bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Curcumin induces chemo/radio-sensitization in ovarian cancer cells and curcumin nanoparticles inhibit ovarian cancer cell growth
Authors: Yallapu Murali M , Maher Diane M , Sundram Vasudha , Bell Maria C , Jaggi Meena , Chauhan Subhash C 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background
Chemo/radio-resistance is a major obstacle in treating advanced ovarian cancer. The efficacy of current treatments may be improved by increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemo/radiation therapies. Curcumin is a naturally occurring compound with anti-cancer activity in multiple cancers; however, its chemo/radio-sensitizing potential is not well studied in ovarian cancer. Herein, we demonstrate the effectiveness of a curcumin pre-treatment strategy for chemo/radio-sensitizing cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells. To improve the efficacy and specificity of curcumin induced chemo/radio sensitization, we developed a curcumin nanoparticle formulation conjugated with a monoclonal antibody specific for cancer cells.

Methods
Cisplatin resistant A2780CP ovarian cancer cells were pre-treated with curcumin followed by exposure to cisplatin or radiation and the effect on cell growth was determined by MTS and colony formation assays. The effect of curcumin pre-treatment on the expression of apoptosis related proteins and β-catenin was determined by Western blotting or Flow Cytometry. A luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the effect of curcumin on β-catenin transcription activity. The poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle formulation of curcumin (Nano-CUR) was developed by a modified nano-precipitation method and physico-chemical characterization was performed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods.

Results
Curcumin pre-treatment considerably reduced the dose of cisplatin and radiation required to inhibit the growth of cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells. During the 6 hr pre-treatment, curcumin down regulated the expression of Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 pro-survival proteins. Curcumin pre-treatment followed by exposure to low doses of cisplatin increased apoptosis as indicated by annexin V staining and cleavage of caspase 9 and PARP. Additionally, curcumin pre-treatment lowered β-catenin expression and transcriptional activity. Nano-CUR was successfully generated and physico-chemical characterization of Nano-CUR indicated an average particle size of ~70 nm, steady and prolonged release of curcumin, antibody conjugation capability and effective inhibition of ovarian cancer cell growth.

Conclusion
Curcumin pre-treatment enhances chemo/radio-sensitization in A2780CP ovarian cancer cells through multiple molecular mechanisms. Therefore, curcumin pre-treatment may effectively improve ovarian cancer therapeutics. A targeted PLGA nanoparticle formulation of curcumin is feasible and may improve the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of curcumin.
The role of transposable elements in the evolution of non-mammalian vertebrates and invertebrates
Authors: Sela Noa , Kim Eddo , Ast Gil 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Background
Transposable elements (TEs) have played an important role in the diversification and enrichment of mammalian transcriptomes through various mechanisms such as exonization and intronization (the birth of new exons/introns from previously intronic/exonic sequences, respectively), and insertion into first and last exons. However, no extensive analysis has compared the effects of TEs on the transcriptomes of mammals, non-mammalian vertebrates and invertebrates.

Results
We analyzed the influence of TEs on the transcriptomes of five species, three invertebrates and two non-mammalian vertebrates. Compared to previously analyzed mammals, there were lower levels of TE introduction into introns, significantly lower numbers of exonizations originating from TEs and a lower percentage of TE insertion within the first and last exons. Although the transcriptomes of vertebrates exhibit significant levels of exonization of TEs, only anecdotal cases were found in invertebrates. In vertebrates, as in mammals, the exonized TEs are mostly alternatively spliced, indicating that selective pressure maintains the original mRNA product generated from such genes.

Conclusions
Exonization of TEs is widespread in mammals, less so in non-mammalian vertebrates, and very low in invertebrates. We assume that the exonization process depends on the length of introns. Vertebrates, unlike invertebrates, are characterized by long introns and short internal exons. Our results suggest that there is a direct link between the length of introns and exonization of TEs and that this process became more prevalent following the appearance of mammals.
Peramivir: An Intravenous Neuraminidase Inhibitor for the Treatment of 2009 H1N1 Influenza
Authors: Mancuso Carissa E , Gabay Michael P , Steinke Leah M , Vanosdol Sherilyn J 
Published: June 2010

Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of peramivir, an unapproved neuraminidase inhibitor recently granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of 2009 H1N1 influenza in select patients. Data Sources: Literature was accessed via MEDLINE (1950–April 2010) using the search terms peramivir, BCX-1812, RWJ 270201, influenza H1N1, swine influenza, and neuraminidase inhibitors. The manufacturer of peramivir, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, was contacted for unpublished data and information presented at recent scientific meetings. Information was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA Web sites. The mandatory requirements for the EUA for peramivir were also consulted. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Available English-language literature was reviewed and selected based on relevance, as was information from the CDC, FDA, and the drug manufacturer. Data Synthesis: The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic has necessitated the selective use of intravenous peramivir, an unapproved neuraminidase inhibitor. Intravenous peramivir has been studied in 4 clinical trials, 2 of which compared the drug to oseltamivir. Dose adjustments are required in pediatric patients and in those with impaired renal function. Clinicians wishing to use peramivir must request authorization from the CDC to confirm patient characteristics warranting its use and to verify the prescriber's understanding of dosing considerations and unapproved status. Conclusions: Peramivir has shown efficacy for the treatment of 2009 H1N1 influenza; however, it has yet to receive FDA approval. Peramivir is used in hospitalized adult and pediatric patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza meeting specific criteria, including those unable to receive inhaled or oral neuraminidase inhibitors, those who have not responded to other neuraminidase inhibitors, or when drug delivery by a route other than intravenous is not feasible.
Wearable artefacts as research vehicles
Authors: Beloff Laura 
Published: June 2010

The wearable technology field, including terms and areas such as wearable computing and fashionable technology, has been evolving at the cross-section of various disciplines including science, technology, arts, augmented reality, design, cybernetics, ergonomics and fashion. As an example, the research community in wearable computing has been carrying out profound work in understanding and defining many key principles in the field. According to these researchers, the wearable computer is understood as a kind of extension of the body, which enables it to perform tasks that would not otherwise be possible, such as being in several places at the same time.1This is an example of one of the approaches currently existing in this multifaceted field. The field also contains other detectable approaches, each with their own distinct aim. These approaches vary from developing solutions to engineering problems to developments in fashion and design and further to more conceptual approaches in addressing the field with what the author refers to as a playful attitude. When one investigates various projects in the wearable field more closely one can detect at least three clearly distinct approaches. The first approach is to follow the general guidelines for wearable computing development and objectives defined during the 1990s. The second approach sometimes called fashionable technology, to some extent follows similar directives as the first approach, but, in addition, it is strongly related to traditions and expectations in the areas of fashion and textile. The third approach has self-defined aims, which are partially contradictory to the general goals prevailing in the field. This third approach has been left almost without a notice in publications emerging from the field as well as in other theoretical writings concerned of art and technology. Until now the wearable technology field has been discussed primarily as one unified area striving towards similar goals.This article investigates this third approach. It asks how and why some of the projects in the field seem to differ from the general goals persisting in the field, and examines what the possible motivations and intentions behind this alternative approach are. Lastly, the article introduces the Hybronaut as a concept related to the author's practice and research.
A Population-Based Study of Sexual Orientation Identity and Gender Differences in Adult Health
Authors: Conron Kerith J. , Mimiaga Matthew J. , Landers Stewart J. 
Published: June 2010

Objectives. We provide estimates of several leading US adult health indicators by sexual orientation identity and gender to fill gaps in the current literature. Methods. We aggregated data from the 2001–2008 Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance surveys (N = 67 359) to examine patterns in self-reported health by sexual orientation identity and gender, using multivariable logistic regression. Results. Compared with heterosexuals, sexual minorities (i.e., gays/lesbians, 2% of sample; bisexuals, 1%) were more likely to report activity limitation, tension or worry, smoking, drug use, asthma, lifetime sexual victimization, and HIV testing, but did not differ on 3-year Papanicolaou tests, lifetime mammography, diabetes, or heart disease. Compared with heterosexuals, bisexuals reported more barriers to health care, current sadness, past-year suicidal ideation, and cardiovascular disease risk. Gay men were less likely to be overweight or obese and to obtain prostate-specific antigen tests, and lesbians were more likely to be obese and to report multiple risks for cardiovascular disease. Binge drinking and lifetime physical intimate partner victimization were more common among bisexual women. Conclusions. Sexual orientation disparities in chronic disease risk, victimization, health care access, mental health, and smoking merit increased attention. More research on heterogeneity in health and health determinants among sexual minorities is needed.
A Design Strength Equation for Collapse of Expanded OCTG
Authors: Klever Frans J. 
Published: June 2010

