bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALISIS TINGKAT KEBISINGAN LINGKUNGAN DI KELURAHAN PAHANDUT KECAMATAN PAHANDUT KOTA PALANGKA RAYA KALIMANTAN TENGAH
Authors: Azhari Muh , Lesmana Rudy Yoga
Published: February 2020

Permasalahan lingkungan dari usaha kegiatan manusia untuk memenuhi kebutuhan hidup, seperti sandang, pangan, papan dan transportasi harus dilakukan penanganan dengan baik. Misalnya seperti pengaruh kegiatan transportasi udara terhadap kondisi kualitas lingkungan setempat  seperti kegiatan di Bandara Cilik Riwut Kelurahan Pahandut, Kecamatan Pahandut, Kota Palangka Raya Kalimantan Tengah. Metode penelitian yang digunakan merupakan metode kualitatif dengan analisis data instrumen seperti Sound Level Meter Instrument, Anemometer, GPS, Flight Radar, Google Maps Application & WECPNL Instrument (Weighted Equivalent Continuous Perceived Noise Level)  dan pengambilan data dilakukan selama tiga hari sesuai dengan kedatangan dan keberangkatan pesawat. Hasil penelitian dengan analisis WECPNL menunjukkan bahwa tingkat kebisingan di hari ke 2 lebih besar dibandingkan hari ke 3 dan hari ke 3 lebih besar dari hari ke 1 (87,2  > 82,2 > 75,9) dengan nilai rata-rata WECPNL sebesar 81,7. Kebisingan di bandara Cilik Riwut di Kota Palangka Raya Kalimantan Tengah termasuk kebisingan regional tingkat II dan III. Kegiatan yang dapat dilakukan untuk meminimalisir Risiko kebisingan tersebut yaitu dengan melakukan kegiatan rekayasa keteknikan dan menanam vegetasi yang berfungsi mengurangi kebisingan Kata kunci: Bandara, Kebisingan, Lingkungan. The environmental problems of the efforts of human activities to meet the needs of life, such as clothing, food, housing and transportation must be handled properly. For example, such as the influence of air transportation activities on local environmental quality conditions such as activities at Cilik Riwut Airport, Pahandut Village, Pahandut District, Palangka Raya City, Central of Kalimantan. The research method used is a qualitative method with data analysis instruments such as Sound Level Meter Instrument, Anemometer, GPS, Flight Radar, Google Maps Application and WECPNL Instrument (Weighted Equivalent Continuous Percepived Noise) and data collection is carried out for three days in accordance with the arrival and departure of the aircraft. Results of research with  WECPNL analysis show that the noise level on the second day is greater than the third day and the third day is greater than the first day (87,2  > 82,2 > 75,9) with  score average value is 81,7. Noise at Cilik Riwut airport in Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan including regional level II and III noise. activities that can be carried out are carrying out engineering activities and planting vegetation which have the function of reducing noise. Keyword: Airport, Environmental, Noice.
Cauldrons in the cultural traditions of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds: a sacral aspect
Authors: Perevalova E.V. , Danilova E.N.
Published: February 2020

The ritual attitude towards the cauldron as the sacred vessel can be found in all religious practices. Archaeo-logical and ethnographic materials indicate the incredible versatility and polysymbolism of the cauldron in the cul-tures of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds. The first part of this research, which was published in the previous issue of the present Journal, covered the archaeological context along with the functional, morphological and social aspects associated with the cauldron as a unique ethnocultural phenomenon. The second part presented here aims to consider the sacral aspect of the cauldron. The conducted archaeological and ethnographic research was based on a structural-semiotic approach. In this article, we analyse field ethnographic materials collected during long-term fieldwork (1980s–2018) from Northern (Synya, Voykar, Sob, Kunovat, Polui, Ob, Polar Urals), Eastern and Southern (Salym, Yugan, Pim, Tromyogan, Agan, Vakh) Khanty; Northern and Western Mansi (Northern Sosva, Lyapin and Lozva Rivers); tundra and forest Nenets (Yamal Peninsula, Pur and Agan Rivers). The materi-als of research carried out in Western Siberia and the Urals were also applied. The use of cauldrons in rituals and rites is characterized by a wide diversity and local variability of traditions. Judging by the information presented in the article, the cauldron plays the roles of a divine sacrifice-gift, a guard-talisman, as well as a home-receptacle for gods and the souls of people. The cauldron concentrates the energy of life through participating in the rites of birth-rebirth and the cult of Mother Earth. Besides cult practices, the multifunctional character of the cauldron manifests itself in the funeral and memorial rites of the Nenets, Khanty and Mansi. Cauldrons from burials, as well as products made thereof (masks, mountings, brackets), indicate the social status of the deceased. Cauldrons act as a guard and a receptacle for the soul of the deceased and/or his posthumous image; they are used as an ac-companying item and a vessel for preparing ritual food.
Paleoanthropological study of a skull from a burial at the Chemurchek sanctuary Hulagash (Bayan-Ulgii aimag, Mongolia)
Authors: Kovalev A.A. , Solodovnikov K.N. , Munkhbayar Ch. , Erdene M. , Nechvaloda A.I. , Zubova A.V.
Published: February 2020

