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This study was designed to investigate effects of the Vitamin C and cashew on biochemical parameters that include concentrations of Uric acid and Creatine phosphokinase, (60) sample of blood have collected and they have divided for 4 groups (2 Control Group C1 ,C2 No treated) Group1( G1) Vitamin C 500 mg/day Group2( G2) Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) 100 g / day The results of this study showed that the physical stress and oxidative stress resulted by acute exercise which caused a significant increase in concentration of serum Uric acid and CPK, while Given the Vitamin C, cashew to period 15 day it is given alone Group. The results a significant decrease in concentration of serum Uric acid and CPK in males for control group, The results showed decrease in Uric acid with Vitamin C (3.50±0.69) for control group (6.64±1.40) and with cashew (4.41±0.94) for control group (6.16±1.34) While results of CPK record decrease in the group treated with Vitamin C (59.9±21.4) comparison with control (83.8±28.5) and with cashew (42.1±12.8) for control group (76.1±22.8) The above results reveals an important of the Vitamin C and Cashew like a strong antioxidant and removing the effects of the free radicals and decreasing the oxidative stress in which the soccer for it during the acute exercise.

In electronic devices, some important materials having a high dielectric constant can be used. Polymer-ceramic composites have a high dielectric constant and are widely used for embedded capacitor applications. It is critical to use polymer poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) as thin films capacitors for the gate dielectric in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). In this work, thin films of polymer PMMA were prepared by using spin coating at different speeds (1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 and 3500 rpm) to control the film thickness and study the effect of the thickness on the dielectric properties. Thin film thickness was measured by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to take cross-section images. We found that the film thickness decreased with increased rotational speed from 27387 nm at 1500 rpm to 10600 nm at 3500 rpm. The values of the capacities were nearly stable with increasing frequencies when thickness equal to or larger than (14366 nm), but their increased with increased frequency at thickness (10600 nm), and the dielectric constant also decreases with increasing thin films thickness. The best result of capacitance value was at thickness 10600nm which equal to (5.753 nF) and dielectric constant equal to (3.511) which represents best value that can be used as dielectric gate for Organic Field Effect Transistor (OFET).

Over recent years, tremendous advances in immunotherapy approaches have been observed, generating significant clinical progress. Cancer immunotherapy has been shown, in different types of blood cancers, to improve the overall survival of patients. Immunotherapy treatment of hematopoietic malignancies is a newly growing field that has been accelerating over the past years. Several US FDA approved drugs and cell-based therapies are being exploited in the late stage of clinical trials. This review attempt to highlight and discuss the numerous innovative immunotherapy approaches of hematopoietic malignancy ranging from nonmyeloablative transplantation, T-cell immunotherapy, natural killer cells and immune agonist to monoclonal antibodies and vaccination. In addition, a brief discussion on the future advances and accomplishments required to counterpart the current immunotherapeutic approaches for hematopoietic malignancies were also highlighted.

Background Human IL-32 is a polyfunctional cytokine that was initially reported to inhibit HIV-1 infection. However, recent data suggest that IL-32 may enhance HIV-1 replication by activating the HIV-1 primary targets, CD4 T-cells. Indeed, IL-32 is expressed in multiple isoforms, some of which are proinflammatory, whereas others are anti-inflammatory. Setting and methods Here, we aimed to determine the relative expression of IL-32 isoforms and to test their inflammatory nature and potential to induce HIV-1 production in latently infected cells from virologically suppressed HIV-infected individuals. IL-32 and other cytokines were quantified from plasma and supernatant of CD4 T-cells by ELISA. Transcripts of IL-32 isoforms were quantified by qRT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The impact of recombinant human IL-32 isoforms on HIV-1 transcription was assessed in CD4 T-cells from HIV-1cART individuals by qRT-PCR. Results All IL-32 isoforms were significantly upregulated in HIV-1cART compared to HIV individuals with IL-32β representing the dominantly expressed isoform, mainly in T-cells and NK-cells. At the functional level, although IL-32γ induced typical proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IFN-γ) in TCR-activated CD4 T-cells, IL-32α showed an anti-inflammatory profile by inducing IL-10 but not IL-6 or IFN-γ. However, IL-32β showed a dual phenotype by inducing both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, consistent with its highly pro-inflammatory nature, IL-32γ, but not IL-32α or IL-32β, induced HIV-1 production in latently infected CD4 T-cells isolated from combined antiretroviral therapy-treated individuals. Conclusions Our data report on the differential expression of IL-32 isoforms and highlight the potential role of IL-32, particularly the γ isoform, in fueling persistent inflammation and transcription of viral reservoir in HIV-1 infection.

