bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of Hydraulic Port Collars in Two Stage Cementing Operations Reduces Rig Time/Drilling Cost in the Permian Basin
Authors: Giffin David , Ortez Ybes , O’Grady Tom , Loginov Arthur , Venus Greg 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Operators in the Permian Basin have been performing two stage cementing operations on their casing strings for decades utilizing conventional diverter tool technology, often in combination with casing annulus packers.
Over time, issues with legacy diverter tools (DV) have been identified and solutions sought. These issues range from longer than desired time to drill-out the DV tool, reluctance to drill-out a DV tool with a directional assembly due to drill bit dulling and premature drilling motor/MWD failures, damage to the DV tool while drilling causing leaks and remediation, and an inability to pressure test the whole casing string after cementing. A development effort was made to eliminate these issues. The Hydraulic Port Collar (HPC) was designed and extensive qualification/testing of the HPC design was performed prior to field deployment. Running procedures were written and revised in consultation with a variety of operators. Several wells were identified for field trials. The wells were selected based on the operator’s desire to eliminate a DV tool drill-out. The wells had complex directional plans that required high bend drilling motors resulting in the operator’s reluctance to drill-out conventional DV tools with the curve BHA’s.
The hydraulic port collar functioned as designed on all field trials. Pressure readings from the cement trucks confirmed the tools opened within the calculated pressures and closed and sheared out within the calculated pressures. Full communication of compressed volume, from the float collar to surface was achieved, allowing the operator to perform a full string casing test. The wiper plug was mechanically confirmed as released from the HPC and subsequently pushed to bottom and drilled up when the shoe track was drilled out. Utilizing curve BHA’s with 2.12° to 2.38° bend motors, all wells were drilled and landed in the drilling window with one curve BHA run. As a result, dedicated DV tool drill-out runs were eliminated, no unusual damage or dulling of the curve BHA was observed and no post drill-out damage/leaks at the HPC were experienced. A review of the field trials showed efficiency gains up to 40% when compared to previous operations where legacy DV tools had been deployed. These trials confirm that the novel Hydraulic Port Collar can increase operator efficiency in wells that require two stage cementing operations.
This paper will document case histories and lessons learn to date.
Prioritization of maternal and newborn health policies and their implementation in the eastern conflict affected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo: a political economy analysis.
Authors: Bigirinama Rosine Nshobole , Mothupi Mamothena Carol , Mwene-Batu Pacifique Lyabayungu , Kozuki Naoko , Chiribagula Christian Zalinga , Chimanuka Christine Murhim'Alika , Ngaboyeka Gaylord Amani , Bisimwa Ghislain Balaluka 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality remains a major concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the country's protracted crisis context exacerbates the problem. This political economy analysis examines the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) prioritization in the DRC, focusing specifically on the conflict-affected regions of North and South Kivu. The aim is to understand the factors that facilitate or hinder the prioritization of MNH policy development and implementation by the Congolese government and other key actors at national level and in the provinces of North and South Kivu.
Methods: Using a health policy triangle framework, data collection consisted of in-depth interviews with key actors at different levels of the health system, combined with a desk review. Qualitative data was analysis using inductive and then deductive approaches, exploring the content, process, actor dynamics, contextual factors and gender related factors influencing MNH policy development and implementation.
Results: The study highlighted the challenges of prioritizing policies in the face of competing health and security emergencies, limited resources and governance issues. The Universal Health Coverage policy seems to offer hope for improving access to MNH services. Results also revealed the importance of international partnerships and global financial mechanisms in the development of MNH strategies. They highlight huge gender disparities in the MNH sector at all levels, and the need to consider cultural factors that can positively or negatively impact the success of MNH policies in crisis zones.
Conclusion: MNH is a high priority in DRC, yet implementation faces hurdles due to financial constraints, political influences, conflicts, and gender disparities. Addressing these challenges requires tailored community-based strategies, political engagement, support for health personnel, and empowerment of women in crisis areas for better MNH outcomes.
