bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incision and drainage preceding definite surgery achieves lower 20‐year long‐term recurrence rate in 583 primary pilonidal sinus surgery patients
Authors: Doll Dietrich , Matevossian Edouard , Hoenemann Christian , Hoffmann Sebastian 
Published: October 2012

SummaryBackground: It has long been suspected that acute infection leads to less satisfactory results in soft tissue surgery. Its influence on long‐term recurrence rate in primary pilonidal sinus surgery has not been investigated yet.Patients and Methods: 583 patients (military cohort) were analyzed, comparing an incision and drainage (I&D) group preceding surgery (n = 286 pts) with a spontaneous abscess and empyema rupture group (n = 297 pts). Long‐term recurrence rate up to 25 years following surgery was determined.Results: The I&D group achieved a 20 year recurrence rate of 24 %, whereas the non‐I&D‐group had 35 % recurrences (p = 0.0034). Analyzing the subgroup with primary open wound treatment (n = 349 pts), the I&D group did significantly better after 20 years (16 % actuarial recurrence rate versus 34 %; p = 0.009; log‐rank‐test).Conclusions: Early I&D treatment preceding definite surgery for some weeks seem to give significant superior results compared to primary surgery without I&D. The combination of early I&D and asymmetric excision and out of the midline closure is expected to give even further improved results compared to this cohort. The optimum interval between I&D and definite surgery has still to be determined.
Trends in the diagnosis of melanoma at a university center over time
Authors: Tschandl Philipp , Pehamberger Hubert , Kittler Harald 
Published: October 2012

SummaryBackground and objectives: The aim of this study is to show data regarding trends in the diagnosis of melanoma over the last ten years by looking at the University Clinic of Dermatology in Vienna as an example.Patients and methods: All excised melanocytic lesions from 1998 to 2008 were included.Results: The ratio of excisions of benign to malignant lesions fell from 7:1 (1998) to 4:1 (2008). The mean percentage of in situ melanomas was 39% in 1998 and did not change significantly over time and no change was seen in tumor thickness of invasive melanomas. The median invasion depth was 0.7 mm in 1998 and 0.65 mm in 2008. The absolute number of diagnosed melanomas did not change significantly over time.Conclusion: The proportion of in situ melanomas was consistently high. Tumor thickness stayed at a low level, whereas the number of excised benign melanocytic lesions decreased significantly.
Effect of Soils on Water Quantity and Quality in Piedmont Forested Headwater Watersheds of North Carolina1
Authors: Boggs Johnny , Sun Ge , Jones David , McNulty Steven G. 
Published: October 2012

Boggs, Johnny, Ge Sun, David Jones, and Steven G. McNulty, 2012. Effect of Soils on Water Quantity and Quality in Piedmont Forested Headwater Watersheds of North Carolina. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐19. DOI: 10.1111/jawr.12001Abstract:  Water quantity and quality data were compared from six headwater watersheds on two distinct soil formations, Carolina Slate Belt (CSB) and Triassic Basins (TB). CSB soils are generally thicker, less erodible, and contain less clay content than soils found in TB. TB generated significantly more discharge/precipitation ratio than CSB (0.33 vs. 0.24) in the 2009 dormant season. In the 2009 growing season, TB generated significantly less discharge/precipitation ratio than CSB (0.02 vs. 0.07). Over the entire monitoring period, differences in discharge/precipitation ratios between CSB and TB were not significantly different (0.17 vs. 0.20, respectively). Storm‐flow rates were significantly higher in TB than CSB in both dormant and growing season. Benthic macroinvertebrate biotic index scores were excellent for all streams. Nutrient concentrations and exports in CSB and TB were within background levels for forests. Low‐stream nitrate and ammonium concentrations and exports suggested that both CSB and TB were nitrogen limited. Soils appear to have had a significant influence on seasonal and storm‐flow generation, but not on long‐term total water yield and water quality under forested conditions. This study indicated that watersheds on TB soils might be more prone to storm‐flow generation than on CSB soils when converted from forest to urban. Future urban growth in the area should consider differences in baseline hydrology and effects of landuse change on water quantity and quality.
Comparison of Morphodynamic Models for the Lower Yellow River1
Authors: Xia Junqiang , Wang Zhengbing , Wang Yanping , Yu Xin 
Published: October 2012

