bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Species distribution & antifungal susceptibility pattern of oropharyngeal Candida isolates from human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals
Authors: Das Partha Pratim , Saikia Lahari , Nath Reema , Phukan Sanjib Kumar 
Published: June 2016

Background & objectives:
The changing spectrum of Candida species in causation of oropharyngeal candidiasis and their antifungal susceptibility pattern among the HIV infected individuals has made the identification to species level mandatory and detection of drug resistance necessary for patient care. The present study was carried out to determine the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile of oral Candida isolates colonizing or infecting both HIV seropositive and seronegative individuals.

Methods:
A case-control study was conducted including 141 consecutive, non-repeat HIV-seropositive individuals and an equal number of sex and age matched HIV-seronegative control. Speciation of the oropharyngeal Candida isolates was done using standard yeast identification protocol. Antifungal susceptibility testing was done by the disk-diffusion method as well as by Fungitest method.

Results:
From the 59 culture positive HIV seropositive cases, 61 Candida isolates were recovered; Candida albicans (n=47, 77.0%), C. dubliniensis (n=9, 14.7%), C. parapsilosis (n=2, 3.2%), C. glabrata (n=2, 3.2%), and C. famata (n=1, 1.6%). Candida colonization in HIV-seropositive individuals was significantly higher than that of HIV-seronegative (control) group. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed (n=6, 9.3%) C. albicans isolates resistant to voriconazole and fluconazole by disk-diffusion method whereas no resistance was seen by Fungitest method.

Interpretation & conclusions:

C. albicans was the commonest Candida species infecting or colonizing HIV seropositive individuals. Oropharyngeal Candida isolates had high level susceptibility to all the major antifungals commonly in use. Increased level of immunosuppression in HIV-seropositives and drug resistance of non-albicans Candida species makes identification and susceptibility testing of Candida species necessary in different geographical areas of the country.
Evaluation of carotid artery dynamics & correlation with cardiac & hepatic iron in β-thalassaemia patients
Authors: Merchant Rashid H. , Chate Someshwar , Ahmed Javed , Ahmad Noor , Karnik Alka , Jankaria Bhavin 
Published: June 2016

Background & objectives:
Early atherosclerosis and vascular complication have been described in thalassaemia patients. There is lack of data or guidelines regarding monitoring of vascular health in thalassaemia. This study was conducted to compare carotid artery structural and functional indices such as carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), stiffness index (SI) and Young's elastic modulus (YEM) in β-thalassemia patients with age and sex matched controls, and to correlate these parameters with serum ferritin, cardiac iron, and hepatic iron.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 53 β-thalassaemia patients receiving regular blood transfusions. Carotid artery indices such as CIMT, SI, and YEM were calculated by duplex ultrasound and colour Doppler. Serum ferritin levels were measured by chemiluminescence. Cardiac and hepatic iron estimation were done using MRI T2* sequences analyzed by a special thalassaemia software.

Results:
Mean CIMT of cases and controls were 0.48 ± 0.04 and 0.44±0.02 mm, respectively and these were significantly different (P<0.001). Similarly significant differences were noted in SI and YEM of cases (2.45±0.79 and 96.12±34.85, respectively) as compared to controls (1.98±0.54 and 68.60±24.29, respectively) (P<0.001). There was significant inverse correlation between stiffness index and cardiac iron overload assessed by MRI cardiac T2* (P=0.03). Mean SI and YEM of cases were (2.1736 ± 0.2986 and 107.3± 41.6, respectively) significantly higher among non-splenectomized patients compared to splenectomized patients (2.0136 ± 0.263 and 86.9 ± 25.2, respectively) (P<0.05).

