bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Experience of Sandwich Repair Technique
Authors: Lin Heng-Fu , Lin Keng-Li , Wu Jiann-Ming , Chen Shyr-Chyr
Published: October 2013

Background. Laparoscopic splenectomy has been used safely for patients with blunt splenic trauma and failed nonoperative management. Reports of using laparoscopic splenorraphy for spleen salvage were fewer and mainly limited to lower grades of injuries. No study has focused on the role of laparoscopic splenorraphy in the treatment of patients with high grades of splenic injuries. Methods. Medical records of 15 patients with high grades of splenic injuries that required an operation for failed nonoperative management were retrospectively reviewed. They underwent a new technique of sandwich repair laparoscopically for spleen salvage by 3 surgeons who had adequate training in laparoscopy for trauma. Preoperative parameters, sandwich repair technique, perioperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Results. Fourteen of the 15 (93.3%) patients underwent the technique successfully with 1 patient converting to laparotomy. The median (interquartile range) time to reach hemostasis was 30.0 (26.0-40.0) minutes, and the median overall operation time was 135.0 (120.0-165.0) minutes. Median blood loss amount was 1300.0 (750.0-2300.0) mL. The median length of hospital stay was 8.0 (7.0-11.0) days, and the intensive care unit stay was 2.0 (0.0-4.0) days. No mortality was noted. No rebleeding, total splenic infarction, or intra-abdominal abscess was noted during 3-month follow-up after the operation. Conclusions. The preliminary results show that laparoscopic splenorraphy by the “sandwich repair technique” is feasible and safe for patients with high-grade splenic injuries.
Canakinumab in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome: an update for clinicians
Authors: Kuemmerle-Deschner Jasmin B. , Haug Iris
Published: October 2013

The cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is a very rare disease. It is estimated that there are 1–2 cases for every 1 million people in the US and 1 in every 360,000 in France. However, many patients are diagnosed very late or not at all, meaning the real prevalence is likely to be higher. CAPS encompasses the three entities of familial cold auto-inflammatory syndrome (FCAS), Muckle–Wells syndrome (MWS), and neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID)/chronic infantile neurologic, cutaneous and articular (CINCA) syndrome. They have in common a causative mutation in the NLRP3 gene. The altered gene product cryopyrin leads to activation of the inflammasome which in turn is responsible for excessive production of interleukin (IL)-1β. IL-1β causes the inflammatory manifestations in CAPS. These appear as systemic inflammation including fever, headache or fatigue, rash, eye disease, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, musculoskeletal manifestations and central nervous system (CNS) symptoms (NOMID/CINCA only). With the advent of IL-1 Inhibitors, safe and effective therapeutic options became available for this devastating disease. To prevent severe and possible life-threatening disease sequelae, early and correct diagnosis and immediate initiation of therapy are mandatory in most patients. Canakinumab is a fully human monoclonal IgG1 anti-IL-1β antibody. It provides selective and prolonged IL-1β blockade and has demonstrated a rapid (within hours), complete and sustained response in most CAPS patients without any consistent pattern of side effects. Long-term follow-up trials have demonstrated sustained efficacy, safety and tolerability. Canakinumab is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for FCAS and MWS and by European Medicines Agency for treatment of all three phenotypes of CAPS.
Characteristics of Sexually Transmitted Infections among High-Risk HIV-Positive Patients Attending an Urban Clinic in Uganda
Authors: Katusiime Christine , Schlech Walter F. , Parkes-Ratanshi Rosalind , Sempa Joseph , Kambugu Andrew
Published: October 2013

Background:

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) significantly increase HIV transmission. Sexually transmitted infections may be asymptomatic and therefore remain undiagnosed in HIV-positive persons. Routine screening and treatment of STIs in HIV-positive high-risk populations in sub-Saharan Africa have not been described previously.

Methods:

We reviewed data from an HIV-positive high-risk population at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, a large urban HIV clinic, between July 2011 and April 2012. Our high-risk population cohort included female sex workers, long-distance drivers, barmaids, taxi drivers, commercial motorcycle “boda-boda” riders, soldiers, police officers, prison officers, security guards, prisoners, and fishermen.

Results:

Of 355 participants enrolled in the high-risk population’s program, 21.4% were diagnosed with an STI either clinically or microbiologically. The STIs diagnosed in this population were syphilis, hepatitis B, genital herpes, human papilloma virus infection (condylomata acuminata), nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), and gonorrhea. Rates of syphilis, hepatitis B, genital herpes, condylomata acuminata, NGU, and gonorrhea were 8.5%, 7.0%, 5.4%, 1.4%, 1.4%, and 0.3%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Clinical and microbiologically diagnosed STIs were diagnosed in nearly one-fourth of the HIV-positive high-risk population. HIV care programs should note our high rates of STIs among HIV-positive high-risk populations and consider routine screening and treatment algorithms for these populations in their own settings.
Genome-scale cold stress response regulatory networks in ten Arabidopsis thalianaecotypes
Authors: Barah Pankaj , Jayavelu Naresh Doni , Rasmussen Simon , Nielsen Henrik Bjørn , Mundy John , Bones Atle M
Published: October 2013

Background

Low temperature leads to major crop losses every year. Although several studies have been conducted focusing on diversity of cold tolerance level in multiple phenotypically divergent Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) ecotypes, genome-scale molecular understanding is still lacking.

