bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Oil Recovery Practices: Global Trend, Nigeria’s Present Status, Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Alawode Adeolu J. , Falode Olugbenga A. 
Published: May 2021

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques are considered due to unimpressive oil recovery, limited oil reserves, and non-applicability of primary recovery methods in some (heavy oil) fields. In Nigeria, preparation is in gear towards implementing EOR projects. This paper therefore reviews the global trend of EOR practices and discusses Nigeria’s present status, prospects, and challenges.
Most EOR projects are employed in sandstone (high permeability) reservoirs; hence based on lithological considerations, all EOR methods are feasible in Nigeria. However, miscible hydrocarbon gas injection is found to be a very good EOR choice because it would drastically reduce the uneconomical practice of gas flaring; besides, transportation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and flue gas is virtually non-existent in Nigeria. Chemical (especially surfactant) flooding is costly; hence it would be feasible in Nigeria if oil price is high. At present, cost implications of heat treatment facilities may be an impedance to implementing thermal EOR for heavy oil in Nigeria. Though microbial EOR is the cheapest, it is not favorable in high temperature (above 85 oC), high salinity (above 100,000 ppm) and deeper (beyond 3,500m) reservoirs.
For EOR practices to thrive in Nigeria, there should be an extensive economic evaluation and forecasting, effective research and development, effective training of technical staff for proper operation, surveillance and maintenance of EOR projects, implementation of health, safety and environmental (HSE) guidelines, low inflation rates, low interest rates on loans, general price stability, favorable tax policy, low import duties on machineries and equipment used for EOR, modified private market decisions and encouraging legal and regulatory framework.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in an Adolescent Girl: A Case Report and Clinico-Pathologic Review
Authors: Mansoor Neelum , Jabbar Naeem , Khan Hamza , Shaikh Ameerah , Jamal Saba 
Published: May 2021

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in pediatric age is rare in the literature. It is a common disease of older adults, characterized by clonal proliferation and progressive accumulation of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytes. The diagnosis is established by immunophenotyping and prognosis is defined by staging system (Rai and Binet), as well as by several biological and genetic markers. We report a case of CLL diagnosed in an adolescent girl presented at 16 years of age. The case is being reported to improve awareness regarding this rare entity in children.
Case Presentation: A 16 year old female presented with fever, weight loss and cervical lymphadenopathy. After baseline workup, lymph node biopsy, bone marrow biopsy along with immunohistochemistry and flowcytometry on peripheral blood was performed to establish the diagnosis. The clinico-pathologic features including extensive immunophenotyping were consistent with CLL.
Discussion: Management guidelines for older adults are very well established but no standardized protocol exists for pediatric age group. We offered her Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide as first line regimen and she responded well and achieved remission after four cycles. Unfortunately disease relapsed within two years. At this time, determination of optimum therapeutic protocol was a unique challenge as hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) was not available at our institute.
Conclusion: CLL is an extremely rare malignancy in childhood and adolescence. Therefore age specific treatment protocols are not established. Reporting this case will help in eliciting the high index of suspicion among pathologists and oncologists for this exceptionally unusual and life threatening disease so that delays can be avoided.
Identification of Gibberellins and Cytokinins in Saladette Tomato Seeds
Authors: Ramírez H. , Castillo-Robles M. C. , Melendres-Alvarez A. I. , Castillo U. A. Macías , Zermeño-González A. , Jasso-Cantú D. , Villarreal-Quintanilla J. A. 
Published: May 2021

Aims: Tomato (SolanumlycopersicumL.) is one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide, mainly as a result of its economic and nutritive contribution to human society. The presence of endogenous gibberellins and cytokinins in seeds of several crops has been related to a good germination; however, little is known in tomato. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze and identify the presence of gibberellins and cytokinins in saladette tomato seeds.
Study Design: Laboratory analysis for gibberellins and cytokinins were conducted in solvent solutions groups with three technical replicates using a complete randomized design and results when applicable were analyzed using the statistical program 'RStudio' (version 10) and data obtained subjected to a comparison of means with the Tukey (P≤0.05) test.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture in Universidad AutónomaAgraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Mexico, during 2020-2021.
