bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Efficacy for Two‐Level Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections
Authors: Singh Jaspal R. , Cardozo Eliana , Christolias George C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundEpidural steroid injections have been used in combination with other modalities for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain. The literature has shown that 1‐level lumbar fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) are effective in decreasing pain and morbidity; however, the efficacy of 2‐level TFESIs has not been investigated, although they are performed by many practitioners in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain.ObjectivesTo assess the clinical effectiveness of 2‐level TFESIs in patients with unilateral, single‐level lumbar radicular pain. In addition, a subgroup analysis was performed based on disk herniation location.Study DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingOutpatient physiatry pain practice.PatientsA total of 721 patients were included in this study having undergone a two‐level transforaminal epidural steroid injection.MethodsThe study group included patients who underwent a 2‐level lumbar TFESI. Patients presented for lumbar radicular pain as the result of disk herniation with or without radiculopathy and were scheduled to receive a lumbar TFESI at L3 or below. Of this group, only those that underwent a 2‐level TFESIs were included in the study, and data analysis was carried out on this group.Main Outcome MeasuresSubjects were assessed with a pain numerical rating scale (NRS 0‐10) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before TFESI and at 2‐week and 2‐month follow‐up. Responders were defined as greater that 50% reduction in NRS or greater than 40% reduction in ODI.ResultsA total of 57.7% of patients were responders in terms of NRS (P < .05, confidence interval 53.6%‐61.9%) and 51.7% responded in ODI at 2‐month follow‐up (P < .05 [confidence interval 47.5%‐55.9%]). In addition, patients with complete pain relief (defined as 0/10 on NRS) were noted at both 2‐week (n = 239, 33%) and 2‐month (n = 130, 18%) follow‐up. In subgroup analysis, the paracentral/subarticular disk group had an increased number of responders, 66.0% in NRS and 64.0% in ODI at 2‐month follow‐up (P < .05).ConclusionsTwo‐level TFESIs are effective in the management of radicular pain, but more research is needed to evaluate the utility of this treatment compared with single‐level TFESI. Our study showed a greater improvement in pain and function as a result of 2‐level TFESIs in the setting of paracentral/subarticular disk herniations.Level of EvidenceIV
Lineamientos generales para el diseño de un modelo intercultural de atención a la salud de inmigrantes mayas yucatecos en San Francisco, California
Authors: Villanueva Villanueva Nancy Beatriz , Güémez Pineda Miguel Antonio 
Published: September 2016

Presentamos los resultados de la primera fase del proyecto de investigación aplicada “Conectando mundos”, cuyos objetivos son incrementar el acceso de los inmigrantes mayas yucatecos radicados en SanFrancisco, California, a los servicios de salud y contribuir a mejorar la calidad de estos servicios, mediante el diseño e implementación de un modelo de atención que favorezca el entendimiento entre pacientes y profesionales y disminuya las experiencias discriminatorias. En esta fase realizamos trabajo de campo en el lugar de origen de estos migrantes (Oxkutzcab, Yucatán) para obtener la información pertinente paraelaborar dicho modelo de atención. A partir del análisis de los datos y de tres conceptos teóricos de interculturalidad dilucidamos los lineamientos generales para el diseño de ese modelo de atención intercultural ala salud, desde una noción de interculturalidad respetuosa y abierta a los saberes y prácticas diferentes, sin asumir a priori a los conocimientos médicos occidentales como mejores.
Design of the NL‐ENIGMA study: Exploring the effect of Souvenaid on cerebral glucose metabolism in early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Scheltens Nienke M.E. , Kuyper Ingrid S. , Boellaard Ronald , Barkhof Frederik , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Broersen Laus M. , Lansbergen Marieke M. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , van Berckel Bart N.M. , Scheltens Philip 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroductionAlzheimer's disease is associated with early synaptic loss. Specific nutrients are known to be rate limiting for synapse formation. Studies have shown that administering specific nutrients may improve memory function, possibly by increasing synapse formation. This Dutch study explores the Effect of a specific Nutritional Intervention on cerebral Glucose Metabolism in early Alzheimer's disease (NL‐ENIGMA, Dutch Trial Register NTR4718, http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=4718). The NL‐ENIGMA study is designed to test whether the specific multinutrient combination Fortasyn Connect present in the medical food Souvenaid influences cerebral glucose metabolism as a marker for improved synapse function.MethodsThis study is a double‐blind, randomized controlled parallel‐group single‐center trial. Forty drug‐naive patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia with evidence of amyloid deposition are 1:1 randomized to receive either the multinutrient combination or placebo once daily. Main exploratory outcome parameters include absolute quantitative positron emission tomography with 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (including arterial sampling) and standard uptake value ratios normalized for the cerebellum or pons after 24 weeks.DiscussionWe expect the NL‐ENIGMA study to provide further insight in the potential of this multinutrient combination to improve synapse function.
