bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In-vivo near-infrared optical imaging of growing osteosarcoma cell lesions xenografted in mice: dual-channel quantitative evaluation of volume and mineralization
Authors: Nakayama Hitoshi , Kawase Tomoyuki , Okuda Kazuhiro , Wolff Larry F , Yoshie Hiromasa 
Published: October 2011

Background In a previous study using a rodent osteosarcoma-grafted rat model, in which cell-dependent mineralization was previously demonstrated to proportionally increase with growth, we performed a quantitative analysis of mineral deposit formation using 99mTc-HMDP and found some weaknesses, such as longer acquisition time and narrower dynamic ranges (i.e. images easily saturated). The recently developed near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging technique is expected to non-invasively evaluate changes in living small animals in a quantitative manner. Purpose To test the feasibility of NIR imaging with a dual-channel system as a better alternative for bone scintigraphy by quantitatively evaluating mineralization along with the growth of osteosarcoma lesions in a mouse-xenograft model. Material and Methods The gross volume and mineralization of osteosarcoma lesions were evaluated in living mice simultaneously with dual-channels by NIR dye-labeled probes, 2-deoxyglucose (DG) and pamidronate (OS), respectively. To verify these quantitative data, retrieved osteosarcoma lesions were then subjected to ex-vivo imaging, weighing under wet conditions, microfocus-computed tomography (μCT) analysis, and histopathological examination. Results Because of less scattering and no anatomical overlapping, as generally shown, specific fluorescence signals targeted to the osteosarcoma lesions could be determined clearly by ex-vivo imaging. These data were well positively correlated with the in-vivo imaging data ( r > 0.8, P < 0.02). Other good to excellent correlations ( r > 0.8, P < 0.02) were observed between DG accumulation and tumor gross volume and between OS accumulation and mineralization volume. Conclusion This in-vivo NIR imaging technique using DG and OS is sensitive to the level to simultaneously detect and quantitatively evaluate the growth and mineralization occuring in this type of osteosarcoma lesions of living mice without either invasion or sacrifice. By possible mutual complementation, this dual imaging system might be useful for accurate diagnosis even in the presence of overlapping tissues.
Accuracy of CT-guided biopsies in 158 patients with thoracic spinal lesions
Authors: Hao DJ , Sun HH , He BR , Liu TJ , Jiang YH , Zhao QP 
Published: October 2011

Background Inconsistent accuracies of CT-guided thoracic spinal biopsies have been reported in previous studies. Purpose To determine the accuracy of CT-guided thoracic spinal biopsy, to compare the results with those previously reported, and to determine if there are any factors that influence the accuracy of CT-guided thoracic spinal biopsy. Material and Methods In total, 158 consecutive CT-guided percutaneous thoracic spine procedures (performed at the Department of Spinal Surgery, Xi‘an Red Cross Hospital between April 2000 and July 2010) were reviewed. The 158 lesions were categorized by location and radiographic features. Pathological and clinical follow-up were used to determine accuracy. Results The diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided thoracic spinal biopsy was 90.5% overall. Biopsy of metastatic bone disease (98.2%) was significantly more accurate than biopsies of primary tumors (80.9%) and of hematological malignancies (47.0%) ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively). The diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided thoracic spinal biopsy was significantly higher for the lower thoracic spine (97.6%) than for the middle (90.0%) or upper thoracic spine (80.4%) ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.025, respectively). The diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher for lytic lesions (96.4%) than for sclerotic lesions (81.3%) ( P < 0.010). The accuracy of biopsies performed using the transpedicular approach (91.0%) was not significantly different from that of biopsies performed using posterolateral approaches (91.5%) (0.25 < P < 0.5). Conclusion Percutaneous CT-guided thoracic spinal biopsy is a viable alternative to open surgical biopsy. The diagnostic accuracy was not affected by any of the variables except for lesion level, histology, and radiographic features.
Prevalence and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in 2479 hypopituitary patients with adult-onset GH deficiency before GH replacement: a KIMS analysis
Authors: Verhelst Johan , Mattsson Anders F , Luger Anton , Thunander Maria , Góth Miklós I , Kołtowska-Häggström Maria , Abs Roger 
Published: October 2011