Results

In this study, we report genome-scale transcript response diversity of 10 A. thaliana ecotypes originating from different geographical locations to non-freezing cold stress (10°C). To analyze the transcriptional response diversity, we initially compared transcriptome changes in all 10 ecotypes using Arabidopsis NimbleGen ATH6 microarrays. In total 6061 transcripts were significantly cold regulated (p < 0.01) in 10 ecotypes, including 498 transcription factors and 315 transposable elements. The majority of the transcripts (75%) showed ecotype specific expression pattern. By using sequence data available from Arabidopsis thaliana 1001 genome project, we further investigated sequence polymorphisms in the core cold stress regulon genes. Significant numbers of non-synonymous amino acid changes were observed in the coding region of the CBF regulon genes. Considering the limited knowledge about regulatory interactions between transcription factors and their target genes in the model plant A. thaliana, we have adopted a powerful systems genetics approach- Network Component Analysis (NCA) to construct an in-silico transcriptional regulatory network model during response to cold stress. The resulting regulatory network contained 1,275 nodes and 7,720 connections, with 178 transcription factors and 1,331 target genes.

Conclusions

A. thaliana ecotypes exhibit considerable variation in transcriptome level responses to non-freezing cold stress treatment. Ecotype specific transcripts and related gene ontology (GO) categories were identified to delineate natural variation of cold stress regulated differential gene expression in the model plant A. thaliana. The predicted regulatory network model was able to identify new ecotype specific transcription factors and their regulatory interactions, which might be crucial for their local geographic adaptation to cold temperature. Additionally, since the approach presented here is general, it could be adapted to study networks regulating biological process in any biological systems.
Adult ciliary epithelial stem cells generate functional neurons and differentiate into both early and late born retinal neurons under non-cell autonomous influences
Authors: Del Debbio Carolina Beltrame , Peng Xu , Xiong Huangui , Ahmad Iqbal
Published: October 2013

Background

The neural stem cells discovered in the adult ciliary epithelium (CE) in higher vertebrates have emerged as an accessible source of retinal progenitors; these cells can self-renew and possess retinal potential. However, recent studies have cast doubt as to whether these cells could generate functional neurons and differentiate along the retinal lineage. Here, we have systematically examined the pan neural and retinal potential of CE stem cells.

Results

Molecular and cellular analysis was carried out to examine the plasticity of CE stem cells, obtained from mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the influence of the promoter of the rod photoreceptor-specific gene,Nrl, using the neurospheres assay. Differentiation was induced by specific culture conditions and evaluated by both transcripts and protein levels of lineage-specific regulators and markers. Temporal pattern of their levels were examined to determine the expression of genes and proteins underlying the regulatory hierarchy of cells specific differentiationin vitro. Functional attributes of differentiation were examined by the presence of current profiles and pharmacological mobilization of intracellular calcium using whole cell recordings and Fura-based calcium imaging, respectively. We demonstrate that stem cells in adult CE not only have the capacity to generate functional neurons, acquiring the expression of sodium and potassium channels, but also respond to specific cues in culture and preferentially differentiate along the lineages of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and rod photoreceptors, the early and late born retinal neurons, respectively. The retinal differentiation of CE stem cells was characterized by the temporal acquisition of the expression of the regulators of RGCs and rod photoreceptors, followed by the display of cell type-specific mature markers and mobilization of intracellular calcium.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the bonafide retinal potential of adult CE stem cells and suggests that their plasticity could be harnessed for clinical purposes once barriers associated with any lineage conversion, i.e., low efficiency and fidelity is overcome through the identification of conducive culture conditions.
Penicillin resistance and serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniaein Ghanaian children less than six years of age
Authors: Dayie Nicholas TKD , Arhin Reuben E , Newman Mercy J , Dalsgaard Anders , Bisgaard Magne , Frimodt-Møller Niels , Slotved Hans-Christian
Published: October 2013

Background

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage, serotype distribution, and penicillin resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children ≤6 years of age in Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out on a cluster-randomized sample of children ≤6 years of age attending nurseries and kindergartens in Accra and Tamale, Ghana. Basic data on age, sex and exposure to antimicrobials in the previous month were collected on all study subjects. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from participants and all pneumococcal isolates were characterized by serotyping and their penicillin resistance determined.