With the increased worldwide burden of cancer, including aggressive and resistant cancers, oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a viable therapeutic option. Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) can be genetically engineered to target cancer cells while sparing normal cells. This leads to the direct killing of cancer cells and the activation of the host immunity to recognize and attack the tumor. Different variants of oHSV have been developed to optimize its antitumor effects. In this review, we discuss the development of oHSV, its antitumor mechanism of action and the clinical trials that have employed oHSV variants to treat different types of tumor.

Introduction Les peritonites polymicrobiennes en dialyse peritoneale (DP) sont associees a un mauvais pronostic mais les donnees francaises ne sont pas connues. Description Notre etude multicentrique inclut les adultes debutant la DP entre le 1er janvier 2014 et le 12 novembre 2020 et presentant au moins une peritonite. Les donnees demographiques, la microbiologie des episodes et le pronostic des patients proviennent du Registre de DP de Langue Francaise (RDPLF). Methodes Les patients avec peritonites polymicrobiennes ont ete compares aux monomicrobiennes puis les peritonites a germes enteriques (bacilles gram negatifs, streptocoques groupe B, enterocoques, fongiques, anaerobies) aux autres. Resultats Sur 8848 patients, 2055 presentaient une peritonite microbienne avec 3097 episodes monomicrobiens et 251 polymicrobiens (6 %). L’incidence etait de 0,29 episode/patients-annees. Les bacilles gram negatifs, enterocoques, anaerobies et germes fongiques etaient plus frequents lors des episodes polymicrobiens quand les staphylocoques et bacilles gram positifs l’etaient lors des monomicrobiens. Les patients avec peritonite polymicrobienne etaient plus âges (72 ans vs 69 ans, p = 0,004), plus souvent atteints de demence (4 % vs 2 %, p = 0,03) ou de maladie respiratoire chronique (11 % vs 6 %, p = 0,01). Apres analyses multivariees, le seul facteur de risque etait la demence (aOR: 2,7 [1,2–5,6], p = 0,01) et les peritonites polymicrobiennes etaient plus transferees que les monomicrobiennes (HR: 1,6 [1,1–2,3], p = 0,02) mais la mortalite n’etait pas differente (HR: 0,9 [0,6–1,6], p = 0,83). A l’inverse, les peritonites a germes enteriques etaient severes, associees a l’interruption de la DP (HR: 1,7 [1,4–2,2], p Fig. 1 ). Conclusion Les peritonites polymicrobiennes sont associees aux transferts en hemodialyse mais pas a la mortalite, contrairement aux germes enteriques.

