bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Pore-Scale Mechanisms of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery MEOR Using Microfluidics Application
Authors: Gaol Calvin , Wegner Jonas , Ganzer Leonhard , Dopffel Nicole , Koegler Felix , Borovina Ante , Alkan Hakan 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Utilisation of microorganisms as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method has attracted much attention in recent years because it is a low-cost and environmentally friendly technology. However, the pore-scale mechanisms involved in MEOR that contribute to an additional oil recovery are not fully understood so far. This work aims to investigate the MEOR mechanisms using microfluidic technology, among others bioplugging and changes in fluid mobilities. Further, the contribution of these mechanisms to additional oil recovery was quantified.
A novel experimental setup that enables investigation of MEOR in micromodels under elevated pressure, reservoir temperature and anaerobic and sterile conditions was developed. Initially, single-phase experiments were performed with fluids from a German high-salinity oil field selected for a potential MEOR application: Brine containing bacteria and nutrients was injected into the micromodel. During ten days of static incubation, bacterial cells and in-situ gas production were visualised and quantified by using an image processing algorithm. After that, injection of tracer particles and particle image velocimetry were performed to evaluate flow diversion in the micromodel due to bioplugging. Differential and absolute pressures were measured throughout the experiments. Further, two-phase flooding experiments were performed in oil wet and water wet micromodels to investigate the effect of in-situ microbial growth on oil recovery.
In-situ bacteria growth was observed in the micromodel for both single and two-phase flooding experiments. During the injection, cells were partly transported through the micromodel but also remained attached to the model surface. The increase in differential pressure confirmed these microscopic observations of bioplugging. Also, the resulting permeability reduction factor correlated with calculations based on the Kozeny-Carman approach using the total number of bacteria attached. The flow diversion of the tracer particles and the differences in velocity field also confirmed that bioplugging occurred in the micromodel may lead to an improved conformance control. Oil viscosity reduction due to gas dissolution as well as changes in the wettability were also identified to contribute on the incremental oil. Two-phase flow experiments in a newly designed heterogeneous micromodel showed a significant effect of bioplugging and improved the macroscopic conformance of oil displacement process.
This work gives new insights into the pore-scale mechanisms of MEOR processes in porous media. The new experimental microfluidic setup enables the investigation of these mechanisms under defined reservoir conditions, i.e., elevated pressure, reservoir temperature and anaerobic conditions.
Simulation of Injectivity and Fracture Containment: Water Injection in a Turbidite Reservoir, Offshore Ghana
Authors: Hwang Jongsoo , Sharma Mukul , Amaning Kwarteng , Singh Arvinder , Sathyamoorthy Sekhar 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Understanding injectivity is a critical element to ensure that sufficient volumes of water are being injected into the reservoir to maintain reservoir pressure, to ensure good reservoir sweep and minimize well remediation. It is, however, challenging to describe the large injectivity changes that are sometimes observed in injectors operating under fracturing conditions. This study presents a field case study with the following objectives: 1) explain the complicated injectivity changes caused by fracture opening/closure with injection-rate variations, 2) define a safe operating envelope (for injection pressure and rate) that ensures fracture containment and injection into the target zone, and 3) prescribe how the injection rate should be changed to achieve higher injectivities. Injector operating conditions are developed using results from a full 3-dimensional fracture growth simulation to ensure fracture containment in a multi-layered reservoir.
We present field injectivity observations, a comprehensive simulation workflow and its results to explain injector performance in a deep-water turbidite sand reservoir with multiple splay sands. Understanding the impact on fracture propagation and containment allows us to make quantitative suggestions for the operating envelopes for long-term injection-production management. Strategies for high-rate injection to sustain the injection well performance long-term are discussed.
Simulation results show that, at injection rates over 5,000 bwpd, injection induced fractures propagate. Fracture closure induced by injection shut-down is used to compute the bottom-hole pressure decline as a function of time. The fracture opening/closure events and the thermally induced stress were the primary factors impacting injectivity. The simulation results suggested several ways to improve the injectivity while ensuring fracture containment. Injection under fracturing conditions into a single zone at a high rate is shown to be feasible and this allows us to support a substantial increase in injectivity. This must, however, be done at pressures that will not cause a breach in the bounding shales. The 3-dimensional fracture simulations identified the operating pressure and rate envelope to maximize the injection rates while minimizing the risk of breaching the cap rock and inter-zone shales.
LASIK-induced Corneal Changes after Correction of Hyperopia with and without Application of Mitomycin-C
Authors: Moawad Ehab M. , Elghany Ahmed A. Abd , Gab-Alla Amr A. , Elbassiouny Osama M. , Badawy Mohsen S. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background