Methodology: Lots of 50 grams dry weight of saladette “SVTE8832” tomato seed samples were freeze dried and prepared with several organic solvents for the extraction, purification and identification of gibberellins and cytokinins using the techniques of gas chromatography mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry with selection ion monitoring(GCMS-SIM) respectively.
Results: Gibberellins A1, A4, A7, A9, A12, A15, A17, A20, A44 and A53 were found in tomato seed tissue. The cytokininszeatin and zeatin-ribozide were also detected in analyzed tomato samples.
Conclusion:The endogenous gibberellins A1, A4, A7, A9, A12, A15, A17, A20, A44, A53 and the cytokininszeatin and zeatin-riboside are present in saladette“SVTE8832” tomato seeds.
Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana Isolate on Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Mortality under Different Concentrations in Kenya
Authors: Kabole Mellon , Kilalo Dora , Muiru Maina , Coyne Danny 
Published: May 2021

Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), is a major field-to-store post-harvest pest of in the tropics and worldwide. They cause weight loss, decreased germination potential and reduction in commercial and aesthetic value as a result of physical contamination of grain by insects, eggs and excrement, decreased nutritional value. Entomopathogenic fungi have been employed in control of a number of storage pests. Nine B. bassiana isolates were evaluated for effectiveness in controlling C. maculatus in cowpea grain under controlled laboratory conditions. Mortality of the bruchids was evaluated stepwise where the most effective isolate concentrations against C. maculatus were assessed. Initial assessment involved determination of the most effective concentration among the isolates following dilution. The most effective isolate concentrations were then doubled and halved to identify the most effective dose rate. The isolates showed significant differences on the mortality of cowpea bruchids at the different concentrations. The halved rate from the most effective rate with BBC recording 85% and 76.7 % cumulative mortality at day 3 during the first and second season respectively. Isolate J35 had 98.2% mortality at 5 days after application during the first season and 88.3% during the second season, which was only lower to the formulated isolates BBC and BVT. At the optimal dose rate experiment, isolate J57 presented the highest cumulative mortality (25.5%) at 14 days after application while J59 recorded the lowest cumulative mortality at 11.8% at the same time. The combination of isolate J39 and RI showed the highest cumulative mortality of 40.4% and 44.4% during the first and second season respectively. Results obtained from this study support the importance of exploring the use of B. bassiana in control of C. maculatus during storage.
Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on the Employment of Canadian Young Adults With Rheumatic Disease: Findings From a Longitudinal Survey
Authors: Jetha Arif , Tucker Lori B. , Chen Cynthia , Gignac Monique A. M. 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThe COVID‐19 pandemic has had considerable economic repercussions for young workers. The current study was undertaken to examine the impact of the pandemic on the employment of young adults with rheumatic disease and on perceptions of work and health.MethodsSurveys were administered to young adults with rheumatic disease prior to and following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Surveys asked about employment status and collected information on sociodemographic, disease/health, and work‐context factors. Items also asked about the perceived impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on work and health. A generalized estimating equation model was fitted to examine the effect of the pandemic on employment.ResultsIn total, 133 young adults completed the pre–COVID‐19 pandemic survey (mean age 28.9 years, 82% women). When compared to the pre–COVID‐19 pandemic period, employment decreased from 86% to 71% following the pandemic, but no other changes were identified in sociodemographic, disease/health, or work‐context factors. The time period following the COVID‐19 pandemic was associated with a 72% lower odds of employment compared to the pre‐pandemic period (odds ratio 0.28 [95% confidence interval 0.11–0.71]). Those with a postsecondary education or who reported more mental job demands were more likely to be employed following the onset of the pandemic. Also, a majority of participants reported that the pandemic affected health care (83%), treatment access (54%), working conditions (92%), and occupational health and safety (74%).ConclusionThe onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic had socioeconomic implications for young people with rheumatic disease. To support economic recovery for individuals with rheumatic disease, strategies to promote employment should be designed that account for the young adult life phase and occupational characteristics.