Recent studies show that, in the 3rd millennium BC, the highlands in the basin of the upper reaches of the Khovd (Kobdo) River constituted a ritual zone, which was of particular importance for the population inhabiting the western foothills of the Mongolian Altai Mountains. Its cultural singularity was due to the so-called Chemurchek cultural phenomenon — a set of characteristics of West European origin, which appeared there no later than 2700–2600 BC. Three large-scale ritual complexes-‘shrines’ attributed to this period were discovered in the area of Lake Dayan Nuur. Excavations conducted by the expedition of A.A. Kovalev and Ch. Munkhbayar revealed that these structures constituted fences consisting of vertical stone slabs, decorated all-over on the outside with the images of fantastic anthropomorphic creatures and animals. The excavation of Hulagash 1 (one of these sanctu-aries), radiocarbon dated to the middle of the 3rd millennium BC, revealed a single grave in the centre of the structure, synchronous with the time when the complex was used. The grave belonged to a man of advanced age, whose body was wrapped in a wide piece of cloth. The significance of this man being buried in the centre of the ritual site remains unclear. This person could have been sacrificed during construction or, conversely, he could have had a special status. Craniometrical measurement and dentological investigation of the scull from the Chemurchek sanctuary Hulagash were conducted; its graphic reconstruction was performed. Its anthropological type shows a significant Mongoloid component. Intergroup comparison revealed its significant morphological dif-ferences from markedly Caucasoid groups, including the Afanasievo culture of South Siberia and Central Asia. This excludes the morphogenetic continuity of the Chemurchek phenomenon from the antecedent Afanasievo popula-tion. The individual from Hulagash bears the greatest anthropological similarity to the Neolithic-Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age populations of the Circumbaikal region (Serovo and Glazkovo cultures) and the Barnaul-Biysk Ob area (Itkul and Firsovo XI burial grounds dating back to the pre-Bronze Age; Early Bronze Age burial grounds of the Elunino culture). This is obviously a manifestation of a shared anthropological substrate, since the anthropological component of the Baikal type (which the population of the Elunino culture included) was recorded in the Neolithic-Eneolithic materials from the northern foothills of the Altai Mountains. Remarkable morphological similarities between the individual from Hulagash and the bearers of the Elunino archaeological culture reinforce the assumption that there is a cultural affinity between the Chemurchek and Elunino populations of the Early Bronze Age.
SPE Strong: Strengthening Our Core: Strengthening Knowledge Transfer in Unconventional Resources
Authors: Noonan Shauna
Published: February 2020

President's column

To collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge—are the first seven words of SPE’s mission statement. These are the three fundamental objectives of our Society. We proactively seek out the technical knowledge that not only our members need, but that the industry requires to meet the world’s demand for oil and gas.

Collecting this information can be challenging, especially if those who have it are not willing or able to share it. This proved especially challenging in the area of unconventional shales when SPE began to hold conferences on the subject nearly a decade ago. At that time, papers authored by knowledgeable operators were few and far between. The rationale adopted by many operators was that any technical information about their company’s shale assets was confidential, and by withholding it, they could gain a small competitive advantage. This was also problematic for academia trying to solve the complex problems of unconventional reservoirs. Access to data was minimal unless university projects were directly funded by an operator to conduct research. Even if academics received relevant data and funding, most were then restricted from publishing their research by the operator.

Today the collection of available data and findings from oil and gas shales is much improved. Recently, ConocoPhillips donated a cleaned and anonymized data set that comprises internal drilling, completions, and other well data from US unconventional reservoir plays to The University of Texas at Austin. This data donation allows UT professors to formulate real-world data analytics problems for their student teams to solve. Greg Leveille, chief technology officer at ConocoPhillips, explains, “The oil and natural gas industry is increasingly utilizing leading-edge data science techniques to find, develop, and produce hydrocarbon resources more effectively. ConocoPhillips believes it is important to support universities’ efforts to build programs to teach petroleum engineering students the foundational data science skills they’ll need to maximize their contributions to the E&P industry after they graduate.” Greg’s attitude toward sharing our unconventional data sets with universities is another excellent step in the right direction and one that I hope will expand to additional operators and academic institutions. Within SPE, the ways that we disseminate and exchange information are also much better than they were 10 years ago, but are they good enough? Should we, as a society, be doing more with the knowledge transfer of the unconventional shales?

The map shows the discovered unconventional oil and gas basins around the world. Each one has its own unique geological, technical, and economic challenges to future exploitation.

While JPT provides informative articles on numerous basins, there are a few regions where SPE is planning events focused on additional knowledge transfer in unconventionals.
Hydraulic Losses - How to Determine - How to Use
Authors: Brown Robert Wade , Whitfield Marion A.
Published: February 2020

Permian Basin Oil Recovery Conference, 7–8 May, Midland, Texas

The factors which affect the treatment cost of an oil or gas well are numerous. These factors, hydraulic hp, treating fluid, well equipment, etc., may be determined and controlled prior to the treatment. An engineering design of a treatment can reduce costs by properly using hydraulic hp, but unless the treatment is engineered properly too much or too little hp may be used.