Results

The overall prevalence of pneumococcal carriage among the children was 34% in Accra and 31% in Tamale. The predominant serotypes were 19F, 6B, 23F, and 6A with 23% of the isolates being non-typable in Accra and 12% in Tamale. Only two isolates (serotypes 19F and 6B) from Tamale had a MIC >2 μg/ml and were classified as fully penicillin resistant with 45% of the isolates having intermediate resistance.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) recently introduced in Ghana will cover 48% and 51% of the serotypes identified in Accra and Tamale, respectively. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23) will cover 54% of all serotypes detected. The two penicillin resistant isolates (MIC 32 μg/ml) were serotypes included in both PCV-13 and PPV-23. A nationwide monitoring system of penicillin susceptibility patterns and pneumococcal serotypes is recommended.
HOXB1 restored expression promotes apoptosis and differentiation in the HL60 leukemic cell line
Authors: Petrini Marina , Felicetti Federica , Bottero Lisabianca , Errico Maria Cristina , Morsilli Ornella , Boe Alessandra , De Feo Alessandra , Carè Alessandra
Published: October 2013

Background

Homeobox (HOX) genes deregulation has been largely implicated in the development of human leukemia. Among the HOXB cluster, HOXB1 was silent in a number of analyzed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) primary cells and cell lines, whereas it was expressed in normal terminally differentiated peripheral blood cells.

Methods

We evaluated the biological effects and the transcriptome changes determined by the retroviral transduction of HOXB1 in the human promyelocytic cell line HL60.

Results

Our results suggest that the enforced expression of HOXB1 reduces cell growth proliferation, inducing apoptosis and cell differentiation along the monocytic and granulocytic lineages. Accordingly, gene expression analysis showed the HOXB1-dependent down-regulation of some tumor promoting genes, paralleled by the up-regulation of apoptosis- and differentiation-related genes, thus supporting a tumor suppressor role for HOXB1 in AML. Finally, we indicated HOXB1 promoter hypermethylation as a mechanism responsible for HOXB1 silencing.

Conclusions

We propose HOXB1 as an additional member of the HOX family with tumour suppressor properties suggesting a HOXB1/ATRA combination as a possible future therapeutic strategy in AML.
Randomised controlled trial of a brief alcohol intervention in a general hospital setting
Authors: Shiles Celia J , Canning Una P , Kennell-Webb Sandra A , Gunstone Caroline M , Marshall E Jane , Peters Timothy J , Wessely Simon C
Published: October 2013

Background

The evidence suggests that brief alcohol-focused interventions, directed at hazardous and harmful drinkers in non-specialist settings such as primary care are effective in reducing alcohol consumption. However, there is a need for further research in the hospital setting. This is a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of a 10-minute brief intervention amongst 'at risk’ drinkers admitted to general hospital wards. Unlike some previous trials, this trial is randomised, used blinded assessors, includes an intention-to-treat analysis, included female subjects and excluded people with alcohol dependence.

Methods

A total of 250 'at risk’ drinkers admitted to King’s College Hospital were identified using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Some 154 subjects entered the study and were randomly allocated to the control and intervention groups. Subjects in the control group received no advice about their drinking whilst subjects in the intervention group received 10 minutes of simple advice on reducing alcohol consumption. Recruitment took place between 1995 and 1997. The primary outcome was the AUDIT questionnaire at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were a previous week’s Drinks Diary, questionnaires (General Health Questionnaire, Alcohol Problems Questionnaire and the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire) and laboratory blood tests (gamma glutamyl transferase, mean cell volume and haemoglobin).

Results

At 3-month and 12-month follow-up, all participants were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. At both time points there was no evidence of an intervention effect that could be attributed to the brief intervention. Both the intervention and control groups had an improved AUDIT score and reduced levels of alcohol consumption as measured by a subjective Drinks Diary at 3 months which was maintained at 12 months.

Conclusions

This study has added further evidence on brief interventions in the hospital setting. In contrast to the recent Cochrane review by McQueen et al., the results of this study do not support the effectiveness of a brief alcohol intervention in general hospital wards. However our study was underpowered and there were flaws in the statistical analyses, and these limitations temper the strength of our conclusions.
Syntaxin-4 is implicated in the secretion of antibodies by human plasma cells
Authors: Gómez-Jaramillo Laura , Delgado-Pérez Luis , Reales Elena , Mora-López Francisco , Mateos Rosa M , García-Poley Antonio , Brieva José A , Campos-Caro Antonio
Published: October 2013

PCs are responsible for the production and secretion of antibodies, the effector molecules of the humoral immune response. The molecular mechanisms responsible for vesicle docking and secretion implicated in the antibody-secretion process are not well-known, as they have not been studied, but it is known that SNARE proteins are responsible for many membrane-fusion processes in the cell. We show here that freshly isolated human colon LP-PCs and T-PCs from MM-PC patients and the U266 cell line, as a model for PC secretion, contain a set of these proteins. SNAP23, STX3, and STX4 were localized mainly in the plasma membrane of PCs, and interactions of SNAP23 with STX3 and with STX4 were proven by IP. Interaction between SNAP23 and STX4 was also confirmed in situ. With the use of siRNA, as well as shRNA, the functional role of SNAP23, STX3, and STX4 in antibody secretion was also examined. The findings demonstrate that in addition to SNAP23, STX4 is implicated in the antibody secretion by a myeloma cell line and by normal human colon LP-PCs.
Fractured shale description using isotropic seismic analysis
Authors: Cho David , Coulombe Craig , McLaren Scott , Johnson Kevin , Margrave Gary F.
Published: October 2013