Vitamin E family: Role in the pathogenesis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Boccardi Virginia , Baroni Marta , Mangialasche Francesca , Mecocci Patrizia 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroductionVitamin E family, composed by tocopherols and tocotrienols, is a group of compounds with neuroprotective properties. The exact role in the pathogenesis and the benefit of vitamin E as treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are still under debate.MethodsA literature search in PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases has been carried out. All types of studies, from bench and animal models to clinical, were included.ResultsHigh plasma vitamin E levels are associated with better cognitive performance, even if clear evidence of their ability to prevent or delay cognitive decline in AD is still lacking. Each vitamin E form is functionally unique and shows specific biological functions. Tocotrienols seem to have superior antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties compared with tocopherols.DiscussionThe benefit of vitamin E as a treatment for AD is still under debate, mainly because of the inconsistent findings from observational studies and the methodological limitations of clinical trials.
Healthcare Personnel Attire and Devices as Fomites: A Systematic Review
Authors: Haun Nicholas , Hooper-Lane Christopher , Safdar Nasia 
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUNDTransmission of pathogens within the hospital environment remains a hazard for hospitalized patients. Healthcare personnel clothing and devices carried by them may harbor pathogens and contribute to the risk of pathogen transmission.OBJECTIVETo examine bacterial contamination of healthcare personnel attire and commonly used devices.METHODSSystematic review.RESULTSOf 1,175 studies screened, 72 individual studies assessed contamination of a variety of items, including white coats, neckties, stethoscopes, and mobile electronic devices, with varied pathogens includingStaphylococcus aureus,including methicillin-resistantS. aureus, gram-negative rods, and enterococci. Contamination rates varied significantly across studies and by device but in general ranged from 0 to 32% for methicillin-resistantS. aureusand gram-negative rods.Enterococcuswas a less common contaminant. Few studies explicitly evaluated for the presence ofClostridium difficile.Sampling and microbiologic techniques varied significantly across studies. Four studies evaluated for possible connection between healthcare personnel contaminants and clinical isolates with no unequivocally direct link identified.CONCLUSIONSFurther studies to explore the relationship between healthcare personnel attire and devices and clinical infection are needed.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2016;1–7
Nusselt Number as Composite Functions of Aspect Ratio and Wall Inclination in Parallelogram Microchannels with Three Types of Thermal Boundary Conditions
Authors: Liou T.-M. , Wang H. , Chan S.-P. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn this study, attention is focused on the numerical simulations of laminar fluid flow and heat transfer in straight smooth-walled parallelogram channels with various aspect ratios (α) and inclined angles (θ). The Reynolds number (Re), characterized by the channel hydraulic diameter and the working fluid of water, is fixed at 100. The examinedαandθrange from 1 to 10 and 45° to 90°, respectively. Their effects on the thermal fluid features are explored under three thermal boundary conditions: constant wall temperature (TBC), constant axial heat transfer rate with constant peripheral temperature (H1BC), and constant wall heat flux (H2BC). The SIMPLE algorithm is employed for velocity–pressure coupling with the algebraic multigrid method, while the second-order upwind scheme is utilized for spatial discretization in pressure term; the momentum and energy equations are solved with a QUICK scheme; Least Squares Cell-Based Gradient Evaluation is applied for predicting scalar values at the cell faces and for computing secondary diffusion terms and velocity derivatives. One of the new findings is that there exists a critical value ofθ= 70° below which the Nusselt number under H2BC increases with increasingαwhereas beyond which the trend reverses, a result distinct from those computed with TBC and H1BC. Moreover, TBC is found to be a time-saving alternative to H1BC. Furthermore, both Nusselt numbers under the three thermal boundary conditions and friction factor timesReare successfully and compactly correlated with α andθto offer useful reference for designing micro-cooling channels.