ObjectiveAn increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adult GH deficiency (GHD) may be related to hypopituitarism but also to the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our objective was to investigate the characteristics and prevalence of MetS as well as its comorbidities in adult GHD.DesignIn KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) 2479 patients with severe adult-onset GHD, naïve to GH replacement, with complete information on all MetS components were found. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP) and the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF).MethodsThe prevalence of MetS was calculated and compared with previously published data from the normal population. Associations were assessed between background variables, baseline variables, comorbidities, and MetS.ResultsMetS was present in 43.1% (NCEP) and in 49.1% (IDF) of patients, clearly higher than data from the normal population (20–30%). MetS prevalence was related to age, GHD duration, and body mass index (BMI), but not to GHD severity, extent of hypopituitarism, or etiology of pituitary disease. Adjusted for age, gender, and BMI, patients with MetS had a higher prevalence ratio for diabetes mellitus: 4.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.29–6.58), for cardiovascular morbidity: 1.91 (95% CI: 1.33–2.75), and for cerebrovascular morbidity: 1.77 (95% CI: 1.09–2.87) than patients without MetS.ConclusionsMetS is highly prevalent in GHD and is associated with a higher prevalence ratio for comorbidities. The presence of MetS in GHD may therefore contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality found in these patients.
Labor Market Effects of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Authors: Hore John , Carrington William J. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
We study the labor market effects of the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, which was the largest U.S. oceanic oil spill prior to the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill. We find that employment and average earnings increased in 1989 when the cleanup effort was largest and there appears to have been little, if any, adverse effect on average labor market opportunities in later years. Increased wages elicited increased labor supply in the form of both in-migration of workers and increased weekly hours. While the labor market effects of the spill were largely beneficial, there is some evidence that the effects upon self-employed fishing boat owners in the region may have been more heterogeneous, with some owners signing lucrative cleanup contracts with Exxon and its agents while others did not. The existence of these positive labor effects does not address the significant environmental, psychological and social costs imposed on the region and on the communities whose livelihood and organization were affected by the spill.
Nowhere to Run and Nowhere to Hide: The Relationship between Entrepreneurial Success and Feelings of Entrapment
Authors: Wood Matthew S. , Rowe Jonathan D. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
One unintended consequence of entrepreneurial action may be that the entrepreneur becomes intertwined with the business. This phenomenon is called entrapment and we draw on Becker’s Side-Bet Theory to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial success, individual differences, and feelings of entrapment. The general logic is that as venture success increases entrepreneurs are better able to satisfy commitments and have a greater sense of alternatives that reduce feelings of entrapment. We surveyed 122 active entrepreneurs and found support for the venture success — feelings of entrapment relationship. We also found significant direct relationships between feelings of entrapment and attitude towards risk and fear of failure, however, these variables did not moderate the venture success — entrapment relationship. One implication of our findings is that entrepreneurs running marginally performing businesses are likely to experience greater feelings of entrapment.
Innovation: Meager Private Gains, Enormous Social Gains
Authors: Baumol William 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
There is strong evidence that invention is an activity that is very risky for the inventor and that those who participate in the invention process, taken as a group, obtain a minuscule share of the benefits. Nevertheless, the evidence also indicates that the social benefits of invention in recent centuries have been enormous. Yet, the relatively few examples of enormous payoffs to the inventors and their investors may serve, like the multimillion dollar prizes offered by some lotteries, to stimulate a level of inventive activity that may even be close to the social optimum.
Immune Deficiency Could be An Early Risk Factor for Altered Insulin Sensitivity in Antiretroviral-Naive HIV-1-Infected Patients: The Anrs Copana Cohort
Authors: Boufassa Faroudy , Goujard Cécile , Viard Jean-Paul , Carlier Robert , Lefebvre Bénédicte , Yeni Patrick , Bouchaud Olivier , Capeau Jacqueline , Meyer Laurence , Vigouroux Corinne ,   for the ANRS COPANA Cohort Study Group
Published: October 2011

Background The relationships between immunovirological status, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance and fat distribution have not been studied in recently diagnosed (<1 year) antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients. Methods We studied 214 antiretroviral-naive patients at enrolment in the metabolic substudy of the ANRS COPANA cohort. We measured clinical, immunovirological and inflammatory parameters, glucose/insulin during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), adipokines, subcutaneous and visceral fat surfaces (subcutaneous adipose tissue [SAT] and visceral adipose tissue [VAT], assessed by computed tomography) and the body fat distribution based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Results Median age was 36 years; 28% of the patients were female and 35% of sub-Saharan origin; 20% had low CD4+ T-cell counts (≤200/mm3). Patients with low CD4+ T-cell counts were older and more frequently of sub-Saharan Africa origin, had lower body mass index (BMI) but no different SAT/VAT ratio and fat distribution than other patients. They also had lower total, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterolaemia, higher triglyceridaemia and post-OGTT glycaemia, higher markers of insulin resistance (insulin during OGTT and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2). After adjustment for age, sex, geographic origin, BMI and waist circumference, increased insulin resistance was not related to any inflammatory marker. In multivariate analysis, low CD4+ T-cell count was an independent risk factor for altered insulin sensitivity (β-coefficient for HOMA-IR: +0.90; P=0.001; CD4+ T-cell count >500/mm3 as the reference), in addition to older age (P: +0.26 for a 10-year increase; P=0.01) and higher BMI (P: +0.07 for a 1-kg/m2 increase; P=0.003). Conclusions In ART-naive patients, severe immune deficiency but not inflammation could be an early risk factor for altered insulin sensitivity.
Relative Impact of Ribavirin Monitoring and HIV Coinfection on Sustained Virological Response in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors:   the RibAct group, Piedoux Sarah , Monnet Elisabeth , Piroth Lionel , Montange Damien , Royer Bernard , Thevenot Thierry , Kantelip Jean Pierre , Martino Vincent Di , Muret Patrice 
Published: October 2011

