bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Methodology for Multilateral-Well Optimization
Authors: Wilson Adam
Published: June 2017

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 183004, “A Methodology for Multilateral-Well Optimization—Field Case Study,” by Ivan Cetkovic, SPE, Majed Shammari, SPE, and Talal Sager, Saudi Aramco, prepared for the 2016 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, 7–10 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Multilateral wells with smart completions controlled by different flow-control technologies offer great operational flexibility, with each lateral able to be operated and optimized independently. Understanding the contribution of each lateral in the complexity of the system was a major objective of this study. In order to optimize the system and predict results under different operational conditions, a multilateral-well-modeling methodology was developed. This methodology covers two main factors affecting multilateral productivity—a flow-dependent gas/oil ratio (GOR) and interference between the laterals.

Wells Overview

The study was based on multilateral wells complete with inflow control valves (ICVs). As a general description, the wells are completed with three to seven laterals and each lateral is isolated by packers and controlled by an ICV, as shown in Fig. 1.

Multilateral-Well Modeling

A multiphase surface system flow simulator that is able to optimize production from wells and networks as an integrated system was adapted to generate and optimize the subsurface multilateral-well flow behavior. This simulator is used mainly for surface network modeling and optimization, but the complex subsurface well system was modeled with this application. This complex simulation model resolves and finds the optimal ICV pressure drop and diameter for each lateral for different inflow-performance conditions, such as different rate-dependent GOR curves at different operational conditions. The model was created as a black-oil model. In each lateral, the flow and pressure drop through the reservoir are determined in the horizontal section, as well as the annular flow between the casing and tubing. Each ICV is represented with a choke model.

The primary method for validating a model is to match it to an observed production well test. This validation includes the requirement to represent flow and pressure at different operational conditions in order to predict operational conditions.

A nodal analysis of a well model consists basically of two different curves—an inflow curve that represents the flow rate and flowing bottomhole pressure at different conditions and an outflow curve that represents the behavior of the pressure drop at different flow rates through the completion.

The intersection of the inflow and outflow curves determines the operational point and is the point that needs to be matched at different operational conditions.
Field Implementation of Tar Removal using Solvent Based Chemical Treatment for Water Disposal Wells
Authors: Al-Hussain Ali Musa , Al-Zayer Rayed M. , Al-Zubail Makki A.
Published: June 2017

Injectivity of water disposal wells is decreasing with time as tar accumulates in the wellbore and/or within the vicinity of the wellbore. The tar deposit reduces and deteriorates the effective wellbore length in addition to increasing mechanical skin across the sand face. The injectivity of water disposal wells can be effectively enhanced/stimulated by doing special chemical treatment mainly for sand stone reservoir. This helps to reduce injection bottom-hole pressure and consequently increase the pumping rates. This proposed chemical treatment was used for the first time in Saudi Arabia for sandstone reservoir to remove tar accumulation. The chemical treatment fluid (recipe) was tested in the lab and showed promising results. In this trial test, a water disposal well candidate with a low injection rate was selected to be implemented for the trial test. The treatment was aimed at enhancing well injectivity and the initial results of the field implementation demonstrate a significant improvement in the injection rate. This result was confirmed from the rate measurement before and after the treatment in addition to well testing analysis. Key results were consolidated with fall-off tests conducted before and after the treatment proving the effectiveness of the chemical treatment at reducing the skin and increasing the injection rate. In addition, this chemical is cost effective compared to other chemicals previously used for the same treatment objective. This paper also illustrates the current procedures and provides recommendations for future job execution with new procedures and steps to improve results.
IPR of Triple Continuum Reservoirs, Analytical Approach
Authors: Youssef AbdAllah A. , Alnuaim Sami
Published: June 2017

The existence of vugs in naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs has been widely seen in oil and gas reservoirs. The multiphase flow is taking place in multimedia such as matrix, fractures and vugs. Hence, the standard famous Darcy law may not apply to describe the multiphase flow in such reservoirs. A new triple-continuum conceptual model has been developed by several investigators to help to understand multiphase flow behavior through vuggy fractured carbonate reservoirs. The most well-known conceptual model is the single permeability, triple porosity model. In this conceptual model, vuggy fractured rock is considered as a triple-continuum medium, consisting of (1) highly permeable fractures, (2) low-permeability rock matrix, and (3) various-sized vugs. The Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) that describes the relation between the sand-face flowing pressure and well standard flow rate for such system can be generated either numerically or analytically. This study investigates the analytical approach of IPR of triple continuum reservoirs. The IPR is derived from the analytical solution of diffusivity equation. The objective of this study is to solve the fluid flow equations that govern the flow in triple continuum reservoir under semi-steady flow regime. Then, the productivity index is calculated and the effects of different reservoir parameters are investigated. Various sensitivity analysis was implemented to gain better understanding especially for the effect of inter-porosity and storativity. The generated IPR of the triple continuum reservoir is the same as the single continuum reservoir except that it is multiplied by E (error parameter = 0 < E≤ 1). The max value of E is one where the fractures are the only present continuum in the reservoir (single continuum).
Impediments to Hybridization between Napiergrass and different Pennisetum Species
Authors: Dowling Charlie D. , Burson Byron L. , Jessup Russell W.
Published: June 2017

