treatment with radiosynoviorthesis in hemophilic patients with and without inhibitor
Authors: Sanabria Mario Edgar Tena , Sato Y. Rojas , Resendiz J.C Castañeda , Herrera G. Fuentes , González Yureni Irani Tena , Ne Juan Carlos Núñez Enríquez , Ne Félix Alejandro Álvarez Martínez
Published: March 2020

Background. Spontaneous bleedings occurring into joints (hemarthrosis) are the most common manifestations of hemophilia and causes severe joint damage ultimately resulting in joint disfunction known as hemophilic arthropathy. Among available therapeutic options for reducing recurrent hemarthrosis-associated damage, radiosynoviorthesis (RS) has proven effective in improving joint function. Aim. To assess the impact of RS with Yttrium(90) citrate (C-Y(90)) on frequency of hemarthroses, need for prophylaxis and joint function in a group of pediatric patients. Methods. Between November 1998 and February 2017, we evaluated 27 pediatric patients with mild, moderate or severe hemophilia with haemophilic arthropathy. Overall, RS was applied in 60 joints. Some patients received more than one single intra-articular injection with C-Y(90). Results. During the follow-up, one patient showed joint bleeding 15 months after RS, one patient after 12 months and one patient after 45 days. The need for prophylaxis was reduced and joint function significantly improved in all patients. Conclusion. RS with C-Y(90) is a simple and safe treatment for reducing the frequency of hemarthroses in patients with hemophilia. It decreases the use of factor VIII / IX and improves joint function.
Machine learning prediction of oncology drug targets based on protein and network properties
Authors: Dezso Zoltan , Ceccarelli Michele
Published: March 2020

Background
The selection and prioritization of drug targets is a central problem in drug discovery. Computational approaches can leverage the growing number of large-scale human genomics and proteomics data to make in-silico target identification, reducing the cost and the time needed.
Results
We developed a machine learning approach to score proteins to generate a druggability score of novel targets. In our model we incorporated 70 protein features which included properties derived from the sequence, features characterizing protein functions as well as network properties derived from the protein-protein interaction network. The advantage of this approach is that it is unbiased and even less studied proteins with limited information about their function can score well as most of the features are independent of the accumulated literature. We build models on a training set which consist of targets with approved drugs and a negative set of non-drug targets. The machine learning techniques help to identify the most important combination of features differentiating validated targets from non-targets. We validated our predictions on an independent set of clinical trial drug targets, achieving a high accuracy characterized by an AUC of 0.89. Our most predictive features included biological function of proteins, network centrality measures, protein essentiality, tissue specificity, localization and solvent accessibility. Our predictions, based on a small set of 102 validated oncology targets, recovered the majority of known drug targets and identifies a novel set of proteins as drug target candidates.
Conclusions
We developed a machine learning approach to prioritize proteins according to their similarity to approved drug targets. We have shown that the method proposed is highly predictive on a validation dataset consisting of 277 targets of clinical trial drug confirming that our computational approach is an efficient and cost-effective tool for drug target discovery and prioritization. Our predictions were based on oncology targets and cancer relevant biological functions, resulting in significantly higher scores for targets of oncology clinical trial drugs compared to the scores of targets of trial drugs for other indications. Our approach can be used to make indication specific drug-target prediction by combining generic druggability features with indication specific biological functions.
Use of peripheral vascular access in the prehospital setting: is there room for improvement?
Authors: Gonvers Erin , Spichiger Thierry , Albrecht Eric , Dami Fabrice
Published: March 2020