Replacing monitored glaciers undergoing extinction: a new measurement series on La Mare Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale, Italy)
Authors: CARTURAN LUCA 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTGlacier mass balance is a key variable for the monitoring strategies of the Earth climate system, but the continuation of long-term observations is now endangered by the impending extinction of several monitored glaciers. It is therefore advisable to start new observations on neighbouring glaciers that are more likely to survive into the next few decades. These glaciers will be located at higher altitude, have larger elevation range, thus preserving an accumulation area and have good spatial representativeness. Glaciers with these characteristics may pose some problems and are more demanding for mass-balance measurements and calculations, due to their size and presence of remote and inaccessible areas, further complicated by the complex morphology and high-lateral gradients of mass balance. I present the new mass-balance series for La Mare Glacier, started in 2003 to replace the long-term monitored and rapidly vanishing Careser Glacier in the Ortles-Cevedale Group (Eastern Italian Alps). Direct glaciological mass-balance observations have been complemented by measurements with the hydrological method and, as recommended by the World Glacier Monitoring Service, validated using the geodetic method. The collected data are useful for testing and optimising two techniques proposed in the literature for extrapolating measurements to inaccessible areas.
Llandovery (early Silurian) crinoids from Hiiumaa Island, western Estonia
Authors: Ausich William I. , Wilson Mark A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractRhuddanian crinoid faunas are poorly known globally, making this new fauna from the Hilliste Formation of western Estonian especially significant. The Hilliste fauna is the oldest Silurian fauna known from the Baltica paleocontinent, thus this is the first example of the crinoid recovery fauna after the Late Ordovician mass extinction. Hiiumaacrinus vinni n. gen. n. sp., Protaxocrinus estoniensis n. sp., Eomyelodactylus sp., calceocrinids, and five holdfast types are reported here. Although the fauna has relatively few taxa, it is among the most diverse Rhuddanian faunas known. Similar to other Rhuddanian crinoid faunas elsewhere, the Hilliste crinoid fauna contains crinoids belonging the Dimerocrinitidae, Taxocrinidae, Calceocrinidae, and Myelodactylidae; most elements of the new fauna are quite small, perhaps indicative of the Lilliput Effect.
Local Stellar Kinematics from RAVE data—VII. Metallicity Gradients from Red Clump Stars
Authors: Taş Ö. Önal , Bilir S. , Seabroke G. M. , Karaali S. , Ak S. , Ak T. , Bostancı Z. F. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe investigate the Milky Way Galaxy’s radial and vertical metallicity gradients using a sample of 47 406 red clump stars from the RAdial Velocity Experiment Data Release 4. Distances are calculated by adopting Ks-band absolute magnitude as −1.54±0.04 mag for the sample. The metallicity gradients are calculated with their current orbital positions (Rgc and Z) and with their orbital properties (Rm and zmax): d[Fe/H]/dRgc = −0.047±0.003 dex kpc−1 for |Z| ≤ 0.5 kpc and d[Fe/H]/dRm = −0.025±0.002 dex kpc−1 for zmax ≤ 0.5 kpc. This reaffirms the radial metallicity gradient in the thin disc but highlights that gradients are sensitive to the selection effects caused by the difference between Rgc and Rm. The radial gradient is flat in the distance interval 0.5-1 kpc from the plane and then becomes positive greater than 1 kpc from the plane. The radial metallicity gradients are also eccentricity dependent. We showed that d[Fe/H]/dRm = −0.089±0.010, −0.073±0.007, −0.053±0.004 and −0.044±0.002 dex kpc−1 for ep ≤ 0.05, ep ≤ 0.07, ep ≤ 0.10 and ep ≤ 0.20 sub-samples, respectively, in the distance interval zmax ≤ 0.5 kpc. Similar trend is found for vertical metallicity gradients. Both the radial and vertical metallicity gradients are found to become shallower as the eccentricity of the sample increases. These findings can be used to constrain different formation scenarios of the thick and thin discs.
