Reactive transport modelling of an intra-basalt sandstone reservoir, Rosebank, UK.

The Rosebank field, located in the Faroe-Shetland Basin, contains producible hydrocarbons in intra-basaltic siliciclastic reservoirs. The volcanic-reservoir interface is poorly studied and the geochemical system, as a function of distance from the basalt, is largely unknown. The current paper applies a geochemical model coupling mineral dissolution and precipitation with element diffusion to investigate the geochemical system in time and space from the basalt-sandstone interface. Earlier studies indicate few negative effects on reservoir properties despite the proximity to a reactive volcanic lithology. The causes of this minimal impact have not been studied. The numerical simulations in this study expand on the knowledge demonstrating that precipitation of authigenic phases at the basalt-sandstone interface buffer the formation water solution for key elements, which hamper the transport of solutes and subsequent precipitation of secondary minerals within the reservoir. Saturation index values over the simulated period indicate that precipitation of authigenic phases should not extend beyond the basalt-sandstone interface. This shows that diffusion alone is not enough to reduce the reservoir quality due to increased precipitation of secondary phases. The basalt dissolution rate varies according to the silica concentration. The combined effects on silica concentration by diffusional fluxes, mineral precipitation and dissolution, control the basalt dissolution rate, and there are no differences in the results between high and low basalt reactive surface area.

The Effect of pH on Spore Germination, Growth, and Infection of Strawberry Roots by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, Cause of Fusarium wilt of Strawberry.

Previous work has shown that raising the pH of acidic soil to near neutrality can reduce the incidence of Fusarium wilt. The basis for this effect has not been established. The present study assessed effects of pH on spore germination, growth, and infection of strawberry roots by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, the cause of Fusarium wilt of strawberry. There was not a significant effect of pH (5 versus 7) on the rate of spore germination at either 20 or 25°C for any of the three tested isolates (one representative of each clonal lineage of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae found in California). Likewise, pH did not have a significant effect on fungal growth at 20°C. At 25°C, two isolates grew faster at pH 7 than at pH 5. Growth of the third isolate was unaffected by the difference in pH. For the strawberry cultivar Albion, the frequency of root infection was significantly higher for plants grown in acidified soil (near pH 5) than for plants grown in soil near neutrality. The higher frequency of root infection in acidified soil was associated with a lower level of microbial activity, as measured by hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate.

Anaerobic co-digestion of pig manure and food waste; effects on digestate biosafety, dewaterability, and microbial community dynamics.

This study assessed the effect of varying pig manure (PM)/food waste (FW) mixing ratio and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on methane yields, digestate dewaterability, enteric indicator bacteria and microbial communities during anaerobic co-digestion. Three 10 L digesters were operated at 39 °C, each with a PM/FW feedstock composition of 85%/15%, 63%/37% and 40%/60% (volatile solids basis). While the PM/FW ratio was different among reactors, the organic loading rate applied was equal, and increased stepwise with reducing HRT. The effects of three different HRTs were studied: 41, 29, and 21 days. Increasing the proportion of FW in the feedstock significantly increased methane yields, but had no significant effect on counts of enteric indicator bacteria in the digestate or specific resistance to filtration, suggesting that varying the PM/FW feedstock composition at the mixing ratios studied should not have major consequences for digestate disposal. Decreasing HRT significantly increased volumetric methane yields, increased digestate volatile solids concentrations and increased the proportion of particles >500 µm in the digestate, indicating that decreasing HRT to 21 days reduced methane conversion efficiency High throughput 16S rRNA sequencing data revealed that microbial communities were just slightly affected by changes in digester operating conditions. These results would provide information useful when optimizing the start-up and operation of biogas plants treating these substrates.