Direct methods for fracture detection using P-wave seismic data typically require an azimuthal analysis of the reflected wavefield. However, conventional data acquisition practices often lack sufficient azimuthal coverage for proper application of these techniques. In such cases, alternative methods become necessary. We investigated the use of subsurface properties estimated from seismic data under isotropic assumptions to delineate fracture systems in the Second White Speckled Shale of Alberta, Canada. We implemented two methodologies for fracture detection. (1) Using seismic attributes sensitive to the structure of the seismic image, structural changes such as folds were identified, from which the associated fracture systems can be inferred. (2) For fractures not directly correlated to such structural changes, analysis of the effective elastic properties of fractured media proved useful. In particular, failure criteria and effective-medium theories were used to investigate fracture phenomena and their corresponding seismic response. Using standard isotropic inversion techniques, estimates of reservoir elastic properties were derived. Subsequently, an interpretation of these results was conducted through consideration of anisotropic models. Specifically, low values of Poisson’s ratio were interpreted as more favorable conditions for fracturing and low values of Young’s modulus and vertical P-wave velocity were interpreted as direct indicators for the presence of fractures. The structural analysis identified a subtle fold where fracturing in its vicinity can be inferred. Furthermore, investigation into the elastic properties of fractured media revealed locations on the flanks of the fold that were likely to be fractured, providing an indication of the lateral extent of fracturing that was not possible from structural attributes alone. The combined interpretation of these results suggested the existence of a contractional fault-bend fold, where an area at the crest of the fold did not appear to contain fractures, corresponding to the undeformed zone as predicted by structural models of fault-bend folding.
Abolition, Race, and the Politics of Gratitude in Late Nineteenth-Century Puerto Rico
Authors: Rodríguez-Silva Ileana M.
Published: October 2013

This essay investigates the political workings of gratitude in Puerto Rico in the postabolition decades in order to uncover how these practices of benevolence, which obscure the violence of everyday marginalization, became key in liberal political forms as a means of rearticulating white superiority and patriarchal authority. The article analyzes the practice of gratitude that liberal elites demanded from former slaves after emancipation as well as the appropriation of and challenges to such practices by laborers. The dynamics explored here appear in a set of performances in newspaper writings and street demonstrations commemorating abolition from the 1870s to the 1890s in the southern city of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The politics of gratitude refers to the dynamics through which many came to see abolition as an effort to modernize Puerto Rico, an endeavor for which everyone should be morally indebted to abolitionists and their successors. The politics of gratitude thus provided the ideological structures through which liberal reformists could preserve a racialized and patriarchal social order in the absence of slavery. In the process, liberals also constituted themselves as the only intermediaries between popular subjects and the imperial state. Moral indebtedness was one racialized means by which various constituencies sought to craft or accommodate (in the case of authorities) a more inclusive political project that did not contradict the basis of imperial rule—even though it did alter its foundation, if only momentarily, before the US takeover of the island in 1898.
Activation of Rac by Asef2 promotes myosin II-dependent contractility to inhibit cell migration on type I collagen
Authors: Jean Léolène , Majumdar Devi , Shi Mingjian , Hinkle Louis E. , Diggins Nicole L. , Ao Mingfang , Broussard Joshua A. , Evans J. Corey , Choma David P. , Webb Donna J.
Published: October 2013

Non-muscle myosin II (MyoII) contractility is central to the regulation of numerous cellular processes, including migration. Rho is a well-characterized modulator of actomyosin contractility, but the function of other GTPases, such as Rac, in regulating contractility is currently not well understood. Here, we show that activation of Rac by the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Asef2 impairs migration on type I collagen through a MyoII-dependent mechanism that enhances contractility. Knockdown of endogenous Rac or treatment of cells with a Rac-specific inhibitor decreases the amount of active MyoII, as determined by serine 19 (S19) phosphorylation, and negates the Asef2-promoted increase in contractility. Moreover, treatment of cells with blebbistatin, which inhibits MyoII activity, abolishes the Asef2-mediated effect on migration. In addition, Asef2 slows the turnover of adhesions in protrusive regions of cells by promoting large, mature adhesions, which has been linked to actomyosin contractility, with increased amounts of active β1 integrin. Hence, our data reveal a new role for Rac activation, promoted by Asef2, in modulating actomyosin contractility, which is important for regulating cell migration and adhesion dynamics.
3′-End processing of histone pre-mRNAs in Drosophila: U7 snRNP is associated with FLASH and polyadenylation factors
Authors: Sabath Ivan , Skrajna Aleksandra , Yang Xiao-cui , Dadlez Michał , Marzluff William F. , Dominski Zbigniew
Published: October 2013