General Safety and Tolerability of Subcutaneous Tanezumab for Osteoarthritis: A Pooled Analysis of Three Randomized,Placebo‐ControlledTrials
Authors: Berenbaum Francis , Schnitzer Thomas J. , Kivitz Alan J. , Viktrup Lars , Hickman Anne , Pixton Glenn , Brown Mark T. , Davignon Isabelle , West Christine R. 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThis pooled analysis of 3 randomized, placebo‐controlled trials (16–24 week treatment and 8–24 week follow‐up) assessed safety of subcutaneous tanezumab (2.5–10 mg every 8 weeks) in 1,840 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.MethodsOverall treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and TEAEs of abnormal peripheral sensation (APS) were prospectively assessed in 3 trials. Joint safety events (primary osteonecrosis, rapidly progressive osteoarthritis [RPOA], subchondral insufficiency fracture, and pathologic fracture; adjudicated by an independent expert committee) and TEAEs potentially associated with sympathetic neuropathy were prospectively assessed in 2 trials.ResultsDuring the treatment period, overall TEAE rates were 51.7% for placebo and 39.5–54.8% for tanezumab 2.5–10 mg; treatment discontinuation rates were 2.0% for placebo and 0–1.3% for tanezumab. Rates of composite joint safety events (predominantly RPOA type 1) over the treatment plus follow‐up period were 0% for placebo and 0.5–3.2% for tanezumab 2.5–5 mg (5 mg was statistically greater than placebo); total joint replacement rates with tanezumab (5.9–7.0%) were not significantly different from placebo (4.5%). Rates of TEAEs of APS (predominantly paresthesia and hypoesthesia) were 2.2% for placebo and 3.2–12.8% for tanezumab 2.5–10 mg. Rates of TEAEs potentially associated with sympathetic neuropathy (predominantly bradycardia and orthostatic hypotension) were 0.8% for placebo and 0.5–2.8% for tanezumab 2.5–5 mg (exposure‐adjusted rates were not significantly different from placebo).ConclusionTanezumab was generally well tolerated. TEAEs of APS (mostly mild and transient) and joint safety events were infrequent but more common with tanezumab than placebo. A tanezumab dose of 2.5 mg demonstrated a more favorable safety profile than higher doses.
Predictors of Lumbar Spine Degeneration and Low Back Pain in the Community: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project
Authors: Goode Adam P. , Cleveland Rebecca J. , George Steven Z. , Schwartz Todd A. , Kraus Virginia B. , Renner Jordan B. , Gracely Richard H. , DeFrate Louis E. , Hu David , Jordan Joanne M. , Golightly Yvonne M. 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence and worsening of lumbar spine structure and low back pain (LBP) and whether they are predicted by demographic characteristics or clinical characteristics or appendicular joint osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsPaired baseline (2003–2004) and follow‐up (2006–2010) lumbar spine radiographs from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project were graded for osteophytes (OST), disc space narrowing (DSN), spondylolisthesis, and presence of facet joint OA (FOA). Spine OA was defined as at least mild OST and mild DSN at the same level for any level of the lumbar spine. LBP, comorbidities, and back injury were self‐reported. Weibull models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of spine phenotypes accounting for potential predictors including demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, obesity, and appendicular OA.ResultsObesity was a consistent and strong predictor of incidence of DSN (HR 1.80 [95% CI 1.09–2.98]), spine OA (HR 1.56 [95% CI 1.01–2.41]), FOA (HR 4.99 [95% CI 1.46–17.10]), spondylolisthesis (HR 1.87 [95% CI 1.02–3.43]), and LBP (HR 1.75 [95% CI 1.19–2.56]), and worsening of DSN (HR 1.51 [95% CI 1.09–2.09]) and LBP (HR 1.51 [95% CI 1.12–2.06]). Knee OA was a predictor of incident FOA (HR 4.18 [95% CI 1.44–12.2]). Spine OA (HR 1.80 [95% CI 1.24–2.63]) and OST (HR 1.85 [95% CI 1.02–3.36]) were predictors of incidence of LBP. Hip OA (HR 1.39 [95% CI 1.04–1.85]) and OST (HR 1.58 [95% CI 1.00–2.49]) were predictors of LBP worsening.ConclusionAmong the multiple predictors of spine phenotypes, obesity was a common predictor for both incidence and worsening of lumbar spine degeneration and LBP.