The study aimed to assess the role of intraoperative mitomycin-C (MMC) application during hyperopic LASIK correction (+1.00 D to +6.00 D) by examining topographic corneal changes and incidence of regression over a one-year follow-up period.

Methods

This comparative randomized control study included 136 eyes of 68 hyperopic patients divided into two groups; Group A included 68 eyes of 34 patients that had LASIK with the application of 0.02% MMC for 10 seconds on the stromal bed after excimer laser treatment, and group B included 68 eyes of 34 patients that had LASIK without MMC application. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), refraction, keratometry and topography were recorded at 1st week and 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months postoperation. Predictability and treatment efficacy were also recorded at the end of the follow-up period.

Results

Better predictability was noted in group A than in group B at the 6 month and 12 month follow-up visits, with a mean cycloplegic refraction SE of +0.5 ± 0.31 D in group A and +0.67 ± 0.39 D in group B at the 6 month visit, and +0.63 ± 0.37 D in group A and +0.89 ± 0.48 D in group B at the 12 month visit. The efficacy of the treatment at the end of the follow up period was better in group A than in group B. Group A showed fewer topographic corneal changes than group B.

Conclusions

Intraoperative MMC application during hyperopic LASIK achieves better predictability and efficacy and induces fewer topographic changes and lower regression rate of hyperopia during the first postoperative year.

Trial registration: the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR201901543722087, on 29 January 2019.
Cytokine profiling reveals increased serum inflammatory cytokines in idiopathic choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Guo Shenchao , Yin Houfa , Zheng Mingjie , Tang Yizhen , Lu Bing , Chen Xinyi , Fu Qiuli , Qin Zhenwei , Lyu Danni , Tang Qiaomei , Zhang Lifang , Ma Jian , Zhang Li , Fang Xiaoyun 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background: The exact pathogenesis of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) remains unclear. Cytokine-mediated inflammation has been thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of ICNV. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum cytokine profiles in patients with ICNV and to explore the relationship between serum cytokine levels and ICNV severity.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 32 ICNV patients and 30 healthy volunteers. Clinical and demographic information was obtained from the medical data platform and the serum was analysed with a multiplex assay to determine the levels of seven cytokines: interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, IL-15, IL-17, basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Results: Serum levels of IL-2, IL-10, IL-17, basic FGF, and VEGF were elevated in ICNV patients compared to controls. Serum GM-CSF levels were positively related to central retinal thickness, and serum IL-17 levels were positively related to CNV lesion area.
Conclusion: Serum inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in ICNV patients compared to controls. This suggests that systemic inflammation may play a critical role in the physiopathology of ICNV.
Bimodális (kétcsúcsú) termékenységi görbe Magyarországon - leíró eredmények és lehetséges okok
Authors: Kapitány Balázs 
Published: April 2019

