bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Infancy
Authors: Keet Corinne A. , Wood Robert A. 
Published: October 2008

Grüber C, Wendt M, Sulser C, et al. Allergy. 2007;62(11):1270–1276
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnous GG (LGG) as a food supplement for children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD).
STUDY POPULATION. One hundred two children aged 3 to 12 months with mild-to-moderately severe AD who were not taking antiinflammatory medications were included in this German study.
METHODS. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive LGG (5 × 109 colony-forming units twice per day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Severity Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and use of hydrocortisone 1% ointment as a rescue medication were recorded at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS. One hundred two subjects were randomly assigned and completed the treatment period (54 in the treatment group, 48 in the placebo group). Initial symptom load was similar in both groups (SCORAD index: 24.6 ± 8.8 in the LGG group and 23.6 ± 7.8 in the placebo group) and improved over time. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at any of the analysis times (SCORAD index for LGG versus placebo: 23.8 ± 12.4 vs 20.6 ± 9.9 at 4 weeks, 22.5 ± 14.6 vs 17.9 ± 13.1 at 8 weeks, and 19.6 ± 15.4 vs 15.1 ± 12.1 at 12 weeks, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found when the data were stratified according to age, eczema severity, or use of rescue medications, and no differences were found in the use of rescue medications, total immunoglobulin E level, or newly developed allergic sensitization to hen's egg or cow's milk.
CONCLUSIONS. This study showed no therapeutic effect of LGG for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD in infancy.
REVIEWER COMMENTS. In our practice, parents of children with AD frequently inquire about whether they should supplement their children's diets with lactobacilli. Previous studies had shown some possible benefit of supplementation with lactobacilli for prevention of AD in infants at risk but even less-promising results regarding its use in the treatment of AD. This study adds to the literature, finding no utility of lactobacilli supplementation for the treatment of established AD.
A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Dexamethasone for Bronchiolitis
Authors: Chipps Bradley E. 
Published: October 2008

Corneli HM, Zorc JJ, Majahan P, et al. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(4):331–339
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To evaluate the efficacy of a single dose of oral dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) compared with placebo in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis.
STUDY POPULATION. A total of 600 children (aged 2–12 months) with a first episode of wheezing diagnosed in the emergency department as moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis were included.
METHODS. Patients were enrolled at 20 emergency departments during the months of November through April over a 3-year period. The primary outcome was respiratory assessment and score change during the first 4 hours. Later outcomes evaluated included length of hospital stay, medical visits, and adverse events.
RESULTS. Baseline characteristics were similar for both groups. The admission rate was 39.7% for children assigned to dexamethasone compared with 41% for those assigned to placebo. Both groups had improvement during the observation period with similar mean changes in respiratory assessment score. For the patients admitted to the hospital, there was no difference in mean hospital stay (2.55 vs 2.27 days), subsequent hospital admissions, or adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS. Single-dose dexamethasone did not prevent hospital admission for bronchiolitis.
REVIEWER COMMENTS. This study finally allows for a definitive statement that no significant benefit can be seen with the use of corticosteroid for first episodes of wheezing. It should be noted that bronchodilator treatment was not regulated but seemed not to affect outcomes because treatment was equally distributed between the groups. This continues to strengthen the notion that supportive therapy with good hydration and preventing hypoxia are the most important interventions for a first episode of bronchiolitis.
Attenuation of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Through the Endocannabinoid System
Authors: Gern James E. 
Published: October 2008

Karsak M, Gaffal E, Date R, et al. Science. 2007;316(5830):1494–1497
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To assess the role of cannabinoid receptors in allergic contact dermatitis.
STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS. The study was conducted in an animal model for cutaneous contact hypersensitivity using wild-type mice and also those lacking cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).
RESULTS. Mice lacking both known cannabinoid receptors display exacerbated allergic inflammation. In contrast, fatty acid amide hydrolase–deficient mice, which have increased levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide, displayed reduced allergic responses in the skin. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists exacerbated allergic inflammation, whereas receptor agonists attenuated inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS. These results demonstrate a protective role of the endocannabinoid system for contact allergy in the skin and suggest a target for therapeutic intervention.
REVIEWER COMMENTS. This very clever study was based on an observation that mice lacking cannabinoid receptors tended to develop an itchy dermatitis at the site of nickel-containing ear tags. From this simple observation, the authors conducted a series of well-designed experiments that demonstrated that the cannabinoid receptors help to regulate cell recruitment to sites of inflammation in the context of contact dermatitis. These results have led to new insights to the pathogenesis of this disorder and may lead to a new treatment for contact dermatitis. I wonder if cannabinoid receptors are involved in other forms of skin allergy.