Better wells will result if each productive zone is treated. Until recently, the treatment of each zone required expensive bridge plugs, packers or other special well equipment. Ball sealer treatments can be designed which will effectively stimulate each zone and reduce completion costs.

Introduction

There are many factors which must be considered when acidizing or fracturing an oil or gas well - what well conditions are optimum, which treating fluids should be used, what rate of injection is best, how much hydraulic hp should be used, etc. If these factors are not considered and controlled as accurately as possible, a poor well may result and completion costs may be higher than necessary.

The demand for increasing injection rates on oil and gas well treatments has necessitated the use of greater quantities of hydraulic hp. The utilization of increased hydraulic hp is usually accompanied by increased treatment costs. These increased treatment costs have resulted in a desire for more efficient treatment design — an optimum treatment with minimum hydraulic hp. A study was made to determine how unnecessary hp losses could be determined and eliminated. As a direct result of this investigation, well treatments are being engineered to produce maximum results for the lowest possible cost. It is the purpose of this paper to present the methods for engineering the hydraulic hp requirements for any given treatment.
Perforating of Multiple Tubingless Completions
Authors: Lebourg M.P. , Bell W.T.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 219, 1960, pages 88–93.

The perforating of multiple tubingless completions, in which two or more strings of 2 7/8-in. OD casing are installed in the same borehole, presents two basic problems. First, good completion practices require an efficient perforator that leaves no debris to interfere with subsequent completion operations. Second, and of more complicated nature, a system is needed for controlling the direction of fire so that adjacent strings are not damaged.

Development of a 2-in. OD, steel, retrievably, shaped-charge gun has solved the first problem. The second was resolved through development of three different devices to provide directional perforating for the two types of completion methods being employed today. These include a mechanical orienting device and two self-orienting radiation devices.

Conceivably, the latter methods could be adapted to the directional perforating (of upper zones) of conventional dual and triple completions without removing production tubing and packers.

Introduction

The recent trend to multiple tubingless completions, wherein two or more strings of 2 7/8-in. OD casing are installed in the same borehole, has presented two basic perforating problems. The first problem to be overcome was the design of a gun that would result in efficient perforations without causing debris to bridge in these small-diameter casings. The second problem was, of course, to devise a system for controlling the direction of fire such that adjacent strings would not be damaged.

The problem of gun debris in slim-casing completions has been well defined in the numerous 2 7/8-in. single tubingless completions which have been effected during recent years with the expendable-type perforators. Failure of expendable-gun debris to settle out properly, even with good gun break-up, has resulted in bridging inside these small-diameter casings. This, in turn, has interfered with completion and re-conditioning operations.
Oil Recovery in Five-Spot Pilot Floods
Authors: Caudle B.H. , Locaric I.G.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 219, 1960, pages 132–136.

TransPilot flooding is one method of evaluating a proposed secondary recovery project. However, the amount and rate of oil recovery from an unconfined pilot area is not usually the same as from an equal area in a large-scale flood. This is true because fluids are free to move across the boundary of a pilot area. The result is that some of the oil produced in a pilot flood may come from outside the designated area and some of the displaced oil may leave the pilot area completely. This paper presents the results of fluid-flow model studies on a five-spot pilot flood. Mobility ratios between 0.1 and 10 have been studied. The effects of changing the ratio of injection to withdrawal rates are shown.

Introduction

A small-scale field test, or pilot flood, is an accepted method for evaluating the applicability of a secondary recovery operation and the economic potential of that operation for a reservoir. The pilot flood is carried on in the same manner, with the same injected materials and at the same pressures as would be used were the secondary recovery program to be expanded to a larger area of the field or to the entire field. If the reservoir fluid and reservoir rock properties are the same in the pilot area as in the rest of the reservoir, the production, injection and other pertinent data associated with the pilot test will represent and measure what should be expected from a full-scale development of this secondary recovery program. There is one major exception which, unfortunately, has been overlooked by many and which has been awaiting quantitative definition. This is the sweep-out pattern the reservoir engineer must use in interpreting the pilot flood and in extrapolating it to the full-scale development. The sweep-out area in a pilot flood is not contained within the five-spot pattern. Further, there is oil flow into and/or out of the five-spot during a pilot test. Thus, production data from pilots must be interpreted with this different flow system and sweep pattern in mind.
Volumes of Liquid Hydrocarbons at High Temperatures and Pressures
Authors: Alani Ghalib H. , Kennedy Harvey T.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 219, 1960, pages 288–292.

One of the major difficulties in predicting the performance of oil reservoirs from their early pressure history lies in the uncertainty of estimating the volume of the liquid hydrocarbons contained in them. As a first step in filling this need, an equation was developed to determine the molal liquid volume of pure hydrocarbons over a wide range of temperature and pressure. The second step consisted of adapting the equation to apply to mixtures, with the heavy hydrocarbons expressed as C7+.

The equations are similar in form to van der Waals' equation, but the constants a and b are considered as functions of temperature. In addition to the gas constant R, there are four constants characteristic of each hydrocarbon.

When compared with experimental values found in the literature, the average absolute deviation in the calculated molal volumes is found to be a maximum of 0.33 per cent for any of the pure liquid hydrocarbons studied. This maximum deviation was that found when comparing the calculated and observed values over a temperature range of 86° to 482°F and a pressure range from the bubble-point to 10,000 psia.