Background In chronic hepatitis C, higher ribavirin (RBV) concentrations are associated with sustained virological response (SVR); target concentration cutoffs have been proposed. As RBV displays interindividual variability, monitoring of RBV plasma levels appears relevant. The impact of RBV therapeutic drug monitoring (TDMRBV) on SVR has not been explored in current practice. Our study aimed to assess this impact. Methods Three patient groups were defined as RBV cutoffs achieved at week 12 (group A1), not achieved (group A2), and one without RBV concentration assessment (group B). A predictive model assessed the group impact on SVR in multivariate analysis, while adjusting for additional predictive factors. A specific evaluation of HIV–HCV-coinfected patients was performed. Results A total of 122 patients were included. In group A1 ( n=30, HIV-positive =18), SVR, relapse and non-response rates were 60%, 17% and 23%, respectively; in group A2 ( n=32, HIV-positive =18), 25%, 19% and 56%, respectively; and in group B ( n=60, HIV-positive =3), 52%, 33% and 15%, respectively ( P=0.0004). The patient group was an independent predictor of SVR ( P=0.01), along with baseline viral load and HCV genotype. HIV coinfection did not impede the SVR rate. The cutoffs were achieved in 62% and 28% ( P=0.008) of patients, when TDMRBV was performed or not, respectively. Conclusions The achievement of RBV cutoffs is a predictive factor of SVR independent of HIV coinfection. It makes it possible to reach high SVR rates, avoid relapse and obtain the same SVR rates in HIV–HCV-coinfected as in HCV-monoinfected patients. TDMRBV enables RBV concentration cutoffs to be reached more frequently and could thus be a useful tool to optimize hepatitis C treatment.
Characterization of the Pinda Reservoir (Angola): Delivering New Insight Through Advanced LWD Imaging Tools and Techniques
Authors: Railton Andrew , Clark Caroline Elizabeth , Celia Santos 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
The Pinda Reservoir was the first producing reservoir of the Lower Congo Basin in Angola and as such its mixed clastic and carbonate lithologies have been extensively characterized over the previous two decades. Understanding the Pinda Reservoir is often challenging due to highly complex lithologies and the relationships of secondary porosity to permeability. This paper describes how, use of advanced logging-while-drilling (LWD) imaging technologies, in combination with innovative real-time and post-processing methods delivers new insight into previously established interpretations of the reservoir.
The study used data acquired in two development wells drilled within the Pinda Reservoir offshore Angola. A selection of LWD images, of a quality never previously achieved within the Pinda Reservoir, were acquired. These included: bulk density, photoelectric effect, density correction (Delta-Rho), and high-resolution electrical images. In addition, real-time resistivity images were employed to identify intervals suitable for formation pressure testing and improve operational efficiency.
The overall objective of the acquisition programme was to effectively characterize the reservoir to the maximum possible extent given the technologies available. A key component of this was the imaging technology and examples are shown of the various image types and their associated interpretations. These included; structural dip computation, borehole quality indicators, sedimentological feature description, and characterization of fractures, faults and vugs as well as in-situ stress indicators.
Innovative methods of acquisition and analysis were deployed for the first time in Angola, delivering comprehensive evaluation of the formation and adding new understanding into what is historically the most significant producing reservoir in Angola. The operator now considers the acquisition of this type of data as a key component to the future development of the Pinda Reservoir.