Interpretation & conclusions:
CIMT and arterial stiffness indices were significantly increased in β-thalassaemia patients compared to controls which was indicative of early atherogenic changes. This study supports the hypothesis that iron overload is a risk factor for early atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Which are the highest peaks in the US Arctic? Fodar settles the debate
Authors: Nolan Matt , DesLauriers Kit 
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Though an outstanding achievement for their time, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps of the eastern Alaskan Arctic nonetheless contain significant errors, and in this paper we address one of them. Specifically, USGS maps of different scale made in the late 1950s alternate between Mt. Chamberlin and Mt. Isto as the tallest peak in the US Arctic. Given that many of the peaks here are close in height and covered with glaciers, recent climate change may also have changed their height and their order. We resolved these questions using fodar, a new airborne photogrammetric technique that utilizes structure-from-motion (SfM) software and requires no ground control, and validated it using GPS measurements on the peaks as well as airborne lidar. Here we show that Mt. Chamberlin is currently the third tallest peak and that the order and elevations of the five tallest mountains in the US Arctic are Mt. Isto (2735.6 m), Mt. Hubley (2717.6 m), Mt. Chamberlin (2712.3 m), Mt. Michelson (2698.1 m), and an unnamed peak (2694.9 m); these heights are relative to the NAVD88 GEOID12A vertical datum. We find that it is indeed plausible that this ranking has changed over time and may continue to change as summit glaciers continue to shrink, though Mt. Isto will remain the highest under current climate trends. Mt. Isto is also over 100 m taller than the highest peak in Arctic Canada, making it the highest peak in the North American Arctic. Fodar elevations compared to within a few centimeters of our ground-based GPS measurements of the peaks made a few days later and our complete validation assessment indicates a measurement uncertainty of better than &amp;pm;20 cm (95 % RMSE). By analyzing time series of fodar maps, we were able to detect topographic change on the centimeter level on these steep slopes, indicating that fodar can be used to measure mountain snow packs for water resource availability or avalanche danger, glacier volume change, and slope subsidence, as well as many other applications of benefit to society. Compared to lidar, the current state-of-the-art airborne topographic mapping, we found this SfM technique as accurate, more useful scientifically, and significantly less expensive, suggesting that fodar is a disruptive innovation that will enjoy widespread usage in the future.
Concurrent, Prospective, Analytical Cohort Study of Endometriosis Patients at Latifa Hospital – Dubai, UAE
Authors: Lotfi Ghassan , Isaac Bindu , Nasir Razan , Paulose Litty 
Published: June 2016

Objective To analyze the prevalence and features of endometriosis in a targeted group of population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods A prospective study of 247 patients with endometriosis who attended the specialty clinic for endometriosis, Latifa Hospital from September 2012 to May 2015. All patients underwent surgical treatment. All patients filled out a preoperative questionnaire that included demographic data, clinical presentation, chief complaint, prior treatment, and personal, obstetric, and family history. Confirmation of endometriosis was carried out intraoperatively with/without conclusive histopathology of endometriosis. Epidemiological analysis of patients with confirmed endometriosis was done, as compared to published international data of the same category. Results The prevalence of endometriosis in our study was 4.2%. UAE nationals made up 57.9% (143) of endometriosis sufferers and 42.1% (104) were expatriates. A total of 2.8% (7) were adolescents (14-20), 35.8% (88) were in the early reproductive age group (20-30), 47.3% (117) in the mid-age group (30-40), 13.3% (33) in late reproductive age group (40-50), and 0.8% (2) in postmenopausal age group. 56.6% (140) were P-0, 17% (42) P-1, and 26.4% (65) P-2 or more. Primary infertility was shown in 22.2% (55) of patients and 15.3% (38) had secondary infertility. There were 44.5% (110) of patients with a normal BMI index, 2.8% (7) underweight, 31.9% (79) overweight, and 20.6% (51) were obese. Regarding the type of endometriosis, patients were divided into three groups, those with ovarian endometriosis 49.8% (123), pelvic endometriosis 42.2% (104), and other, mainly adenomyosis 8% (20). The stages of endometriosis were 17.2% (42) with stage I, 44.5% (110), with stage II, 32.4% (80) with stage III, and 5.8% (14) with stage IV. In our study 19.4% had a family history of endometriosis while in 72.1% there was no family history. Conclusions This was the first ever epidemiological study in the UAE among patients with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis. There is need for further epidemiological surveys to obtain a more realistic view of the prevalence and severity of the disease in UAE patients with endometriosis who, however, do seem to share the same incidence rate and features as reported worldwide.
Inguinal Endometriosis – A Series of Five Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Jorge-Moreira Cátia , Pereira Joana , Amaral Joana , Costa Ana R. 
Published: June 2016