3′-End cleavage of animal replication-dependent histone pre-mRNAs is controlled by the U7 snRNP. Lsm11, the largest component of the U7-specific Sm ring, interacts with FLASH, and in mammalian nuclear extracts these two proteins form a platform that recruits the CPSF73 endonuclease and other polyadenylation factors to the U7 snRNP. FLASH is limiting, and the majority of the U7 snRNP in mammalian extracts exists as a core particle consisting of the U7 snRNA and the Sm ring. Here, we purified the U7 snRNP from Drosophila nuclear extracts and characterized its composition by mass spectrometry. In contrast to the mammalian U7 snRNP, a significant fraction of the Drosophila U7 snRNP contains endogenous FLASH and at least six subunits of the polyadenylation machinery: symplekin, CPSF73, CPSF100, CPSF160, WDR33, and CstF64. The same composite U7 snRNP is recruited to histone pre-mRNA for 3′-end processing. We identified a motif in Drosophila FLASH that is essential for the recruitment of the polyadenylation complex to the U7 snRNP and analyzed the role of other factors, including SLBP and Ars2, in 3′-end processing of Drosophila histone pre-mRNAs. SLBP that binds the upstream stem–loop structure likely recruits a yet-unidentified essential component(s) to the processing machinery. In contrast, Ars2, a protein previously shown to interact with FLASH in mammalian cells, is dispensable for processing in Drosophila. Our studies also demonstrate that Drosophila symplekin and three factors involved in cleavage and polyadenylation—CPSF, CstF, and CF Im—are present in Drosophila nuclear extracts in a stable supercomplex.
The outcome of total ankle replacement
Authors: Zaidi R. , Cro S. , Gurusamy K. , Sivanadarajah N. , Macgregor A. , Henricson A. , Goldberg A.
Published: October 2013

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of modern total ankle replacements (TARs) to determine the survivorship, outcome, complications, radiological findings and range of movement, in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle who undergo this procedure. We used the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration, which uses risk of bias profiling to assess the quality of papers in favour of a domain-based approach. Continuous outcome scores were pooled across studies using the generic inverse variance method and the random-effects model was used to incorporate clinical and methodological heterogeneity. We included 58 papers (7942 TARs) with an interobserver reliability (Kappa) for selection, performance, attrition, detection and reporting bias of between 0.83 and 0.98. The overall survivorship was 89% at ten years with an annual failure rate of 1.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7 to 1.6). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score changed from 40 (95% CI 36 to 43) pre-operatively to 80 (95% CI 76 to 84) at a mean follow-up of 8.2 years (7 to 10) (p < 0.01). Radiolucencies were identified in up to 23% of TARs after a mean of 4.4 years (2.3 to 9.6). The mean total range of movement improved from 23° (95% CI 19 to 26) to 34° (95% CI 26 to 41) (p = 0.01).

Our study demonstrates that TAR has a positive impact on patients’ lives, with benefits lasting ten years, as judged by improvement in pain and function, as well as improved gait and increased range of movement. However, the quality of evidence is weak and fraught with biases and high quality randomised controlled trials are required to compare TAR with other forms of treatment such as fusion.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1500–7.
Improving pre-operative planning for complex total hip replacement with a Rapid Prototype model enabling surgical simulation
Authors: Won S-H. , Lee Y-K. , Ha Y-C. , Suh Y-S. , Koo K-H.
Published: October 2013

Pre-operative planning for total hip replacement (THR) is challenging in hips with severe acetabular deformities, including those with a hypoplastic acetabulum or severe defects and in the presence of arthrodesis or ankylosis. We evaluated whether a Rapid Prototype (RP) model, which is a life-sized reproduction based on three-dimensional CT scans, can determine the feasibility of THR and provide information about the size and position of the acetabular component in severe acetabular deformities. THR was planned using an RP model in 21 complex hips in five men (five hips) and 16 women (16 hips) with a mean age of 47.7 years (24 to 70) at operation. An acetabular component was implanted successfully and THR completed in all hips. The acetabular component used was within 2 mm of the predicted size in 17 hips (80.9%). All of the acetabular components and femoral stems had radiological evidence of bone ingrowth and stability at the final follow-up, without any detectable wear or peri-prosthetic osteolysis. The RP model allowed a simulated procedure pre-operatively and was helpful in determining the feasibility of THR pre-operatively, and to decide on implant type, size and position in complex THRs.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1458–63.
Educating DNP Students about Critical Appraisal and Knowledge Translation
Authors: Moore Elizabeth R. , Watters Richard
Published: October 2013

Abstract: Consumers expect that health care providers will use the best evidence when assisting them in making decisions about treatment options. Nurses at all educational levels report that they lack knowledge to critically appraise research studies and the skills to effectively implement evidence-based practice (EBP) in their clinical settings. Organizational culture and management support of innovation are critical factors in the adoption of EBP. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates can have a pivotal role in the transfer of knowledge to practice, yet critical appraisal and EBP competencies for DNP and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students have not been well differentiated in nursing curricula. Also students’ attitudes toward EBP, self-efficacy beliefs, utilization, and knowledge gaps are rarely evaluated before courses are designed. This article reports on the development of a DNP-level EBP course to help students evaluate and apply research findings to clinical practice.
Bibliometric and Social Network Analysis for Data Mining: The Intellectual Structure of Tourism Destination Literature
Authors: Wang Cheng-Hua , Chen Shiu-Chun
Published: October 2013