Folate intakes from diet and supplements may place certain Canadians at risk for folic acid toxicity
Authors: Mudryj Adriana N. , de Groh Margaret , Aukema Harold M. , Yu Nancy 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTo examine the prevalence of folate inadequacy and toxicity based on usual intakes from food and supplements, as well as biomarkers of folate, secondary data analyses were performed using cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2 (n32 776), as well as biomarker data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, Cycles 1, 2 and 3 (n15 754). On the basis of unfortified food sources, Canadians would struggle to consume adequate amounts of folate. When folate intakes from all food sources were considered, the overall prevalence of folate inadequacy was low across all age/sex groups, with the exception of females >70 years. However, >10 % of supplement users were above the tolerable upper intake level, increasing to almost 18 % when overage factors were accounted for. In addition, between 20 and 52 % of supplement users had elevated erythrocyte folate concentrations, depending on the cut-off used. Results from this study suggest that insufficient dietary intakes of folate in Canadians have been ameliorated because of the fortification policy, although folate inadequacy still exists across all age groups. However, supplement users appear to be at an increased risk of folic acid (FA) overconsumption as well as elevated erythrocyte folate. As such, the general population should be informed of the potential risks of FA overconsumption resulting from supplement use. This study suggests a need for more careful assessment of the risks and benefits of food fortification, particularly fortification above mandated levels, and FA supplement use in the general population.
Survival and reproduction ofOnthophagus landolti(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) exposed to ivermectin residues in cattle dung
Authors: Pérez-Cogollo L.C. , Rodríguez-Vivas R.I. , Reyes-Novelo E. , Delfín-González H. , Muñoz-Rodríguez D. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTwo bioassays were conducted in parallel to assess the effects of cattle treated with either 1% ivermectin (IVM) or 3.15% IVM (dosed at 0.2 and 0.63 mg kg−1, respectively) on reproduction and survival ofOnthophagus landoltiHarold. Adult beetles were exposed 10 days to faeces of treated cattle starting at: one day before treatment (controls), 3, 6, 14, 28 and 35 days post-treatment. Adult survival ofO. landoltiwas not affected by either of the two treatments. Faecal residues of 1% IVM almost completely suppressed fecundity of beetles at 3, 6 and 14 days post-treatment (dPT), and reduced fecundity ofO. landoltiat 28 dPT ( 38.3%), relative to controls. Meanwhile, IVM residues after treatment with 3.15% IVM almost completely suppressed fecundity of beetles at 3, 6, 14 and 28 dPT, and reduced fecundity ofO. landoltiat 35 dPT (80.9%), relative to controls. Larval survival was significantly reduced only at 3 dPT with 1% IVM. Meanwhile, treatment with 3.15% IVM significantly reduced larval survival at 6, 14 and 28 dPT. Larval mortality was recorded only in L-I and L-II instars. Moreover, in both bioassays, most of the L-I and L-II specimens that survived showed signs of toxicity. In conclusion, residual IVM in cattle faeces after treatment with injectable IVM has a detrimental effect on the fecundity of adultO. landoltiup to 4 weeks post-treatment and on the subsequent larval survival.
Assessing the impact of global warming on worldwide open field tomato cultivation through CSIRO-Mk3·0 global climate model
Authors: SILVA R. S. , KUMAR L. , SHABANI F. , PICANÇO M. C. 
Published: September 2016

SUMMARYTomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops globally and an important agricultural sector for generating employment. Open field cultivation of tomatoes exposes the crop to climatic conditions, whereas greenhouse production is protected. Hence, global warming will have a greater impact on open field cultivation of tomatoes rather than the controlled greenhouse environment. Although the scale of potential impacts is uncertain, there are techniques that can be implemented to predict these impacts. Global climate models (GCMs) are useful tools for the analysis of possible impacts on a species. The current study aims to determine the impacts of climate change and the major factors of abiotic stress that limit the open field cultivation of tomatoes in both the present and future, based on predicted global climate change using CLIMatic indEX and the A2 emissions scenario, together with the GCM Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)-Mk3·0 (CS), for the years 2050 and 2100. The results indicate that large areas that currently have an optimum climate will become climatically marginal or unsuitable for open field cultivation of tomatoes due to progressively increasing heat and dry stress in the future. Conversely, large areas now marginal and unsuitable for open field cultivation of tomatoes will become suitable or optimal due to a decrease in cold stress. The current model may be useful for plant geneticists and horticulturalists who could develop new regional stress-resilient tomato cultivars based on needs related to these modelling projections.
