bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Polymer's Viscoelasticity Influence Heavy-Oil Sweep Efficiency and Injectivity at 1 ft/D?
Authors: Azad Madhar S. , Trivedi Japan J. 
Published: December 2019

Summary
For heavy-oil-recovery applications, mobility control is more important than interfacial-tension reduction, and therefore importance should be given to the recovery of remaining mobile oil by enhanced sweep efficiency. Although the relative roles of polymer viscosity and elasticity in capillary-trapped residual light-oil recovery have been studied extensively, their roles in sweeping mobile viscous oil have not been explored. Injectivity is vital for heavy-oil-recovery applications, and polymer selection is performed solely using criteria that is based on shear rheology. In this paper, the influence of viscous (shear) resistance and elastic (extensional) resistance of viscoelastic polymer on mobile-heavy-oil recovery and injectivity is investigated through the combination of bulk shear/extensional rheology and single-phase and multiphase coreflood experiments at a typical reservoir-flooding rate of 1 ft/D.
Two polymer solutions with different concentrations and salinities are selected such that a polymer with low molecular weight (MW) [hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) 3130] provides higher shear resistance than a high-MW polymer (HPAM 3630). Extensional characterization of these two polymer solutions performed using a capillary breakup extensional rheometer revealed that HPAM 3630 provided higher extensional viscosity than HPAM 3130. The results show that the behaviors of polymers in extension and shear are completely different. Two multiphase and two single-phase experiments are conducted at low flux rate to investigate the roles of extensional viscosity on mobile-heavy-oil recovery and high flux rates on injectivity. After 1 pore volume (PV) of polymer injections, higher-concentration and lower-MW HPAM 3130 contributes to approximately 17% higher incremental recovery factor vs. lower-concentration and higher-MW HPAM 3630. The core-scale pressure drop generated by HPAM 3130 is more than twice the pressure drop generated by HPAM 3630. Under low-flux-rate conditions at the core scale, shear forces dominate, and displacing fluid with higher shear viscosity contributes to better sweep. HPAM 3630 exhibits a shear-thickening phenomenon and possesses the apparent viscosity of approximately 90 cp at the flux rate of approximately 90 ft/D. In contrast, HPAM 3130 continued showing shear thinning and has the apparent viscosity of approximately 70 cp at approximately 90 ft/D. This signifies the role of extension rheology on the injectivity at higher flux rates.
Results revealed that while the extensional rheological role toward sweeping the mobile heavy-oil recovery at low flux is lesser compared with the shear role, its negative role on the polymer injectivity is very significant. Polymer-selection criteria for heavy-oil-recovery applications should incorporate extensional rheological parameters.
Preventing acute kidney injury in high-risk patients by temporarily discontinuing medication – an observational study in general practice
Authors: Faber Suzanne J , Scherpbier Nynke , Peters Hans , Uijen Annemarie 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Elderly, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and patients with heart failure who continue using renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) inhibitors, diuretics, or non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during times of fluid loss have a high risk of developing complications like acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to assess how often advice to discontinue high-risk medication was offered to high-risk patients consulting the general practitioner (GP) with increased fluid loss. Furthermore, we assessed the number and nature of the complications that occurred after GP consultation. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study with patients from seven Dutch general practices participating in the Family Medicine Network between 1-6-2013 and 1-7-2018. We included patients who used RAAS-inhibitors, diuretics, or NSAIDs, and had at least one of the following risk factors: age ≥70 years, CKD, or heart failure. From this population, we selected patients with a ‘dehydration-risk’ episode (vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, chills, or gastrointestinal infection). We manually checked their electronic patient files and assessed the percentage of episodes in which advice to discontinue the high-risk medication was offered and whether a complication occurred in three months after the ‘dehydration-risk’ episode.Results We included 3607 high-risk patients from a total of 44.675 patients (8.1%). We found that patients were advised to discontinue the high-risk medication in 38 (4.6%) of 816 ‘dehydration-risk’ episodes. In 59 of 816 episodes (7.1%) complications (mainly AKI) occurred. Conclusions Dutch GPs do not frequently advise high-risk patients to discontinue high-risk medication during ‘dehydration-risk’ episodes. Complications occur frequently. Timely discontinuation of high-risk medication needs attention.