Background: Previous studies have shown that prehospital-insertion of peripheral vascular access is highly variable. The aim of this study is to establish the proportion of peripheral vascular access placement and its use with regard to both the severity of cases and the main problem suspected by the paramedics involved. Over-triage was considered to have taken place where peripheral vascular access was placed but unused and these cases were specifically analysed in order to evaluate the possibility of improving current practice. Methods: This is a one-year retrospective study conducted throughout one state of Switzerland. Data were extracted from the state’s public health service database, collected electronically by paramedics on RescueNet® from Siemens. The following data were collected and analyzed: sex, age, main diagnosis suspected by paramedics and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics score (NACA) to classify the severity of cases. Results: A total of 33 055 missions were included, 29 307 (88.7%) with a low severity. A peripheral vascular access was placed in 8 603 (26.0%) cases, of which 5 678 (66.0%) were in patients with low severity. In 3 948 (45.9%) cases peripheral vascular access was set but unused with 2 626 (66.5%) of these cases being patients with low severity. Opiates represent 48.3% of all medications given. The most frequent diagnosis among unused peripheral vascular access were: respiratory distress (12.7%), neurological deficit without coma or trauma (9.6%), cardiac condition with thoracic pain and without trauma or loss of consciousness (9.6%) and decreased general condition of the patient (8.5%). Conclusions: Peripheral vascular access was set in 26% of patients, nearly half of which were unused. To reduce over-triage, special attention should be dedicated to cases defined by EMS on site as low severity, as they do not require placement of a peripheral vascular access as a precautionary measure. Alternative routes, such as the intra-nasal route, should be promoted, particularly for analgesia, whose efficiency is well documented. Emergency medical services medical directors may also consider modifying protocols of acute clinical situations when data show that mandatory peripheral vascular access, in stroke cases for example, is almost never used.
The diagnostic yield of intellectual disability: Combined whole genome low-coverage sequencing and medical exome sequencing
Authors: Wang Jun , Wang Yan , Wang Liwen , Chen Wangyang
Published: March 2020

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex genetic underpinning in its etiology. Chromosome microarray (CMA) is recommended as the first-tier diagnostic test for ID due to high detection rate of copy number variation (CNV). Methods: To identify an appropriate clinical detection scheme for ID in Han Chinese patients, a whole genome low-coverage sequencing was performed as the first-tier diagnostic test, followed by medical exome sequencing as the second-tier diagnostic test for those patients with negative results of CNVs. Results: A total of 19 pathogenic CNVs in 16/95(16.84%) ID patients and 11 pathogenic single-nucleotide variations, including 7 novel mutations in 9/79(11.39%) ID patients were identified on whom no pathogenic CNVs were discovered. The detection rate of CNVs in ID s with multiple congenital anomalies (MCA) subgroup was significantly higher than ID s with autism spectrum disorder and the other IDs subgroup. Also single-nucleotide variations showed a higher occurrence rate in the other IDs subgroup. Conclusions: There were differences in the diagnostic yields of different variation types among the three ID subgroups. Our findings provided a new perspective on appropriate clinical detection scheme for different ID subgroups based on the statistical results of different ID subgroups. The application of whole genome low-coverage sequencing as the first-tier diagnostic test for ID with MCA subgroup and medical exome sequencing as the first-tier diagnostic test for other IDs subgroup were considered as an efficient clinical detection schemes.
COX5A over-expression protects cortical neurons from hypoxic ischemic injury in neonatal rats associated with TPI up-regulation
Authors: Jiang Ya , Bai Xue , Li Ting-Ting , Hawwas Mohammed AL , Jin Yuan , Zou Yu , Hu Yue , Liu Lin-Yi , Zhang Ying , Liu Qing , Yang Hao , Ma Jun , Wang Tinghua , Liu Jia , Xiong Liu-Lin
Published: March 2020

Background: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) represents as a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms in brain damage are still not fully elucidated. This study was conducted to determine the specific potential molecular mechanism in the hypoxic-ischemic induced cerebral injury.
Methods: Here, hypoxic-ischemic (HI) animal models were established and primary cortical neurons were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to mimic HIE model in-vivo and in - vitro . The HI-induced neurological injury was evaluated by Zea-longa scores, Triphenyte-trazoliumchloride (TTC) staining the Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferased Utp Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) and immunofluorescent staining. Then the expression of Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5a (COX5A) was determined by immunohistochemistry, western blotting (WB) and quantitative real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) techniques. Moreover, HSV-mediated COX5A over-expression virus was transducted into OGD neurons to explore the role of COX5A in - vitro , and the underlying mechanism was predicted by GeneMANIA, then verified by WB and qRT-PCR.
Results: HI induced a severe neurological dysfunction, brain infarction, and cell apoptosis as well as obvious neuron loss in neonatal rats, in corresponding to the decrease on the expression of COX5A in both sides of the brain . What’s more, COX5A over-expression significantly promoted the neuronal survival, reduced the apoptosis rate, and markedly increased the neurites length after OGD. Moreover, Triosephosephate isomerase (TPI) was predicted as physical interactions with COX5A, and COX5A over-expression largely increased the expressional level of TPI.
Conclusions: The present findings suggest that COX5A plays an important role in promoting neurological recovery after HI, and this process is related to TPI up-regulation.
Juvenile diet quality and intensity of sexual conflict in the mite Sancassania berlesei
Authors: Łukasiewicz Aleksandra
Published: March 2020