The equations expressing the correlation for mixtures were developed from 647 experimental measurements of volume on 47 bottom-hole samples covering a temperature range of 72° to 250°F and a pressure range from bubble-point to 5,000 psig. The average absolute deviation was found to be 1.6 per cent with the maximum for any measurement of 4.9 per cent.

Introduction

Accurate information of the pressure-volume-temperature behavior of hydrocarbon liquids is of considerable importance in the field of both applied and theoretical science and, especially, in the solution of petroleum reservoir engineering problems. These PVT relationships can be expressed graphically, in tabular form or as equations of state.
A novel nomogram to predict the risk of anastomotic leakage in patients after oesophagectomy
Authors: Huang Chengya , Yao Haixia , Huang Qi , Lu Huijie , Xu Meiying , Wu Jingxiang
Published: February 2020

Background: Anastomotic leakage is a dangerous postoperative complication of oesophageal surgery. The present study aimed to develop a simple and practical scoring system to predict the risk of anastomotic leakage after oesophageal resection.
Methods: A consecutive series of 330 patients who underwent oesophageal cancer surgery from January 2016 to January 2018 at the Shanghai Chest Hospital were included to develop a prediction model. Anastomotic leakage was evaluated using oesophagography, computed tomography, or flexible endoscopy. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression based on a generalized linear model was used to select variables for the anastomotic leakage risk model while avoiding overfitting. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to build forest plots and a prediction model. The concordance index or the area under the curve was used to judge the discrimination, and calibration plots verified the consistency. Internal validation of the model was conducted, and the clinical usefulness and threshold screening of the model were evaluated by decision curve analysis.
Results: The factors included in the predictive nomogram included Sex, diabetes history, anastomotic type, reconstruction route, smoking history, CRP level and presence of cardiac arrhythmia. The model displayed a discrimination performance with a concordance index of 0.690 (95% confidence interval: 0.620-0.760) and good calibration. A concordance index value of 0.664 was maintained during the internal validation. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the actual observations and the predicted results.
Conclusion: The present prediction model, which requires only seven variables and includes Sex, diabetes history, anastomotic type, reconstruction route, smoking history, CRP level and presence of cardiac arrhythmia, may be useful for predicting anastomotic leakage in patients after oesophagectomy.
C/EBP-β and SIRT1 regulate IL-18 expression in the proliferative phase endometrium of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Long Xiaoyu , Wang Honghao , Zhu Xiaohui , Li Rong , Yang Yan , Qiao Jie
Published: February 2020

Background：Previous studies have shown that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) tend to suffer from low-grade chronic inflammation. Besides, our previous studies have confirmed that IL-18 is highly expressed in the serum and endometrium of patients with PCOS. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying IL-18 elevation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the signaling pathways that lead to the up-regulation of IL-18 in the endometrium of PCOS patients.
Materials and Methods: By using the TF-Search tool, we predicted that C/EBP-β might be a transcription factor of IL-18, and deacetylase SIRT1 might be involved in its regulation. Consequently, SIRT1 and C/EBP-β in proliferative endometrium of PCOS patients and control groups were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot; the diagnosis of PCOS was based on the 2003 Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM criteria. The interaction between C/EBP-β and IL-18 was verified by double luciferase assay.
Results: The gene and protein levels of SIRT1 and C/EBP-β in proliferative endometrium of PCOS patients were significantly higher compared to the control group. Immunohistochemical experiments confirmed that SIRT1 was mainly expressed in the endometrial nucleus, while C/EBP-β was mainly expressed in the endometrial nucleus and cytoplasm. The interaction between C/EBP-β and IL-18 was confirmed by double luciferase assay.
Conclusion: SIRT1 and C/EBP-β are highly expressed in the endometrium of PCOS patients, and may participate in the regulation of IL-18. These results further our understanding of the role of C/EBP-β in PCOS and may be used as a basis for the development of targeted therapies for this disease.
Antimicrobial resistance and novel mutations detected in the gyrA and parC genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from companion dogs
Authors: Park Youjin , Oh Jaeyoung , Park Sowon , Sum Samuth , Song Wonkeun , Chae Jongchan , Park Hee-Myung
Published: February 2020