Challenges with Scale-up of GeneXpert MTB/RIF® inUganda: a Health Systems Perspective
Authors: Nalugwa Talemwa , Shete Priya B. , Nantale Mariam , Farr Katherine , Ojok Christopher , Ochom Emma , Mugabe Frank , Joloba Moses , Dowdy David W. , Moore David A.J. , Davis J. Lucian , Cattamanchi Adithya , Katamba Achilles 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Many high burden countries are scaling-up GeneXpertÒMTB/RIF (Xpert) testing for tuberculosis (TB) using a hub-and-spoke model. However, the effect of scale up on reducing TB has been limited. We sought to characterize variation in implementation of referral-based Xpert TB testing across Uganda, and to identify healthsystem factors that may enhance or prevent high-qualityimplementation of Xpert testing services. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study triangulatingquantitative and qualitative data sources at 23 community health centers linked to one of 15 Xpert testing sites between November 2016 and May 2017 to assess health systems infrastructure for hub-and-spoke Xpert testing. Data sources included a standardized site assessment survey, routine TB notification data, and field notes from site visits. Results: Challenges with Xpert implementation occurred at every step of the diagnostic evaluation process, leading to low overall uptake of testing. Of 2,192 patients eligible for TB testing, only 574 (26%) who initiated testing were referred for Xpert testing. Of those, 54 (9.4%)were Xpert confirmed positive just under half initiated treatment within 14 days (n=25, 46%). Gaps in required infrastructure at 23 community health centers to support the hub-and-spoke system included lack of refrigeration (n=14, X%) for sputum testing and lack of telephone/mobile communication (n=21, 91%). Motorcycle riders responsible for transporting sputum to Xpert sites operated variable with trips once a week, 2x/week or 3x/week at 10 (43%), 9 (39%) and 4 (17%) health centers, respectively. Staff recorded Xpert results in the TB laboratory register at only one health center and called patients with positive results at only 2 health centers. Of the 15 Xpert testing sites, 5 (33%) had at least one non-functioning module. The median number of tests per day was 3.57 (IQR 2.06-4.54), and 10 (67%) sites had error/invalid rates >5%. Conclusions: Although Xpert devices are now widely distributed throughout Uganda, health system factors across the continuum from test referral to results reporting and treatment initiation preclude effective implementation of Xpert testing for patients presenting to peripheral health centers. Support for scale up of innovative technologies should include support for communication, coordination and health systems integration.
Comparison of open liver resection and RFA for the treatment of solitary 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Lei Jianyong , Yan LN , Li DJ , Wang WT 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: The goal of this study was to compare the postoperative results of liver resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (3-5 cm). Patients and methods: We retrospectively collected 122 cases of small solitary HCC treated at our center from Jan 2011 to Dec 2015, with diameters in the range of 3-5 cm. According to the treatment program received at our center, the patients were divided into liver resection (72 patients) and RFA (50 patients) groups. Result: In comparison with the RFA group, the resection group had a longer operative time, greater intraoperative blood loss (P<0.01), more hepatic inflow occlusion, and a longer postoperative hospital stay (P<0.01). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year expected overall survival rates and tumor-free survival rates were comparable between the two groups. Cox regression analysis showed that neither resection nor RFA was a significant risk factor for overall or tumor-free survival in HCC. Conclusions: For solitary HCC of 3-5 cm in diameter, RFA can achieve better in-hospital clinical results and similar long-term outcomes than resection and can be considered for wide application, especially for central-location cases.