Background

Differing evolutionary interests of males and females may result in sexual conflict, whereby traits or behaviours that are beneficial for male reproductive success (e.g., traits related to male-male competition) are costly for females. Since sexual conflict plays an important role in areas such as speciation, population persistence or evolution of life history traits, understanding what factors modulate the intensity of sexual conflict is important. This study aims to examine juvenile diet quality as one of the underestimated ecological factors that may affect the intensity of sexual conflict via individual conditions. I used food manipulation during the development of the mite Sancassania berlesei to investigate the effects on male reproductive behaviour and competitiveness, male-induced harm to female fitness and female resistance to this harm.

Results

Males that were exposed to low-quality food started mating later than the control males, and number of their mating attempts were decreased compared to those of control males. Moreover, males from the low-quality diet treatment sired fewer offspring in a competitive situation than males from the control treatment. However, the fitness of females exposed to males reared on a poor diet did not differ from that of females mated with control males. Furthermore, female diet quality did not alter their resistance to male-induced harm.

Conclusion

Overall, diet quality manipulation affected male reproductive behaviour and mating success. However, I found no evidence that the intensity of sexual conflict in S. berlesei depends on male or female conditions. Investigating a broad range of environmental factors will provide a better understanding of sexual conflict dynamics and its feedback into associated evolutionary mechanisms.
Predictive Value of Circulating Plasma Mitochondrial DNA for Sepsis in the Emergency Department: Observational Study Based on the Sepsis-3 Definition.
Authors: Wang Li feng , Zhou Wei , Wang Kai wen , He Shuang jun , Chen Yi
Published: March 2020

Background: The definition of sepsis is regularly updated; however, there is no standard diagnostic test. To improve diagnosis and prognostic prediction, the aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of circulating plasma mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) with sepsis. Methods: A total of 107 patients hospitalized from June 2018 to January 2019 were divided into the sepsis (n = 72) and septic shock (n = 35) groups based on the sepsis-3 definition. Clinical and laboratory data were measured within 24 h of admission. The mtDNA concentrations in clarified plasma were estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Binary logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to determine predictive value of mtDNA and other markers for sepsis outcome (28-day mortality).Results: The median plasma mtDNA levels on admission were significantly higher in the septic shock patients than in the sepsis patients (P < 0.0 1), and were also higher in non-survivors than in survivors within 28 days (P < 0.01). Binary logistic regression showed that plasma lactate and mtDNA levels were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality [odds ratio (OR) 1.341, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.035–1.736, P = 0.026 and OR 13.299, 95%CI 2.765–63.956, P = 0.001, respectively).The area under the ROC curve values for plasma mtDNA levels, lactate concentration, and their combined were 0.781 (p < 0.001, 95%CI 0.671–0.891), 0.733 (p < 0.001, 95%CI 0.635–0.832), and 0.799 (p < 0.001, 95%CI 0.698–0.901), respectively. The calibration test for the combined variable showed X 2 of 2.559 and P = 0.923. Conclusion: A higher plasma mtDNA level was associated with a poor prognosis of sepsis in the emergency room, and was a superior predictor to lactate for predicting 28-day mortality.
Identification of differentially expressed circulating exosomal lncRNAs in IgA nephropathy patients
Authors: Guo Na , Zhou Qin , Huang Xiang , Yu Jianwen , Han Qianqian , Nong Baoting , Xiong Yuanyan , Liang Peifeng , Li Jiajia , Feng Min , Lv Jun , Yang Qiongqiong
Published: March 2020

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most prevalent primary glomerular disease. Non-invasive biomarkers are urgently needed for IgAN diagnosis. We investigate the difference in expression profiles of exosomal long non-coding-RNAs (lncRNAs) in plasma from IgAN patients compared with their healthy first-degree relatives, which may reveal novel non-invasive IgAN biomarkers.
Methods: Exosomes were isolated from the plasma of IgAN patients and their healthy first-degree relatives. High-throughput RNA sequencing and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate lncRNA expression profiles. Pathway enrichment analysis was used to predict their nearest protein-coding genes.
Results: lncRNA-G21551 was significantly down-regulated in IgAN patients. The nearest protein-coding gene was found to be encoding the low affinity receptor of the Fc segment of immunoglobulin G (FCGR3B).
Conclusion: Exosomal lncRNA-G21551, with FCGR3B as the nearest protein-coding gene, was down-regulated in IgAN patients, indicating its potential to serve as a non-invasive biomarker for IgAN.
Effectiveness of recombinant Escherichia coli on the production of (R)-(+)-perillyl alcohol
Authors: Sun Chao , Dong Xianjuan , Zhang Rubing , Xie Congxia
Published: March 2020

