bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of Link N on differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Antoniou John , Wang Hong Tian , Alaseem Abdulrahman M , Haglund Lisbet , Roughley Peter J , Mwale Fackson 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Introduction
We previously showed that Link N can stimulate extracellular matrix biosynthesis by intervertebral disc (IVD) cells, both in vitro and in vivo, and is therefore a potential stimulator of IVD repair. The purpose of the present study was to determine how Link N may influence human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation, as a prelude to using Link N and MSC supplementation in unison for optimal repair of the degenerated disc.

Methods
MSCs isolated from the bone marrow of three osteoarthritis patients were cultured in chondrogenic or osteogenic differentiation medium without or with Link N for 21 days. Chondrogenic differentiation was monitored by proteoglycan staining and quantitation by using Alcian blue, and osteogenic differentiation was monitored by mineral staining and quantitation by using Alzarin red S. In addition, proteoglycan secretion was monitored with the sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of the culture medium, and changes in gene expression were analyzed with real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR.

Results
Link N alone did not promote MSC chondrogenesis. However, after MSCs were supplemented with Link N in chondrogenic differentiation medium, the quantity of GAG secreted into the culture medium, as well as aggrecan, COL2A1, and SOX9 gene expression, increased significantly. The gene expression of COL10A1 and osteocalcin (OC) were downregulated significantly. When MSCs were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium, Link N supplementation led to a significant decrease in mineral deposition, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), OC, and RUNX2 gene expression.

Conclusions
Link N can enhance chondrogenic differentiation and downregulate hypertrophic and osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs. Therefore, in principle, Link N could be used to optimize MSC-mediated repair of the degenerated disc.
A network module-based method for identifying cancer prognostic signatures
Authors: Wu Guanming , Stein Lincoln 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDiscovering robust prognostic gene signatures as biomarkers using genomics data can be challenging. We have developed a simple but efficient method for discovering prognostic biomarkers in cancer gene expression data sets using modules derived from a highly reliable gene functional interaction network. When applied to breast cancer, we discover a novel 31-gene signature associated with patient survival. The signature replicates across 5 independent gene expression studies, and outperforms 48 published gene signatures. When applied to ovarian cancer, the algorithm identifies a 75-gene signature associated with patient survival. A Cytoscape plugin implementation of the signature discovery method is available at http://wiki.reactome.org/index.php/Reactome_FI_Cytoscape_Plugin
Physiological interpretations of radiographic findings on malformations of small veins: seriality of cisterns, communications to systemic veins and relationship to muscles
Authors: Kishi Kazushi , Morita Nobuo , Terada Tomoaki , Sato Morio , Sonomura Tetsuo 
Published: December 2012

Objectives To re-evaluate the fluoroscopic findings of venous malformation by cine mode cisternography. Methods Using direct injection cine-cisternography, we studied 49 venous malformation lesions in the head and neck of 30 patients who were scheduled to undergo ethanol sclerotherapy. The diameter of definitively measurable 46 lesions was 21.7 ± 10.5 mm (mean ± SD, range: 6.0–48.0 mm). The injection was continued until the draining veins were clearly observed. Outflow communications between cisterns and systemic veins were classified into Type 1, no visible drainage; Type 2, draining into a normal venous system; and Type 3, with abnormally ectatic draining veins. The topological relationships of the lesions to surrounding structures were addressed using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonogram. Treatment results were evaluated. Results The direct injection cine-cisternography showed the typical ‘bunch of grapes’ pattern, and revealed serial cisternal, followed by the appearance of outflow/draining veins in all lesions. There were no Type 1, 47 Type 2 and two Type 2 outflow pattern. Satellite lesions emerged via the communicating veins in six lesions. Of the all 49 lesions, 48 were located in or on the muscle fascia. Sclerotherapy was safely completed in all Type 2 lesions with satisfactory results, but for the Type 3 lesions treatment was limited to be partial to avoid complications. Conclusions The present study suggested that communications from venous malformation to the systemic vein are fluoroscopically confirmable. These radiographic findings were thought explainable in relation to developmental nature or facilitating process of venous malformation.
Cell Plasticity and Heterogeneity in Cancer
Authors: Marjanovic Nemanja D , Weinberg Robert A , Chaffer Christine L 
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND
Heterogeneity within a given cancer arises from diverse cell types recruited to the tumor and from genetic and/or epigenetic differences amongst the cancer cells themselves. These factors conspire to create a disease with various phenotypes. There are 2 established models of cancer development and progression to metastatic disease. These are the clonal evolution and cancer stem cell models.