Data mining can extract useful information from large databases. This paper presents the evolution of the intellectual structure in tourism destination literature as determined by means of bibliometric and social network analysis of 17 552 citations of 414 articles published in Social Sciences Citation Index and Sciences Citation Index journals from 1955 to 2011. This study found that tourism destination research is organized into four different concentrations of interest: destination image, tourist experience and stakeholder involvement, structural equation modeling, and customer relationship management. Future tourism destination research will probably continue to focus on these topics. This study presents a new way for researchers to profile development patterns objectively and provides a key reading method for searching useful research directions.
Anticoagulant Treatment With Rivaroxaban in Severe Protein S Deficiency
Authors: Martinelli Ida , Bucciarelli Paolo , Artoni Andrea , Fossali Emilio F. , Passamonti Serena M. , Tripodi Armando , Peyvandi Flora
Published: October 2013

We report a case of a 6-year-old girl with severe protein S deficiency due to a homozygous mutation and recurrent episodes of skin necrosis. She developed purpura fulminans at birth and a catheter-related venous thrombosis complicated by massive pulmonary embolism at the sixth day of life. Long-term oral anticoagulant therapy with a vitamin K-antagonist was started with a therapeutic range of the international normalized ratio of prothrombin time between 2.0 and 3.0. Unfortunately, this common range was not sufficient because recurrent episodes of warfarin-induced skin necrosis developed if the international normalized ratio was <4.0. Vitamin K antagonists decrease plasma level of vitamin K–dependent coagulation proteins, including the natural anticoagulant protein C. In our patient, the hypercoagulable state due to warfarin-induced reduction of protein C, other than severe protein S deficiency, outweighed the anticoagulant efficacy of the inhibition of procoagulant factors II, VII, IX, and X. The switch of anticoagulant therapy from warfarin to rivaroxaban, a direct inhibitor of activated factor X that does not inhibit other vitamin K–dependent proteins, resulted in the disappearance of skin necrosis at 1 year of follow-up. Rivaroxaban may be considered as a valid anticoagulant alternative in patients with severe inherited protein S deficiency and warfarin-induced skin necrosis.
Aspergillus empyema kezelése nyitott thoracostomiával és izomplasztikával, a tüdő funkciójának megőrzésével – esetismertetés
Authors: Agócs László , Lévay Bernadett , Kocsis Ákos , Szabó Györgyi , Gamal Eldin Mohamed , Rojkó Lívia , Sándor József , Wéber György
Published: October 2013

Absztrakt

Bevezetés: Az invazív aspergillosis életet veszélyeztető kórkép immunsupprimált betegeknél, mivel roncstüdő kialakulásához vezethet. Az Aspergillus empyema kezelése összetett. Eset: 18 éves férfi beteget kezeltünk, akinek anamnaesisében pancytopenia hátterében aplasticus anaemia, ciklosporin-A anti-thymocyta globulin (CA ATH) kezelés szerepel. Eredménytelen idegen donoros őssejtbeültetést követően gombás pleuropneumonia alakult ki nála, így empyema kialakulása miatt „open window thoracostomiát” (OWT), fenestratiót készítettünk. Ismételt mellkasi CT készült septicus állapot miatt, a korábbi műtét során készített stomából multidrog-rezisztens Pseudomonas tenyészett ki. Intézetünkbe történő áthelyezését követően az üreg debridementjének elvégezése után a musculus latissimus dorsi (MLD) és a musculus serratus anterior (MSA) izmok felhasználásával thoracomyoplasticát végeztünk. A műtétet követően parenchymaveszteség nélkül hazabocsátottuk a beteget. Következtetés: Az aspergillus okozta empyema kezelése nyitott thoracostomiával és halasztott izomlebeny-plasztikával szelektált esetekben sikerhez vezet, a tüdő funkciójának megtartásával. Ezen eset is példa arra, hogy társszakmák (jelen esetben mellkassebész és plasztikai sebész) együttműködése vezethet a sikeres gyógyuláshoz.
Homelessness and Money Mismanagement in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
Authors: Elbogen Eric B. , Sullivan Connor P. , Wolfe James , Wagner Henry Ryan , Beckham Jean C.
Published: October 2013

Objectives. We examined the empirical link between money mismanagement and subsequent homelessness among veterans.

Methods. We used a random sample of Iraq and Afghanistan War era veterans from the National Post-Deployment Adjustment Survey in 2009–2011.