Background : ( R )-(+)-perillyl alcohol is a naturally oxygenated monoterpene that is produced in perilla leaves, citrus, lemon and lavender. Perillyl alcohols have many uses, including as natural flavor additives, insecticides, jet fuels and anti-cancer therapies. The bioconversion of readily available monoterpene precursors, such as ( R )-(+)-limonene, are recognized as valuable oxygenated derivatives. However, as this natural product is present at low concentrations in plant oils, alternative microbial production methods are required for its extraction from natural plant sources.
Results : We engineered Escherichia coli to possess a heterologous mevalonate (MVA) pathway, including limonene synthase , P-cymene monoxygenase hydroxylase and P-cymene monoxygenase reductase for the production of ( R )-(+)-perillyl alcohol. The concentration of ( R )-(+)-limonene (the monoterpene precursor to ( R )-(+)-perillyl alcohol) reached 27.3 mg/L from glucose. Enhanced ( R )-(+)-perillyl alcohol production was therefore achieved. The strain produced ( R )-(+)-perillyl alcohol at a titer of 45.7 mg/L in a 5 L bioreactor fed batch system.
Conclusions : These data highlight the efficient production of ( R )-(+)-perillyl alcohol through the mevalonate pathway from glucose. This method serves as a platform for the future production of other monoterpenes.
Assembly and comparative analysis of chloroplast genome of wheat K-CMS line and maintainer line
Authors: Han Yucui , Gao Yujie , Zhai Xiaoguang , Zhou Hao , Ding Qin , Ma Lingjian
Published: March 2020

The sterile line is vital for the heterosis utilization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and the cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) line has more practical significance in the utilization of heterosis. To reveal the sterile mechanism of wheat K-CMS line K519A from the perspective of the chloroplast genome, the chloroplast genomes of the K519A and its same nuclear genotype maintainer line 519B were sequenced using second-generation high-throughput technology and assembled. Then the chloroplast genomic contents, SSR sequences, long repeat fragments, and qPCR were analyzed. The results showed that the total length of K519A and 519B were 136,996 bp and 136,235 bp, respectively. Both chloroplast genomes encode 126 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 39 tRNA genes. There were 186 and 188 SSRs in K519A and 519B, respectively. And a developed SSR maker, which from atpF, can be used to distinguish the cytoplasmic type of Aegilops kotschyi and Triticum aestivum, respectively. There were 50 and 52 long repeat fragments, which come from the gene sequences, in K519A and 519B, respectively. A total of 107 mutations between K519A and 519B, which from 45 genes, were identified, of which, 16 genes (matK, rps16, rpoB, rpoC2, atpI, ndhK, atpB, rbcL, psbB, psbH, rpl14, ndhH, ndhF, rpl32, ccsA, ndhA) contained non-synonymous mutations. Further, the qPCR analysis was performed, and the gene expression levels of selected six genes for K519A compared to 519B were mostly downregulated at the binucleate and trinucleate stages of pollen development, thus, these non-synonymous mutant genes might affect the fertility of K519A.
Taxonomy, diversity and diagnosis of Tetrahymenosis, and its recent identification measures in aquaculture inferred from infections in Northeastern China
Authors: Pan Xuming , Zhang shuixian , Pan mengmeng , Li Wenyu , Sun meng , Wang chongnv , Liang Jiale , Wang xiang , Zhu lei , Chen Ying
Published: March 2020