Introduction Peu de données ont été publiées sur les conséquences à long terme du COVID-19. L’objectif de cette étude était de décrire les conséquences à quatre mois chez les patients ayant été hospitalisés pour COVID-19 au printemps 2020. Patients et méthodes Dans une étude prospective de cohorte non contrôlée, les survivants du COVID-19 hospitalisés dans un hôpital universitaire en France entre le 1er mars et le 29 mai 2020 ont fait l’objet d’une évaluation téléphonique quatre mois après leur sortie, entre le 15 juillet et le 18 septembre 2020, évaluant les symptômes respiratoires, cognitifs et fonctionnels. Tous les patients présentant des symptômes cliniquement significatifs, ainsi que tous les patients hospitalisés dans une unité de soins intensifs (USI) ont été convoqués pour une évaluation approfondie en hôpital de jour (HDJ) pluridisciplinaire (épreuves fonctionnelles respiratoires, tomodensitométrie pulmonaire, tests psychométriques et cognitifs). Résultats Parmi 834 patients éligibles, 478 ont pu être évalués lors de la consultation téléphonique (âge moyen 61 (écart type (ET) : 16) ans, 201 hommes, 277 femmes). Lors de l’entretien téléphonique, 244/478 (51 %) patients ont déclaré au moins un symptôme qui n’existait pas avant le COVID-19 : fatigue chez 134/431 (31 %), symptômes cognitifs chez 86/416 (21 %) et dyspnée d’apparition nouvelle chez 78/478 (16 %) patients. Parmi ces 478 patients, 177 (37 %) ont été évalués de manière plus approfondie en HDJ, dont 97 des 142 patients ayant été hospitalisés en soins intensifs. Le score médian du Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI20), évalué chez 130 patients, était de 4,5 [IQR, 3,0-5,0] pour l’ « altération de la motivation » et de 3,7 [IQR, 3,0-4,5] pour la « fatigue mentale » (5 étant le pire état de fatigue ressenti). Le score médian du SF36 évaluant la qualité de vie, évalué chez 145 patients, était de 25 [IQR, 25,0-75,0] pour la sous-dimension « Rôle limité en raison de problèmes physiques » (pire score : 0, meilleur score : 100). Des anomalies de la tomodensitométrie pulmonaire ont été observées chez 108/171 (63 %) patients, principalement des opacités persistantes en verre dépoli. Des lésions fibrotiques ont été observées chez 33/171 (19 %) patients au total, incluant 19/49 (39 %) patients ayant présenté un syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë, impliquant

Hand hygiene is an essential factor to prevent or minimize the spread of infections. The ability to prepare an alcohol-free hand sanitizer (AFHS) with antimicrobial properties is crucial, especially during pandemics, when there are high demands and a low supply chain for ethanol and isopropanol. The objective of this study was to prepare AFHS gels based on natural materials that contain essential oils (EOs) that would be effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens. The results showed that the organoleptic characteristics of all prepared hand sanitizer gels were considered acceptable. The pH of the formulations was slightly acidic (circa 3.9) owing to the presence of aloe vera in large proportions (90% v/v), which is known for its acidity. The spreadability for all tested formulations was in the acceptable range. The antimicrobial effectiveness test demonstrated that the prepared hand sanitizer gels had antimicrobial activities against different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans yeast. The highest antibacterial effect was observed with tea tree oil hand sanitizers, which lack activity against the yeast, while clove oil hand sanitizers showed effectiveness against all microorganisms, including Candida albicans. The lavender hand sanitizer exhibited the least antimicrobial efficiency. The acceptability study on 20 human volunteers showed that the hand sanitizer gel containing 1.25% (v/v) clove oil did not produce any signs of skin irritation. This study suggested that the prepared natural hand sanitizer gel with 1.25% (v/v) clove oil can be a potential alternative to commonly used alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS).

Introduction et but de l’etude Les patients extremement denutris avec AM sont a haut risque de developper une maladie renale chronique (MRC). Aucune methode n’est validee pour evaluer la fonction renale chez ces patients, la creatininemie etant egalement un reflet de la masse musculaire. L’objectif de l’etude etait de comparer les differentes methodes de calcul validees utilisees en pratique courante. L’objectif secondaire etait d’evaluer l’evolution de la creatininemie et des parametres biologiques associes au cours de l’hospitalisation. Materiel et methodes Une etude retrospective a ete menee chez 176 patients adultes souffrant d’AM hospitalisees pour denutrition extreme. L’ensemble des donnees clinicobiologiques ont ete recueillies au cours de l’hospitalisation. Les formules de Cockcroft (CG), MDRD et MAYO ont ete utilisees pour estimer le debit de filtration glomerulaire (DFG). La methode de Bland et Altman a ete utilisee pour evaluer la concordance des formules. L’evolution de la creatinine et des parametres biologiques associees a ete evaluee au cours de l’hospitalisation chez 46 patients. Une comparaison des valeurs a ete realisee par test de t Student. Resultats et analyse statistique Cent soixante-seize patients ont ete inclus (âge : 29,83 ± 12,44 ans, IMC : 12,45 ± 1,86, poids : 33,70 ± 6,32 kg, duree d’evolution de la maladie : 9,44 ± 1,86 ans ; 50 (28 %) presentait une forme purgative). La creatininemie moyenne etait de 58,6 ± 18,8 μmol/L. Le DGF moyen estime par Cockcroft etait de 72,3 (± 27,9) μmol/L, 131,9(± 65,8) μmol/L par MDRD et 116,5(± 14,2) μmol/L par MAYO. La prevalence de MRC ≥ stade 2 etait de 95 % d’apres CG, 28 % d’apres Mayo et 55 % patients d’apres MDRD. Aucune concordance n’a ete retrouvee entre les differentes formules. La creatininemie etait a 53,67 (± 19,2) μmol/L a l’entree, 49,39 (± 17,3) μmol/L au 7e jour d’hospitalisation et 49,96 (± 15,1) μmol/L a la sortie. On observe une diminution significative de la creatininemie apres rehydratation et renutrition partielle. Conclusion L’atteinte renale est une complication decrie et potentiellement grave observee chez l’AM extremement denutrie. La prevalence de MRC est tres variable selon la methode d’estimation consideree. Les equations disponibles ne permettent pas une estimation fiable de la fonction. Des etudes prospectives utilisant une methode isotopique comme comparateur sont necessaires pour valider une methode fiable. L’evolution de la creatininemie suppose une part fonctionnelle initiale de l’insuffisance renale.