Towards an exposure-dependent model of post-traumatic stress: longitudinal course of post-traumatic stress symptomatology and functional impairment after the 2011 Oslo bombing
Authors: Solberg Ø. , Birkeland M. S. , Blix I. , Hansen M. B. , Heir T. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundOur understanding of the dynamics of post-traumatic stress symptomatology and its link to functional impairment over time is limited.MethodPost-traumatic stress symptomatology (Post-traumatic Checklist, PCL) was assessed three times in 1-year increments (T1, T2, T3) following the Oslo bombing of 22 July, 2011, in directly (n= 257) and indirectly exposed (n= 2223) government employees, together with demographics, measures of exposure and work and social adjustment. The dynamics of post-traumatic stress disorder symptom cluster interplay were examined within a structural equation modelling framework using a cross-lagged autoregressive panel model.ResultsIntrusions at T1 played a prominent role in predicting all symptom clusters at T2 for the directly exposed group, exhibiting especially strong cross-lagged relationships with avoidance and anxious arousal. For the indirectly exposed group, dysphoric arousal at T1 played the most prominent role in predicting all symptom clusters at T2, exhibiting a strong relationship with emotional numbing. Emotional numbing seemed to be the main driver behind prolonged stress at T3 for both groups. Functional impairment was predominately associated with dysphoric arousal and emotional numbing in both groups.ConclusionsFor directly exposed individuals, memories of the traumatic incident and the following intrusions seem to drive their post-traumatic stress symptomatology. However, as these memories lose their potency over time, a sequela of dysphoric arousal and emotional numbing similar to the one reported by the indirectly exposed individuals seems to be the main driver for prolonged post-traumatic stress and functional impairment. Findings are discussed using contemporary models within an exposure-dependent perspective of post-traumatic stress.
COST OF INTENSIVE CARE IN INDIA
Authors: Peter John Victor , Thomas Kurien , Jeyaseelan Lakshmanan , Yadav Bijesh , Sudarsan Thomas Isiah , Christina Jony , Revathi Anna , John K R , Sudarsanam Thambu David 
Published: September 2016

Objectives: The majority of patients in India access private sector providers for curative medical services. However, there is scanty information on the cost of treatment of critically ill patients in this setting. The study evaluates the cost and extent of financial subsidy required for patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) in India.Methods: Data on direct medical, direct nonmedical, and indirect cost were prospectively collected from critically ill patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital in India. Willingness-to-pay (WTP) amount was obtained from the next-of-kin following admission and the actual cost paid by the family at discharge was recorded.Results: The main diagnoses (n = 499) were infection (26 percent) and poisoning (21 percent). The mean APACHE-II score was 13.9 (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 13.3–14.5); 86 percent were ventilated. ICU stay was 7.8 days (95 percent CI, 7.3–8.3). Hospital mortality was 27.9 percent. Direct medical cost accounted for 77 percent (US$ 2164) of the total treatment cost (US$ 2818). Indirect cost and direct nonmedical cost contributed to 19 percent (US$ 547.5) and 4 percent (US$ 106.5), respectively. Average total and daily ICU cost were US$ 1,897 and US$ 255, respectively. Although the family's WTP was 53 percent (US$ 1146; 95 percent CI, 1090–1204) of direct medical cost, their final contribution was 67.7 percent (US$ 1465; 95 percent CI, 1327–1604).Conclusions: The cost of an ICU admission in our setting is US$ 2818. Although the family's contribution to expenses exceeded their initial WTP, a substantial subsidy (33 percent) is still required. Alternate financing strategies for the poor and optimization of ICU resources are urgently required.