Introduction Endometriosis is a benign gynecological pathology defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue which grows in response to hormonal stimulus. It affects women of reproductive age, with a prevalence of 10%-20%. Although it appears mainly in the pelvic organs, we can find lesions in extrapelvic locations. Inguinal endometriosis is a very rare event. A history of painful inguinal mass, with exacerbation related to the menstrual cycle is the hallmark of diagnosis. However, typical symptoms may not be present or can mimic other inguinal pathology, posing a diagnostic challenge. In this article we present five cases of inguinal endometriosis referred to our institution along with a brief review of literature. Case Report We describe five clinical cases of women with inguinal endometriosis. Four of these cases were initially referred to general surgery and two of them had a primary diagnosis of inguinal hernia. Three patients were submitted to biopsy, which established the diagnosis of endometriosis prior to surgery in all. Surgical excision of the lesion was performed in all but one patient who refused treatment, and there were no serious complications or recurrences. Discussion Inguinal endometriosis is a rare condition. To diagnose this situation, physicians need to be aware of this pathology and include it in the differential diagnosis when facing a child-bearing age woman with complains of painful inguinal mass. Although the definitive diagnosis is histological, ultrasound or MRI may be helpful to establish a presumptive diagnosis. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice and is, in general, definitive.
Norsk arbeidsmedisinsk epidemiologi: Hvor står vi? Hvor går vi?
Authors: Kjuus Helge 
Published: June 2016