The ‘B’ Field is located about 40 KM, offshore Sarawak and was discovered in 1967 with 70-80 m water depth. Structurally, ‘B’ field is charaterised by a simple relatively flat, low-relief domal anticline which is bounded to the north and south by the north-hading growth faults. The major faults are acted as effective lateral seal, which is indicated by the difference in the fluid type and fluid contacts across those faults. ‘B’ field consist of multiple hetereogenous sandstone reservoirs with permeability and porosity ranging from 25 −1700 mD and 16 −29% respectively. ‘B’ Field injectivity conformance for reservoir pressure support is very crucial as the field is undergoing severe depletions over years and unable to meet the production target. The Operator realized the importance in order to further increase the recovery factor, hence has included ‘B’ field in the Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) project to boost the production and prolong ‘B'field's life. Based on comprehensive IOR/EOR screening study, water injection process has been identified as the most amenable IOR process in ‘B'field. Hence, in Phase 1 drilling campaign, two (2) water injectors were drilled in 2016 in order to achieve the target oil recovery. Both well BWI-01 and BWI-02 were completed with Intelligent completions (IC) and expected to come online in Q4 2018. This paper further discusses the injection strategy in ‘B’ field multi-zones to meet the zonal injectivity and reservoir zonal voidage replacement requirement for pressure maintenance over field production life. The discussion covers the reservoir characteristics and zonal injectivity challenges with surface constraints that require intelligent completions solution for IOR phase. Completions architecture and customized metallurgy needs is crucial to meet operational challenges. Fit-for-purpose and maintaning development cost is pre-requisite to achieve well injection performance for optimal production

Background Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC 1) drives the proinflammatory expansion of T helper (TH) type 1, TH17 cells and controls fibroblast proliferation, typical features of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) pathogenesis. Molecular pathways involved in arterial lesions of LVV are unknown. Objectives To analyse mTOR pathway activation in LVV (giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis). Methods We evaluate pathway activation in the mTORC and the nature of cell proliferation in blood and vessels of patients with LVV compared non-inflammatory aorta by using double immunostaining, western blot and flow cytometry. Finally, using flow cytometry, we study the effect of rapamycin on T cells homeostasis in LVV compared to HD. Results Proliferation of both endothelial cells and vascular smooth-muscle cells was shown in vascular lesions in LVV. The vascular endothelium of proliferating aorta vessels from patients with LVV showed indications of activation of the mTORC1 pathway en endothelial cells (S6RP phosphorylation) compared to non-inflammatory aorta (45%24;48 versus 10.4% [9.7;14.9] positive S6RP endothelial cells, p=0.03). In cultured vascular endothelial cells, sera from patients with LVV stimulated mTORC1 through the phosphorylation of S6RP. Activation of mTORC1 was also found in Th1 and Th17 cells both systemically and in the blood vessels. Patients with LVV exhibited a diminished S6RP phosphorylation in Tregs. Inhibition of mTORC1 pathway with rapamycin, increase Tregs and decrease effector CD4+IFNγ+, CD4+IL17+ and CD4+IL21+ T cells in patients with LVV. Conclusions Our results suggest that the mTORC1 pathway is involved in the vascular lesions of LVV. Targeting mTORC pathway may represent a new therapeutic option in patients with LVV. Disclosure of Interest None declared