Drug-resistant bacteria were found to contaminate inanimate surfaces and equipment in the Intensive Care Unit at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.
Authors: Aston Aine , Nalwanga Winnie , Magulye Maximilian A.K. , Edrisa Ssemwanga , Sande Obondo James , Katagirya Eric 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Hospital inanimate surfaces and equipment in intensive care units (ICUs) provide a worrisome reservoir for drug-resistant microorganisms, which cause healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in mostly developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacteria isolated from inanimate surfaces in the intensive care unit at Kawempe National Referral Hospital (KNRH).
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 in the ICU at KNRH. Random sampling was used to swab 15 pieces of selected equipment on points of contact with the user and points of contact with the patient and inanimate surfaces. The samples were analyzed for bacterial growth using standard microbiological methods. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the identified bacterial isolates was tested against commonly used antibiotics. All the data were analyzed in STATA version 12.
Results
A total of 76.2% (76/101) of the samples were positive for bacterial growth. The most common bacterial contaminants of inanimate surfaces and equipment in the adult ICU and neonatal ICU were CNSs (46.9% vs. 34.64%). All the gram-negative bacteria isolated were resistant to ceftazidime and ampicillin. Among the Enterobacterales strains tested for ESBL production, 62.5% were ESBL positive
Conclusion
The intensivecare unit (ICU) environment is known to act as areservoir of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Inanimate surfaces and medical equipment were found to be highly contaminated,and the predominant bacteria isolated from inanimate surfaces and medical equipment were coagulase-negative staphylococci, Acinetobacter species, Bacillus species, Micrococcus species, A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae. These isolates can potentially cause health care-associated infections. Therefore, routine surveillance of hospital inanimate surfaces and medical equipment is needed for timely intervention to reduce environmental contamination by resistant bacterial species and prevent hospital infection.
Efficient value encoding through convergence of tactile and visual value information in the primate putamen
Authors: Kim Hyoung , Hwang Seong-Hwan , Park Doyoung , Lee Ji-Woo , Lee Sue-Hyun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Primates use fingers and eyes to discriminate diverse values from tactile and visual stimuli for decision-making. However, the limited number of neurons raises the question of how the brain processes diverse values with this constraint. Here, we discovered that tactile and visual values converge to form an abstract representation of value in single putamen neurons, enabling efficient value-coding with fewer neurons. Humans and monkeys performed tactile and visual value discrimination tasks while neural responses were examined. The human putamen selectively represented both values in fMRI. Single-unit electrophysiology in the macaque putamen further revealed that half of value-processing neurons encoded both values, regardless of sensory inputs, showing value abstraction in single neurons. Notably, incorporating more of these bimodal value neurons enables discriminating values with a smaller number of total neurons. Our data indicate that the basal ganglia system abstracts different sensory values within individual neurons, facilitating efficient decision-making despite limited resources.
Analysis of the Epidemiological and Surgical Predictors of Frozen shoulder Observed in a 5-year Pilot at Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine
Authors: Qiao Zukang , Pang Xi , Jiang Nengyi , Xiang Li , Li QiuShuang , Xiong Junlong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Frozen shoulder constitutes a disease category associated with significant clinical morbidity and complications. However, the precise risk factors contributing to its development remaining unidentified.
In this study, a clinical database was established through the collection of medical records from frozen shoulder patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Tuina at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine) between 1 January 2017 and 30 December 2022. A randomized case-control design was employed to identify potential risk factors by analyzing the demographic characteristics of the patients. Additionally, logistic regression analysis was conducted to ascertain the prognostic risks associated with frozen shoulder, including factors such as age, gender, and surgical interventions.