Summary
Expandable tubulars provide exciting new opportunities for well design and construction. This technology has permitted access to hydrocarbons that could not be reached by conventional drilling techniques. Design tools similar to those available for conventional oil-country tubular goods (OCTG) are required to facilitate further dissemination and application of expandable tubulars. In particular, equations for performance properties of expanded pipe are needed.
This paper describes a method for developing an equation for the design collapse strength of any particular expandable-pipe product. It is based on the combination of collapse-test data and theoretical modeling, and its statistical approach is fully consistent with that used for conventional OCTG described in ISO/TR 10400:2007 (2007) or API TR 5C3 (2008).
On the basis of an example set of expanded L80 pipes, results are presented fitting the collapse data with an anisotropic version of the Klever and Tamano (KT) collapse equation (Klever and Tamano 2006) that has been calibrated recently to conventional OCTG. By adapting three parameters, the anisotropic KT model can also model the collapse strength of the expanded-pipe data over a range of pipe diameters, wall thicknesses, and expansion ratios. The historical API BULL 5C3 (1994) collapse formulas, even with adapted plastic-collapse parameters and reduced yield strength (YS), were found not suitable for matching this set of expanded-pipe collapse data.
Manufacturers may use the procedure described in this paper to develop design strength equations for specific expandable-pipe products, leading to product-specific sets of best-fit KT model parameters. The new equation takes account of the theoretical effect of internal pressure and axial load on collapse. The API SC5 RG ET Resource Group on expandable tubulars is incorporating the approach presented in this paper into the draft API RP 5-EX Recommended Practice.
Stimulating Unconventional Reservoirs: Maximizing Network Growth While Optimizing Fracture Conductivity
Authors: Warpinski N.R. , Mayerhofer M.J. , Vincent M.C. , Cipolla C.L. , Lolon E.P. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Unconventional reservoirs such as gas shales and tight gas sands require technology-based solutions for optimum development. The successful exploitation of these reservoirs has relied on some combination of horizontal drilling, multi-stage completions, innovative fracturing and fracture mapping to engineer economic completions. However, the requirements for economic production all hinge on the matrix permeability of these reservoirs, supplemented by the conductivity that can be generated in hydraulic fractures and network fracture systems. Simulations demonstrate that ultra-low shale permeabilities require an interconnected fracture network of moderate conductivity with a relatively small spacing between fractures to obtain reasonable recovery factors. Microseismic mapping demonstrates that such networks are achievable and the subsequent production from these reservoirs supports both the modelling and the mapping. Tight gas sands, having orders of magnitude greater permeability than the gas shales, may be successfully depleted without inducing complex fracture networks, but other issues of damage and zonal coverage complicate recovery in these reservoirs. As with the shales, mapping has proved itself to be valuable in assessing the fracturing results.

Introduction
Unconventional reservoirs provide a significant fraction of gas production in North America and increasing amounts in some other regions of the world. Such reservoirs include tight gas sands, coalbed methane (CBM), and gas shales; in 2006 these reservoirs provided 43% of the US production of natural gas [Kuuskraa(1)]. Because of their limited permeability, which is foremost among many other complexities, some type of stimulation process (and/or dewatering in the case of CBM) is required to engender economic recovery from wells drilled into these formations. The focus of this paper is on gas shales, with particular emphasis on how these reservoirs perform relative to tight gas sands. The important role of natural fractures in both the stimulation and production processes, the importance of conductivity in the developed fracture or fracture system, and the critical influence of the matrix permeability are investigated using both mapping and modeling results.
Multilaterals Drilling and Sustainable Openhole Production from Theory to Field-Case Studies
Authors: Hoang Son K. , Abousleiman Younane N. , Al-Tahini Ashraf 
Published: June 2010