International audience; Background:Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC 1) drives the proinflammatory expansion of T helper (TH) type 1, TH17 cells and controls fibroblast proliferation, typical features of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) pathogenesis. Molecular pathways involved in arterial lesions of LVV are unknown.Methods: We evaluate mTORC pathway activation in vascular aorta lesions and in T cell homeostasis of patients with LVV.Results: Proliferation of both endothelial cells and vascular smooth-muscle cells was shown in vascular lesions in LVV. The vascular endothelium of proliferating aorta vessels from patients with LVV showed indications of activation of the mTORC1 pathway (S6RP phosphorylation). In cultured vascular endothelial cells, sera from patients with LVV stimulated mTORC1 through the phosphorylation of S6RP. mTORC1 activation was found also in Th1 and Th17 cells both systemically and in inflamed vessels. Patients with LVV exhibited a diminished S6RP phosphorylation in Tregs. Inhibition of mTORC1 pathway with rapamycin, increase Tregs and decrease effector CD4+IFNγ+, CD4+IL17+ and CD4+IL21+ T cells in patients with LVV.Conclusions: We provided evidence that mTORC1 pathway has a central role in driving T cell inflammation and vascular lesions in LVV. Targeting mTORC pathway may represent a new therapeutic option in patients with LVV.

Nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films were prepared by using sol-gel through spin- coating method. An assembly of indium tin oxide (ITO)/TiO2/polyaniline (PANI)/Ag was made in a sandwich panel structure. The obtained junction shows rectifying behavior. Additionally, the I/V characteristic indicates that a P-N junction at nanocrystalline PANI/TiO2 interface has been created. In this experimental study, we depended only on the ratio between titanium and PANI in the process of preparing sol-gel (PANi/TiO2 at 20% wt). The largest open circuit voltage of 656 mV and short current density of 0.00315 mΑ/cm2 produce 0.0004% power conversion solar cell (η) under simulated solar radiation (50 mW/cm2). The thin films of PANI and titanium oxide (TiO2)/ PANI composites were synthesized by sol-gel technique. Pure TiO2 powder with nanoparticle size of less than 25 nm and PANI were synthesized through chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline monomers. The composite films were characterized by high resolution X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field effect scanning electron microscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results were compared with the corresponding data on pure PANI films. The intensity of diffraction peaks for PANI/TiO2 composites is lower than that for TiO2. The characteristic of the FTIR peaks of pure PANI shifts to a higher wave number in TiO2/PANI composite, which is attributed to the interaction of TiO2 nanoparticles with PANI molecular chains.

This research includes practical results of study the behavior of the reinforced concrete beams strengthening by carbon fiber strips using near surface mounting (NSM) technique. The study is carried out on (8) concrete beams, the variables which considered are (the length of CFRP strips, no. of CFRP layers), this established by dividing the practical program into two groups, the first one includes (3) beams strengthened with variable carbon fiber strips length and one strip, Second group of this study includes (3) beams which strengthened with variable carbon fiber strips length and two strips, as well as two control beams . The results indicated that the carbon fibers had a noticeable effect in increasing the bearing capacity of the near surface mounting (NSM) strengthened technique reinforced beams, , the results indicated that strengthening the beams with carbon fibers and not along the length of the beam and in one layer did not contribute to increasing the beams strength, but when the number of layers was increased for the same length of fibers an increase in beam strength was noticed at a rate range (34%-55%).