Background: Fluoroquinolone agents, such as enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin, are commonly used in for pseudomonal infection in veterinary medicine. However, the rate of resistance rate to fluoroquinolone s is rapidly increasing , according to multiple studies in various countries. The p P oint mutation s in the quinolone resistance - determining region (QRDR) is are closely related to the increased fluoroquinolone resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The aim of this study was to investigate current antimicrobial susceptibility and fluoroquinolone resistance in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from dogs. The presence of the point mutations in the QRDR was confirmed by gyrA and parC polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing analysis. Results: A total of 84 nonduplicated P. aeruginosa strains were obtained from 228 healthy dogs (healthy group) and 260 dogs with clinical signs (infected group). From Of Among these isolates , 38 strains from the healthy group were detected in several sample type s, whereas 46 strains from the infected group were mostly obtained mostly from dogs’ ears with otitis externa (41/260, 15.8%). All strains were resistant to nalidixic acid, while some were also resistant to enrofloxacin (23/84, 27.4%), marbofloxacin (17/84, 20.2%), levofloxacin (12/84, 14.3%), or ciprofloxacin (11/84, 13.1%). Enrofloxacin resistance was significantly higher in strains from the infected group than in th ose at of from the healthy group ( p <0.05). Among the 23 fluoroquinolone-resistant strains, 8 and 4 different mutations were detected in the gyrA and parC genes, respectively. Mutations in gyrA were significantly common in the infected group ( p <0.05). Hotspots for the gyrA and parC mutations were Thr83 (34.8%, 8/23) and Pro116 (91.3%, 21/23), respectively. Double and triple mutations were also found in 5 of the strains. Conclusion: Novel mutations in the gyrA and parC genes were first found in P. aeruginosa isolated from companion dogs in South Korea. These findings suggest that it is important to alert encourage the prudent use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in canine pseudomona l s infection treatment.
Comparing Empathy in Medical Students of two Portuguese Medicine Schools
Authors: Santiago Luiz Miguel , Silva Inês Rosendo , Coutinho Mona Lisa , Maurício Kati , Neto Isabel , Simões José Augusto
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To evaluate differences in empathy between the Integrated Master’s degree in Medicine (MIM) students from the Faculty of Medicine - University of Coimbra (FMUC) and the Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Beira Interior (FCS-UBI).

Methodology

Cross-sectional observational study with the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy – students’ Portuguese version (JSPE – spv) to 1st, 3rd and 6th year students of the 2017/2018 academic year with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (p<0.05).

Results

Size representative sample of 795 students. Higher total empathy score (TES) (p=0.008) and "Perspective taking" (p=0.001) in FCS-UBI were found. JSPE-TES was higher in FCS-UBI, 3rd year (p=0.038). Higher FCS-UBI "Perspective taking" in the 1st year (p=0.030) and 6th year (p=0.044), for "Compassionate care" in the 3rd (p=0.019) and for "Standing in the patient’s shoes" in the 1st year (p=0.018) and in FMUC for "Compassionate care" in the 1st year (p=0.037) and the "Standing in the patient’s shoes" in the 3rd year (p=0.002) were found. Higher levels of empathy were found in FCS-UBI female students, for JSPE-TES (p=0.045) and "Perspective taking" (p=0.001).

Conclusion

Higher e mpathy levels in FCS-UBI were found, with different results in the third year suggesting influence of the medical course teaching characteristics.
Nomogram Model for Predicting Cause-Specific Mortality in Patients with Stage I Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Competing Risk Analysis
Authors: Li Jianjie , Zheng Qiwen , Zhao Xinghui , Zhao Jun , An Tongtong , Wu Meina , Wang Yuyan , Zhuo Minglei , Zhong Jia , Yang Xue , Jia Bo , Chen Hanxiao , Dong Zhi , Wang Jingjing , Zhai Xiaoyu , Chi Yujia , wang ziping
Published: February 2020

Background: The five-year cumulative incidence rate in patients diagnosed with stage I small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who were instructed to undergo surgery was from 40% to 60%.The death competition influence the accuracy of the classical survival analyses.The aim of the study is to investigate the mortality of stage I small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients in the presence of competing risks according to a proportional hazards model, and to establish a competing risk nomogram to predict probabilities of both cause-specific death and death resulting from other causes.
Methods: The study subjects were patients diagnosed with stage I SCLC according to ICD-O-3.First,the cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) of cause-specific death, as well as of death resulting from other causes, were calculated. Then, a proportional hazards model for the sub-distribution of competing risks and a monogram were constructed to evaluate the probability of mortality in stage I SCLC patients.
Results: 1811 patients were included in this study. The five-year probabilities of death due to specific causes and other causes were 61.5% and 13.6%, respectively. Tumor size, extent of tumor, surgery, and radiotherapy were identified as the predictors of death resulting from specific causes in stage I SCLC. The results showed that surgery could effectively reduce the cancer-specific death, and the one-year cumulative incidence dropped from 34.5% to 11.2%.Like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy improved the one-year survival rate.
Conclusions: We constructed a predictive model for stage I SCLC using the data from the SEER database. The proportional sub-distribution models of competing risks revealed the predictors of death resulting from both specific causes and other causes. The competing risk nomogram that we built to predict the prognosis showed good reliability and could provide beneficial and individualized predictive information for stage I SCLC patients.
Assessment of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Sterile Pyuria among Antenatal Attendants in hospitals in Northern Ghana
Authors: Karikari Akosua Bonsu , Saba Courage Kosi Setsoafia , Yamik David Yembilla
Published: February 2020