Napiergrass [Pennisetum purpureum (Schum.) Morrone] is a robust, perennial, warm‐season grass that grows throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Some genotypes have sufficient winter hardiness to survive winters in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. However, germplasm with increased cold tolerance is needed to expand where the grass can be grown as a forage and biofuel crop in the southern United States. A male‐sterile napiergrass accession was pollinated with several genotypes of flaccidgrass (P. flaccidum (Griseb.) Morrone], P. orientale (Rich.) Morrone, and buffelgrass [Cenchrus ciliaris L. syn. P. ciliare (L.) Link] to transfer cold tolerance to napiergrass. More than 38,500 florets were pollinated but only two weak, short‐lived napiergrass × P. orientale seedlings were recovered. Controlled pollinations were made to determine what prevented hybridization, and pollen germination and tube growth in the pollinated pistils were observed using fluorescent microscopy. Most did not exhibit barriers to hybridization; however, pollen tubes of one P. orientale accession did not grow into the napiergrass styles. Pollen tubes became disoriented in the ovary and grew in an irregular manner in most crosses, but some tubes entered the micropyle. Since pollen–pistil incompatibilities were not the primary cause for failure of hybridization, post‐fertilization events in the embryo sacs were observed. The egg cell and polar nuclei were not fertilized in many sacs, and when they were, the embryo and endosperm began deteriorating within 3 to 5 d following pollination. Thus, hybrids were not recovered from crosses between these species because of post‐fertilization barriers, suggesting alternative strategies to wide hybridization may be required for the development of cold‐tolerant napiergrass.
Utilizing Wild Species for Peanut Improvement
Authors: Stalker H. Thomas
Published: June 2017

The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) is an allotetraploid species with a very large and complex genome. This species is susceptible to numerous foliar and soil‐borne diseases for which only moderate levels of resistance have been identified in the germplasm collection, but several of the 81 wild species are extremely resistant to many destructive peanut diseases. Peanut species were grouped into nine sections, but only taxa in sectionArachiswill hybridize withA. hypogaea. Most of these species are diploid, but two aneuploids and two tetraploids also exist in the section. The first peanut cultivars released after interspecific hybridization were ‘Spancross’ and ‘Tamnut 74’ during the 1970s from a cross betweenA. hypogaeaand its tetraploid progenitor. However, introgression of useful genes from diploids has been difficult due to sterility barriers resulting from genomic and ploidy differences. To utilize diploids in sectionArachis, direct hybrids have been made betweenA. hypogaeaand diploid species, the chromosome number doubled to the hexaploid level, and then tetraploids recovered with resistances to nematodes, leaf spots, rust, and numerous insect pests. ‘Bailey’, a widely grown Virginia‐type peanut, was released from these materials, and other cultivars are gown in Asia and South America. Alternatively, hybrids between diploid A and B genome species have been made, the chromosome number doubled, and cultivars released with nematode resistance derived fromArachisspecies. Introgression fromArachisspecies toA. hypogaeaappears to be in large blocks rather than as single genes, and new genotyping strategies should enhance utilization of wild peanut genetic resources.
Identification and Fine Mapping of SiDWARF3 (D3), a Pleiotropic Locus Controlling Environment‐Independent Dwarfism in Foxtail Millet
Authors: Fan Xingke , Tang Sha , Zhi Hui , He Miaomiao , Ma Wenshuang , Jia Yanchao , Zhao Baohua , Jia Guanqing , Diao Xianmin
Published: June 2017

The dwarfing of crop species could enhance lodging resistance in elite cultivars and thus increase cereal grain yields. Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] is an ancient grain crop originating from China, and it served as staple food during the development of agricultural‐based civilization in South and East Asia, where it is still grown today. Breeding for dwarfism of foxtail millet has great potential in fulfilling the food needs of an increasing world population. This study was undertaken to characterize an ethyl methanesulfonate‐induced dwarf mutant of foxtail millet (Sidwarf3) derived from ‘Yugu1’. The dwarf character of the mutant was latitude independent. The mutant had fewer and shorter internodes because of smaller cells compared with the wild‐type. Furthermore, the mutant showed increased seed length and panicle tightness; however, it exhibited decreased drought tolerance. Endogenous accumulations of gibberellin, auxin, brassinosteroid, abscisic acid, and zeatin‐riboside in the mutant were changed at the jointing and heading stages of the growth period, and the plant height of Sidwarf3 could not be fully restored by applying gradient concentrations (0–5 × 10−4 M) of gibberellic acid solution. Using combined map‐based approaches and a MutMap single‐nucleotide polymorphism index analysis, the dwarfing gene D3 was mapped to chromosome 8 and located in a genomic interval spanning 296.7 kb, which annotated 20 candidate genes for further investigation. This study provides essential information for the molecular breeding of lodging‐resistant foxtail millet cultivars through an ethyl methanesulfonate‐induced mutation approach.
Preliminary evaluation of new green antiscalants for reverse osmosis water desalination
Authors: Pervov Alexey G. , Andrianov Alexey P. , Danilycheva Maria N.
Published: June 2017