CONTENT
The clonal evolution theory suggests that successive mutations accumulating in a given cell generate clonal outgrowths that thrive in response to microenvironmental selection pressures, dictating the phenotype of the tumor. The alternative cancer stem cell (CSC) model suggests that cancer cells with similar genetic BACKGROUNDs can be hierarchically organized according to their tumorigenic potential. Accordingly, CSCs reside at the apex of the hierarchy and are thought to possess the majority of a cancer's tumor-initiating and metastatic ability. A defining feature of this model is its apparent unidirectional nature, whereby CSCs undergo symmetric division to replenish the CSC pool and irreversible asymmetric division to generate daughter cells (non-CSCs) with low tumorigenic potential. However, evolving evidence supports a new model of tumorigenicity, in which considerable plasticity exists between the non-CSC and CSC compartments, such that non-CSCs can reacquire a CSC phenotype. These findings suggest that some tumors may adhere to a plastic CSC model, in which bidirectional conversions are common and essential components of tumorigenicity.

SUMMARY
Accumulating evidence surrounding the plasticity of cancer cells, in particular, suggests that aggressive CSCs can be created de novo within a tumor. Given the current focus on therapeutic targeting of CSCs, we discuss the implications of non-CSC-to-CSC conversions on the development of future therapies.
Zwischenstufen. Überlegungen zur Transzendenzproblematik in geistlichen Spielen
Authors: Koch Elke 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The article uses as its starting point the consideration that in religious communication there is either deparadoxation (whereby the understanding of ‘God’ is made more closely determinable and more capable of being connected to an immanent perspective) or a situation whereby paradoxes are developed (to such an extent that they lead to the Unverfügbarkeit of holiness). Furthermore, the question is posed on the strategies used in the liturgical dramas of the Late Middle Ages which create Verfügbarkeit through the debordering of holiness and by making it a daily commonplace. The main hypothesis is that holiness is not represented as being directly verfügbar, but appears rather in ‘intermediate stages’ as organised and staggered intermediaries.
Sprachliche Strategien zur Aktivierung und Deaktivierung von Diskursreferenten in deutschsprachigen Texten
Authors: Donhauser Karin , Petrova Svetlana 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Using as a starting point the finding that in linguistics Verfügbarkeit and Unverfügbarkeit have not yet been recognised as categories, the authors point out that strategies have, nevertheless, been investigated in a highly intensive way: these are aimed at the activiation of a certain knowledge in the recepient – thereby making this knowledge verfügbar (or not, as the case may be). In this process an important role is played by agents, which in linguistics are called ‘discourse referents’: the authors follow up the communicative potential of these discourse referents from a language historical-systematic perspective.
The Enigmatic Conservation of a Rap1 Binding Site in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HMR-E Silencer
Authors: Teytelman Leonid , Nishimura Erin A Osborne , Özaydin Bilge , Eisen Michael B , Rine Jasper 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Silencing at the HMR and HML loci in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires recruitment of Sir proteins to the HML and HMR silencers. The silencers are regulatory sites flanking both loci and consisting of binding sites for the Rap1, Abf1, and ORC proteins, each of which also functions at hundreds of sites throughout the genome in processes unrelated to silencing. Interestingly, the sequence of the binding site for Rap1 at the silencers is distinct from the genome-wide binding profile of Rap1, being a weaker match to the consensus, and indeed is bound with low affinity relative to the consensus sequence. Remarkably, this low-affinity Rap1 binding site variant was conserved among silencers of the sensu stricto Saccharomyces species, maintained as a poor match to the Rap1 genome-wide consensus sequence in all of them. We tested multiple predictions about the possible role of this binding-site variant in silencing by substituting the native Rap1 binding site at the HMR-E silencer with the genome-wide consensus sequence for Rap1. Contrary to the predictions from the current models of Rap1, we found no influence of the Rap1 binding site version on the kinetics of establishing silencing, nor on the maintenance of silencing, nor the extent of silencing. We further explored implications of these findings with regard to prevention of ectopic silencing, and deduced that the selective pressure for the unprecedented conservation of this binding site variant may not be related to silencing.
Population Dynamics ofPhytophthora infestansin the Netherlands Reveals Expansion and Spread of Dominant Clonal Lineages and Virulence in Sexual Offspring
Authors: Li Y , van der Lee T A J , Evenhuis A , van den Bosch G B M , van Bekkum P J , Förch M G , van Gent-Pelzer M P E , van Raaij H M G , Jacobsen E , Huang S W , Govers F , Vleeshouwers V G A A , Kessel G J T 
Published: December 2012