Transcriptome profiling of laser-captured germ cells and functional characterization of zbtb40 during 17alpha-methyltestosterone-induced spermatogenesis in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)
Authors: Wu Xi , Yang Yang , Zhong Chaoyue , Guo Yin , Li Shuisheng , Lin Haoran , Liu Xiaochun 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Spermatogenesis is an intricate process regulated by a finely organized network. The orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is a protogynous hermaphroditic fish, but the regulatory mechanism of its spermatogenesis is not well-understood. In the present study, transcriptome sequencing of the male germ cells isolated from orange-spotted grouper was performed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying spermatogenesis. Results: In this study, the orange-spotted grouper was induced to change sex from female to male by 17alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) implantation. During the spermatogenesis, male germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa) were isolated by laser capture microdissection. Transcriptomic analysis for the isolated cells was performed. A total of 244,984,338 clean reads were generated from four cDNA libraries. Real-time PCR results of 13 genes related to sex differentiation and hormone metabolism indicated that transcriptome data are reliable. RNA-seq data showed that the female-related genes and genes involved in hormone metabolism were highly expressed in spermatogonia and spermatozoa, suggesting that these genes participate in the spermatogenesis. Interestingly, the expression of zbtb family genes showed significantly changes in the RNA-seq data, and their expression patterns were further examined during spermatogenesis. The analysis of cellular localization of Eczbtb40 and the co-localization of Eczbtb40 and Eccyp17a1 in different gonadal stages suggested that Eczbtb40 might interact with Eccyp17a1 during spermatogenesis. Conclusions: For the first time, our study investigated the transcriptome of the male germ cells from orange-spotted grouper, and identified functional genes, GO terms, and KEGG pathways involved in spermatogenesis. Furthermore, Eczbtb40 was first characterized and predicted the role during spermatogenesis. These data will contribute to future studies on the molecular mechanism of spermatogenesis in teleosts.
Comparative transcriptomics of stem bark reveals genes associated with bast fiber development in Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud (ramie)
Authors: Xie Jiyong , Li Jiaqi , Jie Yucheng , Xie Deyu , Yang Di , Shi Huazhong , Zhong Yingli 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud (Ramie) produces one of the longest natural fibers in nature. The bark of ramie mainly comprises of the phloem tissue of stem and is the raw material for fiber. Therefore, identifying the molecular regulation of phloem development is important for understanding of bast fiber biosynthesis and improvement of fiber quality in ramie.
Results: In this study, we collected top bud (TB), bark from internode elongating region (ER) and bark from internode fully elongated region (FER) from the ramie variety Zhongzhu No. 1. Histological study indicated that these samples contain phloem tissues at different developmental and maturation stages, with a higher degree of maturation of phloem tissue in FER. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in these three samples. The de novo transcriptome was assembled and unigenes were identified. The DEGs among TB, ER and FER were analyzed, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) studies revealed clear differences in gene expression between ER and FER. Some unigenes for secondary cell wall biosynthesis were up-regulated in both ER and FER, while unigenes for some cell wall components or cell wall modifications showed differential expression between ER and FER. In addition, ethylene activating pathway and gibberellins biosynthesis showed distinct regulation and coincided with the developmental stages of the samples.
Conclusions: Both morphological study and gene expression analysis supported a burst of phloem and vascular developmental processes during the fiber maturation in the ramie stem, and the phytohormon ethylene and gibberellin are likely to be involved in this process. Our findings provide novel insights into the phloem development and fiber maturation in ramie, which could be useful for fiber improvement in ramie and other fiber crops.