Supplying fresh water has become an important environmental and economic issue. Desalination with reverse osmosis (RO) represents an effective solution to meet the challenges of cleaning brackish water and seawater for drinking and industrial purposes. The principal problem of RO plant operation is the precipitation of low soluble salts (scaling). There are some well-known techniques to reduce scaling; one of the most widespread is antiscalant dosing. In this study, 11 samples of new prototype chemicals based on co-polymers of acrylic and methacrylic acids, polyaspartic acid, maleic anhydride and different cross-linking agents is tested. A wide range of commercial phosphorus-based and green inhibitors were used as reference antiscalants. The testing procedure included circulation experiments on a RO laboratory unit with continuous concentration of feed water – tap water and model solution with elevated hardness. The amount of calcium carbonate accumulated in the membrane module was determined and the inhibitor efficiency was calculated. The best results were obtained for scale inhibitors based on polyaspartic and (poly)acrylic acids. The most promising was the reagent based on a mixture of polyaspartate and nitrilotrimethylphosphonic acid.
Enhanced biomass production of duckweeds by inoculating a plant growth-promoting bacterium, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus P23, in sterile medium and non-sterile environmental waters
Authors: Toyama T. , Kuroda M. , Ogata Y. , Hachiya Y. , Quach A. , Tokura K. , Tanaka Y. , Mori K. , Morikawa M. , Ike M.
Published: June 2017

Duckweed offers the promise of a co-benefit culture combining water purification with biomass production. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus P23 is a plant growth-promoting bacterium isolated from a duckweed, Lemna aequinoctialis. This study quantified its growth-promoting effect on three duckweeds (L. aoukikusa, L. minor, and Spirodela polyrhiza) in sterile Hoagland solution and evaluated its usefulness in duckweed culture under non-sterile conditions. P23 promoted growth of three duckweeds in sterile Hoagland solution at low to high nutrient concentrations (1.25–10 mg NO3-N/L and 0.25–2.0 mg PO4-P/L). It increased the biomass production of L. aequinoctialis 3.8–4.3-fold, of L. minor 2.3–3.3-fold, and of S. polyrhiza 1.4–1.5-fold after 7 days compared with noninoculated controls. P23 also increased the biomass production of L. minor 2.4-fold in pond water and 1.7-fold in secondary effluent of a sewage treatment plant under non-sterile conditions at laboratory-scale experiments. P23 rescued L. minor from growth inhibition caused by microorganisms indigenous to the pond water. The results demonstrate that the use of P23 in duckweed culture can improve the efficiency of duckweed biomass production, and a positive effect of P23 on duckweed-based wastewater treatment can be assumed.
Laboratory- and full-scale studies on the removal of pharmaceuticals in an aerated constructed wetland: effects of aeration and hydraulic retention time on the removal efficiency and assessment of the aquatic risk
Authors: Auvinen Hannele , Gebhardt Wilhelm , Linnemann Volker , Du Laing Gijs , Rousseau Diederik P. L.
Published: June 2017

Pharmaceutical residues in wastewater pose a challenge to wastewater treatment technologies. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are common wastewater treatment systems in rural areas and they discharge often in small water courses in which the ecology can be adversely affected by the discharged pharmaceuticals. Hence, there is a need for studies aiming to improve the removal of pharmaceuticals in CWs. In this study, the performance of a full-scale aerated sub-surface flow hybrid CW treating wastewater from a healthcare facility was studied in terms of common water parameters and pharmaceutical removal. In addition, a preliminary aquatic risk assessment based on hazard quotients was performed to estimate the likelihood of adverse effects on aquatic organisms in the forest creek where this CW discharges. The (combined) effect of aeration and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was evaluated in a laboratory-scale batch experiment. Excellent removal of the targeted pharmaceuticals was obtained in the full-scale CW (>90%) and, as a result, the aquatic risk was estimated low. The removal efficiency of only a few of the targeted pharmaceuticals was found to be dependent on the applied aeration (namely gabapentin, metformin and sotalol). Longer and the HRT increased the removal of carbamazepine, diclofenac and tramadol.
Rocking Response of Seismically-Isolated Rigid Blocks Under Simple Acceleration Pulses and Earthquake Excitations
Authors: Roussis Panayiotis C. , Odysseos Spyroulla
Published: June 2017

Background:

Although the dynamic response of rigid block-like structures standing free on a rigid foundation has been extensively studied to date, only a limited number of studies have focused on the dynamics of such systems when seismically isolated.

Objective:

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation on the dynamic response of base-isolated rigid blocks subjected to pulse-type base excitation, with the aim of identifying potential trends in the response and stability of the system.

Method:

The model adopted in this study consists of a rectangular-prismatic rigid block standing free on a seismically-isolated base, which, on the assumption of sufficiently-large friction, can be set into rocking on top of the moving base under dynamic excitation. The study examines in depth the motion of the block/base system with a large-displacement formulation that combines the nonlinear equations of motion with a rigorous model governing impact. Two isolation-system models are utilized in the analysis, a linear viscoelastic model and a bilinear hysteretic model.