Hospital Discharge of the High-Risk Neonate
Authors:   Committee on Fetus and Newborn
Published: October 2008

This Policy Statement was reafirmed May 2011 and November 2018.
This policy statement updates the guidelines on discharge of the high-risk neonate first published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1998. As with the earlier document, this statement is based, insofar as possible, on published, scientifically derived information. This updated statement incorporates new knowledge about risks and medical care of the high-risk neonate, the timing of discharge, and planning for care after discharge. It also refers to other American Academy of Pediatrics publications that are relevant to these issues. This statement draws on the previous classification of high-risk infants into 4 categories: (1) the preterm infant; (2) the infant with special health care needs or dependence on technology; (3) the infant at risk because of family issues; and (4) the infant with anticipated early death. The issues of deciding when discharge is appropriate, defining the specific needs for follow-up care, and the process of detailed discharge planning are addressed as they apply in general to all 4 categories; in addition, special attention is directed to the particular issues presented by the 4 individual categories. Recommendations are given to aid in deciding when discharge is appropriate and to ensure that all necessary care will be available and well coordinated after discharge. The need for individualized planning and physician judgment is emphasized.
HIV Testing and Prophylaxis to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission in the United States
Authors:   Committee on Pediatric AIDS
Published: October 2008

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed June 2011, November 2014, and October 2020.
Universal HIV testing of pregnant women in the United States is the key to prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Repeat testing in the third trimester and rapid HIV testing at labor and delivery are additional strategies to further reduce the rate of perinatal HIV transmission. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is most effective when antiretroviral drugs are received by the mother during her pregnancy and continued through delivery and then administered to the infant after birth. Antiretroviral drugs are effective in reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV even when prophylaxis is started for the infant soon after birth. New rapid testing methods allow identification of HIV-infected women or HIV-exposed infants in 20 to 60 minutes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends documented, routine HIV testing for all pregnant women in the United States after notifying the patient that testing will be performed, unless the patient declines HIV testing (“opt-out” consent or “right of refusal”). For women in labor with undocumented HIV-infection status during the current pregnancy, immediate maternal HIV testing with opt-out consent, using a rapid HIV antibody test, is recommended. Positive HIV antibody screening test results should be confirmed with immunofluorescent antibody or Western blot assay. For women with a positive rapid HIV antibody test result, antiretroviral prophylaxis should be administered promptly to the mother and newborn infant on the basis of the positive result of the rapid antibody test without waiting for results of confirmatory HIV testing. If the confirmatory test result is negative, then prophylaxis should be discontinued. For a newborn infant whose mother's HIV serostatus is unknown, the health care professional should perform rapid HIV antibody testing on the mother or on the newborn infant, with results reported to the health care professional no later than 12 hours after the infant's birth. If the rapid HIV antibody test result is positive, antiretroviral prophylaxis should be instituted as soon as possible after birth but certainly by 12 hours after delivery, pending completion of confirmatory HIV testing. The mother should be counseled not to breastfeed the infant. Assistance with immediate initiation of hand and pump expression to stimulate milk production should be offered to the mother, given the possibility that the confirmatory test result may be negative. If the confirmatory test result is negative, then prophylaxis should be stopped and breastfeeding may be initiated. If the confirmatory test result is positive, infants should receive antiretroviral prophylaxis for 6 weeks after birth, and the mother should not breastfeed the infant.
Developing Russia's Young Petroleum Professionals in a Global Context
Authors: McMorran Paul , Pongratz Reinhard 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Low oil prices in the mid-1980’s, and widespread industry restructuring since the 1990’s, have drastically impacted our industry workforce. In the West, fewer students in technical disciplines generally, and on petroleum-related courses particularly, are a cause for concern. Loss of oil and gas talent and experience to other, more "stable" industries, drive global fears of a deepening demographic crisis.
Russia is different. Its specialized oil & gas universities have not suffered the downsizing seen by some Western counterparts, and continue to provide a potent source of engineers and geoscientists. These institutions have adapted in the past decade as technologies, new to Russia, revolutionize drilling performance and boost production. Oil and gas drive the country’s economy, and its industry is an established "employer of choice". Campuses across Russia have also become a significant source of graduates for global operators and service companies.
In-company development programs, blending Russian experience with best practice from abroad, turn qualified graduates into competent young professionals. Building on strong but often specialized academic foundations, these develop skills to tackle the multidisciplinary tasks on which success in today’s industry increasingly depends.
Combining the perspectives of an Operator and a Service Company, this paper describes how such programs were developed to meet specific local needs in a global context. It will show how the creation of a Service Company training center in Siberia, for students from other countries as well as Russia, has brought technical and cultural diversity to the learning process. Sharing knowledge and technical excellence has become part of daily business among young professionals, and rapidly-growing SPE membership across Russia facilitates this exchange.