SAMMENDRAGArbeidslivet frembyr populasjoner med gunstige eksponeringskontraster, som kan være et attraktivtutgangspunkt for årsakssøkende epidemiologi. Denne artikkel gir eksempler på innholdsmessig ogmetodemessig praksis innenfor det arbeidsmedisinske epidemiologiske fagområdet i Norge de sistedecennier, og peker på en del utfordringer for fremtidig virksomhet innenfor den arbeidsmedisinskeepidemiologien. Økende gradienter i livsstil og helse, kompliserte årsaksnettverk, multikomponent,lavgradig eksponering og bruk av nye effektmarkører vil være noen av fremtidens utfordringer.Kjuus H. Occupational epidemiology in Norway. Status and future challenges.Nor J Epidemiol ENGLISH SUMMARYThe traditional exposure contrasts found in working populations represent an attractive starting pointfor epidemiological studies. This paper gives examples of past and current practice in the field ofoccupational epidemiology in Norway, and discuss some challenges for future epidemiologic studies.Increasing gradients in lifestyle and health, complicated causal webs, low exposure to a multitude offactors, and use of new biomarkers for effect represent some of these challenges.1999; 9 (1): 5-11.
Morbidity from ischemic heart disease in workers at a stainless steel welding factory
Authors: Hilt Bjørn , Qvenild Torgunn , Rømyhr Olve 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTObjectives: Methods: Results: Conclusion: Key terms: Angina pectoris, cardiovascular diseases, grinding, ischemic heart disease, metal workers,myocardial infarction, stainless steel, weldingIn accord with some other studies, the results of the study support a hypothesis that there maybe a relation between exposure factors to which stainless steel metal workers are exposed and an increasedrisk of ischemic heart disease.There were 236 men from the study group and 989 men from the control group who fulfilled theinclusion criteria, and who answered the questionnaires. The bivariate analysis showed that the study grouphad an increased age and smoking adjusted prevalence of "chest pain on exercise" and "angina pectoris"with ratios 2.3 (95% CI 1.5–4.9) and 2.6 (95% 1.2–5.7) respectively. When using multiple logistic regressionanalysis with control for potential confounding factors, the odds ratios for the study group as comparedto the control group, were 2.6 (95% CI 1.3–5.3) for "chest pain on exercise", 2.5 (95% CI 1.1–5.8) for"angina pectoris", and 2.4 (95% CI 1.1–4.9) for myocardial infarction. The only explanatory variable whichshowed statistically significant increased odds ratios for all three outcome variables was work with grinding,with 2.4 (95% CI 1.0–5.5), 3.3 (1.3–8.5), and 2.5 (1.1–5.9) respectively.All the men who had worked at the plant for more than one year since 1960, and who were underthe age of 70 years at the time of the study, were included in the study group. The control group wasrandomly selected from the male population of the same town, and was categorically matched for age. A selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect information on the occurrence of CVD and related symptoms,background variables, and exposure factors. The validity of the outcome variables for a subgroup ofthe participants was checked with their appointed general practitioners. This validation revealed a low sensitivityand a high specificity for the outcome variables “chest pain on exercise” and “angina pectoris”, whilefor “myocardial infarction” both the sensitivity and the specificity of the answers given were high.To investigate whether there was an increased morbidity from cardiovascular diseases (CVD)among welders and other workers at a stainless steel welding factory, and, if so, to see whether morbiditycould be linked to specific exposure factors.
Male proportion in offspring of military air pilots in Norway
Authors: Irgens Ågot , Irgens Lorentz M. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTRumours of a reduced male proportion in offspring of fathers occupied as military air pilots wereconfirmed in two American studies in 1961 and 1987, but not in a German study in 1976. Data of theMedical Birth Registry of Norway were used to assess whether offspring of fathers occupied as military airpilots, had a deviant sex-ratio.Method. Results. Conclusion. NORSK SAMMENDRAGRykter om redusert andel sønner av fedre ansatt som flyvere i forsvaret, ble støttet i to amerikansk studierfra 1961 og 1987, men ikke i en tysk studie fra 1976. Data fra Medisinsk fødselsregister ble brukt til åundersøke om fødte, etter 16. svangerskapsuke, med fedre som flyvere i forsvaret i Norge, hadde en skjevkjønnsratio.Metode. Resultat. Konklusjon. Andel sønner til mannlige flyvere i forsvaret var signifikant redusert. Gruppen er imidlertidliten og resultatet bør bekreftes av andre studier.Flyvere i forsvaret var fedre til 65 barn. Andelen av gutter var 36,9%, i referansepopulasjon varandelen 51,4% med en relativ risiko 0,72 (95% CI 0,57–0,92).Studien var basert på alle fødte i Norge 1970–1993 med tilgjengelig folketellings-informasjon(ca. 1,2 millioner). Kohorten av flyvere ble etablert ut fra opplysninger om yrke og utdannelse i folketellingenefra 1970, 1980 og 1990. Referansepopulasjonen var alle resterende barn.Male proportion in offspring of men occupied as military air pilots was significantly reduced.However, the group is small and the result needs to be confirmed in other studies.Men working as military air pilots had 65 infants. The male proportion was 36.9%, the maleproportion in the reference population was 51.4% with a relative risk 0.72 (95% CI 0.57–0.92).The study was based on all births in Norway 1970–1993 for which linkage with populationcensus data could be obtained (about 1.2 million). Fathers’ occupation was derived from census data of1970, 1980 and 1990 on job title and education. The reference population was the group that did not belongto the occupation under study.
Experiences with task-based exposure assessment in studies of farmers and tunnel workers
Authors: Eduard Wijnand , Bakke Berit 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTResults are described from exposure assessments in two epidemiological studies of farmers and tunnelworkers. The inter and intra worker variances of exposure were used as a basis for classification ofworkers in groups exposed to different levels.The between worker variability of exposure to α-quartz showed that tunnel workers were exposedto different levels (GSD B = 2.7). Classification by job type showed only 39% higher exposure of concreteworkers compared to excavation workers. The influence of tasks on exposure to α-quartz amongconcrete workers was studied further because the between worker variability was large (GSD B = 4.3).Multiple regression of tasks on α-quartz exposure identified two tasks that explained 51% of the totalvariance (R 2adj ). Further classification of concrete workers will depend on identification of workers thatuse different time on these tasks.As farmers carry out few exposed tasks per day, exposure for each task was measured separately.The between worker variability of exposure to fungal spores among farmers was high (GSD B = 4.4).Classification of measurements into two broad task categories related to plant and livestock productionshowed that the tasks within each category were relative homogeneously exposed (GSD B = 1.1 and 1.4)and with geometric mean exposures that differed by a factor of 20. It therefore seems likely thatfarmers can be divided in groups with different cumulative exposure.These preliminary results indicate that task-based exposure assessment may improve classificationof workers by exposure.
Is the overall SMR a useful measure of mortality in occupational cohort studies?
Authors: Hobbesland Ånund 
Published: June 2016