Results:

An extensive numerical investigation was performed to calculate the rocking response of the block under simple acceleration pulses and recorded pulse-type earthquake motions of various amplitudes and frequency content. Response-regime spectra for non-isolated and isolated blocks of varying geometric characteristics have been constructed to evaluate the system performance with respect to the rocking initiation and overturning of the block.

Conclusion:

The study showed that, regardless of block size and excitation period, seismic isolation increases the acceleration required to initiate rocking, a benefit that increases as the isolation period increases. In regard to the stability of the rocking block, the use of isolation yields a better system performance for smaller-sized blocks both for short- and mid-period excitations, provided that the isolation system is suitably designed. On the contrary, for long-period pulses, the use of isolation is practically not beneficial in improving the stability of the rocking block, irrespective of its size.
CARACTERIZACIÓN DEL FENÓMENO DE LA CORTESÍA EN LA CULTURA COMUNICATIVA ESPAÑOLA
Authors: Marta Peláez  Torres
Published: June 2017

La cortesía es un fenómeno comunicativo universal que presenta variaciones determinadas por los parámetros socioculturales de cada grupo social. Así, podemos distinguir entre sociedades que se inclinan hacia un tipo de cortesía positiva y de solidaridad, y otras que lo hacen hacia la cortesía negativa o de deferencia (Scollon y Scollon, 1983; Sifianou, 1992). Teniendo en cuenta esta tipología, diferentes autores concuerdan en describir la cultura española como una sociedad que se inclina por la tendencia positiva de la cortesía, con la consecuente preocupación por reafirmar la afiliación al grupo y por poner en valor la imagen del otro interlocutor (Haverkate, 1994; Hickey, 2005). Este hecho se demuestra en el análisis intercultural de la producción de actos de habla corteses que, como sucede por ejemplo en el acto de felicitar, cobran un cariz especial en estas sociedades. Al mismo tiempo, el conocimiento de las premisas culturales españolas permitirá explicar los comportamientos comunicativos de los individuos que forman esa sociedad determinada. El interés de trabajos como el que presentamos sobrepasa los límites puramente lingüísticos y alcanza también el ámbito de la enseñanza y aprendizaje de segundas lenguas, ámbito en el que es especialmente necesario el tratamiento directo de los aspectos sociopragmáticos de las lenguas y de los que la cortesía forma parte.
Marcadores discursivos interacionais: diferentes metodologias, diferentes resultados
Authors: Freitag Raquel Meister Ko. , Silva Rosangela Barros da , Evangelista Flávia Regina de Santana
Published: June 2017

Marcadores discursivos são itens linguísticos que funcionam nos domínios cognitivo, expressivo, social e textual e que emergem da interação falante/ouvinte e são provenientes de outras categorias gramaticais, por processo de gramaticalização, tais como formas verbais (entendeu? e sabe?), reduções frasais (né?), adjetivos (certo?). Apresentamos o resultado de uma investigação sobre o uso de marcadores discursivos interacionais na fala de jovens escolares da cidade de Aracaju, SE, Brasil, comparando os resultados obtidos com os de outras variedades do português brasileiro. Os resultados apontam para a recorrência de uso dessas estratégias interacionais na fala dos jovens aracajuanos direcionadas para contextos específicos: interações simétricas, para as mulheres, e assimétricas, para os homens, foram os contextos mais propícios para a ocorrência dos marcadores discursivos interacionais, revelando efeitos estilísticos. No entanto, ao comparar os resultados com outras variedades, nos deparamos com questões metodológicas diferenciadas que podem interferir nos resultados obtidos.
Sustainable Administrative Reform Movements Policy in Joko Widodo's Administration
Authors: Sugandi Yogi Suprayogi
Published: June 2017

Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is a leader that is widely expected to transform Indonesia into a better country. Hopes and wishes were rising when he was elected as the president of Indonesia. This paper will describe various innovations undertaken before and after his presidential inauguration as well as the assorted innovations made in reforming the administration of his cabinet. As the president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo is required to realize the aspirations of the people in freeing the government from corruption, collusion, and nepotism. The management of ministerial and non-ministerial institutions becomes the very first crucial issue undertaken by Joko Widodo. This led to a polemic in regards to reducing or increasing the number of institutions, as the Jokowi administration actually increased the amount. In Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration, several policies were made systematically and based on legislations that had been approved by the lagislature. Joko Widodo's administration in more partial in nature. The administrative reform program that is highly anticipated is the continuation of the Public Service Act. This law is a step forward from the administrative reform program that aims at the creation of good governance. Changes is career path, salary system, pension and benefits for civil servants, performance-based staffing are various efforts of sustainability carried out by Joko Widodo's administration.
An Agricultural Spraying Robot Based on the Machine Vision
Authors: Wang Zhongrui , Wang Zhongcheng
Published: June 2017