Effect of exercise on the caloric intake of breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an exercise intervention on the total caloric intake (TCI) of breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. A secondary purpose was to determine whether or not a relationship existed between changes in TCI, body fat composition (%BF), and fatigue during the study, which lasted 6 months. Twenty females recently diagnosed with breast cancer, scheduled to undergo chemotherapy or radiation, were assigned randomly to an experimental (N = 10) or control group (N = 10). Outcome measures included TCI (3-day food diary), %BF (skinfolds), and fatigue (revised Piper Fatigue Scale). Each exercise session was conducted as follows: initial cardiovascular activity (6-12 min), followed by stretching (5-10 min), resistance training (15-30 min), and a cool-down (approximately 8 min). Significant changes in TCI were observed among groups (F1,18 = 8.582; P = 0.009), at treatments 2 and 3, and at the end of the study [experimental (1973 +/- 419), control (1488 +/- 418); experimental (1946 +/- 437), control (1436 +/- 429); experimental (2315 +/- 455), control (1474 +/- 294), respectively]. A significant negative correlation was found (Spearman rho(18) = -0.759; P < 0.001) between TCI and %BF and between TCI and fatigue levels (Spearman rho(18) = -0.541; P = 0.014) at the end of the study. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that an exercise intervention administered to breast cancer patients undergoing medical treatment may assist in the mitigation of some treatment side effects, including decreased TCI, increased fatigue, and negative changes in body composition.

Effect of exercise on the caloric intake of breast cancer patients undergoing treatment

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an exercise intervention on the total caloric intake (TCI) of breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. A secondary purpose was to determine whether or not a relationship existed between changes in TCI, body fat composition ( percentBF), and fatigue during the study, which lasted 6 months. Twenty females recently diagnosed with breast cancer, scheduled to undergo chemotherapy or radiation, were assigned randomly to an experimental (N = 10) or control group (N = 10). Outcome measures included TCI (3-day food diary), percentBF (skinfolds), and fatigue (revised Piper Fatigue Scale). Each exercise session was conducted as follows: initial cardiovascular activity (6-12 min), followed by stretching (5-10 min), resistance training (15-30 min), and a cool-down (approximately 8 min). Significant changes in TCI were observed among groups (F1,18 = 8.582; P = 0.009), at treatments 2 and 3, and at the end of the study [experimental (1973 ± 419), control (1488 ± 418); experimental (1946 ± 437), control (1436 ± 429); experimental (2315 ± 455), control (1474 ± 294), respectively]. A significant negative correlation was found (Spearman rho(18) = -0.759; P < 0.001) between TCI and percentBF and between TCI and fatigue levels (Spearman rho(18) = -0.541; P = 0.014) at the end of the study. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that an exercise intervention administered to breast cancer patients undergoing medical treatment may assist in the mitigation of some treatment side effects, including decreased TCI, increased fatigue, and negative changes in body composition.

A survey of dietary supplement use during pregnancy at an academic medical center.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the usage patterns of dietary supplements during pregnancy, providing information about type of supplements used, prevalence of use, and rationale for use. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was distributed to pregnant patients who were touring the University of California, San Francisco birthing center or who were receiving care at the University of California, San Francisco Women's Health Clinic between November 1999 and March 2000. RESULTS: Of the 150 surveys completed, 20 women (13%) used dietary supplements during pregnancy. The most common products were echinacea (4/45, 8.9%), pregnancy tea (4/45, 8.9%), and ginger (3/45, 6.7%). The most common reasons for beginning or discontinuing use of dietary supplements were to relieve nausea and vomiting (5/20, 25%) and to avoid potential harm to the fetus (5/20, 25%). All side effects were mild and included gastrointestinal discomfort in a patient using elderberry, taste disturbance in a patient using echinacea, and intestinal gas in a patient using borage seed oil. Most patients informed their primary care provider of their use of dietary supplements (15/20, 75%). CONCLUSION: The use of dietary supplements among pregnant women is low but is of concern because of the lack of safety data. Most patients use dietary supplements to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms and disclose such use to their primary care provider.

Age-related variations of serum CK and CK MB response in females.

The objective was to determine whether serum creatine kinase (CK) and serum CK MB activity following exercise-induced muscle damage activity differs among females of varying menarchial status and to determine whether there is a relationship between serum estradiol (E2) concentration, CK, and CK MB activity. Fifteen menarchial (M), 15 premenarchial (P), and 10 postmenopausal (PM) females participated in the study. Exercise consisted of eccentric hamstring contractions. Estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in M women (p =.0001; M, 125.0 +/- 20.8 pg/mL, P, 54.6 +/- 38.6 pg/mL, PM, 46.2 +/- 34.6 pg/mL). Menarchial women had lower resting CK and CK MB activity and responded with a higher efflux of CK and CK MB post exercise (p =.0001). An inverse relationship was found between E2 concentration and baseline CK (p =.02) and CK MB activity (p =. 006). No relationship existed between post exercise efflux of CK and CK MB and E2 concentration. At rest, E2 influenced CK and CK MB activity across menarchial levels. However, E2 did not significantly reduce the level of CK and CK MB activity following this intense bout of eccentric exercise.