The development of any marginal field is a difficult process when the operator is faced with the challenge of maximizing hydrocarbon recovery with a minimum investment, when at the same time, the highest HSE standards must be achieved. This paper summarizes the challenges faced by an operator in Malaysia, who successfully completed two (2) oil-producer wells in a developmental field using a single-trip stand-alone screen (SAS) completion system. The improved system enabled the operator to save up to 24 hours per well during the completion phase using a jack-up rig, when compared to running conventional dual-trip completions. This system eliminated the need for a liner hanger or gravel-pack packer and mule shoe. It also allowed wash-down capability via a permanent inner string that eliminated extra runs that would have been required using wash pipes in a conventional dual-trip completion. Both wells were selected as candidates for this pilot project based on the guidelines below: Simple completion design Shallow depth < less than 2500 m measured depth drill floor (MDDF) “J-type” wells with low deviation < 450 Short openhole length < less than 500 ft Initial single-target zone. Potential risks identified during the operation were discussed in depth with the complete project team. A service/engineering company's software program that included a comprehensive set of engineering tools for analysis, well planning, modeling, and well-operation optimization was used to simulate the completion string performance in the actual downhole conditions. The simulation results helped determine the risk of undesirable incidents that might occur during the completion installation. This concept was proven later by the successful deployment of the completion string. Packer selection for this type of completion design was also critical. With a wide variety of packers offered in the current market, the completion designer proposed that a specific hydraulic-set retrievable production packer be used. The selected packer provided heavy hang-weight capability with easy installation and retrievability for future work overs. The packer's hydraulic setting mechanism comprised an anti-pre-set system that would prevent the packer from prematurely setting due to friction pressures on the completion tubing during openhole displacement operations. The success of the completion installation on the first well gave the operator enough confidence to apply the same operational approach to a second well that included an additional pay zone, which was isolated using a swellable packer; the second completion was successfully deployed as well. A total of 48 hours, equivalent to 28 percent of rig-time savings, optimized the overall completion efficiency for this campaign. This pilot project will be used as a bench mark for future stand-alone screen applications on wells with similar characteristics.

This paper illustrates the design and application of tools and procedures for successful execution of the first Multi-zone Cased Hole Gravel Pack Completion in West Malaysia utilizing Alternate Path (Shunt Tube) Technology with Isolation System to enable access to multiple reserves and maximize reservoir contact in “A” field. The single trip gravel pack system allowed multiple stacked zones to be completed with reduced completion operation time. The “A” field, predominantly consisting of unconsolidated stacked layers has tendency to produce formation fines and sand and historically, gravel pack has proved as the most appropriate sand exclusion method for this field. Considering the distance between the adjacent zones (upper zone was approximately 120m distance from the middle zone), shunt tube technique was selected as the most suitable method for achieving uniform and high packing efficiency. Several options were examined for the completion to select a technology to have a proven cost effective solution to cope with different intervals space out far distance. The multizone shunt tube system has an intensive record of accomplishment in the oil and gas industry and has been used in Malaysia with excellent results. It was a very attractive technique to use because of its simplicity and cost-effective approach of completion of multiple intervals. Proppant placement with 100 percent packing efficiency along 227m of 3 different zones was critical for the success of the project. Shunt tube configuration was optimized by selectively plugging and unplugging nozzles to efficiently distribute the proppant to all 3 intervals. This technique added high value to the success of the operation and ensured any bridges in the annulus were bypassed during gravel packing treatment. The gravel packing carrier fluid also plays an important role when using shunt tubes. The system needs a viscous fluid to suspend and carry proppants to the perforations and form a competent and compacted pack without damaging the treated zones. For this reason, a Non-polymeric and solid free VES (viscous elastic surfactant) was chosen. The selected carrier fluid has been used in propped fracturing as well as gravel packing with excellent results as it has exceptional gravel carrying capability and leaves high formation retained permeability resulting in significantly low skin due to the unique capability of breaking when exposed to small amount of liquid hydrocarbons thus eliminating the requirement for breakers (Sullivan et al, 2006. Parra et al, 2009. Shahryar et al, 2010).

Whipple’s disease (WD) is a rare, chronic, systemic infection due to Tropheryma whipplei (1, 2). The diagnosis is challenging, which explains why some patients mistakenly thought to have inflammato...