Background Tetrahymenosis caused by about ten parasitic Tetrahymena species belonging to the Phylum Ciliophora has been recognized as an emerging problem inflicting significant economic loss in aquaculture industry in the world. Increasing knowledge and identification of Tetrahymenosis are important. Methods Four parasitic Tetrahymena species were collected from eight commercially farmed fishes in Harbin, northeastern China. Specific oligonucleotide probe and fluorescence in situ hybridization staining was designed and tested. Hoechst33342 staining methods, gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were also conducted. Results Tetrahymena pyriformis, T. vorax, T. chironomi and T. bergeri are the four species responsible for Tetrahymenosis in various fishes in Harbin. Taxonomy, diagnosis, diversity, pathogenicity, and histopathology of Tetrahymenosis were supplemented, analyzed and summaried, based on the present and previous work. The term Tetrahymenosis is diagnosised as diseases affecting a number of fishes, crustaceans, mollus, beetle, dragonfly, salmon, slug, midge larvae and freshwater mussel species that caused by ciliates of the genus Tetrahymena which constitutes an abundant group inhabit various aquaculture and natural habitats. Improved classification of parasitic Tetrahymena was provided. Phylogeny of parasitic Tetrahymena species was studied, and an SSU-rDNA targeted oligonucleotide probe labeled with a fluorochrome was designed, and the FISH protocol was optimized for identification of Tetrahymena species, Conclusions The manifestations of histopathology in fish typically include lesions on the body surface, and affected organs include the skin, musculature, viscera, eye socket and spinal cord; masses of ciliates can be detected in copious amount of mucus and between spaces in the damaged tissues. Improved classification of parasitic Tetrahymena is provided: facultatively parasitic forms ( T. pyriformis , T. rostrate , T. bergeri and T. vorax ), facultatively free-living forms ( T. chironomi , T. corlissi, T. rotunda, T. glochidiophila and T. papula ) and parasitic forms ( T. stegomyiae and T. limacis ).The phylogenic results indicate that Tetrahymena spp. belonging to ‘borealis’ group have a greater probability to become parasitism. the method of which can be used for quick and early detection of Tetrahymenosis.
Bone ongrowth and mechanical fixation of implants in cortical and cancellous bone
Authors: Walsh William Robert , Pelletier Matthew Henry , Bertollo Nicky , Lovric Vedran , Wang Tian , Morberg Per , Parr William Chase Harington , Bergadano Dario
Published: March 2020

Background What is the right surface for an implant to achieve biological fixation? Surface technologies can play important roles in encouraging interactions between the implant surface and the host bone to achieve osseointegration. Pre-clinical animal models provide important insight into in-vivo performance related to bone ongrowth and implant fixation. Methods A large animal model was used to compared the in vivo response of HA and plasma sprayed titanium coatings in a well reported adult ovine model to evaluate bone ongrowth in terms of mechanical properties in cortical sites, histology and histomorphometry in cortical and cancellous sites at 4 and 12 weeks. Results Titanium plasma sprayed surfaces outperformed the HA coated samples in push-out testing in cortical sites while both surfaces supported new bone ongrowth and remodeling in cortical and cancellous sites. Conclusions While both HA and Ti plasma provided an osteoconductive surface for bone ongrowth, the Ti plasma provided a more robust bone-implant interface that ideally would be required for load transfer and implant stability in the longer term.
The 100 most influential studies in CAR-T: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Seo Beomjun , Kim Jeeyoon , Kim Seungwook
Published: March 2020

Background: Bibliometric analysis of mainly cited articles is used to provide information on trends in a specific research field and objective indicators of the scientific impact of the publication. With bibliometric and network analysis, we map the scientific landscape of chimeric antigen receptors T-cells (CAR-T) research. Methods: Extract 100 most cited articles published over the last decade (from January 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2018; 10 years) from the Web of Science Core Collection with bibliographic details; year of publication, country of author, funding agencies, research organization, author information, and keywords. Results: Of the 100 papers identified, most (92%) were written in the US. US government agencies and non-profit organizations provided the most funding, and the papers funded by the NIH had the most citations, followed by those funded by the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (US). 33 papers out of the top 100 most cited papers were published from the University of Pennsylvania. As for authors, Carl H. June participated in 30 papers, followed by Bruce L. Levine who participated in 11 papers. As for journals, Blood (n=20), published the most papers, followed by Science Translational Medicine (n=10). The most frequently used keyword was “adoptive immunotherapy” (n=37), followed by “lymphocytes” (n=27), and “antitumor-activity” (n=25). Conclusion: We performed the quantitative bibliometric analysis of funding bodies, countries, organizations, journals, authors, and keywords for the CAR-T research trends and landscape. Moving forward, Analysis of highly influential CAR-T articles provides insight into areas for future development.