Pregnancy Outcomes in Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease Compared to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single Academic Center's Experience
Authors: Kaufman Katherine P. , Eudy Amanda M. , Harris Nathaniel , Neil Laura , Clowse Megan E. B. 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have more pregnancy complications than healthy patients. Data regarding pregnancy outcomes in women with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) are more limited, and existing studies are concentrated in Italy and predominantly in patients with a new diagnosis. Our objective was to compare pregnancy outcomes for UCTD and SLE patients with established disease.MethodsBetween 2008 and 2017, patients with UCTD and SLE at an academic medical center were recruited to a prospective pregnancy registry. UCTD was defined as a positive autoantibody plus connective tissue disease symptoms not meeting criteria for another rheumatic diagnosis. SLE was defined by American College of Rheumatology or Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria or by physician diagnosis. Data were collected throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Comparator groups included UCTD, low‐activity SLE, and high‐activity SLE.ResultsA total of 150 SLE and 51 UCTD pregnancies were analyzed. Disease activity was low in most patients, although more patients with SLE had severe activity during pregnancy (12% versus 2%; P = 0.05). The frequencies of prematurity and preeclampsia were significantly lower in UCTD than in high‐activity SLE patients (preterm 17% versus 45% [P = 0.004] and preeclampsia 6% versus 34% [P = 0.0008]), although similar to low‐activity SLE patients. More infants who were small for gestational age were born to SLE than UCTD patients (33% versus 7% [P = 0.0005]), regardless of disease activity level.ConclusionPregnancies in women with UCTD managed by a rheumatologist have a high rate of pregnancy success and fewer risks than those in women with active SLE.
A Critical Look at Race‐Based Practices in Rheumatology Guidelines
Authors: Olson Rose McKeon , Feldman Candace H. 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveTo assess how race has been incorporated into rheumatology practice guidelines, including how race is defined and used in diagnostic and treatment recommendations.MethodsWe searched race and ethnicity terms in all clinical practice guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) that were published between 2010 and 2020 and publicly available on professional society websites. Findings were summarized and assessed through standardized data abstraction forms. Key themes were identified through a thematic analysis approach.ResultsA total of 23 ACR clinical practice guidelines and 42 EULAR recommendations were reviewed. In total, 16 of 65 (25%) of the guidelines used race terms in their text. No guideline clearly defined race, and race was often conflated with ethnicity and/or genetic ancestry. Reported racial categories varied substantially by guideline and often used classifications that oversimplified and excluded non‐White races. Research with insufficient racial diversity was used to make race‐based recommendations for Black patients that may not be generalizable. Additionally, recommendations using research on predominantly White populations reinforced data of White populations as normative and perpetuated race‐based stereotypes, especially for rare diseases. Structural causes of identified racial disparities were not discussed in clinical guidelines.ConclusionThere is an urgent need for standardized race reporting in rheumatology. Recommendations are provided to enhance consistency and accuracy of race and ethnicity terms, mitigate conflation of race with ethnicity or genetic ancestry, encourage a critical reanalysis of race‐based diagnostic tools and treatment options, and better address the structural causes of racial disparities.