A simple in vitro model to study the release kinetics of liposome encapsulated material.

A simple in vitro model was developed to study the release kinetics of liposome encapsulated material in the presence of biologic components. Liposomes were embedded in an agarose gel (bottom layer) formed in a glass vial and separated from the receptor compartment buffer by a second layer of agarose gel (top layer). To follow the release of liposomal contents, aqueous space markers differing in molecular weight (from 205 Dalton to 17500 Dalton) were encapsulated. The isotonic buffer in the receptor was completely changed at various time points and the amount of marker released from the agarose matrix containing the liposomes into the receptor medium determined. The release of non-encapsulated markers from the gel followed a time0.5 relationship with about 75% of a 17500 Dalton protein being released from the matrix in 48 h. In the same period, about 7% of the intact liposomes added to the agarose gel appeared in the receptor phase. The release of calcein from various liposome compositions including: (A) egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC)/egg phosphatidylglycerol (EPG) 9:1, (B) dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE)/cholesterylhemisuccinate (CHEMS) 2:1, and (C) dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPC)/dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) 2:1 was measured. Components of the biological milieu such as serum proteins and calcium influenced release of encapsulated material. This in vitro model is a convenient and reproducible system that permits the study of the release of high molecular weight molecules such as proteins from liposomal formulations in the presence of serum. It may find applications with respect to release of proteins from a variety of colloidal drug delivery systems.

Exercise physiology principles applied to vocal performance: the improvement of postural alignment.

Postural alignment is not an inherent trait. Proper alignment is acquired through training postural muscle groups. This training is based on scientific principles associated with improving the physiological parameters of muscle mechanics. The purpose of this report is to describe and demonstrate the application of exercise physiology training principles to the improvement of postural alignment, which may enhance vocal performance. Specific exercise principles are explained and key concepts highlighted. Selected exercises for training postural muscles are presented to assist in establishing techniques that result in the expected adaptations. The application of training principles to postural muscles has been shown to improve postural alignment by strengthening synergistic muscles and establishing a balance between the agonistic and antagonistic activity of these muscles. Since posture has been well established as an important component of vocal performance, the application of these principles to vocal training seems to warrant the attention of vocal trainers and performers.

Drug-related illness in emergency department patients.

Drug-related illnesses (DRIs) associated with visits to a hospital emergency department (ED) were identified and classified, and the cost of these DRIs was analyzed. A pharmacist reviewed all available ED log forms on file at a 560-bed teaching hospital for October 1994. The following information was collected from these forms and, for patients with documented or suspected DRI, the medical record: medication and allergy history, drug involved in and cause of DRI, diagnosis, patient compliance, serum drug concentrations, and length of hospital stay. A patients was identified as having had a DRI if he or she was taking a drug before the ED visit and if a DRI was documented on the ED log form or suspected by the pharmacist. DRIs were classified as having been caused by inappropriate prescribing, patient noncompliance, an adverse drug reaction (ADR), or a drug interaction. DRIs were considered preventable if they could have been avoided through appropriate prescribing, outpatient monitoring, or compliance. A cost analysis was performed. Of 1260 ED log forms reviewed, 565 (45%) described patients receiving drugs before the ED visit. A total of 50 DRIs were discernible in 49 log forms (3.9% of all 1260 forms, and 8.6% of the 565 forms describing patients taking medication before the visit). Noncompliance, inappropriate prescribing, and ADRs accounted for 58%, 32%, and 10% of the DRIs, respectively. The drugs most frequently involved were albuterol, insulin, and warfarin. Thirty-three (66%) of the DRIs were considered to have been preventable; these DRIs accounted for an estimated $391,342 in annual ED and hospital costs. Many DRIs seen in the ED patients were preventable, and these preventable illnesses contributed substantially to ED and hospital costs.

Effects of physical activity on creatine phosphokinase and the isoenzyme creatine kinase-MB.

Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) have been used extensively as diagnostic markers for myocardial infarction and skeletal muscle injury. Many factors affect the variability of serum CPK and serum CK-MB activity, especially physical activity. We discuss the influence of physical activity on muscle and serum CPK and CK-MB. The effect of acute and chronic exercise on CPK and CK-MB activity emphasizes the need to use measurements of serum CPK and CK-MB with caution when evaluating and diagnosing acute myocardial infarctions and skeletal muscle injury.