Accurate target spraying is a key technology in modern and intelligent agriculture. For solving the problems of pesticide waste and poisoning in the spraying process, a spraying robot based on binocular machine vision was proposed in this paper. A digital signal processor was used to identify and locate tomatoes as well as to control the nozzle spray. A stereoscopic vision model was established, and color normalization, 2G-R-B, was adopted to implement background segmentation between plants and soil. As for the tomatoes and plants, depth information and circularity depended on the nozzle’s target, and the plant shape area determined the amount of pesticide. Experiments shown that the recognition rate of this spraying robot was up to 92.5% for tomatoes.
HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA LEAD TO TRANSMURAL INFLAMMATION OF COLON AND INCREASE SEVERITY OF DISEASE IN ACETIC ACID-INDUCED COLITIS IN RAT
Authors: Souad Lamda , Dalila Naimi , Cherifa Aggoun
Published: June 2017

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) induced by feeding rats high methionine diet on the colon wall. Colonic damages caused by Hhcy were compared with those induced by acetic –acid induced colitis.Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250g) were divided into four groups: group C (control), group M (received 1 g/kg methionine p. o. during 15 d), group A (colitis was induced by transrectal administration of acetic acid 4% on 8th day) and group MA (received methionine and acetic acid). At the end of the study, plasma homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytes (WBC) count were evaluated, all rats were sacrificed and distal 8 cm of the colon was dissected. Colon was weighed for disease activity index (DAI) and injuries were assessed macroscopically and histologically.Results: High methionine diet induced significant (P<0.001) increase of homocysteine (hcy), CRP levels and WBC count compared to control. Acetic acid rats showed a significant decrease of WBC count. Mixed treatment caused a significant increase of hcy, CRP and a significant decrease of WBC count. Our results showed that Hhcy causes significant damages and immune cells infiltration in all layers of the colonic wall.Conclusion: The present investigation demonstrated that Hhcy increased the major inflammatory markers as CRP and leukocytes count and produced transmural colitis in rats. Effect of Hhcy is more toxic on the colonic wall than acetic acid indeed while acetic acid lesions are localized in mucosa and submucosa the lesions of hcy extend to the all layers (mucosa, submucosa and muscularis propria). Acetic acid induced colitis in hyperhomocysteinemic rats increased the severity of colitis.
PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND IMMUNO-MODULATORY EFFECT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA FLOWERS
Authors: Velaga Venkatasthya Sai Appala Raju , Suryadevara Nagaraja , Chee Lim Li , Ismail Nahlah Elkudssiah
Published: June 2017

Objective: This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory activities of different solvent extracts of Moringa oleifera flowers using carrageenan-induced mice paw edema.Methods: Soxhlet extraction method was employed in this study to extract the crude phytochemicals. Phytochemical analysis testing of Moringa oleifera extracts was performed to identify the presence of various phytoconstituents based on the standard procedures. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acute inflammatory model carrageenan-induced paw edema. Three different flower extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol) of Moringa oleifera at the dose level of 500 mg/kg body weight. The anti-inflammatory activity on the different extracts of Moringa oleifera was determined through the α-carrageenan induced left hind paw oedema method in albino mice. 0.05 ml of 1% w/v carrageenan suspension was reconstituted with normal saline (0.9% NaCl) to give a homogenous solution which then be injected into the subplantar tissue of the left hind paw of each mice to induce acute inflammation.Results: Treatment with three different solvent extracts showed significant (p<0.05) inhibition in carrageenan-induced paw edema. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts were found to be less effective than methanolic extracts when compared to (Indomethacin) reference standard at the dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. The phytochemical results obtained indicates that anti-edematous action of Moringa oleifera flowers exhibited in this study is due to the presence of potent anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents (flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin) in impeding arachidonic acid metabolism and production of reactive free radicals. A significant (p<0.05) increase of left hind paw thickness after the drug injection was noticed in the negative control mice group as time persisted. It showed the highest paw thickness at the fifth hour with 4.72 mm±0.07. Whereas the indomethacin treated group showed the highest percent oedema inhibition amongst all experimental group with 38.60% at the fifth-hour post-carrageenan induction. It exhibited a significant inhibition of 29.02% against the oedema after the third hour of carrageenan injection.Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera flowers extract has anti-inflammatory activity. This activity was related to the dose and these results collaborate the potential traditional use of the plant in folk medicine.
DESIGN, FORMULATION AND IN VITRO DRUG RELEASE FROM TRANSDERMAL PATCHES CONTAINING IMIPRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE AS MODEL DRUG
Authors: Hardainiyan Swati , Kumar Krishan , Nandy Bankim Chandra , Saxena Richa
Published: June 2017

Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to form matrix type transdermal patches containing imipramine hydrochloride were prepared using two polymers by solvent evaporation technique to minimise the dose of the drug for lesser side effect and increase the bioavailability of a drug.Methods: In the present study, drug loaded matrix type transdermal films of imipramine hydrochloride were prepared by the solvent evaporation method with the help of polymers along with polyethene glycol (PEG) 400 was used as plasticizer and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as penetration enhancer. Drug-polymer interactions determine by FTIR and a standard calibration curve of imipramine hydrochloride was determined by using UV estimation.Results: The formulated transdermal patch by using PVP K-30, HPMC K100M showed good physical properties. All prepared formulations indicated good physical stability. The formulation F-1 gave the most suitable transdermal film with all desirable physicochemical properties. The thickness of the patches was varied from 0.263±0.67 mm to 0.301±0.61 mm, uniformity of patches showed that patches prepared by solvent evaporation while low standard deviation values ensued by thickness measurements of the film, and weights ranged between 50.5±0.75 mg and 52.15±2.15 mg, which indicates that different batches patch weights, were comparatively similar. Folding endurance was found to be>200 that is satisfactory for the patches, drug content was found to be 5.33±0.14 mg to 5.57±0.095 mg. In vitro, drug permeation studies of formulations were performed by using K-C diffusion cells using abdomen skin of the albino rat. The results were best in in-vitro skin permeation through rat skin as compared to all other formulations prepared with a hydrophilic polymer containing permeation enhancer. The formulation, F1 is considered as the best formulation, since it shows maximum in vitro drug release as 84.71±3.07 % at 24 h. The drug release kinetics studies showed that the majority of formulations were governed by Higuchi model and mechanism of release was non-Fickian mediated.Conclusion: In conclusion, controlled release transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) patches of imipramine hydrochloride can be prepared using the polymer combinations, with plasticizer and enhancer. The release rate of drug through patched increased simultaneously as the concentration of hydrophilic polymer was increased. However, the mechanism of drug release of all formulations was non-Fickian. The properties of a film did not change during the period of study.
THERMAL DEGRADATION KINETICS OF KAEMPFEROL AND QUERCETIN IN THE PRE-FORMULATED OF THE STANDARDIZED EXTRACTS OF POINCIANELLA PYRAMIDALIS (TUL.) L. P. QUEIROZ OBTAINED BY SPRAY DRYER
Authors: Oliveira Agna HÉlia De , Leite Renata Da Silva , Dantas FabrÍcio Havy , Souza Valmir Gomes De , JÚnior JosÉ VenÂncio Chaves , Souza FÁbio Santos De , Macedo Rui Oliveira
Published: June 2017

Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the stability and determine the kinetic parameters of degradation of biomarkers kaempferol and quercetin, present in the pre-formulated of the extract of Poincianella pyramidalis obtained by a spray dryer.Methods: A 23experimental design coupled with RSM was applied to evaluate and optimize the effects of processing parameters on the content of chemical markers in dry extracts by a spray dryer. Stability testing was performed to verify the influence of temperature on the degradation of kaempferol and quercetin present in the pre-formulated. The markers contents were determined by HPLC.Results: Surface response analysis showed the influence of the independent variables on the responses of the concentration kaempferol and quercentin biomarkers on the process. The variables of the inlet air temperature, flow feed rate and the adjuvant ratio presented negative responses with significant difference (p<0.05). According to the data obtained in the stability of the pre-formulated studied zero and second orders kinetics models the for degradation of the kaempferol and only second order kinetic model for the quercetin. It was also evaluated reducing the concentration of both biomarkers studied throughout the study.Conclusion: In the present study, it was observed that all independent variables of the drying process by spray dryer showed the greatest influence on the concentration of the studied markers. Two markers had a different thermal behavior compared to the different excipients studied and there was degradation of both the quercentin biomarker and kaempferol during the study period.
ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF MENTHA PULEGIUM ESSENTIAL OIL AGAINST AVIAN ISOLATED ESBL PRODUCING BACTERIA AND ITS SYNERGISTIC POTENTIAL WITH ANTIBIOTICS
Authors: Yahiaoui Fatima , Benameur Qada , Ben-mahdi Meriem Hind
Published: June 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Algerian Mentha pulegium essential oil against extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producing bacteria isolated from avian livestock. The synergistic interactions between conventional antibiotics and Mentha pulegium essential oil were assessed.Methods: Essential oil composition was determined by gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector (GC/FID), gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS) analysis.Antibacterial activity of Mentha pulegium essential oil against ESBL producing bacteria was investigated by disc diffusion assay. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of essential oil and it synergistic interaction with conventional antibiotics were determined by micro-broth dilution method and checkerboard test, respectively.Results: The results indicate that Mentha pulegium essential oil with a high amount of pulegone (88.78%) had high inhibitory activity against the tested strains and particularly displays a satisfactory action against the studied ESBL producing bacteria from animal origin, with a diameter ranging from 13 to 26 mm. Out of 51 combinations tested between essential oil and antibiotics 60.78 % showed total synergy, 13.72 % had presented a partial synergy. The best antibacterial activities were obtained with the combination of Mentha pulegium essential oil and cefazolin, cefotaxime and gentamycin.Conclusion: This study allowed concluding that Mentha pulegium essential oil showed not only satisfactory antibacterial properties, but also acts synergistically combined with conventional antibiotics, which make it a promising alternative to antimicrobial drugs; beside that, it might reduce the minimum effective dose of the drugs which minimizes their possible side effects.
DESIGN, SYNTHESIS AND ANTICONVULSANT PROFILE OF 5-(BENZO [D][1,3]DIOXOL-5-YL)-3-TERT-BUTYL-4, 5-DIHYDROPYRAZOLE DERIVATIVES
Authors: El-behairy Mohammed Farrag , Attia Hanan Naeim Hafez
Published: June 2017