Reservoir pressure and temperature measurements have become the cornerstone of reservoir and production management. These measurements provide improved capabilities for understanding of oil and gas reservoir characteristics, which enables greater reservoir management for increased production and improved ultimate recovery. The reliability and accuracy of permanent downhole pressure and temperature technologies is therefore of the highest priority when planning field developments, be it green fields, brown fields, marginal fields or EOR projects. A long term Permanent Downhole Gauge and Fiber Optic monitoring contract was awarded in August 2010 with the intent to provide reservoir monitoring with the highest reliability and accuracy that was available. Since the award of the contract, the world-class milestone of 50 installations was achieved in August 2013. This milestone was enhanced by the fact that, an amazing success rate of 100% was realized. As of June 2014, the number of installations has increased to more than 80 gauges while maintaining the 100% success. This has provided increased confidence for the operator to expand deployment of permanent downhole gauges to higher pressure and temperature environment. This success story has been achieved by a combination of many factors, from the strong validation process for gauge selection and subsequent choice of world class technologies with the highest survivability in the oil industry, close collaboration between the project and operations teams of the oil company and service provider, project management expertise, detailed preparation and maintenance, to the philosophy of providing real time data delivery to the end user. This paper provides an update of the remarkable success story including the technologies installed, the progression into increasingly higher pressure and temperature environments, and examples of the benefits observed from the access to reliable and accurate downhole pressure and temperature information.

Gas wells often produce sour gas (H2S) along with significant quantities of CO2, and when it is suspected that these conditions will be encountered, corrosion-resistant alloys (CRAs) must be used in completions. This paper discusses an unusual development strategy for an offshore gas cluster off Peninsular Malaysia. The planning for the project had to consider that the environment contained approximately 57% CO2 in addition to H2S. To meet the needs of this project, a dedicated team from the operator and service/engineering company developed a completion strategy incorporating several "firsts" for this area. This paper will discuss the unusual completion strategies selected, why they were used, and the resulting success of the well completions. This was the first usage of 25Cr by this operator in Malaysia. Some of the changes included:Alloy 25Cr was used for all 3–1/2- and 4–1/2-in. completion equipmentThe equipment was rated for 5000psi and 7500psi The wells were completed without any issues relating to the use of any of the new strategies, and these have become the standard for all future Monobore/Dual completion wells with high CO2 content and low H2S content for both upper and lower completions. The wells have been in operation for more than one year, and production has been as anticipated. This case history covers the early stage planning (including materials recommendation stage), technical design review, equipment design, CRA handling and equipment preparation onshore, CRA handling offshore, and completion execution throughout the campaign. Results of the operation from a mechanical perspective will also be presented.

This paper aims to investigate the impact of devaluation of the Iraqi dinar on the country's trade balance for the period 1970-90. It follows the elasticity approach to the balance of payments. The OLS and GLS methods were used to estimate the import and export demand functions. The empirical results indicate that devaluation does not improve the trade balance, since the sum of demand elasticities for imports and exports is less than unity (point estimate). However, at 95 per cent and 80 per cent and for lower confidence intervals, the results cannot reject the hypothesis that devaluation does improve the trade balance. Only at some even lower confidence interval is the sum of the price elasticities unambiguously less than unity, resulting in the conclusion that devaluation does not improve the trade balance.

This paper examines the possibilities for import substitution in manufacturing industries in Iraq. To do this, it devises three measures of import substitution and applies them to 14 defined industries for the period 1978–88; this period, in turn, is divided into sub-periods, 1978–82 and 1982–88. The paper also evaluates the effects of substitution on patterns of growth in these industries. The results range from high to low levels of substitution, as well as negative ones. The paper, in particular, highlights the agricultural sector as needing to be subsidised and encouraged to increase production. Generally, the analysis suggests that, in the period under review, the Iraqi economy succeeded in the first state of import substitution, namely the manufacture of consumer goods, and displayed good potential in the second, namely the manufacture of intermediate and capital goods. It concludes by saying that international pressures played an important role in encouraging substitution in 1978–88.

We analyzed the features of opsoclonus syndrome as a manifestation of post viral encephalopathy in 3 patients (one child and 2 adults). This is the first report of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome in the Arabian Peninsula. Symptoms appeared a few days after a viral-like illness in all patients. We excluded the possibility of paraneoplastic syndrome as investigations were carried out and follow-up did not reveal malignancy. One patient received a relatively long duration steroid treatment, another one received steroids in pulsed therapy, the third did not receive any specific treatment. The outcome was very good with improvement except in one who had severe sequelae.

