The optimization and economic evaluation of oil production using low salinity polymer flood: a case study for EOR 26

Trinidad and Tobago (TT) have been producing crude oil commercially since 1908. For the past few decades, TT’s crude oil production has been in steady decline because most of the oil reservoirs are beyond the primary phase of their production. This situation coupled with lower energy prices have resulted in a shortfall in TT’s energy revenues and presents TT with major economic challenges. The objective of this study was to optimize a field simulation model of a combined Low Salinity Polymer Gel flood to highlight the possibility that Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) can boost crude oil production especially from heavy oil reserves and mature fields. A field simulation model of the EOR 26 Upper Forest Sands was built using the CMG Builder software. The EOR 26 Upper Forest Sand reservoirs of the Forest Reserve field are delineated by shale-outs, faults and water–oil contacts. The entire Forest Reserve is bordered by the Fyzabad anticline to its north-west and the Los Bajos fault to its south-west. A dynamic field simulation model of the combined Low Salinity Polymer Gel flooding of EOR 26 Upper Forest Sands was created using CMG STARS software and the optimum parameters of polymer gel concentration, salinity concentration and injection rates and pressure for the highest oil recovery were investigated. The highest oil recovery was obtained using a polymer gel concentration of 500 ppm with a salinity of 1000 ppm and an injection rate of 900 bbls/day during continuous polymer gel injection for a period of 545 days. The polymer gel injection was preceded by pre flush water injection for 180 days and followed by water injection for the duration of the ten (10) year period. The predicted oil recovery for the project is an additional 14.52% of OOIP and is considered economically feasible at a crude oil price of US$50 per barrel with a payback period of two years and an IRR of 63.53%.

Study of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection versus Plasma Gel in Periorbital Rejuvenation

Background Aging of the skin consists of a combination of genetically predisposed factors (intrinsic aging) and environmental factors (photo aging). The resulting clinical manifestations include mottled pigmentation, wrinkles, and change of the superficial texture leading to coarseness of the skin Dermal components such as collagen and elastic fibers gradually decrease, skin loses its elasticity and shows wrinkles. Loss of skin moisture and subcutaneous fat accelerates the process. Objective To evaluate the efficacy, possible side effects, durability and study of platelet rich plasma injection versus Plasma gel injection in periorbital rejuvenation. Methods This comparative split face study included 40 females with periorbital wrinkles and/or dark circles recruited from the Dermatology outpatient clinic of Ain-Shams University Hospitals.Right periorbital wrinkles was injected by platelet rich plasma while left periorbital side was injected by plasma gel. Results Treatment with plasma gel resulted in significant improvement of periorbital wrinkles with minimal complications compared to platelet rich plasma. While, dark haloes and skin texture were minimally affected whether with plasma gel or PRP injection. Conclusion Plasma gel as well as platelet rich plasma injections may play role in treatment of periorbital wrinkles but mostly for short durations. Plasma gel injection is more effective in periorbital rejuvenation than PRP injection although it has relatively higher complications rate. Both plasma gel and PRP injections has only minimal role in treatment of periorbital dark hallows.

Fibronectin within Sodium Alginate Microcapsules Improved Osteogenic Differentiation of BMMSCs in Dose Dependent Manner by Targeting SP7, OCN, CDK1, ZBTB16, and Twist1 Expression

Introduction: Insoluble fibronectin as an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein has the potential to promote proliferation, differentiation, and migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, there is limited information about the effects of fibronectin various concentrations on bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) function and differentiation. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, using a gel injection device, BMMSCs were encapsulated in sodium alginate microcapsules containing 1.25% alginate, 1% gelatin, and four different concentrations of fibronectin (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 µg/ml). MTT assay was used to examine the proliferation of BMMSCs in des. Also, BMMSCs apoptosis rates were calculated using Annexin-V/PI staining and FACS analysis within 48 hours of exposure. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test was conducted to assess BMMSCs osteogenic differentiation. Finally, mRNA expression levels of the SP7, osteocalcin (OCN), Twist Family BHLH Transcription Factor 1 (Twist1), Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2), Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), and Zinc Finger And BTB Domain Containing 16 (ZBTB16), which involved in MSCs differentiation process were evaluated using Real-Time PCR following exposure with fibronectin 0.1 µg/ml. Result: According to results, fibronectin had the potential to promote proliferation rates of the BMMSCs, in particular at 0.1 and 0.2 µg/ml concentrations. On the other hand, we showed that various concentrations of the fibronectin were not able to modify apoptosis rates of the BMMSCs, negatively or positively. Notable potential of the fibronectin, to trigger osteogenic differentiation of the BMMSCs was documented. Also, RT-PCR results indicated that fibronectin could augment osteogenic differentiation of cultured BMMSCs Conclusion: Results showed that fibronectin can improve proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs without any effect on these cells' survival.