Prognosis and Treatment of Myositis‐Associated Severe Interstitial Lung Disease: A Descriptive Study Using a Nationwide Inpatient Database in Japan
Authors: Furuya Hiroki , Nakajima Mikio , Ikeda Kei , Nakamura Kaito , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Aso Shotaro , Kumazawa Ryosuke , Iwamoto Taro , Iwata Arifumi , Furuta Shunsuke , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo , Nakajima Hiroshi 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the prognosis, clinical course, and current management of severe interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with myositis in Japan.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective descriptive study using a nationwide database for inpatient care of acute illness in Japan. Among a total of ~66 million inpatient admissions, we identified patients with severe ILD associated with polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM) who required mechanical ventilation and methylprednisolone pulse therapy (≥1 gm/day of methylprednisolone) from July 2010 to March 2018.ResultsWe identified 155 patients with PM and 394 with DM who fulfilled the above criteria. The median age of patients was 65 years; DM patients were significantly younger than PM patients (64 versus 68 years; P < 0.001). The numbers of patients who were treated with calcineurin inhibitors, intravenous cyclophosphamide, and polymyxin B–immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion (PMX‐DHP) were 403 (73.4%), 318 (57.9%), and 78 (14.2%), respectively. All these treatments were given significantly more frequently to the patients with DM compared with those with PM. The uses of other treatment options were much less frequent. The median periods after hospitalization when methylprednisolone pulse therapy, calcineurin inhibitors, mechanical ventilation, intravenous cyclophosphamide, and PMX‐DHP were initiated and in‐hospital death occurred among patients with DM were 2, 4, 7, 8, 17, and 36 days, respectively. In‐hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with DM than in those with PM (76.6% versus 56.8%; P < 0.001).ConclusionThe mortality of patients with myositis‐associated severe ILD who require mechanical ventilation is extremely high despite aggressive and prompt interventions.
Deep Optical Switching on Subpicosecond Timescales in an Amorphous Ge Metamaterial
Authors: Lemasters Robert , Shcherbakov Maxim R. , Yang Guoce , Song Jia , Lian Tianquan , Harutyunyan Hayk , Shvets Gennady 
Published: May 2021

AbstractActive nanostructured optical components show promise as potential building blocks for novel light‐based computing and data processing architectures. However, nanoscale all‐optical switches that have low activation powers and high‐contrast ultrafast switching have been elusive so far. Here, pump–probe measurements performed on amorphous‐Ge‐based micro‐resonator metasurfaces that exhibit strong resonant modes in the mid‐infrared are reported. Relative change is observed in transmittance of ΔT/T ≈ 1 with picosecond (down to τ ≈ 0.5 ps) free carrier relaxation rates, obtained with very low pump fluences of 50 μJ cm−2. These observations are attributed to efficient free carrier promotion, affecting light transmittance via high quality‐factor optical resonances, followed by an increased electron–phonon scattering of free carriers due to the amorphous crystal structure of Ge. Full‐wave simulations based on a permittivity model that describes free‐carrier damping through crystal structure disorder find excellent agreement with the experimental data. These findings offer an efficient and robust platform for all‐optical switching at the nanoscale.
Microelectrode Arrays for Simultaneous Electrophysiology and Advanced Optical Microscopy
Authors: Middya Sagnik , Curto Vincenzo F. , Fernández‐Villegas Ana , Robbins Miranda , Gurke Johannes , Moonen Emma J. M. , Kaminski Schierle Gabriele S. , Malliaras George G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAdvanced optical imaging techniques address important biological questions in neuroscience, where structures such as synapses are below the resolution limit of a conventional microscope. At the same time, microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are indispensable in understanding the language of neurons. Here, the authors show transparent MEAs capable of recording action potentials from neurons and compatible with advanced microscopy. The electrodes are made of the conducting polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and are patterned by optical lithography, ensuring scalable fabrication with good control over device parameters. A thickness of 380 nm ensures low enough impedance and >75% transparency throughout the visible part of the spectrum making them suitable for artefact‐free recording in the presence of laser illumination. Using primary neuronal cells, the arrays record single units from multiple nearby sources with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 7.7 (17.7 dB). Additionally, it is possible to perform calcium (Ca2+) imaging, a measure of neuronal activity, using the novel transparent electrodes. Different biomarkers are imaged through the electrodes using conventional and super‐resolution microscopy (SRM), showing no qualitative differences compared to glass substrates. These transparent MEAs pave the way for harnessing the synergy between the superior temporal resolution of electrophysiology and the selectivity and high spatial resolution of optical imaging.