Objective: Utilisation of the ligand-based design and molecular hybridization to design promising candidates with prospective efficacy and safety. Synthesis of the designed candidates using different synthetic methods. Biological evaluation of the newly synthesised candidates as anticonvulsant agents.Methods: Three novel series of 5-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydropyrazoles have been designed via ligand-based drug discovery and molecular hybridization. Proper synthetic routes have been followed in the preparation of compounds (2-23) which have been characterised by different spectral techniques. Antiepileptic potential was assessed by biological evaluation using ‘classical’ animal models of epilepsy, in addition to rotarod test for toxicity.Results: 4-Nitrophenyl derivatives (5, 13, and19) displayed the highest potency. Compound 5was the most active substituent in series A (N'-aroyl-3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbohydrazide). It was 2.7 and 1.3 times more active than reference drug Stiripentol (I) and lead compound III, respectively. Compound13 was the best candidate in series B (N'-arylidene-3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbohydrazide). It was 3.3, 1.5, and 1.2 times more potent than Stiripentol, lead compound III and new compound 5, respectively. Two members (19 and 21) of series C (1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives) achieved 100 % protection at lower doses than I and III, being 2.6 and 2.4 times more active than Stiripentol. In scPTZ screen, the most active congeners (5, 13, 19) exhibited ED50 values of 45, 48, and 81 mg/kg, respectively, which are highly superior as compared to that of reference drug Stiripentol(I) and lead compound III (ED50 115 and 110 mg/kg, respectively).Conclusion: Ligand-based design together with molecular hybridization in drug design succeeded to produce potent and wide spectrum candidates.
COMPARISON OF PAIN SCORE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH A COMBINATION OF DIACEREIN AND MELOXICAM AND MELOXICAM ALONE
Authors: Dwicandra Ni Made Oka , Setiadi Antonious Adji Prayitno
Published: June 2017

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive chronic disease with the loss of articular cartilage. In managing OA, inadequate pain relief (IPR) often occurs, particularly with a single non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) therapy. In this research, pain outcome of OA patients treated with a combination of diacerein and meloxicam vs meloxicam alone was evaluated.Methods: This research was conducted at rumah sakit umum daerah (RSUD) Dr. Mohammad Soewandhie Surabaya by using randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Pain outcome was evaluated by pain intensity and area under the curve (AUC) of pain score in week 0-4th.Results: There were a significantly different (p<0.05) in pain intensity seen in 3rd and 4th weeks after treated with a combination of diacerein and meloxicam, and with meloxicam only. However, there were no different in AUC pain score between combination and single therapy.Conclusion: Combination therapy of diacerein and meloxicam was more effective than meloxicam alone. A significant effect of a combination therapy of diacerein and meloxicam occurred at 3rd weeks. The prolong study in order to get the differences in AUC pain score are needed.
POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN LIWA DISTRICT HOSPITAL, LAMPUNG BARAT, INDONESIA
Authors: Yanti Erna , Kristin Erna - , Yasmina Alfi
Published: June 2017

Objective: Patients with hypertension often suffer from other comorbidities, resulting in prescriptions of multiple drugs to treat the conditions. Multiple drug treatment is potentially associated with drug interactions. This aim of the study was to assess potential drug interactions in hypertensive patients in Liwa District Hospital.Methods: The design of the study was cross-sectional. The prescriptions for in-patients with essential hypertension in the Internal Medicine Unit in Liwa District Hospital during April-December 2012 were collected. Potential drug interactions were analyzed with the Drug Interaction Facts version 4.0, and classified into minor, significant, and serious.Results: A total of 60 hypertensive patients were included. They were prescribed 265 prescriptions, with a median total of 6 (range 1-21) drugs prescribed per prescription. There were 1616 potential drug interactions, with 6 (1-31) potential interactions per prescription. Most interactions (75.6%) were classified as significant. Serious potential interactions were most common in the combinations of diltiazem-amlodipine and spironolactone-potassium chloride, while significant potential interaction may occur most often with the combinations of calcium chloride-amlodipine and bisoprolol-amlodipine.Conclusion: Numerous potential drug interactions might occur in hypertensive patients, and most interactions were significant in severity. The largest proportion of the interactions occurred between antihypertensive agents and other drugs.
A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT ON POTASSIUM HOMEOSTASIS IN PATIENTS ADMINISTERED HEPARIN FOR THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: Shanmugapriya S. , Bhuvaneswari K. , Rashmi K.
Published: June 2017