MEG3 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in osteoarthritis chondrocytes by miR-361-5p/FOXO1 axis
Authors: Wang Anying , Hu Naixia , Zhang Yefeng , Chen Yuanzhen , Su Changhui , Lv Yao , Shen Yong 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) and related molecular mechanisms in osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Patients with OA and patients undergoing thigh amputation were involved in OA group and normal group, respectively. Cartilage tissues of all patients were isolated and cultured. Based on different transfection, MEG3 cells were grouped into Blank, pcDNA3.1-NC, pcDNA3.1-MEG3, si-NC, si-MEG3, pcDNA3.1-NC + mimics NC, pcDNA3.1-MEG3 + mimics NC, pcDNA3.1-NC + miR-361-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1-MEG3 + miR-361-5p mimics group. The RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MEG3, miR-361-5p and FOXO1. Moreover, western blot, luciferase reporter assay, RIP, CCK-8 and flow cytometry analysis were performed to reveal the morphology, proliferation and apoptosis in cartilage cells. Finally, the histological analysis and immunostaining were performed on OA rat model. Results: The expression of MEG3 and FOXO1 in OA was significantly decreased while miR-361-5p was increased compared with the normal group. MEG3 might serve as a ceRNA of miR-361-5p in OA chondrocytes. Moreover, the western blot and CCK-8 assay showed that MEG3, targeted miR-361-5p/FOXO1, might elevate cell proliferation and impair cell apoptosis. Finally, rat model analysis showed that MEG3 suppressed the cartilage matrix degradation. Conclusion: Taken together, MEG3 can contribute to cell proliferation, inhibit cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation via miR-361-5p/FOXO1 axis in OA chondrocytes.
In vivo model to study the impact of genetic variation on clinical outcome of mastitis in dairy uniparous cows
Authors: Rohmeier Laura , Petzl Wolfram , Koy Mirja , Eickhoff Tordis , Hülsebusch Alina , Jander Sebastian , Macias Laura , Heimes Annika , Engelmann Susanne , Hoedemaker Martina , Seyfert Hans-Martin , Kühn Christa , Schuberth Hans-Joachim , Zerbe Holm , Meyerholz Marie Margarete 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Title: In vivo model to study the impact of genetic variation on clinical outcome of mastitis in dairy uniparous cows

Background: In dairy herds, mastitis causes detrimental economic losses. Genetic selection offers a sustainable tool to select animals with reduced susceptibility towards postpartum diseases. Studying underlying mechanisms is important to assess the physiological processes that cause differences between selected haplotypes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish an in vivo infection model to study the impact of selecting for alternative paternal haplotypes in a particular genomic region on cattle chromosome 18 for mastitis susceptibility under defined conditions in dairy uniparous cows.

Results: At the start of pathogen challenge, no significant differences between the favorable (Q) and unfavorable (q) haplotypes were detected. Intramammary infection (IMI) with Staphylococcus aureus 1027 (S. aureus, n = 24, 96 h) or Escherichia coli 1303 (E. coli, n = 12, 24 h) was successfully induced in all uniparous cows. This finding was confirmed by clinical signs of mastitis and repeated recovery of the respective pathogen from milk samples of challenged quarters in each animal. After S. aureus challenge, Q-uniparous cows showed lower somatic cell counts 24 h and 36 h after challenge (P < 0.05), lower bacterial shedding in milk 12 h after challenge (P < 0.01) and a minor decrease in total milk yield 12 h and 24 h after challenge (P < 0.01) compared to q-uniparous cows.

Conclusion: An in vivo infection model to study the impact of genetic selection for mastitis susceptibility under defined conditions in dairy uniparous cows was successfully established and revealed significant differences between the two genetically selected haplotype groups. This result might explain their differences in susceptibility towards IMI. These clinical findings form the basis for further in-depth molecular analysis to clarify the underlying genetic mechanisms for mastitis resistance.