Methods
A total of 176 patients with frozen shoulder with a median age of 55.94 years were enrolled in this study. Complicated diabetes (B, 2.517; OR, 12.396; 95% CI, 3.656-42. 028; P=.000), and cervical spondylosis (B, 1.495; OR, 4.459; 95% CI, 1.857-10.709; P=.001) were at higher risk in patients with bursitis compared to controls. In the intention to treat analysis (ITT) population, 125 persons choose surgical treatment and 51 choose conservative treatment, and long duration of illness (B, -0.716; OR, 0.489; 95% CI, 0.260-0.916; P=.026) and long hospital stay (B, 0.46; OR, 1.582; 95% CI, 1.008-2.482; P=.046), accompanied by cervical spondylosis (B, 1.149; OR, 3.155; 95% CI, 1. 335-7.453; P=.009) and hypertension (B, 1.279; OR, 3.593; 95% CI, 1.508-8.556; P=.004) patients were more likely to opt for surgery, and health insurance had little impact on whether patients operated or not (P>0.05).
Results
The study identified various risk factors for frozen shoulder, including obesity, thyroid nodules, diabetes, and cervical spondylosis. Additionally, patients with long-term disease, short hospital stays, and concomitant hypertension or cervical spondylosis demonstrated a higher likelihood of choosing surgical intervention.
Biological characteristics and metabolic phenotypes of different anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani strains
Authors: Sun Meili , Wang Hancheng , Zhang Songbai , Li Zhen , Ye Guo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Rhizoctonia solani is an important plant pathogen worldwide, and causes serious target spot disease in tobacco in the last five years. This research studied the biological characteristics of four different anastomosis groups (R. solani AG-3, R. solani AG-5, R. solani AG-6, R. solani AG-1-IB) of R. solani from tobacco, and analyzed the metabolic phenotype differences of these strains using metabolic phenotype technology.
Results
The results showed that the suitable temperature for mycelial growth of four anastomosis group strains were all from 20 to 30 oC, and for sclerotia formation were from 20 to 25 oC. Under different lighting conditions, R. solani AG-6 strains produced the most sclerotium, followed by R. solani AG-3, R. solani AG-5 and R. solani AG-1-IB. All strains had strong oligotrophic survivability, and can grow on water agar medium without any nitrutions. They exhibited three types of sclerotia distribution form, including dispersed type (R. solani AG-5 and R. solani AG-6), peripheral type (R. solani AG-1-IB), and central type (R. solani AG-3). They all presented different pathogenicities in tobacco leaves, with the most virulent was noted by R. solani AG-6, followed by R. solani AG-5 and AG-1-IB, finally was R. solani AG-3. R. solani AG-1-IB strains firstly present symbtom about inoculation. Metabolic fingerprints of four anastomosis groups were different to each other. R. solani AG-3, AG-6, AG-5 and AG-1-IB strains efficiently metabolized 88, 94, 71 and 92 carbon substrates, respectively. Nitrogen substrates of amino acids and peptides were the significant utilization patterns for R. solani AG-3. R. solani AG-3 and AG-6 showed a large range of adaptabilities and were still able to metabolize substrates in the presence of the osmolytes, including up to 8% sodium lactate. Four anastomosis groups all showed active metabolism in environments with pH values from 4 to 6 and exhibited decarboxylase activities.
Conclusions
The biological characteristics of different anastomosis group strains varies, and there are differences in the metabolic phenotype characteristics of different anastomosis group strains towards carbon source, nitrogen source, pH, and osmotic pressure.
Exploring the Co-occurrence and Latent Class Analysis of Adverse Childhood Experiences in University Students in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Fatima Rabia , Saleem Javeria , Ishaq Muhammad , Ali Zulfiqar , Irshad Fatima , Fatima Aneela , Bukhari Gul Mehar Javaid , Khan Sohail Mahmood , Abdi Gholamreza 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are one of the major public health concerns and act as a predisposing factor leading to numerous chronic health issues. This study aims to determine the prevalence and likelihood of the co-occurrence of different childhood adversities and explore the latent classes in university students in Lahore, Pakistan. An online version of the ACE-IQ was used to collect data from students of randomly selected universities in Lahore with their consent. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Cramer-V, and latent class analysis (LCA) were applied to the collected dataset. All domains had a prevalence of between 30 and 85%, with community/peer violence exposure being the most common (82.9%), followed by physical abuse exposure (65.2%). According to the LCA results, three classes were observed, i.e., Class 1, High/Multiple ACEs; Class 2, Low ACEs; and Class 3, Neglect, Physical Abuse and Violence related ACEs. The percentages of our population in Classes 1, 2, and 3 were 21.38%, 39.26%, and 39.36%, respectively. This study concluded that the prevalence of ACEs is very high in university students in Lahore, with a moderately strong correlation among different adversities, which increases the likelihood of their co-occurrence.