Introduction
The reservoir data used in this study was obtained from two wells (Angola_x12 and Angola_x15) which formed part of a three-well infield drilling programme undertaken in an offshore block Angola. The primary well objectives for Angola_x12 and Angola-x15 were to assess and produce hydrocarbon from the Pinda Reservoir.
Challenges and Solutions of Stimulating Carbonate Reservoirs in Timano-Pechora, Russia
Authors: Faizov Yuri , Levanyuk Olesya Vladimirovna , Fu Diankui , Ivanova Olga , Lungwitz Bernhard R. , Mauth Kevin D. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Located in northern Russian, the Timano-Pechora province covers a large variety of oil and gas fields with different formation properties and characteristics. These include formation temperatures (BHST) ranging from ~ 40°C to ~100°C, permeability of 20 to 400 mD, and the presence of 1 to 3% H2S. Many wells have long, perforated intervals of up to 80 to 100 m and produce heavy oil with high-wax-appearance. Stimulation treatments in the region also face such operational challenges as harsh surface weather conditions, difficulty in flowback from low formation pressure, and long shut-in times. Because most of the wells have electric submersible pumps (ESPs) in place, well interventions are often limited to straddle packer or coiled-tubing operations. Some wells are remotely located, with only 2 to 3 months of road accessibility. In addition, there is limited information available for wells to be treated. The supply and purity of acids, as well as inhibitors added by the manufacturer, can also present potential problems, such as incompatibility with other additives and formation of emulsions.
To address the challenges of acidizing in the Timano-Pechora region, a comprehensive laboratory and field approach was applied. To achieve better zonal coverage in these heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs, a viscoelastic surfactant (VES)-based self-diverting acid system was deployed. It consists of a VES and HCl. The new system self-diverts triggered by the increases in viscosity as the acid dissolves calcite and dolomite. The viscosity of spent fluid is reduced by produced hydrocarbon, leaving no solid residue to cause formation damage. Field results demonstrate the effectiveness of the new acid system. The simplicity of the system makes it the fluid of choice, especially in sour environments. The absence of metallic crosslinkers in this system eliminates problems associated with sulfide precipitation in sour wells.

Introduction
Timano-Pechora oil and gas province is located in Northern Russia spanning across Komi republic, Arkhangelsk and Nenets regions (see regional map in Fig. 1). This remote region covers a large variety of oil and gas fields with different formation properties and characteristics, formations and challenges. Although exploration drilling was started as early as1890, the first light oil field (Chibyuskoe field) was only discovered 40 years later in 1930, which was followed with heavy oil field (Yaregskoe field) in 1932. The region currently has more than 75 fields representing over 230 different carbonate and sandstone formations. Those oilfields, both brown and green, are owned by several government and private E&P companies. While the brown fields are mostly on third development stage, the green fields are located extremely remotely with almost no road accessibility.
Extended Reach Wells Outside Of Industry Standard Practices
Authors: Biddle Nathan Allan , Camargo Gabriel Rocha , Dos Santos Pena Vila Priscila , Collares Andre , Orellana Grover Luis , Beasley Roy , Brecknock David 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Drilling shallow water directional wells with a reach vs. vertical depth ratio of 2.6:1 to a TVD of ~2200m has become a routine practice in the industry. Extended reach wells with this profile are no longer considered "extreme reach" and standard practices are being taught and implemented on a daily basis. An example of these standard extended reach practices include applications such as; controlled ROP's, cuttings bed clean-up cycles, high 3-6rpm mud rheologies, casing flotation, frequent drag tests and minimized backreaming. These practices have been tested and proven in numerous wells. However, following these standards does not always lead to the best results or most efficient well construction.
The Polvo project is a shallow water development located in the South part of the Campos Basin, offshore Brazil. During development drilling, both well design and drilling procedures stepped away from the extended reach "standards", resulting in improvement in drilling performance and wellbore quality. Several unorthodox drilling practices that were implemented on Polvo contributed to the drilling team setting various Brazilian records for longest extended reach wellbore and fastest ROP in two different hole sizes.
This paper intends to summarize the successes that were achieved on Polvo and detail the drilling practices that were implemented. The focus of the paper is on practices that went against industry standards and were proven to improve ROP, decrease trip time and improve casing running which provided a 35% overall reduction in well delivery time and cost.
Emphasis is placed on lessons learned that were applied to design and operations for the drilling of the Pol-O ERD well (Measured depth of 6,489m and step-out of 5,615 m). Pol-O is the Brazilian record holding well for total step-out and ROP in 8-1/2?? hole size.
As development of new fields in Brazil increases, the importance of efficiently drilling extended reach wells is becoming critical. The experiences and learning's on Polvo can assist the industry (expressly in the Campos Basin) with drilling practices to improve performance and decrease well delivery cost.

Introduction
The Polvo field is located approximately 100km off the southeastern coast of Rio de Janeiro state in the Campos Basin (Figure 1). The development area is situated within the BMC-8 block which was acquired in the 2nd round of lease auctions in Brazil by Devon Energy do Brasil (Devon). In May 2011, all of Devon's assets were acquired by BP Energy do Brasil (BP) whom currently owns and operates the Polvo field. All development drilling in the Polvo field takes place from a platform based drilling rig above a total water depth of 104m (NOTE: All depths listed in this paper are based upon RKB, therefore water depth is included).