Results. Veterans were randomly selected from a roster of all US military service members in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom who were separated from active duty or in the Reserves/National Guard. Veterans (n = 1090) from 50 states and all military branches completed 2 waves of data collection 1 year apart (79% retention rate). Thirty percent reported money mismanagement (e.g., bouncing or forging a check, going over one’s credit limit, falling victim to a money scam in the past year). Multivariate analysis revealed money mismanagement (odds ratio [OR] = 4.09, 95% CI = 1.87, 8.94) was associated with homelessness in the next year, as were arrest history (OR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.33, 5.29), mental health diagnosis (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.26, 5.33), and income (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.71).

Conclusions. Money mismanagement, reported by a substantial number of veterans, was related to a higher rate of subsequent homelessness. The findings have implications for policymakers and clinicians, suggesting that financial education programs offered by the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs may be targeted to effectively address veteran homelessness.
Cooking, Healthy Eating, Fitness and Fun (CHEFFs): Qualitative Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Program for Children Living at Urban Family Homeless Shelters
Authors: Rodriguez Jacqueline , Applebaum Jo , Stephenson-Hunter Cara , Tinio Andrea , Shapiro Alan
Published: October 2013

Objectives. We assessed the feasibility of a 15-week nutrition education, physical activity, and media literacy program for children living in urban family homeless shelters.

Methods. We developed a qualitative monitoring tool to evaluate program process and impact at 2 shelter sites in the Bronx, New York, from 2009 to 2012. Facilitators recorded indications of participants’ understanding of intended messages and demonstrations of changes in attitudes and behaviors. Comments, insights, and actions were recorded as they occurred. Facilitators also documented barriers to delivery of content and activities as intended. We used content analysis to examine data for patterns and identify themes.

Results. A total of 162 children participated at the 2 shelter sites. Analysis of qualitative data yielded 3 themes: (1) children’s knowledge and understanding of content, (2) children’s shift in attitudes or intentions, and (3) interpretations through children’s life experience. Food insecurity as well as shelter food service and policies were important influences on children’s choices, hunger, and sense of well-being.

Conclusions. Children’s experiences highlighted the need to advocate for shelter policies that adequately provide for children’s nutritional and physical activity requirements and foster academic development.
Drilling and Completion Fluids Design for Horizontal Well Drilling - Case Histories from Kuwait Field
Authors: Hussein Ahmed , Jadhav Prakash , Sotomayor Ghery , Al-Ajmi Hadi , Al-Ajmi Khaled , Al Ajmi Abdullah , Barazi Nasser Al , Suod Al Rushoud Abdul Aziz , Khan Mohammed Yusuf
Published: October 2013

This paper presents drilling and completion fluids design for drilling long lateral / horizontal wells in a North Kuwait field and its field application on well RA-AAA, RA-BBB, RA-CCC and RA-DDD. The offset wells were reviewed to identify the issues from drilling a challenging trajectory through troublesome reactive formations that showed serious wellbore stability issues and stuck pipe incidents.

The customized drilling and completions fluids system was designed for different intervals, taking the following objectives in consideration: Improved hole stability through stressed and reactive formationsEnhanced hole-cleaning efficiency at critical anglesMinimized risk of stuck pipe across depleted formations with high porosity and permeabilityMinimized / no induced losses to formation by utilizing unique wellbore-strengthening techniqueMinimal damage to reservoir section during drilling phaseNear-wellbore damage remediation during completion phase

This paper describes the customized drilling and completions fluids performance as compared to offset wells. A comprehensive engineered approach addressed the challenges of drilling horizontal wells by using a revolutionary bridging technology to strengthen the wellbore and improve wellbore stability to reduce non- productive time (NPT) related to losses, stuck pipe, etc. This paper also describes the completions fluids design to minimize reservoir damage and utilize Mesophase technology to remediate near-wellbore damage and improve reservoir producibility. The lessons learned on these wells were incorporated in drilling subsequent wells to continue improve on performance.
Prediction Model of Oil Economic Limit Production and Its Comparative Study
Authors: qing Xu , shuqin Che , haiyan Meng , min Zhong , jinying Wang
Published: October 2013

The Enterprise Standard of Method for Petroleum Initial Reserves Evaluation in China prescribes the economic limit production prediction model is the standard evaluation method of the developed oil and gas initial reserves. This model is derived from the theory of input-output balance, and the important key is the clear classification of fixed cost and variable cost in use of this model. Owing to the composite of operating cost, it is difficult to divide the operating costs into fixed costs and variable costs, therefore affects the evaluation accuracy of the initial reserves to a certain extent. Due to more and more oilfields entering the middle to later development stage, the measures of increasing production and the development mode change become the important ways for holding and increasing production, thus cause the differences of cost structure in different stages, therefore the difficulty of cost classification and the uncertainty of initial reserves evaluation are increasing obviously.