Background Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and sterile pyuria (SP) are complexities of UTI whose prevalence are not known in the northern sector of Ghana. Our aim was to determine the occurrence of sterile pyuria and asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women accessing antenatal care at a secondary and tertiary care hospitals in Tamale, northern Ghana.Methods A cross sectional study was conducted by screening 530 pregnant women with no signs of acute urinary tract infection attending antenatal clinic for a period of 6 months. Midstream urine was collected for microscopy, quantitative urine culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.Results Of the 390 and 90 women screened for ASB, prevalence was 20% and 35.5% respectively at Tamale Central and Tamale Teaching Hospital. Sterile pyuria was found among 66% of the 50 women presenting at Tamale Central Hospital. More than 64% of isolates recovered from ASB patients were S. aureus and coagulase negative Staph. ( CoNS ). Escherichia coli was the dominant species among members of the enterobacteriaceae isolated. Highest susceptibility was recorded against gentamicin and amikacin while most resistance was to Ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin. Resistance to imipenem and vancomycin were 28.8% and 52%, with strains showing multiple drug resistance of between 81-92%.Conclusion The prevalence of asymptomac bacteriuria is appreciably higher (20-35.5%) than documented rates in the southern sector of the country. The presence of sterile pyuria which may be an indication of asymptomatic renal impairment and most often overlooked in antenatal management is 66%. Empirical treatment of UTIs at the Tamale Central and Teaching Hospital without confirmation of susceptibility may result in treatment failure. It is necessary to screen and treat pregnant women for ASB and SP due to the complications associated with these conditions.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors of 47 cases with ruptured neuroblastoma in children
Authors: Qin Hong , Yang Shen , Cai Siyu , Ren Qinghua , Han Wei , Yang Wei , Cheng Haiyan , Ma Xiaoli , Wang Huanmin
Published: February 2020

Backgroud: Neuroblastoma (NB) tumor rupture is a rare oncology emergency with a poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate patient clinical characteristics and risk factors for ruptured NB. Methods: A retrospective study of 47 patients with confirmed NB rupture between January 2009 and January 2019 at Beijing Children's Hospital was conducted. To identify tumor rupture risk factors in high-risk NB patients, we included 93 consecutive non-ruptured high-risk NB patients from January 2017 to January 2019. Results: The median age at presentation was 29 months (adrenal and retroperitoneum origin) for 47 ruptured NB patients. Spontaneous tumor rupture occurred in 22 cases; 18 cases occurred during or after the first chemotherapy cycle, and 7 occurred after core needle biopsy. Five patients died of tumor rupture, and 17 patients’ parents refused further antitumor therapy. Among the 25 remaining patients, 6 survived without disease, 5 received ongoing treatment and achieved stable disease, and 14 died. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, a maximum primary tumor diameter > 13.20 cm and MYCN gene amplification were independent risk factors for tumor rupture within high-risk NB. Conclusions: Tumor rupture is an uncommon, life-threatening event for NB patients; these patients are most likely to have poor outcomes due to tumor recurrence or rapid progression. Several treatment modalities, including symptomatic support therapy and chemotherapy, are important for saving lives and for developing NB risk-based treatment in the future.
Transcript, protein, metabolite and cellular studies in skin fibroblasts demonstrate variable pathogenic impacts of NPC1 mutations.
Authors: Musalkova Dita , Majer Filip , Kuchar Ladislav , Luksan Ondrej , Asfaw Befekadu , Vlaskova Hana , Storkanova Gabriela , Reboun Martin , Poupetova Helena , Jahnova Helena , Hulkova Helena , Ledvinova Jana , Dvorakova Lenka , Sikora Jakub , Jirsa Milan , Vanier Marie Therese , Hrebicek Martin
Published: February 2020

Background: Niemann-Pick type C (NP-C) is a rare neurovisceral genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 or the NPC2 gene. NPC1 is a multipass-transmembrane protein essential for egress of cholesterol from late endosomes/lysosomes. To evaluate impacts of NPC1 mutations, we examined fibroblast cultures from 26 NP-C1 patients with clinical phenotypes ranging from infantile to adult neurologic onset forms. The cells were tested with multiple assays including NPC1 mRNA expression levels and allele expression ratios, assessment of NPC1 promoter haplotypes, NPC1 protein levels, cellular cholesterol staining, localization of the mutant NPC1 proteins to lysosomes, and cholesterol/cholesteryl ester ratios. These results were correlated with phenotypes of the individual patients. Results: Overall we identified 5 variant promoter haplotypes. Three of them showed reporter activity decreased down to 70% of the control sequence. None of the haplotypes were consistently associated with more severe clinical presentation of NP-C. Levels of transcripts carrying null NPC1 alleles were profoundly lower than levels of the missense variants. Low levels of the mutant NPC1 protein were identified in most samples. The protein localised to lysosomes in cultures expressing medium to normal NPC1 levels. Fibroblasts from patients with severe infantile phenotypes had higher cholesterol levels and higher cholesterol/cholesteryl ester ratios. On the contrary, cell lines from patients with juvenile and adolescent/adult phenotypes showed values comparable to controls. Conclusion: No single assay fully correlated with the disease severity. However, low residual levels of NPC1 protein and high cholesterol/cholesteryl ester ratios associated with severe disease. The results suggest not only low NPC1 expression due to non-sense mediated decay or low mutant protein stability, but also dysfunction of the stable mutant NPC1 as contributors to the intracellular lipid transport defect.
Biomarker roles identification of miR-106 family for predicting the risk and poor survival of colorectal cancer
Authors: Peng Qiliang , Shen Yi , Zhao Peifeng , Cheng Ming , Zhu Yaqun , Xu Bo
Published: February 2020