Abstract Field BY Coiled Tubing (CTU) Operation comprised of 2 wells to be cleaned out and perforated that are A1 and A4. These two wells target reservoir was untapped and has good potential of increasing gas production rate from BY Field. Well A1 is an infill well while A4 is a workover well, which both operations were commenced in October 2009 using a jack up drilling rig. Problem started when these wells experienced held up as there was solid restriction inside the liner, which prevented further movement of the wireline tool and as such, perforation can't take place. After considering the escalating daily spread cost, in February 2010, decision was made to release the rig and temporarily suspend the wells for future well intervention. Few options were available for the intervention job. After assessing all risks, the drilling team has decided to deploy CTU operation with Catenary system. This operation was considered unique and the first for Drilling Departrment. The challenge was high for the inexperienced team in handling the CTU Catenary operation. With shear determination and commitment, the drilling team managed to deliver the operation, where both wells were successfully cleaned out, perforated and flowed exceeding the minimum target. This paper discusses the challenges faced by the drilling team in carrying out the CTU operation and lessons learnt throughout the operation. Introduction Upon suspension of well A1 and A4, the drilling team has started to look for solution to carry out the intervention job. Factors like cost, rig availability, effectiveness and offshore/weather condition played important roles in making the decision. Based on detail technical discussion, the team had decided to use Rig-less CTU Catenary system. Instead of rig, a workboat was required to support the operation. It allowed Catenary system equipments (Coiled tubing Reel, Catenary System Power Pack, and Coil Feeder) to be positioned on a workboat and at the same time provided space for temporary storage of other major equipment such as tank and silos for clean-up fluids storage. Other major equipment were CTU Power Pack, Control Cabin, Injector Head stack up and flying Gooseneck were positioned on platform deck. Besides that, the platform was loaded with Well Testing equipment to control the flow by choke manifold and disposal of return from the wells by flaring through Burner Boom. On the other hand, a Slick line and Wire line equipments were placed on the platform deck for the purpose of tubing clearance check and perforation operation respectively. Using a workboat essentially saved the overall project cost because the daily charter rate for a workboat package including one support vessel is a quarter of a standard jack up rig daily cost.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune demyelinating disease that is rarely associated with aseptic meningitis. However, certain syndromes causing aseptic meningitis are often associated with central nervous system demyelination that mimics multiple sclerosis (MS). Since many of these syndromes are potentially treatable, unmasking an alternative diagnosis is essential whenever an MS-like illness and recurrent meningitis are encountered in the same patient. Yet, the search for an alternative diagnosis may be elusive sometimes, despite extensive and appropriate investigations. We present a young woman with an MS-like illness associated with recurrent meningitis over a 7-year period. After an exhaustive evaluation, we conclude that recurrent meningitis is an atypical manifestation of MS. If neurologists would appreciate this point, unrewarding and costly investigations may be avoided and appropriate therapy instituted when similar cases are encountered in clinical practice.

To examine the utility of the sympathetic skin response SSR as a measure of impaired autonomic function among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia.In this case-control study, baseline SSR was obtained from 18 healthy subjects, followed by nerve conduction studies, and SSR testing on a consecutive cohort of 50 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. The SSR in diabetic patients was compared between those with autonomic neuropathy and those without autonomic neuropathy. This study was conducted at the King Khaled University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from June 2006 to June 2007.The SSR was present in all healthy subjects, and in 32 diabetic patients. Among 16 patients with autonomic neuropathy, the SSR was absent in 14 and present in 2, while 4 of 34 patients lacking evidence of autonomic neuropathy had absent SSR. Using Fisher's exact test, we found a strong association between absent SSR and autonomic neuropathy p0.001, however, not with age or duration of diabetes mellitus. As a diagnostic test of autonomic neuropathy, the SSR had a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 88.2%, a positive predictive value of 77.8%, and a negative predictive value of 93.7%.Absence of the SSR is a reliable indicator of autonomic neuropathy among patients with diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia.

King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre Ministry of National Guards - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia