bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Microbial Sulfate Reduction of Hydrocarbons in Groundwater Using Permeable Filled Borings
Authors: Buscheck Timothy , Mackay Douglas , Paradis Charles , Schmidt Radomir , de Sieyes Nicholas 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAt a service station closed in 1993, groundwater contained benzene that persisted above the cleanup goal of 1 mg/L in zones depleted of background sulfate. The benzene and other petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) were present as much as 36 feet (11 m) below the water table and therefore remediation of a thick saturated zone interval was required. Microcosms using site sediments demonstrated that anaerobic benzene biodegradation occurred only if sulfate was added, suggesting sulfate addition as a remediation approach. Twenty‐four boreholes (9.1″ diameter and 56′ deep) were drilled around four monitoring wells, in which benzene concentrations exceeded 1 mg/L. The boreholes were backfilled with a mixture of gravel and 15,000 pounds of gypsum (which releases sulfate as it dissolves) to create “Permeable Filled Borings” (PFBs). Concurrently, nine high pressure injections (HPIs) of gypsum slurry were conducted in other site locations (312 pounds of gypsum total). PFBs were expected to release sulfate for up to 20 years, whereas HPIs were expected to produce a short‐lived plume of sulfate. Concentrations of benzene and sulfate in groundwater were monitored over a 3‐year period in six monitoring wells. In two wells near PFBs, benzene concentrations dropped below the cleanup goal by two to three orders of magnitude; in one well, sulfate concentrations exceeded 500 mg/L for the most recent 18 months. Benzene concentrations in two other PFB monitoring wells declined by a factor of 2 to 4, but remained above 1 mg/L, presumably due to high‐dissolved PHC concentrations and possibly greater residual PHC mass in adjacent sediments, and therefore greater sulfate demand. However, hydrogen and sulfur isotopic enrichment in benzene and sulfate, respectively, confirmed biodegradation of benzene and stimulation of sulfate‐reducing conditions. Thus, it is hypothesized that the PHC mass in adjacent sediments will decline over time, as will dissolved PHC concentrations, and eventually benzene concentrations will decrease below the cleanup goal. Benzene in two HPI monitoring wells was below the cleanup goal for all but one sampling event before HPIs were conducted and remained below the cleanup goal after HPIs; there was no stimulation of sulfate‐reducing conditions. It is concluded that sulfate released from PFBs contributed to declining benzene concentrations.
Clinical and epidemiologic features of melasma: a multicentric cross‐sectional study from India
Authors: Sarkar Rashmi , Jagadeesan Soumya , Basavapura Madegowda Shasikumar , Verma Sonali , Hassan Iffat , Bhat Yasmeen , Minni Khushboo , Jha Abhijeet , Das Anupam , Jain Geraldine , Arya Latika , Mandlewala Zubin , Bagadia Jimish , Garg Vijay 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundThough melasma is a common skin condition in India, epidemiological studies are few and geographically confined. The present study was designed to gain insights into factors involved in causation and aggravation of melasma, demographic distribution, clinical presentations, and treatment patterns.MethodsA cross‐sectional multicentric study was conducted in 10 centers distributed across the four regions of India. Data including demographics, personal and family medical history, triggering and aggravating factors, clinical patterns, and details of past treatment regimens were recorded, and severity was estimated using the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score. Data collected by site dermatologists were collated and analyzed.ResultsThe study evaluated 1,001 patients with melasma from 10 centers. Mean age was 38.02 years. Females dominated (85%). Proportion of males was highest in the east (22.2%) and lowest in the south (10.8%). Majority of patients belonged to intermediate skin phototypes. There was a significant difference (P = 0.000) between duration of sun exposure and duration of cooking fire/occupational heat exposure across the four regions. There was a significant association (P = 0.003, Mann‐Whitney U test) and a positive correlation between duration of cooking heat/occupational heat exposure and severity of melasma. Sunscreens were used by only one‐fifth of the study population (19.6%) whereas use of steroids and triple combinations was more common (28%).ConclusionOne of the largest studies on melasma from the subcontinent, this study describes the epidemiological determinants of melasma. Data suggests that the duration of cooking fire/occupational heat exposure may be linked to severity of melasma. Sunscreen use seems inadequate in Indian patients; use of steroid‐containing medications is more common.
Health and economic burden of influenza‐associated illness in South Africa, 2013‐2015
Authors: Tempia Stefano , Moyes Jocelyn , Cohen Adam L. , Walaza Sibongile , Edoka Ijeoma , McMorrow Meredith L. , Treurnicht Florette K. , Hellferscee Orienka , Wolter Nicole , von Gottberg Anne , Nguweneza Athermon , McAnerney Johanna M. , Dawood Halima , Variava Ebrahim , Cohen Cheryl 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundEconomic burden estimates are essential to guide policy‐making for influenza vaccination, especially in resource‐limited settings.MethodsWe estimated the cost, absenteeism, and years of life lost (YLL) of medically and non‐medically attended influenza‐associated mild and severe respiratory, circulatory and non‐respiratory/non‐circulatory illness in South Africa during 2013‐2015 using a modified version of the World Health Organization (WHO) worksheet based tool for estimating the economic burden of seasonal influenza. Additionally, we restricted the analysis to influenza‐associated severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza‐like illness (ILI; subsets of all‐respiratory illnesses) as suggested in the WHO manual.ResultsThe estimated mean annual cost of influenza‐associated illness was $270.5 million, of which $111.3 million (41%) were government‐incurred costs, 40.7 million (15%) were out‐of‐pocket expenses, and $118.4 million (44%) were indirect costs. The cost of influenza‐associated medically attended mild illness ($107.9 million) was 2.3 times higher than that of severe illness ($47.1 million). Influenza‐associated respiratory illness costs ($251.4 million) accounted for 93% of the total cost. Estimated absenteeism and YLL were 13.2 million days and 304 867 years, respectively. Among patients with influenza‐associated WHO‐defined ILI or SARI, the costs ($95.3 million), absenteeism (4.5 million days), and YLL (65 697) were 35%, 34%, and 21% of the total economic and health burden of influenza.ConclusionThe economic burden of influenza‐associated illness was substantial from both a government and a societal perspective. Models that limit estimates to those obtained from patients with WHO‐defined ILI or SARI substantially underestimated the total economic and health burden of influenza‐associated illness.
Should fast pathway ablation be reconsidered in typical atrioventricular nodal re‐entrant tachycardia?
Authors: Tuohy Stephen , Trulock Kevin M. , Wiggins Newton B. , Bassiouny Mohammed , Ono Maki , Kiehl Eric L. , Cantillon Daniel , Tarakji Khaldoun , Tanaka Christine , Dresing Thomas , Saliba Walid , Varma Niraj , Tchou Patrick 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionAtrioventricular nodal re‐entry tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common, regular narrow‐complex tachycardia. The established treatment is catheter ablation of the AV nodal slow pathway (SP). However, in a select group of patients with long PR intervals in sinus rhythm, SP ablation can lead to AV block due to the absence of robust anterograde conduction through the fast pathway (FP). This report aims to demonstrate that AV nodal FP ablation is a reasonable approach in patients with AVNRT and poor or absent anterograde FP conduction.Methods and ResultsStandard electrophysiology study techniques were used in the electrophysiology laboratory. Catheter ablations were performed using radiofrequency energy. Mapping of intracardiac activation was performed with electroanatomical mapping systems. Outcomes were assessed acutely during the procedure and during routine clinical follow‐up. Six patients with first‐degree AV block and recurrent AVNRT who underwent ablation of their tachycardia at our institution are presented. One patient underwent ablation of AV nodal SP resulting in high‐degree AV block necessitating pacemaker implantation. The remaining five patients underwent ablation of the AV nodal FP guided by electroanatomical mapping of the earliest atrial activation in tachycardia. These five had successful treatment of the tachycardia with preservation of anterograde AV nodal conduction. Mapping and ablation approach to eliminate retrograde FP conduction are described.ConclusionIn select patients with AVNRT and poor anterograde FP conduction, retrograde FP ablation is reasonable and is less likely to result in AV block and pacemaker dependency.
Usefulness of ICD electrograms analysis to distinguish endocardial vs epicardial ventricular tachycardia in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kodali Santhisri , Shirai Yasuhiro , Callans David J. , Zado Erica S. , Marchlinski Francis E. , Santangeli Pasquale 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by an epicardial (EPI) to endocardial (ENDO) fibrofatty infiltration of the RV predisposing to both EPI and ENDO ventricular tachycardia (VT). The relative timing between the VT QRS onset on the far‐field ventricular electrogram (VEGM) to the local activation time recorded at the RV apex on the near‐field VEGM from stored implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) events of VT can be helpful to discriminate ENDO from EPI VT in ARVC.Methods and resultsWe analyzed consecutive ARVC patients undergoing catheter ablation between 2006 and 2018. Only patients with retrievable ICD VEGMs of clinical VTs which could be matched with VTs induced at the time of ablation were included. A total of 26 VT events (16 ENDO, 10 EPI) from 19 ARVC patients were examined, yielding a mean far‐field to near‐field interval of 33 ± 15 ms for ENDO VTs and 52 ± 20 ms for EPI VTs (P = .020). At receiver‐operating characteristic analysis, a far‐field to a near‐field interval of 60 ms or more ruled out ENDO VTs in 16 (100%) cases and identified EPI VTs with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 73%. An interval of less than or equal to 30 ms ruled out EPI VTs in eight (80%) cases and diagnosed ENDO VTs with a PPV of 80% and an NPV of 50%.ConclusionFar‐field to near‐field ICD VEGM timing may be used to predict ENDO vs EPI VT in ARVC before ablation, indicating an ENDO origin if the timing is less than or equal to 30 ms and an EPI origin if greater than or equal to 60 ms.
Endodontically treated posterior teeth restored with or without crown restorations: A 5‐year retrospective study of survival rates from fracture
Authors: Jirathanyanatt Titalee , Suksaphar Warattama , Banomyong Danuchit , Ngoenwiwatkul Yaowaluk 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to investigate survival rates from fracture of endodontically treated posterior teeth (ETT) restored with or without crowns with recall periods of up to 5 years.MethodsETT with single‐unit crown or resin composite restorations were studied based on the inclusion criteria. Restoration, tooth structure loss, adjacent teeth, fracture, and restorability were recorded. Survival rates from fracture were calculated, and risk factors were identified.ResultsOverall, survival rate of ETT with crowns (92.2%) was significantly higher than resin composites (77.4%) (P < 0.05). ETT with one or two surface loss/es and two adjacent teeth had a high survival rate of 86.9%, which was not significantly different to ETT with crowns (P ≥ 0.05). Restoration and adjacent teeth were identified as significant factors. The majority of fractured ETT with resin composites were restorable, whereas those with crowns were unrestorable. Survival rates from unrestorable fracture were not significantly different between the crown (93.1%) and resin composite (96%) (P ≥ 0.05).ConclusionsThe survival rate from the fracture of ETT restored with crowns was significantly higher than ETT restored with resin composites, but was not significantly different to ETT with one or two ETT with one or two surface loss/es and two adjacent teeth. ETT restored with resin composites had mostly restorable fracture, whereas ETT with unrestorable fracture were similar between the two restorations.
Radial shockwave therapy for male erectile rejuvenation in a dermatology and/or medical aesthetic practice
Authors: Goldberg David , Andriessen Anneke , Gold Michael 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionErectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection to satisfactorily complete intercourse. Treatment depends on the cause and includes phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor medications, penile pumps, implants, and surgery. Low‐intensity shockwave therapy has been shown to be effective and safe for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.ObjectiveWe explored the role of low‐intensity radial shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction treatment in a dermatology and/or medical aesthetic practice setting.Materials and MethodsA literature review was conducted on radial low‐intensity shockwave technology in use for erectile rejuvenation to explore its positioning, safety, efficacy, tolerability, subject satisfaction, and usability in a dermatology and/or medical aesthetic setting.ResultsLow‐intensity shockwave therapy was shown to be effective in subjects with organic erectile dysfunction, and the treatment effect was maintained for up to 2 years post‐treatment. The treatment is reported to be safe and well‐tolerated and have little downtime. Many dermatologists use low‐intensity shockwave therapy for the treatment of cellulite and other conditions. This type of treatment is now available for erectile dysfunction and seems an attractive and safe option for subjects with organic vascular erectile dysfunction.ConclusionsStudies and clinical experience suggest that male erectile rejuvenation using low‐intensity radial shockwave therapy seems an attractive option. The treatment can be safely, and effectively, delivered by trained staff as part of the total package that is available to men in a dermatology and/or medical aesthetic practice.
Childbearing Worldviews and Contraceptive Behavior Among Young Women
Authors: Shepherd Hana , Marshall Emily A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to classify young women into groups based on their childbearing worldviews—patterns of attitudes about domains related to childbearing—and to test whether these groups predict contraceptive behavior.BackgroundContraceptive behavior—defined here as contraceptive use or abstinence—among young women in the United States illustrates the often puzzling relationship between attitudes and behavior. This study argues that considering sets of attitudes relevant to childbearing in relation to each other can explain apparent contradictions between attitudes and contraceptive behavior.MethodUsing data from the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life study of young women (N = 832), this study analyzes the relationships among attitudes about childbearing by using latent class analysis to partition survey respondents into meaningful groups, and then multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between group membership and contraceptive behavior. Latent class analysis identifies classes that share similar relationships between responses across a series of variables to measure childbearing worldviews.ResultsLatent class analysis identifies six classes of young women that share childbearing worldviews, four of which were predicted by the existing literature. Membership in those classes is then shown to predict contraceptive behavior, an important behavioral outcome.ConclusionThe concept of worldviews and the method for identifying them will allow family researchers to identify meaningful groups in a population as well as to generate theories about childbearing and contraceptive behavior.
Missed opportunities for oral cancer screening in Australia
Authors: Webster John D. , Batstone Martin , Farah Camile S. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectivesMost patients with oral cancer lack early symptoms, therefore most present with advanced stage of disease. Early detection of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) in the asymptomatic phase via an opportunistic oral cancer screening examination is important as survival rates are significantly improved if the disease is treated at an earlier stage. The objective is to identify opportunities to achieve early stage diagnosis of oral cancer in Australian patients.Materials and MethodsA cohort of 103 patients newly diagnosed with oral cancer were surveyed at a tertiary hospital Head and Neck Clinic. Patient awareness, knowledge, risk factors and diagnostic delay in oral cancer diagnosis were investigated. The asymptomatic period before diagnosis was studied to identify opportunities for improving opportunistic screening rates in Australia.ResultsAustralian patients have poor awareness of oral cancer with 46% having never heard of oral cancer, and poor knowledge of risk factors for oral cancer. Only 7% were diagnosed in the asymptomatic phase and all by dental practitioners. Once symptomatic, median diagnostic delay was 9 weeks. In the asymptomatic phase before diagnosis, patients attended general medical practitioners far more often than general dental practitioners. Both groups rarely discussed risk factors for oral cancer (<10%) or performed opportunistic oral cancer screening examinations (<10%) with their patients.ConclusionAsymptomatic diagnosis of oral cancer at an earlier stage of disease is possible in the primary medical setting but increased awareness and knowledge are required in both patients and health practitioners.