A termékenység időbeni lefutásának, a termékenységi görbe (fertility curve) mintázatának és változásainak vizsgálata évtizedek óta a nemzetközi és a hazai demográfia klasszikus tárgyát alkotja. Emiatt már régóta ismert az a tény is, hogy egyes ritka, speciális esetekben előfordul, hogy egy társadalomban – jellemzően egy átmeneti időszakban – két termékenységi csúccsal rendelkező (bimodális) termékenységi görbe alakul ki. A friss magyarországi adatok arra utalnak, hogy az utóbbi években, hazánkban is kialakult ez a bimodális eloszlású termékenységi görbe. A jelenség esetleges társadalom- és népesedéspolitikai jelentősége miatt indokoltnak érezzük a bimodális termékenységi mintázatok kapcsán született szakirodalom vázlatos bemutatását és a hazai eredmények részletesebb vizsgálatát. Eredményeink szerint a jelenség kialakulása feltehetően a 2011–2016 között, Magyarországon megfigyelhető mintegy 20%-os, társadalmilag, demográfiailag meglehetősen szelektív termékenységemelkedéshez köthető, mintegy annak mellékhatása.
Role of Antioxidant Molecules and Polymers in Prevention of Bacterial Growth and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Francolini Iolanda , Piozzi Antonella 
Published: April 2019

Background:Antioxidants are multifaceted molecules playing a crucial role in several cellular functions. There is by now a well-established knowledge about their involvement in numerous processes associated with aging, including vascular damage, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. An emerging area of application has been lately identified for these compounds in relation to the recent findings indicating their ability to affect biofilm formation by some microbial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods:A structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature was performed using a focused review question. The quality of retrieved papers was appraised using standard tools.Results:One hundred sixty-five papers extracted from pubmed database and published in the last fifteen years were included in this review focused on the assessment of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of antioxidant compounds, including vitamins, flavonoids, non-flavonoid polyphenols, and antioxidant polymers. Mechanisms of action of some important antioxidant compounds, especially for vitamin C and phenolic acids, were identified.Conclusion:The findings of this review confirm the potential benefits of the use of natural antioxidants as antimicrobial/antibiofilm compounds. Generally, gram-positive bacteria were found to be more sensitive to antioxidants than gram-negatives. Antioxidant polymeric systems have also been developed mainly derived from functionalization of polysaccharides with antioxidant molecules. The application of such systems in clinics may permit to overcome some issues related to the systemic delivery of antioxidants, such as poor absorption, loss of bioactivity, and limited half-life. However, investigations focused on the study of antibiofilm activity of antioxidant polymers are still very limited in number and therefore they are strongly encouraged in order to lay the foundations for application of antioxidant polymers in treatment of biofilm-based infections.
Tear Inflammatory Molecules in Contact Lens Wearers: A Literature Review
Authors: López-de la Rosa Alberto , González-García María J. , Calonge Margarita , Enríquez-de-Salamanca Amalia 
Published: April 2019

Background:
Numerous studies have analysed the effect of using different Contact
Lenses (CLs) or care solutions, and suffering discomfort or diseases associated with CL wear
on the inflammatory mediator release into the tears.

Objective:
To summarize the published data on tear inflammatory molecules related to CL use.

Methods:
A PubMed-NCBI search has been conducted and those publications which carried
out original investigations including the analysis of tear inflammatory mediators in CL wearers
were selected.

Results:
Forty-three articles, from 1990 to 2019, have been included. Wearing hydrogel CLs,
rigid gas permeable CLs, and special designs for irregular corneas in keratoconus patients (CLs
with keratoconic design, hybrid CLs, piggyback fit, and scleral CLs) have been reported to alter
the concentration of several molecules in tears. Moreover, there seems to be an effect of the
wearing time and schedule, CL materials and designs, and care solutions used. Regarding CL
discomfort, its relation with inflammatory mediators is not clear. However, some diseases associated
to CL wear, such as giant papillary conjunctivitis, CL induced acute red eye, CL induced
peripheral ulcer, and acanthamoeba keratitis have been related to the release of certain inflammatory
mediators, which may serve as potential biomarkers.

Conclusion:
There is evidence suggesting that different aspects of CL wear alter the inflammatory
mediator profile in tears, which may indicate an inflammatory state of the lacrimal functional
unit. However, more studies need to be carried out to better understand how this inflammatory
process works and its repercussion on the different aspects of CL wear.
Synthetic Optimization of Ellipticine and Antitumor Activity of Novel Hexacyclic Derivatives of Ellipticine
Authors: Lin Jingjing , Tang Mei , Zhao Ru , Du Qianqian , Shen Longying , Du Guohua , Zhang Yafen , Li Yan , Pan Xiandao 
Published: April 2019

Background:
For decades, a great deal of research work has been done to synthesize ellipticine and
its derivatives because of their potential antitumor properties and anti-HIV activities. However, the resonance
structures in different media, a low level of solubility at physiological pH and systemic toxicity have prevented
the use of ellipticine as a therapeutic agent. Besides, the low yield and complex steps of ellipticine synthesis limit
its application.

Methods:
A high-yield synthetic procedure of ellipticine has been optimized, and the total yield was up to 50%
without silica gel column chromatography. Novel hexacyclic ellipticine derivatives were synthesized by coupling
ellipticine with o-aminobenzoic acid. Their cytotoxicities against HCT116, MGC803, HT29 and MCF-7 tumor
cells were evaluated.

Results:
The synthesis process of ellipticine was optimized, and the total yield of the synthetic route was increased
to 50% through several operation steps optimization. Fourteen ellipticine hexacyclic derivatives were
synthesized. The synthetic compounds were screened for anti-tumor activity in vivo and in vitro, and some of the
derivatives had good anti-tumor activity.

Conclusion:
Compared with ellipticine, the compound 1l showed higher antitumor activity and better tolerance to
tumor models. The compound 1l treatment increased the percentage of late apoptotic cells from 3.1% (DMSO) to
21.6% (20.0 μM) in NCI-H460 cells. It also was observed the effect of 1l on G2 phase arrest was similar as that
of ellipticine. The mechanism of action indicated compound 1l could be a topoisomerase IIα poison. These studies
provided the basis for the pharmacodynamics and toxicology of ellipticine, and further clarifies the structureactivity
relationship of antitumor activity of ellipticine.
Expression and Significance of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lian Jiangshan , Zhang Xiaolin , Lu Yingfeng , Hao Shaorui , Zhang Zhe , Yang Yida 
Published: April 2019

Objective:
To investigate the expression of long-chain non-coding RNA MINCR (LncRNAMINCR)
and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 (CDK2) mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma, and to
analyze the relationship between its expression and clinical pathological parameters and prognosis of
hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods:
Seventy-five surgically resected primary hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and paracancerous
tissues were selected. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2
mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues. The relationship of clinicopathological
parameters and prognosis between hepatocellular carcinoma and LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA
were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficient describes the correlation between LncRNA-MINCR and
CDK2 mRNA.

Results:
The expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma
tissues was higher than that in the adjacent tissues [(5.51±0.62) vs (1.62±0.51), (4.52±0.73) vs (1.85±0.95),
P<0.05]. The expression of LncRNA-MINCR in the primary hepatocellular carcinoma group was
positively correlated with CDK2 mRNA (r=0.352, P<0.05), and the expression of LncRNA-MINCR in the
paracancerous tissue group was not correlated with CDK2 mRNA (r=0.024, P>0.05). LncRNA-MINCR
expression was associated with TNM staging, lymph node metastasis, and cirrhosis (P<0.05). CDK2
mRNA expression was associated with tumor diameter, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and serum
alpha-fetoprotein levels (P<0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with high expression of LncRNAMINCR
was lower than that of LncRNA-MINCR low expression group [53.49% vs 77.38%, 2=13.024,
P<0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with high CDK2 mRNA expression was lower than that of
CDK2 mRNA low expression group [51.29] % vs 80.38%, 2 = 10.15, P < 0.05].

Conclusion:
The expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma
tissues increased significantly. The two play a synergistic role in the invasion, invasion and metastasis of
hepatocarcinoma cells. High expression of LncRNA-MINCR and CDK2 mRNA indicates poor prognosis
in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
MADD Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma and its Impact on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Ye Bo , Zhong Fangming , Yu Guocan , Lou Haizhou , Hu Jian 
Published: April 2019

Objective:
This study investigated the expression of MAPK-activating death domaincontaining
protein (MADD) in lung adenocarcinoma and its impact on lung adenocarcinoma SPCA-
1 cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Methods:
Clinicopathological lung specimens were collected. MADD expression levels in normal
human lung and human lung adenocarcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.
Lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells were cultured, and IG20 gene expression in the SPC-A-1
cells was detected using reverse-transcription PCR. SPC-A-1 cells were transfected with a plasmid
carrying the MADD gene and a lentiviral vector capable of silencing MADD expression. CCK-8
assay, western blot and flow cytometry were performed to detect MADD expression, proliferation
and apoptosis in the SPC-A-1 cells.

Results:
MADD expression levels in the lung adenocarcinoma tissue were significantly higher than
those in the normal lung tissue and lung squamous carcinoma cells. MADD can be expressed in
lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells. High MADD expression can inhibit SPC-A-1 cell apoptosis
and enhance SPC-A-1 cell proliferative activity, while silencing MADD expression can promote
apoptosis and reduce SPC-A-1 cell proliferation.

Conclusion:
MADD expression is significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissue.
MADD can promote lung adenocarcinoma cell growth by inhibiting apoptosis. This study may
improve lung adenocarcinoma levels in patients and, thus, is worthy of clinical promotion.
Identification of Genes Associated with Lung Adenocarcinoma Prognosis
Authors: He Zhe-Hao , Lv Wang , Wang Lu-Ming , Wang Yi-Qing , Hu Jian 
Published: April 2019

Objective:Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world, and lung adenocarcinoma is the most common lung cancer subtype. Identification and determination of relevant prognostic markers are the key steps to personalized cancer management.Methods:We collected the gene expression profiles from 265 tumor tissues of stage I patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Using Cox regression model, we evaluated the association between gene expression and the overall survival time of patients adjusting for gender and age at initial pathologic diagnosis.Results:Age at initial pathologic diagnosis was identified to be associated with the survival, while gender was not. We identified that 15 genes were significantly associated with overall survival time of patients (FDR < 0.1). The 15-mRNA signature- based risk score was helpful to distinguish patients of high-risk group from patients of low-risk group.Conclusion:Our findings reveal novel genes associated with lung adenocarcinoma survival and extend our understanding of how gene expression contributes to lung adenocarcinoma survival. These results are helpful for the prediction of the prognosis and personalized cancer management.
Preterm Birth, Inflammation and Infection: New Alternative Strategies for their Prevention
Authors: Muñoz-Pérez Víctor M. , Ortiz Mario I. , Cariño-Cortés Raquel , Fernández-Martínez Eduardo , Rocha-Zavaleta Leticia , Bautista-Ávila Mirandeli 
Published: April 2019

Background:Worldwide, the progress in reducing neonatal mortality has been very slow. The rate of preterm birth has increased over the last 20 years in low-income and middle-income countries. Its association with increased mortality and morbidity is based on experimental studies and neonatal outcomes from countries with socioeconomic differences, which have considered implementing alternative healthcare strategies to prevent and reduce preterm births.Methods:Currently, there is no widely effective strategy to prevent preterm birth. Pharmacological therapies are directed at inhibiting myometrial contractions to prolong parturition. Some drugs, medicinal plants and microorganisms possess myorelaxant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that have proved useful in preventing preterm birth associated with inflammation and infection.Results:This review focuses on the existing literature regarding the use of different drugs, medicinal plants, and microorganisms that show promising benefits for the prevention of preterm birth associated with inflammation and infection. New alternative strategies involving the use of PDE-4 inhibitors, medicinal plants and probiotics could have a great impact on improving prenatal and neonatal outcomes and give babies the best start in life, ensuring lifelong health benefits.Conclusion:Despite promising results from well-documented cases, only a small number of these alternative strategies have been studied in clinical trials. The development of new drugs and the use of medicinal plants and probiotics for the treatment and/or prevention of preterm birth is an area of growing interest due to their potential therapeutic benefits in the field of gynecology and obstetrics.