PinPoint Multistage Fracturing Stimulation – Global Applications and Case Histories from Russia
Authors: Pongratz R. , Stanojcic M. , Martysevich V. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Creating multiple zone stimulations in complex reservoirs presents unique challenges for the completion engineer. Effectively stimulating each individual pay interval using separate fracturing treatments can be costly and time consuming. Historically, efforts to stimulate multiple zones usually consisted of casing fracs with limited entry perforating and using sand plugs to separate zones, or tubing fracs with retrievable bridge plugs and packers. The challenge was to rethink the approach to this technology and develop more cost effective and efficient solutions. Those efforts have resulted in a new approach called pinpoint stimulation.
New pinpoint stimulation methods have resulted in reduced cycle time for operators. This means doing multiple service operations in a single trip to the well. If performed individually, perforating, fracturing, setting isolation plugs, and cleaning out the wellbore for each interval can add days or weeks to a completion, delaying production-to-sales and increasing overall costs. Now, we perforate, fracture stimulate, and clean out with a single trip to the wellsite. Each treatment stage is customized for the intervals treated and many more intervals can be stimulated economically. Pinpoint multistage fracturing is available in 16 different processes for many types of well completions.
In this paper, we present different techniques for a wide variety of applications and provide actual treatment data and results including recent case histories from Russia.
Candidate Selection Process for Fracturing Combined with RPM Treatments for Western Siberia Oilfields Based on Case Studies
Authors: Prudnikova Antonina , Anashkin Alexey , Dalrymple Dwyann 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Major oil producers in western Siberia widely use hydraulic fracturing to increase recovery from maturing reservoirs. Minimizing the quantity of produced water that typically accompanies increased hydrocarbon production is considered to be of the utmost importance. The traditional approach has been to limit well selection for fracturing treatments to candidates where stimulation can be efficiently performed without a subsequent increase of post-frac water cut. This significantly reduces the desired development of targeted fields.
In general, there are two main reasons for water production increase: (1) fracture propagation to water-saturated formations caused by the absence of reliable barriers and (2) phenomenon of water coning caused by pressure drawdown through a highly conductive fracture channel during the exploitation period. To mitigate the problem of post-stimulation water production increase, a relative permeability modifier (RPM) can be applied. The RPM itself is a polymer that can be pumped as a preflush to fracturing treatments or throughout the whole job. Under formation conditions, RPMs decrease the relative permeability of rock (reservoir) to water with almost no effect on the permeability of hydrocarbons. This is crucial to increase the oil-mobility ratio because it allows production of higher oil volumes without unacceptable quantities of associated water production.
Several fracturing job RPM treatments have been performed on different oilfields in western Siberia, and not all of them can be considered successful. Both satisfactory and unsatisfactory results were analyzed to classify the major groups of parameters that had the most impact on the final well performance. Based on this data, the candidate selection process for fracturing combined with RPM treatments for western Siberia oilfields should be improved to achieve more desirable treatment results. This paper contains guidelines to select the proper well for this type of treatment and, based on the case study, brings attention to different groups of parameters, related not only to formation properties but also to well preparation process and design criteria, that can significantly affect the final result.
Shallow Penetration Particle-Gel System for Water and Gas Shutoff Applications
Authors: Dalrymple Dwyann , Eoff Larry , Vasquez Julio , van Eijden Jip 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
This paper presents the development of a particle-gel (PG) system for water shutoff operations. This system combines an organically crosslinked polymer (OCP) system with non-cement particulates to provide shallow matrix shutoff in openhole or perforated completions. The PG system can be considered as an alternative to standard cement squeeze operations, repairing casing leaks, sealing off thief zones, and addressing lost-circulation zones.
The OCP system, which comprises the fluid portion of the PG system, easily penetrates into the formation matrix. It has proven successful in the oil industry with more than 350 jobs performed around the world. The addition of particulates to the OCP system resulted in synergistic results. The PG system provides (1) leakoff control for shallow penetration into the rock matrix and (2) squeeze-pressure properties. The slurry filtrate (OCP) is thermally activated. After exposure to the targeted bottomhole temperature of the well, it forms a three-dimensional gel structure. The transition time from slurry to gel is controlled by the crosslinker concentration of the OCP system and is not altered by the addition of the particles, wellbore fluids, or variations in lithology (sandstone, dolomite, limestone, shale, etc).