In order to avoid the cost classification errors and evaluation effects of proved recoverable reserves, this paper sets up an economic limit of oil production prediction model derived from the discounted cash flow method. Furthermore, this paper puts the prediction model and Petrochina Standard’s model and D&M Co.’s simple calculating formula comparison. The comparison study shows several differences among the three models on formula derive basis, cost preferences and government revenues. Cases analysis shows important conclusions as follows, first, the cost classification was not involved in model calculation process; thereby multiple solutions from the economic limit production calculation were avoided effectively. Second, the model standardizes the costs preference and its assignment, and then improves the economic limit prediction accuracy. Third, the formulas determined by this model can conveniently complete the scenario analysis of the oil price, cost, government revenue and other factors.
Real-Time Surveillance - How System Integration Minimises Deferment, Optimises Production, Maximises Test Unit Capacity and Tracks Well Operating Envelopes
Authors: Al Balushi Mahmood , Konwar Anupam , Abdullah Zulfikri , Sahu Sambit-Kumar , Briers Jan
Published: October 2013

A key issue in upstream E&P operations is how to manage wells and reservoirs more effectively. Oil and gas production from onshore and offshore wells can be relatively difficult to manage, not only because of multiphase nature of the well production, but also due to lack of a continuous, reliable measurement of well/reservoir performance. Reporting continuous production from the wells and performing hydrocarbon allocation with credible accuracy is an area with many challenges in upstream E&P operations.

Shell's Production Universe (PU) is a novel software application developed by Shell to address some fundamental gaps in the management and surveillance of oil and gas production systems. Using data driven models, it is designed to estimate and optimize the production (and injection) of wells continuously in real-time, based on the available wellhead instrumentation. PU provides improved well surveillance, more accurate hydrocarbon accounting, and automatic production reporting and production optimization. The data from PU can also be used for quick analysis to safeguard the technical integrity of wells and reservoirs. It is also cost-effective in that it requires minimal commodity instrumentation and IT systems, much of which may already be present in field operations.

Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) in South East Asia had adopted the PU technology just after it was launched in 2004. Today, BSP continues to deploy PU in all of its assets. Implementation of PU in BSP has helped in exception based surveillance, analysis and troubleshooting; and hence has helped optimized resources being directed towards production optimization activities. It has also improved data quality and reporting.

This paper discusses how Production Universe has been instrumental in helping BSP in the above operational and production areas. In particular, the application of PU in various facets of WRFM (Wells, Reservoir and Facility Management) to achieve operational excellence is discussed.
Expanding Cement Application for High Rate Gas Wells in South Sumatra
Authors: Sutama Candra , Inayah Firda
Published: October 2013

The cement sheath of an oil or gas well is designed to prevent fluid communication between the drilled formations during the productive life of the well through post-abandonment. However, even when cement initially provides good hydraulic seal, zonal isolation can deteriorate after initial placement due to microannuli formation. In many cases, a microannulus can be formed because of wellbore temperature changes, wellbore pressure changes, or set cement bulk shrinkage.

Microannuli are considered serious concern in gas wells because, unlike liquid, gas flows easily to surface through very narrow microannuli. Cementing operations which fail to provide adequate zonal isolation may result in loss of isolation which poses a hazard to both personnel and the environment. A cement that has ability to expand post set, can help prevent the formation of microannuli. The concept is that the expanding cement will fill microannuli and ensure good bonding either between the formation and the cement or between casing and the cement.

This paper discusses the application of expanding cement in two large gas fields; located in South Sumatra. In those fields, wells are produced using 7- in production tubing, with 13 3/8-in casing and 9 5/8 in liner as production strings. Production strings are constantly exposed to changes in pressure and temperature, both during drilling and during production. These changes can create stresses on the cement sheath and may create microannuli. There is a particular focus on the isolation around 13 3/8- in production string: unlike the 9 5/8-in production liner string, the 13 3/8-in string relies only on cement to isolate the gas zones, without any packer. This string needs to provide isolation is critical to ensure that the well can perform as designed and pose no hazard to personnel and to the environment. The paper also discusses the design steps and considerations, as well as evaluation results.
Arun and South Lhoksukon Fields Production Optimisation by Well Cycling
Authors: Pravasta Erido A. , Susanto Edward , Putra Ardian P.
Published: October 2013

Arun and South Lhoksukon (SLS) are gas fields located in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Indonesia. The first production was commenced in 1977 and 1997 respectively. Condensate and water are produced in association with the gas. During initial production, high gas rate dispersed liquids into gas. As fields get mature, gas rate declines and becomes insufficient to lift the liquids accumulation inside the wellbore which causes liquid loading phenomenon.

A well cycling program was implemented at Arun and SLS to overcome the liquid loading phenomenon and optimize mature wells production with minimum cost compared to other deliquifaction methods. The basic principle of well cycling program is to build up the Bottom Hole Pressure (BHP) and drain the liquids back into formation by shutting in the interest wells for a certain period of time. When the well is brought online, liquids accumulation in the wellbore can be lifted as BHP increases. The program is conducted regularly when gas rate drops to optimize the production.

The contribution of well cycling program to Arun and SLS production has been increasing gradually in the past few years. This paper outlines Arun and SLS well cycling operations, monitoring program, cycled well example, and its contribution to overall field production.