EPA and DHA inhibit LDL-induced upregulation of human adipose tissue NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β pathway and its association with diabetes risk factors
Authors: Lamantia Valérie , Bissonnette Simon , Beaudry Myriam , Cyr Yannick , Des Rosiers Christine , Baass Alexis , Faraj May 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Elevated numbers of atherogenic lipoproteins (apoB), mostly circulating as low-density lipoproteins (LDL), predict diabetes risk. We recently reported that native LDL upregulate the NLRP3 inflammasome/interleukin-1β (IL-1β) pathway in human white adipose tissue (WAT); however, nutritional approaches to target this remain unknown. We tested the hypotheses that eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids treat LDL-induced upregulation of the WAT NLRP3 inflammasome/ IL-1β-pathway and its relation to T2D risk factors in vivo and ex vivo. Forty subjects without chronic disease were enrolled into a 12-week-intervention with EPA and DHA (2.7 g/d from Webber Naturals), of whom 17 subjects with high-apoB and 16 with low-apoB completed the intervention. Supplementation with EPA and DHA abolished baseline group-differences in WAT IL-1β-secretion between subjects with high- and low-apoB. Contrary to baseline, native LDL failed to stimulate WAT IL-1β-secretion after the omega-3 intervention and rather inhibited IL-1β-secretion induced by microbial LPS. EPA and DHA also improved β-cell function and postprandial fat metabolism, in relation with their circulating levels, and blunted the association of WAT NLRP3 and IL1B mRNA expression and IL-1β-secretion with the risk factors for T2D. In line ex vivo, treatment of WAT with EPA and DHA inhibited IL-1β-secretion in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, supplementation with EPA and DHA treats LDL-induced upregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β pathway and related metabolic anomalies, which may aid the prevention of CVD and T2D in subjects with elevated plasma apoB. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04496154
Vitamin D-Related risk factors for preterm and full-term infants at birth: A retrospective study in Wuxi, China
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Wu Man , Zou Lian , Jin Xin , Zhang Yun , Zheng Xiaomin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background/Objectives:
Vitamin D is thought to play a role in early immune development of infants. However, national data on vitamin D status in newborns is limited in China. We aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status in preterm and full-term neonates and its influencing factors in Wuxi, southeastern China.
Subjects/Methods:
813 infants born were recruited in this study from May 2020 to May 2022, including 167 very preterm (< 32+ 0 weeks), 454 preterm (32+ 0-36+ 6 weeks) and 192 full-term (≥ 37+ 0 weeks) newborns. The umbilical cord serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured.
Results
The median level of serum 25(OH)D was 35.9 nmol/L, and 82.7% of them were vitamin D deficient. The serum 25(OH)D level was lower in full-term infants compared with preterm and very preterm infants at birth, while there was no significant difference (preterm, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.484, 1.657, p = 0.725; very preterm, 95% CI, 0.434, 2.061, p = 0.946) in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among them. It was found that vitamin D deficiency in newborns was significantly associated with season of birth (Spring, 95% CI, 0.128,0.541, p < 0.001; Summer, 95% CI, 0.101, 0.491, p < 0.001; Autumn, 95% CI, 0.106, 0.465, p < 0.001) and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (< 25 kg/m2, 95% CI, 0.150, 0.514, p < 0.001; 25–30 kg/m2, 95% CI, 0.277, 0.916, p = 0.025) after controlling for maternal age, birth weight and gestational age. Conclusions: More attentions should be focused on the nutritional vitamin D status of infants born in winter. Infants born to women who are obese before pregnancy are likely to have greater odds of vitamin D deficiency at birth which requires urgent attentions. Adequate daily vitamin D supplementation for newborns is recommended and warranted immediately after birth.