Bullheading the PG system into the well allows easy placement and calculation of treatment volume. The limited and controlled leakoff into the matrix during the PG system squeeze results in a controlled depth of invasion. Selective perforation of the oil zones re-establishes the desired hydrocarbon production from the targeted interval. The PG system can be easily washed out of the wellbore, as compared to cement, which must be drilled out. The temperature range of the PG system is 80 to 350°F. To date, more than 54 jobs have been performed with this system. This paper presents case histories, methodology of job designs, and results obtained from laboratory evaluations.
Scalability and Usability Aspects of Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Frost R. J. , Parker M. J. , Ponting D. K. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA parallel reservoir simulation system is described. The basic algorithm allows masses or saturations to be used to define the state of the reservoir. The parallel structure and the way in which data is moved for computation and input/output is described. For good parallel performance the workload needs to be balanced between the processors when the simulation is running. However, in most practical cases the majority of cells are inactive, inactive cells being identified during the preliminary grid calculations. These also need to be distributed, to avoid a memory peak which would limit the maximum problem size. A method for re-factoring the simulation between the processors to avoid this is detailed.The need to use modern object-orientated coding methods and obtain good numerical performance in parallel processors leads to the use of C++ and MPI for the core solver. A simple class structure which has proved effective for simulation code development is described.For the supporting system there are requirements of portability and efficiency. Portability because simulation data is normally prepared and viewed on a different machine from that on which the simulation is run. Efficiency is important in the transfer of data between machines and when displaying large models in three dimensions. A Java based code has proved highly effective in meeting these requirements.Traditionally, simulator input has taken the form of a keyword orientated text file. Modern users expect a more visual interface to their data. A system is described which combines the virtues of both approaches, being based on a set of tables and grid arrays. Data may entered and viewed flexibly, but the advantages of a formatted file are retained. Problems of the migration of legacy data to such new systems are considered, with possible solutions.
First Results of Cyclic Steam Stimulations of Vertical Wells with Radial Horizontal Bores in Heavy Oil Carbonates
Authors: Ursegov Stanislav , Bazylev Alexander , Taraskin Evgeny 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
This work shows the first experience of cyclic steam stimulations of vertical wells with radial horizontal bores in the deep heavy oil carbonates of the Usinsk Permian – Carboniferous reservoir.
In the end of 2006, more than 30 radial horizontal bores of approximately 100 m length each were drilled in 8 vertical wells, 5 of which were then stimulated by steam injection.
Radial drilling in low productivity carbonates without the following cyclic steam stimulations were ineffective because it did not resulted in significant increase in the well productivity.
Integrating radial drilling and cyclic steam stimulations proved highly effective by reducing oil viscosity. The average growth of oil rate was about 15.0 tones per day.
Dynamic Induced Fractures in Waterfloods and EOR
Authors: van den Hoek P. J. , Hustedt B. , Sobera M. , Mahani H. , Masfry R. A. , Snippe J. , Zwarts D. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
It is well established within the Industry that water injection mostly takes place under induced fracturing conditions. Particularly in low-mobility reservoirs or when injecting contaminated water (e.g. PWRI), large fractures may be induced during the field life.
This paper presents a new modeling strategy that combines fluid-flow and fracture-growth (fully coupled) within the framework of an existing ‘standard’ reservoir simulator.
We demonstrate the coupled simulator by applications to a model five-spot pattern flood model, and to a number of actual field cases (waterfloods, produced water disposal) worldwide. In these field cases, validity checks were carried out comparing our results with available surveillance data. These applications address various aspects that often play an important role in waterfloods, such as shortcut of injector and producer, vertical fracture containment, and reservoir sweep. We also demonstrate that induced fracture dimensions can be very sensitive to typical reservoir engineering parameters, such as fluid mobility, mobility ratio, 3D saturation distribution (in particular, shockfront position), positions of wells (producers, injectors), and geological details (e.g. flow baffles, faults).
The results presented in this paper are expected to also apply to (part of) EOR operations (e.g. polymer flooding).
ESP Monitoring and Diagnosis Enables Operational Efficiency
Authors: Molotkov R. V. , Stephenson G. B. , Seale S. R. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
A major exploration and production company operated Block 15 and unified fields Eden-Yuturi and Limoncocha from 1986 to May 2006, when the contract passed back to the Ecuadorian Government.
In 2004 a decision was made to implement an ESP Real Time Monitoring and Diagnosis system in order to optimize production and improve ESP operations. The system includes automation hardware equipment and a server-client software package.
The purpose of this paper is to give details about the benefits of remote monitoring and control of Electrical Submersible Pumps, and the real results achieved from using the ESP monitoring and diagnosis system to monitor, analyze, and remotely control ESP performance at Block 15. In this paper, we will highlight ways in which the ESP diagnosis system has enabled material improvements in operational efficiency at Block 15.