Size‐dependent investment in tusk length, testis size and sperm length in a biparental geotrupid beetle
Authors: Rosa M. E. , Kiss J. , Barta Z. , Kosztolányi A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMales of extreme small or large sizes often experience different levels of pre‐ and postcopulatory sexual selection that result in alternative ways to gain fertilization success. Here, we investigated such alternative mating tactics in Lethrus apterus, a biparental geotrupid beetle species with noticeable intermale size variation by comparing tusk (mandibular process) length, testis size and sperm length between large and small males. Firstly, we demonstrated evidence for male polymorphism as extremely large males had longer tusks relative to their body size than extremely small individuals. Secondly, large males had bigger testes than small males throughout the breeding season, however, a significant decrease was observed over time in large but not in small individuals. Thirdly, sperm length did not differ between the two size categories. Although these results do not explain how the observed large body size variation can be maintained in L. apterus, the non allometric relationship found between tusk length and body size and the lower decrease in testis size over the breeding season in case of small individuals might refer to the presence of alternative mating tactics in this species.
How Have Chronic Pain Management Programs Progressed? A Mapping Review
Authors: Lewis Gwyn N. , Bean Debbie , Mowat Rebecca 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectivesMultidisciplinary pain management programs (PMPs) were established in the 1970s and are widely regarded as the gold standard management for people with chronic, noncancer pain. However, the recommended content of PMPs is not well described. The aim of the study was to determine the most common content and structure of inpatient PMPs, and describe how these have changed over time.MethodsA mapping review was performed of studies incorporating an inpatient PMP. Information on the content, format, structure, clinicians involved, and outcome measures was extracted. Publications were analyzed across 5 decades from the 1970s to the 2010s.ResultsOne hundred and four studies were included. All programs included physical therapy and psychology components, and most included education. While the physical therapy component did not change substantially, there was a shift from operant conditioning approaches to more cognitive behavioral methods over time, along with a reduction in active medication withdrawal and family involvement. Involvement of physical therapists, physicians, and psychologists remained high in the programs, but the inclusion of nurses and occupational therapists declined from the 2000s. The outcome measures revealed a shift to assessment of quality of life and general health.DiscussionSome of the content and format of PMPs has evolved over time, largely with developments in psychological approaches, and there is now more of a holistic approach to assessment.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Pulsed Radiofrequency as a Treatment for Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome in Comparison to Anterior Neurectomy
Authors: Maatman Robbert C. , van Kuijk Sander M.J. , Steegers Monique A.H. , Boelens Oliver B.A. , Lim Toine C. , Scheltinga Marc R.M. , Roumen Rudi M.H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundChronic abdominal pain can be due to entrapped intercostal nerves (anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome [ACNES]). If abdominal wall infiltration using an anesthetic agent is unsuccessful, a neurectomy may be considered. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) applies an electric field around the tip of the cannula near the affected nerve to induce pain relief. Only limited retrospective evidence suggests that PRF is effective in ACNES.MethodsA multicenter, randomized, nonblinded, controlled proof‐of‐concept trial was performed in 66 patients. All patients were scheduled for a neurectomy procedure. Thirty‐three patients were randomized to first receive a 6‐minute cycle of PRF treatment, while the other 33 were allocated to an immediate neurectomy procedure. Pain was recorded using a numeric rating scale (NRS, 0 [no pain] to 10 [worst pain possible]). Successful treatment was defined as >50% pain reduction. Patients in the PRF group were allowed to cross over to a neurectomy after 8 weeks.ResultsThe neurectomy group showed greater pain reduction at 8‐week follow‐up (mean change from baseline −2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] −3.9 to −1.7) vs. −1.5 (95% CI −2.3 to −0.6); P = 0.045) than the PRF group. Treatment success was reached in 12 of 32 (38%, 95% CI 23 to 55) of the PRF group and 17 of 28 (61%, 95% CI 42 to 72) of the neurectomy group (P = 0.073). Thirteen patients were withdrawn from their scheduled surgery. Adverse events were comparable between treatments.ConclusionsPRF appears to be an effective and minimally invasive treatment option and may therefore be considered in patients who failed conservative treatment options before proceeding to a neurectomy procedure. Anterior neurectomy may possibly lead to a greater pain relief compared with PRF in patients with ACNES, but potential complications associated with surgery should be discussed.