miR-183-5p attenuates the effect of sorafenib on human hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibiting SOCS6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Chen Che , Zhao Yanyu , Song Yanmei , Liu Qianqian , Sun Xinglu , Liu Fang , Chu Huiyuan , Lu Yan , Bao Shisan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objective:
MicroRNA plays a crucial role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the resistance of HCC cells to sorafenib (SOR). Elevation of miR-183-5p is associated with poor survival among patients with HCC. This study aimed to investigate the impact of miR-183-5p on SOR resistance in HCC as well as its related signaling pathway. The objective is to provide new insights, directions, and a theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
Design:
Human normal hepatocytes (LO2) and HCC cell lines (HepG2, Huh7, and MHCC97H) were cultured, and were constructed with miR-183-5p inhibition and SOCS6 overexpression. Biotrust analysis and qRT-PCR were employed to assess the expression of miR-183-5p in liver cancer tissues or cells, respectively. Flow cytometry determined apoptosis rate in each group of cells, while CCK was used for detecting the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of HCC followed SOR treatment. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression changes of SOCS6, p-JAK2, JAK2, p-STAT3, and STAT3.
Results:
Bioinformatics revealed significantly high expression of miR-183-5p in liver cancer compared to normal tissues. Consistent with this analysis, the expression of miR-183-5p was upregulated in human HCC cell lines, in order of Huh7, HepG2, and MHCC97H, compared to that of non-HCC cells. CCK-8 assays results shown that the IC50 value of sorafenib in Huh7 cells with higher expression levels of miR-183-5p were more high than Hep3B and MHCC97H cells with the relative lower expression levels of miR-183-5p. SOCS6 was elevated with the miR-183-5p inhibition compared to the control. Furthermore, the IC50 value of sorafenib was significantly decreased following miR-183-5p inhibition and increased in the miR-183-5p overexpression compared to the mock treatment. Conversely, the IC50 value of sorafenib in the SOCS6 overexpression group was significantly decreased compared to the control.
Conclusions:
Dysregulation of the miR-183-5p-SOCS6/JAK2/STAT3 axis plays a critical role in patients' responses to SOR treatment. Manipulation of this axis could potentially enhance the survival of patients with HCC, especially in the context of addressing drug resistance.
Phycoremediation of As(III) and Cr(VI) by Desmodesmus subspicatus: Impact on growth and biomolecules (carbohydrate, protein, chlorophyll and lipid) – A dual mode investigation
Authors: Ganguly Anisha , Nag Soma , Bhowmick Tridib Kumar , Gayen Kalyan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Microalgae are under research focus for the simultaneous production of biomolecules (e.g., biofuels) and bioremediation of toxic materials from wastewater. The current study explores the capability of indigenously isolated microalgae (Desmodesmus subspicatus) for phycoremediation As(III) and Cr(VI) along with the production of biomolecules by alternating its extracellular and intracellular compositions.Desmodesmus subspicatussurvived up to the toxicity level of 10 mg/L for As(III) and 0.8 mg//L for Cr(VI). A decline in carbohydrate accumulation (⁓70%) at 10 mg/L of As(III) concentration was obtained. An increased content of protein (⁓28%) and lipid (by ⁓32%) within the cells ofDesmodesmus subspicatuswas observed when grown in 0.5 and 0.2 mg/L As(III) concentrations respectively. A descending trend in carbohydrate accumulation was noted with increasing Cr(VI) concentration and the least (~44%) was recorded at 0.8 mg/L Cr(VI).Desmodesmus subspicatusshowed an excellent maximum removal efficiency for Cr(VI) and As(III) as 77% and 90% respectively.