Background : Recent studies have extensively investigated the roles of miR-106 in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the associations and molecular mechanism underlying the roles of miR-106 in CRC remain unclear. We aimed to thoroughly investigate the biomarker roles of miR-106 for predicting the risk and survival outcome in CRC.
Methods: We first conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the roles of miR-106 in the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. Then, we qualitatively explored the biomarker roles of miR-106 in CRC through an integrative bioinformatics analysis.
Results : The results indicated that miR-106 yielded a combined AUC of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76–0.83), with a pooled sensitivity of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.32–0.68) and a pooled specificity of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.79–0.98) for discriminating CRC cases from normal controls. Moreover, patients with higher expression of miR-106 were significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival (HR: 1.73; 95%CI: 1.23-2.44) and overall survival (HR: 1.39; 95%CI: 1.09-1.77). Finally, gene ontology and pathway analysis demonstrated that miR-106 family was highly involved in the initiation and progression of CRC and indicated the potential molecular mechanism for miR-106 in CRC.
Conclusions : Our results indicated that miR-106 showed promising potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CRC. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanism of miR-106 family involved in CRC requires further investigation.
Prospective Randomized Study Evaluating the Usefulness of a Surgical Smoke Evacuation System in Operating Rooms for Breast Surgery
Authors: Tokuda Yutaka , Okamura Takuho , Maruta Miki , Orita Mutsuko , Noguchi Miyuki , Suzuki Toshiyasu , Matsuki Hideaki
Published: February 2020

Background No prospective evaluation of surgical smoke evacuation systems has yet been conducted anywhere in the world. A prospective randomized study was conducted to clarify the usefulness of a surgical smoke evacuation system in terms of reducing the quantity of environmental pollutants found in operating room air and reducing the occupational exposure of doctors and nurses involved in surgical procedures to surgical smoke, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, etc. Methods Operating room environment conditions with and without the use of a surgical smoke evacuation system were measured, and the personal exposure levels of doctors and nurses involved in surgical procedures were also surveyed. Use of the evacuation system was determined randomly, and the procedures involved were breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, which were treated as stratification factors. Results The average total volatile organic compound concentration in the operating room was significantly lower when the evacuation system was used compared with when it was not used. The findings were similar for formaldehyde concentration. Multiple regression analysis for healthcare professionals’ personal exposure levels showed that the evacuation system was a factor that significantly impacted their formaldehyde and acetaldehyde personal exposure levels, which were greatly reduced by the use of the system. Conclusion This study’s findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the evacuation systems, which should increase awareness that their benefits take priority over the drawbacks.
Magnitude of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in an urban setting in Tanzania; a cross-sectional analytic study
Authors: Mukuve Akampa Mbaaga , Mgonja Miriam Lucy , Sendagire Ibrahim , Noorani Mariam
Published: February 2020

Background: Medical screening detects risk factors for disease or presence of disease in otherwise well persons in order to intervene early and reduce morbidity and mortality. During antenatal care (ANC) it is important to detect conditions that complicate pregnancy, like gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Despite international and local guidelines recommending screening for GDM during ANC, there is evidence to suggest that the practice was not being carried out adequately. A major challenge may be lack of consensus on uniform GDM screening and diagnostic guidelines internationally and locally. The primary objective was to determine the magnitude of screening for GDM among women receiving ANC at the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam and Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam. Secondary objectives were: to determine the methods used by health practitioners to screen for GDM, to determine the magnitude of undiagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus among women attending ANC and factors associated with screening for GDM among these women. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was done. Data collection was done using pre-tested questionnaires and reviewing antenatal care records. The proportion of women attending ANC who were screened for GDM was determined. The 75g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was offered to women who had not been screened after education and consent. Results: Only 107 out of 358 (29.9%) had been offered some form of GDM screening. Tests used for GDM screening were random blood sugar (56.8%), fasting blood sugar (32.8%), HbA1C (6%) and 75g OGTT (3.4%). The uptake of the OGTT was 27%. Of these women the prevalence of GDM was 27.4%. Factors associated with screening for GDM were history of big baby, history of pregnancy induced hypertension and participant awareness of GDM (all p : <0.05). Conclusions: Screening for GDM among women attending ANC was lower than the World Health Organization target. Efforts should be directed towards promoting GDM screening, increasing awareness about GDM and developing more effective screening methods.
Association of the Dietary Patterns with the Risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Iranian Population: A case-control study
Authors: dehghanseresht narges , Jafarirad Sima , Alavinejad Seyed Pejman , Mansoori Anahita
Published: February 2020