Summary
Drilling and production optimization are two closely related operations for successful well construction and reservoir management, in particular for multilaterals. Unfortunately, to date, analytical study for the stability of multilaterals has been very limited because of the complex geometry and stress state involved. This work entails a recently derived analytical solution to estimate the safe mudweight window for wellbore stability during drilling and to predict the maximum pressure depletion for a stable junction during production. The presented solution is capable of handling the complexity of the 3D anisotropic state of stress as well as any main-bore and lateral size, inclination, and azimuth. The study shows that the design of multilateral junctions, especially inclination and azimuth of both wellbores with respect to regional in-situ stresses, plays a crucial role in the multilateral-junction stability and the critical pressure depletion to prevent solids production and wellbore collapse. A field case study of an openhole multilateral well drilled in the Khuff-C formation, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia, is analyzed here with drilling data, core-retrieved rock properties, and pressure-depletion and production estimates. The results showed alternative optimized completions that could have been applied early in the drilling and branching of the laterals. Practical guidelines concerning branching optimization have been established for junction planning and execution. The new analytical modeling has also been calibrated with a published peer-reviewed large-scale experimental program simulating both the anisotropy of far-field stresses and the complex junction geometry with exceptional qualitative and quantitative results.
Multiphase Well-Rate Measurements Applied to Reservoir Analysis
Authors: Tosic S.. , Mehdizadeh P.. 
Published: June 2010

Summary
New technology of multiphase measurement has been widely adopted by the oil industry. The meters that use this technology are either permanently installed or periodically used for well testing during, for example, flowback, well appraisal, and trials. Consistent, reliable, and accurate flow measurement plays an important role in reservoir and production engineering. However, industry trends show that many practitioners do not fully use the potential of continuous online measurements for reservoir- and production-engineering assessments. This paper will show how online-multiphase-measurement data can be applied to reservoir and production analyses and how additional useful results can be obtained. Field examples from the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) will be presented to support the process.
To start, the paper reviews the role of pressure-transient analysis (PTA) and flux rate for assessing the health of the reservoir. PTA gives useful information about the health of the well (skin) and the reservoir properties. It is an established analysis methodology that requires two important inputs—bottomhole pressure and flow rate. If the flow rates are not accurate, the results from PTA would be erroneous, and calculation of downhole-flow velocity would be incorrect. These uncertainties could result in wells producing below or above optimal levels. Either case would lead to production loss or well damage and the need for remedial workover. Unfortunately, the maximum safe-rate term is not easy to predict. With high-producing wells, minor measurement error can result in significant inaccuracies in related calculations for reservoir or well parameters. For instance, if the well-flow velocity in the formation exceeds the critical velocity for fines movement, formation fines would start moving. Once they start moving, additional near-wellbore-region damage would be created or the screen may get eroded.
Production-data analysis (PDA) such as rate-normalized-pres- sure (RNP) analysis in conjunction with continuous flow-rate measurements, provided by an online multiphase flowmeter (MPFM), can be used to obtain additional reservoir parameters. In applications discussed in this paper, flow rates from the multiphase meters were used extensively for reservoir and well surveillance, flow assurance, and the well-production allocation.
Adaptively Localized Continuation-Newton Method—Nonlinear Solvers That Converge All the Time
Authors: Younis R.M.. M. , Tchelepi H.A.. A. , Aziz K.. 
Published: June 2010

Summary
Growing interest in understanding, predicting, and controlling advanced oil-recovery methods emphasizes the importance of numerical methods that exploit the nature of the underlying physics. The fully implicit method offers unconditional stability of the discrete approximations. This stability comes at the expense of transferring the inherent physical stiffness onto the coupled nonlinear residual equations that are solved at each timestep. Current reservoir simulators apply safeguarded variants of Newton's method that can neither guarantee convergence nor provide estimates of the relation between convergence rate and timestep size. In practice, timestep chops become necessary and are guided heuristically. With growing complexity, such as in thermally reactive compositional flows, convergence difficulties can lead to substantial losses in computational effort and prohibitively small timesteps. We establish an alternative class of nonlinear iteration that converges and associates a timestep to each iteration. Moreover, the linear solution process within each iteration is performed locally.
By casting the nonlinear residual equations for a given timestep as an initial-value problem, we formulate a continuation-based solution process that associates a timestep size with each iteration. Subsequently, no iterations are wasted and a solution is always attainable. Moreover, we show that the rate of progression is as rapid as that for a convergent standard Newton method. Moreover, by exploiting the local nature of nonlinear wave propagation typical to multiphase-flow problems, we establish a linear solution process that performs computation only where necessary. That is, given a linear convergence tolerance, we identify a minimal subset of solution components that will change by more than the specified tolerance. Using this a priori criterion, each linear step solves a reduced system of equations. Several challenging examples are presented, and the results demonstrate the robustness and computational efficiency of the proposed method.