MicroRNA Expression Profiles Analysis in Sperm Reveals hsa-mir-191 is an Auspicious Omen of in Vitro Fertilization
Authors: Xu Hua , Wang Xin , Wang Zhikai , Li Jianhui , Xu Zhiming , Miao Maohua , Chen Guowu , Lei Xiangdong , Wu Jun , Shi Huijuan , Wang Ke , Zhang Tiancheng , Sun Xiaoxi 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding small RNAs that play important roles in many physiological processes by regulating gene expression. Previous studies have shown that the expression levels of total miRNAs increase during mouse embryonic development, and some miRNAs control the regulatory network in development progression. However, few studies have focused on the effects of miRNAs on early human embryonic development. The relationship between miRNAs and early human embryogenesis is still unknown. Results:In this study, RNA-seq data collected from sperm samples from 102 patients with a normal sperm index but treated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) were analyzed for the relationships between differentially expressed small RNAs and the fertilization rate (FR), blastocyst rate and high-quality embryo rate (HQER). The sperm samples with high hsa-mir-191 expression had a higher FR, effective embryo rate (EER) and HQER. hsa-mir-191 was used as a single indicator to predict the HQER. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.686. We also found that hsa-mir-191 expression is correlated with an abnormal sperm rate (cor = 0.29, p< 0.01). We also evaluated the relationship between hsa-mir-34c and early human embryo development in these 102 sperm samples and obtained negative results. Conclusions: These findings suggest that high hsa-mir-191-5p expression in sperm is associated with early human embryonic quality and that hsa-mir-191-5p could be used as a potential marker to screen high-quality sperm to improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Clinical analysis of Kimura’s disease in 24 cases from China
Authors: Zhang Guoliang , Li Xumao , Sun Guangbin , Cao Yitan , Gao Nan , Qi Weidong 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: We reviewed details of Chinese Kimura’s disease (KD) cases. A full clinical analysis was subsequently performed to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and treatment of KD.
Methods: A total of 24 patients with pathologically confirmed KD treated between March 2008 and March 2018 were reviewed retrospectively for clinical and histopathological analysis.
Results: In the 24 KD cases, 20 were male and 4 were female with the age of onset ranging from 5 to 65 years. Lesion diameter ranged from 0.6 cm to 7 cm with unilateral involvement being more popular (79%). Imaging examination had a high detection rate for KD involving the parotid gland and subcutaneous but had low specificity. Microscopic analysis indicated that KD mainly involved subcutaneous soft tissue and lymph nodes. The prominent feature of lymphoid tissue was germinal center hyperplasia surrounded by several lobules associated with hyperplastic vascular structures. Out of the 24 patients, 11 experienced recurrence of disease after treatment (surgical resection: 46.2%, surgical resection followed by oral corticosteroids: 71.4% and surgical resection combined with radiotherapy: 0%).
Conclusions: Our analysis revealed clinical, imaging, and histological characteristics of KD. A better understanding of the disease will help clinicians reduce misdiagnosis and improve the diagnostic rate upon patient first clinical visit.
The effectiveness of workplace nutrition and physical activity interventions in improving productivity, work performance and workability: A Systematic Review
Authors: Grimani Aikaterini , Aboagye Emmanuel , Kwak Lydia 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Healthy lifestyles play an important role in the prevention of premature death, chronic diseases, productivity loss and other social and economic concerns. However, workplace interventions to address issues of fitness and nutrition which include work-related outcomes are complex and thus challenging to implement and appropriately measure the effectiveness of. This systematic review investigated the impact of workplace nutrition and physical activity interventions, which include components aimed at workplace’s physical environment and organizational structure, on employees’ productivity, work performance and workability.
Methods: A systematic review that included randomized controlled trials and or non-randomized controlled studies was conducted. Medline, EMBASE.com, Cochrane Library and Scopus were searched until September 2016. Productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism, work performance and workability were the primary outcomes of our interest, while sedentary behavior and changes in other health-related behaviors were considered as secondary outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-texts for study eligibility, extracted the data and performed a quality assessment using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk-of-Bias Tool for randomized trials and the Risk-of-Bias in non-randomized studies of interventions. Findings were narratively synthesized.
Results: Thirty-nine randomized control trials and non-randomized controlled studies were included. Nearly 28% of the included studies were of high quality, while 56% were of medium quality. The studies covered a broad range of multi-level and environmental-level interventions. Fourteen workplace nutrition and physical activity intervention studies yielded statistically significant changes on absenteeism (n=7), work performance (n=2), workability (n=3), productivity (n=1) and on both workability and productivity (n=1). Two studies showed effects on absenteeism only between subgroups.
Conclusions: The scientific evidence shows that it is possible to influence work-related outcomes, especially absenteeism, positively through health promotion efforts that include components aimed at the workplace’s physical work environment and organizational structure. In order to draw further conclusions regarding work-related outcomes in controlled high-quality studies, long-term follow-up using objective outcomes and/or quality assured questionnaires are required.
Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42017081837