Sonoelastographic Findings of Mucocele-Like Lesion in Breast Due to AQUAfilling® Gel Injection

AQUAfilling® gel has been described as human tissue biocompatible sterile synthetic material. In the literature, there are some cases presenting the complications of gel application. Rupture of implant, leakage, and migration of the gel are the most common complications. The radiologic findings due to gel leaking may mask many breast lesions including malignancy. In this case, the aim was to present the sonographic findings and elastographic features of a histopathologic-proven mucocele-like lesion in breast, due to AQUAfilling® gel injection. This appears to be a rather unique case in the literature.

An Efficacy Study of a New Radical Treatment for Acne Vulgaris Using Fat Injection

Background Fat grafting is a popular operative approach for rejuvenation. Some patients needing facial fat grafting also have acne, a common disorder with a high incidence. Fat grafting may improve areas with acne in some patients. Objectives This study assessed whether fat grafting can improve acne and analyzed the mechanism of action by which fat grafting improves acne. Methods Preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were examined retrospectively in 229 patients who underwent fat grafting to compare the numbers of inflammatory acne lesions. In addition, 18 patients with acne who were treated by injection of subdermal stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) were examined prospectively. The numbers of inflammatory acne lesions before and after treatment, and changes in the levels of CD4 + T cell infiltration, were stained immunohistochemically. Results Of the 229 retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent fat grafting, 22 had acne and had complete follow-up data; in these patients, the numbers of acne lesions were significantly lower after than before treatment. The 18 patients who received subdermal SVF-gel injection showed evident improvements in inflammatory lesions after more than 1 year of follow-up. CD4 + T cell infiltration was significantly decreased at week 4. Conclusions Facial fat grafting could improve inflammatory acne lesions, perhaps because adipose-derived stem cells, which are plentiful in SVF-gel, could reduce CD4 + T cell-mediated inflammation responses.

Injection Laryngoplasty for the Treatment of Type 1 Laryngeal Clefts: A Single Institution Experience

Objective: Standards for treatment of laryngeal clefts remain poorly defined. There are no large case series that report the efficacy of injection laryngoplasty (IL) in the treatment of pediatric Type 1 laryngeal clefts (LC-1). The objective of this study is to measure the effect of IL in young children with LC-1. Methods: A retrospective case series of 130 patients was completed over 3 years at a at a single institution included patients aged 1 month to 8 years, diagnosed with aspiration and penetration issues during swallowing based on a Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS). Patients underwent surgical evaluation and intervention using carboxymethylcellulose gel injection. Collected data points included age in months at time of first injection, gender, race, pre- and post-operation VFSS scores, number of injections, co-morbidities and post-operative complications. VFSS scores were evaluated pre- and post-operatively to assess efficacy of intervention. A secondary outcome was efficacy in patients with aspiration compared to those with penetration alone. Results: This study included 77 male and 53 female patients. Sixty-two patients (48%) demonstrated a significant post-operative improvement in their swallowing function ( P < .05). There were no statistical differences in age, number of injections, or the volume of the first injection. Patients that showed a post-operative improvement in swallowing function were on average 5 months older and had more severe aspiration and penetration compared to those who did not demonstrate a post-operative benefit and underwent less injections. The volume of injection did not appear to play a role in the success rate. Conclusion: Injecting the inter-arytenoid area in patients with LC-1 appears to confer some benefit to close to half of our patient population. Successful procedures seemed to occur in patients with more severe aspiration and penetration and older age.