AbstractFor a comprehensive survey of the structure and dynamics of the Dutch Phytophthora infestans population, 652 P. infestans isolates were collected from commercial potato fields in the Netherlands during the 10-year period 2000–2009. Genotyping was performed using 12 highly informative microsatellite markers and mitochondrial haplotypes. In addition, for each isolate, the mating type was determined. STRUCTURE analysis grouped the 322 identified genotypes in three clusters. Cluster 1 consists of a single clonal lineage NL-001, known as “Blue_13”; all isolates in this cluster have the A2 mating type and the Ia mitochondrial haplotype. Clusters 2 and 3 display a more elaborate substructure containing many unique genotypes. In Cluster 3, several distinct clonal lineages were also identified. This survey witnesses that the Dutch population underwent dramatic changes in the 10 years under study. The most notable change was the emergence and spread of A2 mating type strain NL-001 (or “Blue_13”). The results emphasize the importance of the sexual cycle in generating genetic diversity and the importance of the asexual cycle as the propagation and dispersal mechanism for successful genotypes. Isolates were also screened for absence of the Avrblb1/ipiO class I gene, which is indicative for virulence on Rpi-blb1. This is also the first report of Rpi-blb1 breakers in the Netherlands. Superimposing the virulence screening on the SSR genetic backbone indicates that lack the Avrblb1/ipiO class I gene only occurred in sexual progeny. So far, the asexual spread of the virulent isolates identified has been limited.
Genetic Interactions Between Brassinosteroid-Inactivating P450s and Photomorphogenic Photoreceptors in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Sandhu Kulbir Singh , Hagely Katherine , Neff Michael M 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Plants use light as a source of information via a suite of photomorphogenic photoreceptors to optimize growth in response to their light environment. Growth-promoting hormones such as brassinosteroids also can modulate many of these responses. BAS1 and SOB7 are brassinosteroid-catabolizing P450s in Arabidopsis thaliana that synergistically/redundantly modulate photomorphogenic traits such as flowering time. The role of BAS1 and SOB7 in photomorphogenesis has been investigated by studying null-mutant genetic interactions with the photoreceptors phyA, phyB, and cry1 with regard to seed germination and flowering time. The removal of BAS1 and/or SOB7 rescued the low germination rate of the phyA-211 phyB-9 double-null mutant. With regard to floral induction, bas1-2 and sob7-1 showed a complex set of genetic interactions with photoreceptor-null mutants. Histochemical analysis of transgenic plants harboring BAS1:BAS1-GUS and SOB7:SOB7-GUS translational fusions under the control of their endogenous promoters revealed overlapping and distinct expression patterns. BAS1’s expression in the shoot apex increases during the phase transition from short-to-long-day growth conditions and requires phyB in red light. In summary, BAS1 and SOB7 displayed both simple and complex genetic interactions with the phytochromes in a plant-stage specific manner.
Key Initiatives towards HSE Excellence
Authors: Shaikh Mastan 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Description
This paper describes key initiatives of the HSE management system that has been developed, and implementation at KOC West Kuwait (WK) fields which resulted in 26 Million Man-Hours worked without any lost time injury till 31st March 2012.

Application
The multi-cultural composition of the workforce imposes specific difficulties in execution of HSE initiatives and application of the HSE Management System. Significant efforts have been made by HSE (WK) Team to address these areas using approaches such as communication & awareness on HSE Management System with all levels of Business partners and Company’s employees.
The initiatives and achievement that HSE West Kuwait has adopted resulted in minimizing the industrial incidents and Motor Vehicles Accidents. This paper also focuses on the process of implementation of various initiatives taken by the HSE (WK) to achieve a substantial lowering of HSE risks, reduction of disabling injuries and frequency rates, and employee HSE behavior, enhanced Contractor’s HSE performance and many more indirect positive results.

Significance of Subject Matter
All of the company’s activities have the potential to affect the health, safety and environment of its stakeholders and nearby communities in a positive or negative way. KOC is committed to managing these effects and the risks associated with its activities and products. To fulfill the commitment, HSE (WK) initiated following activities for the implementation of a HSE Management System at the field. Setting up of HSE (West Kuwait) Team and streamlining of responsibilities / functions.Clearance of Explosive Ordinance Disposal from West Kuwait key areas.HSE Compliance at Site by Leadership HSE visits.Communication with KOC Employees and Business Partners (Contractors).Road Safety Measures.Initiating and ensuring the presence of a Physician in WK Clinic.Active Participation in International Conferences.British Safety Council Award-International Safety Award for 2011 for WK Fields.Certification for the "Campaign of the Year" award by SHP-IOSH.Results and Conclusion.
Developing High H2S Facility Design Requirements in Conceptual Stage
Authors: Majeed M.. , Al-Khaledi S. M. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
In order to develop the design requirement with current regulatory and contemporary HSE practices, for a typical sour oil/gas production facility, a hypothetical case of about 3 mol % v/v H2S in gas and 300 ppm w/w H2S in oil, of multiphase feed stream, has been studied through the dispersion modeling for the conceptual stage. The findings indicated credible downwind lethal / semi lethal threat distance up to 300 meters. The conclusions of the H2S toxic risk assessment combined with the inherent safe design guidelines have yielded an entirely new set of requirement for the risk reduction. To start with it was realized that safe distance control room should be constructed and facilities should be designed for the remote operation, utilizing the new trends of foundation field bus, electronic marshaling and SIL-3 fiber optic sensors. The facility should be access controlled with mandatory PPE requirement of personal H2S monitors and personal quick donning (5 sec) escape SCABA (15 minutes capacity). The centrifugal compressors should be new generation design of enclosed and hermetically sealed type, levitated with magnetic bearing, without dry gas seals and oil lubrication. The vessels should be ASME Section VIII"lethal service" design and plant piping should be as per fluid category"M" of ASME B31.3 chapter VIII. Furthermore, stress relieving for thicknesses as low as 10 mm, rather than ASME B31.3 code specified &gt;19 mm would be required. Small valves &lt;4" sizes should be of forged steel instead of cast steel. The export oil/gas pipelines and flow lines should be designed for =&lt; 50~60 % of SMYS. Plate instead of Shell and Tube Exchangers. Adequate margins between vessels design and operating pressures to avoid PSV chattering. The PSV’s to have acoustic monitoring. The facilities should be designed free of valve pits and internal corrosion monitoring pits.
Elemental Chemostratigraphy Provides Improved Understanding of Reservoir Stratigraphy and Rock Properties for the Complex Najmah-Sargelu Reservoir of Umm Gudair Field, Kuwait
Authors: Al-Muraikhi Rasha , SinghaRay Dipak , Al-Khamees Waleed 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Najmah-Sargelu Formations of Kuwait show considerable potential as a new unconventional hydrocarbon play and produces mainly from fractures. The key uncertainties which affect the productivity are the nature and distribution of permeable fracture networks, and the limits of oil accumulation.
This paper presents the results from whole-rock elemental analysis of three cored wells in UG field. The main objectives of this study are to use high-resolution elemental chemostratigraphy to gain a better understanding of the detailed stratigraphy and correlation of the Najmah-Sargelu Formations, to assess the chemo-sedimentology for determining the intervals of high organic content, to estimate the mineralogy of the sequence using an algorithm developed for an analog formation in North America; and to determine the most likely intervals to contain fractures, using a brittleness algorithm.
A clear chemo stratigraphic zonation is recognized within the Najmah-Sargelu Formation. The larger divisions are driven mainly by inherent lithological variation. The finer divisions are delineated by more subtle chemo stratigraphic signals (K2O/Th and Rb/Al2O3 ratios) and preservation of organic matter (high V, Ni, Mo, and U abundances). Zones of alternating brittleness and ductility are clearly identified within the interbedded limestones and marlstones of Najmah-Sargelu Formation.
Two unexpected but important features of the Najmah-Sargelu limestones were elucidated by the elemental data. Brittle, high-silica spiculites, with virtually no clay or silt, are more common than previously recognized from petrophysical logs and core descriptions in the upper Najmah limestones. In addition, the limestones adjacent to the spiculites tend to contain bitumen as pore-filling are recognized by the trace metal proxies. Ternary plots of V, Ni, and Mo differentiate the combinations of kerogen and bitumen present in the Najmah-Sargelu Formations.
The clarity and sensitivity of the chemostratigraphic signals are sufficient to enhance formation evaluation, and can also assist borehole positioning using the RockWiseSM ED-XRF instrument at wellsite.
Thermal Recovery Potential of Shallow Sandstone Reservoir for Optimized Unconventional Development Strategy in Kuwait
Authors: Ferdous H.. , Choudhary P.. , Ahmad F.. , Abbas F.. , Ahmad K.. , Llerena J.. , Sammak I.. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
One pilot study presently being conducted through CSS thermal recovery technology to explore a shallow poorly-consolidated viscous oil bearing sandstone reservoir in Kuwait with extensive integrated reservoir evaluation efforts to optimize the future development strategy.
The reservoir largely consists of two separate deltaic sand packages representing multi-stacked channel facies resulting to stratified reservoir intervals with variable degree of fluid saturations. Reservoir characterization uncovers high matrix contents along with calcite, dolomite, and clays as cements which essentially control uneven pore-geometry that fabricate the petrofacies types into multiple thin stratified-pay intervals, each being &lt; 30’ thick with variable fluid saturations resulting from long transitional thief zones posing high risk for thermal recovery. Thus, a seemingly simple channel-based reservoir interval has been greatly altered by diagenetic episodes that need evaluation towards an arduous perforation, completion and production strategy to pursuit the well-defined individual thin pay-interval.
Single-well thermal recovery scheme under"injection-soak-production" sequence being conducted presently in three vertical wells, each subjected to first cycle injection of moderate quality steam (~75% at 4200 F) at rates 400 to 600 barrels EW/d at about 450 psig injection pressure for 26 to 71 days, followed by a soak period of 10 to 60 days. Subsequent total production estimates SOR between 0.2 and 0.9. In two wells, cumulative oil/water productions and 15% to 34% water cut indicate an excellent response to thermal stimulation. The encouraging injection parameters of steam slug size, high injection rates at low pressures, and subsequent productions provide valuable information towards upcoming second cycle injection and future steam flood strategy.
The ongoing CSS pilot is providing some critical information for the future commercial development phase. As such, all pertinent data are closely evaluated to ensuring the optimal strategy to meet the long-term development plan for this viscous oil asset.