Objectives. Methods. ptw is presented which is the sum of the stratum specific observed/expected ratiosweighted by the person-time distribution.Results. ptw of 1.18 were estimated for this cohort.Conclusions. Traditional SMR analyses of occupational cohorts are in general influenced by the distributionof age and active/inactive person-time. To reduce the influence of random variations in thesedistributions it is proposed to perform person-time weighting of the age, employment status, and calendartime strata. The healthy hire effect and the healthy worker survivor effect (HWSE) are the maincomponents of the HWE which did not decline by increasing duration of follow-up.The proportions of person-time attributed from the highest age stratum (≥ 65 years) and theproportions of all inactive person-time varied considerably between the populations from the 12 plants.Among individuals aged < 65 years the overall SMRs increased by increasing proportions of inactiveperson-time. The inactive person-time stratum among individuals aged 65 years or more showed anSMR close to 1.00. The active person-time SMRs were fairly stable over increasing strata of durationof follow-up. A traditional SMR of 1.08 and an SMR A previously defined cohort of 14 730 male workers from 12 Norwegian ferroalloy plantswas studied with analyses of the overall SMR stratified by age at risk, employment status, periods ofobservation and duration of follow-up. The age distribution and the proportions of active and inactiveperson-time were also examined among workers from each of the 12 plants. An alternative SMR notiondesignated SMR This study was performed to examine the importance of the age structure of a cohort andthe impact of the healthy worker effect (HWE) on the overall standardised mortality ratio (SMR), andto investigate the components of the HWE.ABSTRACT
Kjønnsforskjeller i forekomst av legemiddelrelaterte bivirkninger
Authors: Nordeng Hedvig 
Published: June 2016

SAMMENDRAGKvinnelig kjønn er blitt identifisert som risikofaktor for legemiddelrelaterte bivirkninger både i primærhelsetjenestenog under sykehusopphold. Hyppigere forekomst av bivirkninger kan forklares delvis,men ikke fullstendig, av at kvinner som gruppe konsumerer oftere og flere legemidler. Videre har legemiddelbrukhos kvinner i mange tilfeller tilknytning til biologiske tilstander som menstruasjon, graviditetog menopause, og den øker med alderen. Det er viktig å ta i betraktning kulturelle forskjeller hoskvinner og menn som kan være med på å overestimere kjønnsforskjellene i bivirkningsforekomsten.Kvinner bruker helsevesenet hyppigere og rapporterer oftere bivirkninger. Høyere bivirkningsfrekvenshos kvinner kan også være resultat av at kvinner generelt får høyere dose per kg enn menn fordikvinner veier mindre. Kjønnsforskjeller i bivirkninger kan i tillegg være knyttet til forskjellig aktivitet ileverenzymene cytochrom P450, som metaboliserer de fleste legemidler. Strukturelle og funksjonellekjønnsforskjeller finnes også i nyrer, lunger, hjerte/kar- og mage/tarmsystemet, og påvirker i varierendegrad effekt og sikkerhet av legemidler.Nordeng H. Gender differences in the occurrence of adverse drug events.Nor J Epidemiol ENGLISH SUMMARYBoth pharmacoepidemiological and clinical studies have identified female gender as a risk factor foradverse events of drugs, both in primary care and in a hospital setting. Frequent occurrence of adverseevents can partly, but not totally, be explained by the fact that women as a group consume more drugsthan men. Women’s drug consumption can to a certain degree be related to menstruation, pregnancyand menopause, and increases with age. It is essential to take into account cultural differences that cancontribute to an overestimation of the gender effect of adverse drug events. Women use the health caresystem more frequently and report more often and more willingly adverse events. Higher frequency ofadverse events may also be the result of women receiving higher dose per kg than men because womenweigh less. Differences in activity of the liver enzyme system cytochrome P450 that metabolises mostdrugs may also cause gender differences in adverse drug events. There also exists structural and functionaldifferences between women and men in the kidney, lung, cardiovascular and gastrointestinalsystem that may influence the effect and safety of drugs.1999; 9 (2): 143-148.