Background: Diet-based recommendations can be developed for preventing and treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after investigating the effects of whole diets on NAFLD. The aim of this study was to identify major dietary patterns and their association with the risk of NAFLD.
Methods: A total of 244 individuals (122 NAFLD patients and 122 controls) participated in this case-control study. The NAFLD patients were diagnosed by a gastroenterologist. The participants' dietary intake data were collected using a 147-item semi-quantitive food frequency questionnaire and major dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Adherence to dietary patterns was divided into tertiles and its association with odds of NAFLD was investigated by multivariate logistic regression.
Results: The results showed four major dietary patterns, among which adherence to the "ordinary pattern" was positively associated with NAFLD risk. After adjusting for all confounding factors, individuals in the medium and highest tertiles of "ordinary pattern" exhibited a significantly elevated risk of NAFLD compared to the lowest tertile (medium vs. lowest tertile: OR= 1.71, 95%CI= 0.71-4.11; highest vs. lowest tertile: OR= 3.74, 95%CI= 1.23-11.42, P trend <0.001). As well as, Individuals in the second and third tertiles of the "traditional pattern" were associated with the risk of NAFLD compared to the lowest tertile (medium vs. lowest tertile OR= 2.37, 95%CI= 1.02-5.27; highest vs. lowest tertile OR=3.58, 95% CI= 1.48-8.68, P trend <0.001). The highest tertile of "vegetable and dairy pattern" compared to the lowest tertile was inversely associated with NAFLD risk (OR= 0.23, 95%CI= 0.09-0.58, P trend =0.02). No significant association was found between "fast food type pattern" and the risk of NAFLD.
Conclusion: A significant association was observed between different dietary patterns and the risk of NAFLD. These results can potentially serve as a dietary strategy for preventing NAFLD in individuals who are at a high risk for progression of NAFLD.
PGRMC1 phosphorylation affects cell shape, motility, glycolysis, mitochondrial form and function, and tumor growth
Authors: Thejer Bashar M. , Adhikary Partho P. , Kaur Amandeep , Teakel Sarah L. , Oosterum Ashleigh Van , Seth Ishith , Pajic Marina , Hannan Katherine M. , Pavy Megan , Poh Perlita , Jazayeri Jalal A , Zaw Thiri , Pascovici Dana , Ludescher Marina , Pawlak Michael , Cassano Juan C. , Turnbull Lynne , Jazayeri Mitra , James Alexander C. , Coorey Craig P. , Roberts Tara L. , Kinder Simon J. , Hannan Ross D. , Patrick Ellis , Molloy Mark P. , J. Elizabeth , Fehm Tanja N. , Neubauer Hans , Goldys Ewa M. , Weston Leslie A. , CAHILL Michael
Published: February 2020

Background: Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1) is expressed in many cancer cells, where it is associated with detrimental patient outcomes. It contains phosphorylated tyrosines which evolutionarily preceded deuterostome gastrulation and tissue differentiation mechanisms. Results: We demonstrate that manipulating PGRMC1 phosphorylation status in MIA PaCa-2 (MP) cells imposes broad pleiotropic effects. Relative to parental cells over-expressing hemagglutinin-tagged wild-type (WT) PGRMC1-HA, cells expressing a PGRMC1-HA-S57A/S181A double mutant (DM) exhibited reduced levels of proteins involved in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function, and altered glucose metabolism suggesting modulation of the Warburg effect. This was associated with increased PI3K/Akt activity, altered cell shape, actin cytoskeleton, motility, and mitochondrial properties. An S57A/Y180F/S181A triple mutant (TM) indicated the involvement of Y180 in PI3K/Akt activation. Mutation of Y180F strongly attenuated subcutaneous xenograft tumor growth in NOD-SCID gamma mice. Elsewhere we demonstrate altered metabolism, mutation incidence, and epigenetic status in these cells. Conclusions: Altogether, these results indicate that mutational manipulation of PGRMC1 phosphorylation status exerts broad pleiotropic effects relevant to cancer and other cell biology.
Identification and functional analysis of diet-responsive genes in Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)
Authors: Wang Li , Zhao Peng , Luo Junyu , Wang Chunyi , Zhu Xiangzhen , Zhang Lijuan , Ji Jichao , Zhang Kaixin , Li Dongyang , Zhang Shuai , Cui Jinjie
Published: February 2020

Background: Spodoptera litura is one of the most devastating agricultural pests with a wide range of host plants. To study larval performance on different diets and midgut adaptation at transcriptional levels, feeding assay and RNA-Seq experiments were conducted. RNA interference technology was used to explore the detoxification and metabolism of two cytochrome P450 genes. Results: The bioassay data showed that Spodoptera litura larvae developed more quickly when fed on cabbage than when fed on soybean, corn and cotton, tannin can inhibit the growth of Spodoptera litura. The result of RNA-Seq indicated that Spodoptera litura midgut modified gene expression levels to accommodate different diets, and the most differentially expressed genes were detoxification-related and digestion-related genes. Further analysis showed that the glutathione metabolism pathway was the common detoxification pathway in Spodoptera litura. The expression of cytochrome P450 genes showed a clear response to different plant hosts, and these differences may play key functions in primary detoxification of secondary metabolites from host plants. Meanwhile, the digestive enzymes of proteinases, lipases, and carbohydrases in midgut showed special responses to different plant hosts. After injection of dsRNA of CYP321A19 and CYP6AB60, the expression level of target gene were decreased, and the sensitivity of insect to plant allelochemicals increased and the weight increase significantly slowed. Conclusion: In this study, genes involved in detoxification were identified, and the results demonstrate the genes and pathways Spodoptera litura utlize to detoxify specific plant-host allelochemicals. These results may also provide a theoretical basis for Spodoptera litura management.