Mitigation of Mineral Deposition in Carbonate and Sandstone Rocks Using Green Scale Inhibitors.

Waterflooding is potentially a viable approach to enhance oil recovery, though its efficacy can profoundly be compromised due to formation damage as a result of inorganic scale deposition. In this study, a series of high-temperature core flooding experiments were conducted to evaluate two green scale inhibitors (SIs) of folic acid and inulin as alternative inhibitors to mitigate mineral deposition. The co-injection of two incompatible brines (with and without SIs) for two flow rates of 0.5 and 3 mL/min into two core samples of dolomite and sandstone was experimentally investigated. The results showed that folic acid would inhibit scale formation as much as 45-49%, at the lower flow rate, compared to inulin with an efficiency of 29-39%, at the higher flow rate. Moreover, computed tomography imaging technique showed that scale formation and fine migration would be dominant mechanisms for formation damage in dolomite and sandstone rocks, respectively. The theoretical study based on surface energy also confirmed the experimental results in terms of the work of adhesion which showed that folic acid would mitigate the calcite deposition on rock surfaces approximately 55%. Finally, a phosphonate-based commercial SI was compared with the green SIs which reaffirmed their potencies.

A systems medicine approach reveals disordered immune system and lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis patients.

Identification of autoimmune processes and introduction of new autoantigens involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be helpful in the design of new drugs to prevent unresponsiveness and side effects in patients. To find significant changes, we evaluated the autoantibody repertoires in newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS patients (NDP) and those receiving disease-modifying therapy (RP). Through a random peptide phage library, a panel of NDP- and RP-specific peptides was identified, producing two protein data sets visualized using Gephi, based on protein--protein interactions in the STRING database. The top modules of NDP and RP networks were assessed using Enrichr. Based on the findings, a set of proteins, including ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1), neurogenic locus notch homologue protein 1 (NOTCH1), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET), RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase (RAF1) and proto-oncogene vav (VAV1) was found in NDP and was involved in over-represented terms correlated with cell-mediated immunity and cancer. In contrast, transcription factor RelB (RELB), histone acetyltransferase p300 (EP300), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACACB), adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 mitochondrial (PCK2) had major contributions to viral infections and lipid metabolism as significant events in RP. According to these findings, further research is required to demonstrate the pathogenic roles of such proteins and autoantibodies targeting them in MS and to develop therapeutic agents which can ameliorate disease severity.

Maternal Hemoglobin Levels during Pregnancy and their Association with Birth Weight of Neonates.

BACK GROUND: Anemia in pregnancy is associated with increased rates of maternal and perinatal mortality, premature delivery, low birth weight, and other adverse outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 1405 Iranian pregnant women who delivered during 2015. Blood was collected from all the subjects to measure the hemoglobin (Hb) during 16-19 weeks, 22-24 weeks, and 34-36 weeks of gestation. According to the level of hemoglobin, it is divided into 4 groups. Group 1; Hb > 10.1 gm/100ml (control group), Group 2; Hb= 8.1-10 gm/100ml (mild anemia) Group 3; Hb= 6.5-8 gm/100ml (moderate anemia) Group 4; Hb <6.5 gm/100ml (severe anemia). After delivery, the neonates were weighted within 24 hours after birth. Maternal hemoglobin and birth weights were compared. RESULTS: The anemia prevalence was 20.2% (Hb<10g/dl). Out of them, 16.2 % hadmoderate anemia (Hb=6.5-8 g/dl) and 83.8% had mild anemia (Hb=8.1-10 g/dl). Severe anemia did not detect in pregnant women. The hemoglobin levels in non anemic group showed a drop in the second trimester. Pregnant women with hemoglobin less than 10 g/dl, considered as anemic gave birth to neonates with birth weight of 2.6kg, while pregnant women with higher hemoglobin level (>10 g/dl), considered as normal gave birth to heavier and normal babies (3.3 kg). The severity of anemia during three trimesters was closely associated with birth weight of newborns. CONCLUSION: The low hemoglobin values during three trimesters of pregnancy were associated with low birth weight in Iran. The anemia can lead to intra uterine growth retardation.

Long-term prognosis in patients with bifascicular block--the predictive value of noninvasive and invasive assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with bifascicular block (BFB) have a high mortality rate. The purpose of the present study was to identify high-risk patients in a BFB population by performing an extensive cardiac evaluation including noninvasive and invasive tests. DESIGN: Population-based study. SUBJECTS: A total of 100 patients with BFB, of whom 41 had a history of unexplained syncope, were prospectively studied. The mean age was 68 +/- 12. All patients were investigated with Holter-monitoring, an exercise test, an echocardiography, and an invasive electrophysiological study. The severity of congestive heart failure (CHF) was assessed by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Patients in NYHA class IV were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with syncope were recommended prophylactic pacemaker treatment, which was accepted by 31 patients (76%). Main outcome measures. All-cause mortality and sudden cardiac death (SCD). RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 84 months, 33 patients died, of whom 14 in SCD. In a univariate analysis, high age, a previous myocardial infarction, and CHF were associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality and SCD. In a Cox multiple regression analysis, CHF was the only independent predictor of all-cause mortality and SCD (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with BFB have a poor long-term prognosis. The predictive value of noninvasive and invasive investigations is limited. The only independent predictor of all-cause mortality and SCD in this population was the presence of CHF.

[Swallowed foreign bodies: problems, prognosis, and treatment (author's transl]. / Verschluckte Fremdkörper. Problematik, Prognose und Therapie.

This is a report about 1465 cases of swallowed foreign bodies. Surgery is not necessarily indicated when foreign bodies are swallowed, because 90% of the objects are discharged spontaneously. Complications (perforation, ileus) occur only in 0.5% of the cases. Endoscopic extraction should be attempted; surgical removal is indicated only in cases of acute abdominal symptomatology or ileus. Foreign bodies can be left in the intestine for years without any noticable problems or pain (eight observed cases).