Objective: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is an indirect thrombin inhibitor used clinically as an anticoagulant for thromboprophylaxis of patients at risk of deep vein thrombosis. The study was done to assess the magnitude of rise in serum potassium after administration of low molecular weight heparin comparing enoxaparin with dalteparin and to evaluate the frequency of clinically significant hyperkalemia in the population studied.Methods: The study was done as a prospective non-randomized observational study in a population of 32 patients started on heparin for thromboprophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism or stroke.Results: A statistically significant elevation in serum potassium was seen in patients treated with LMWH (p = 0.007). The magnitude of rise in potassium was significantly higher in enoxaparin (p = 0.008) than the dalteparin group (p = 0.447). A clinically relevant hyperkalemia of>5 mEq/l was seen in 25% of the population studied. Other important associations detected from the study were that the advancing age and increasing dose could be potential risk factors contributory to an accentuated rise in serum potassium which may culminate in clinically significant hyperkalemia.Conclusion: The study has highlighted that the likelihood of rise in potassium levels during LMWH therapy necessitates monitoring of serum potassium.
Does the competency attributes of board members’ enhance the monitoring of earning management? Evidence from a developing country
Authors: Ghazalat Anas Najeeb Mosa , Islam Md.Aminul , Noor Idris Bin Mohd , Abu Haija Ayman Ahmad
Published: June 2017

The monitoring role of the board of directors has been extensively slammed as being ineffective since it depends on several factors. This study sheds light on some of the directors’ attributes and the impact on mitigating the opportunistic behaviour. By adopting different perspectives, we argued whether the directors with more expertise, tenure, outside directorships become more effective in mitigating the opportunistic behaviour. These attributes could have a curvilinear effect since such optimal attributes could improve the competency level of the directors. Hence, the board becomes more effective. Meanwhile, its effect could turn inversely to make the directors ineffective. This study adopted discretionary accruals as an indicator for earnings management. A sample of 114 service and industrial firms listed in Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) from 2009-2015 were chosen for this study. Pooled OLS regression model is enlisted to avoid the inconsistently of the slope across individual units and time period. Results show that the directors with financial expertise are more effective to minimise the level of earnings management practices. Conversely, the independent directors with high tenure besides the higher directors with outside directorships are engaged with a high level of earnings management practices. This implies the existence of each of the friendliness hypothesis and the busyness hypothesis in the Jordanian market. Similarly, this also explains the weakness of the board of directors in complying to their monitoring role in the emerging markets in general.
All-trans retinoic acid influences viability, migration and adhesion of U251 glioblastoma cells
Authors: Marjanovic-Vicentic Jelena , Schwirtlich Marija , Kovacevic-Grujicic Natasa , Stevanovic Milena , Drakulic Danijela
Published: June 2017

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer.
Literature data reveals that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has anticancer
effects on different types of tumor cells. However, data about the effects of
ATRA on glioblastoma cells are contradictory. In this study, we examined
whether ATRA treatment affects features of human glioblastoma U251 cells. To
that end, the cells were treated with different concentrations of ATRA.
Results obtained by MTT and the crystal violet assays imply that ATRA
affected the viability of U251 glioblastoma cells in a dose- and
time-dependent manner. Fluorescence staining of microtubule cytoskeleton
protein ?-tubulin revealed that ATRA induced changes in cell morphology.
Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR we found that the expression of SOX3 and GFAP
genes, as markers of neural differentiation, was not changed upon ATRA
treatment. Thus, the observed changes in cell morphology after ATRA treatment
are not associated with neural differentiation of U251 glioblastoma cells.
The scratch-wound healing assay revealed that ATRA changed the mode of U251
cell migration from collective to single cell motility. The cell-matrix
adhesion assay demonstrated that the pharmacologically relevant concentration
of ATRA lowered the cell-matrix adhesion capability of U251 cells. In
conclusion, our results imply that further studies are needed before ATRA
could be considered for the treatment of glioblastoma.
A method for dyeing polyester fibres with quinone derivatives and evaluation of their antioxidant activity
Authors: Sayil Cigdem , Deniz Nahide , Oner Erhan , Koc Damla , Ozyurek Mustafa , Guclu Kubilay
Published: June 2017

In this study, a series of bis(thio)substituted-1,4-naphthoquinone compounds (4a-j) were synthesized via Michael addition reaction and their structures were determined by infrared spectrometry, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The synthesized substances were applied to polyester fibers and the dyeing properties were investigated. The rubbing fastness, wash fastness and optical properties of synthesized compounds were also studied. The color change and staining test results were found to be ?4? to ?4-5? for the most of the dyed samples. There is only a small number of previous studies interested with dyeing properties of synthetic derivatives of heteroatom-substituted-1,4-naphthoquinone compounds in existing literature. The synthesized dyes were screened for their antioxidant activity, using the CUPRAC method against trolox (TR) as the standard reference compound at room temperature. The aims of this study were the synthesis of the quinone compounds, the investigation of the capability of dyeing polyester fibers and the evaluation of their antioxidant capacity, using the CUPRAC method. The dyed polyester fibers are promising candidates for biologically active fabrics to be used in various ways. We were encouraged to do this study in order to determine the dying properties and antioxidant activities of the quinone compounds.