Xia, Junqiang, Zhengbing Wang, Yanping Wang, and Xin Yu, 2012. Comparison of Morphodynamic Models for the Lower Yellow River. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐18. DOI: 10.1111/jawr.12002Abstract:  Significant channel adjustments often occur during flood seasons in the Lower Yellow River (LYR), and it is a challenging work to accurately simulate the morphodynamic processes in the LYR using numerical models. A comparison of two morphodynamic models (Delft3D and 2DLLCDM) for the LYR is presented herein to identify critical improvements for these models. The concepts of these models are first compared with each other. The models were then used to simulate the processes of flood routing, sediment transport, and morphological changes occurring in a braided reach of the LYR. The differences were investigated between the simulated results from these models and corresponding field measurements, and the results indicate that: (1) the hydrodynamic processes calculated by both models agree closely with the measurements if an appropriate Manning’s roughness coefficient is used; (2) the concentrations of suspended load at the downstream boundary calculated by the models agree reasonably with the observed data; and (3) the predicted cross‐sectional profiles obtained from these models do not correspond well with the measurements. Based on these findings, the weak aspects of the models are clarified, and three critical improvements are recommended, including: (1) the development of roughness predictor; (2) the refinement of graded sediment transport capacity formulation; and (3) the consideration of bank erosion module. These improvements need to be implemented in the future.
IL‐13: a marker of chromium contact allergy
Authors: Martins L.E.A.M. , Reis V.M.S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground  Allergic contact dermatitis is a frequent, often disabling disease caused by countless substances. Patch testing remains the gold standard test to identify the causative agent; however, it is subjective, time‐consuming and not completely safe. Alternative methods were tried, but significant success has only been achieved with nickel.Objective  Develop an alternative or complementary allergic contact dermatitis diagnostic test.Methods  We compared the lymphocyte proliferative rate and cytokine production (IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, IL‐12, IL‐13, IL‐17 and RANTES) between 18 chromium allergic patients and 19 controls.Results  The lymphocyte proliferation test and some of the cytokines tested (IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐5, IL‐12 and IL‐13) were able to discriminate allergic patients. However, striking results were only achieved using IL‐13, leading to an accuracy of about 90%.Conclusions  If further studies confirm the data found, IL‐13 could be used as an alternative or complementary test to detect chromium contact allergy whereas lymphocyte proliferation test, IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐5 and IL‐12 detections may serve as additional diagnostic tests.
French teenagers and artificial tanning
Authors: Tella E. , Beauchet A. , Vouldoukis I. , Séi J.‐F. , Beaulieu P. , Sigal M.‐L. , Mahé E. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground Exposure to solar and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiations is a major risk factor for skin cancers. France has enacted one of the strictest laws that, notably, restrict tanning‐bed access to adults ≥18 years old.Objective We evaluated artificial tanning behaviours of French teenagers (11–17 years old): sunless‐tanning products, sunlamps and artificial tanning beds.Methods An anonymous questionnaire evaluating sunburn history, skin phototype, behaviours with sunless‐tanning products and indoor tanning, and parents’ behaviours was distributed to students enrolled in two middle and high schools in Antony, a typical city of the middle class French population, located in the Paris suburbs.Results Among 713 teenagers (mean age: 13.5 years: male/female: 1.1) responding, more than half declared that it was important to be tanned during the summer, 1% reported having already used tanning pills, 9.9% tanning creams and 1.4% indoor tanning. Female teenagers significantly more frequently resorted to indoor tanning (P = 0.02), cited the importance of being tanned all year long (P < 0.0001), used tanning pills (P < 0.0001) or tanning creams (P < 0.006), and their parents relied on indoor tanning (P < 0.0001). Profiles of tanning‐pill and ‐cream users were similar. Mean ages for the two groups were comparable.Conclusion French regulations for indoor tanning seem quite effective. Our analyses revealed a typical teenager profile with sun‐exposure risk behaviours, for example, indoor tanning, and use of tanning pills or creams. They could be a selective target for sun‐protection information campaigns.
Cutaneous innervation of the human face as assessed by skin biopsy
Authors: Nolano Maria , Provitera Vincenzo , Caporaso Giuseppe , Stancanelli Annamaria , Leandri Massimo , Biasiotta Antonella , Cruccu Giorgio , Santoro Lucio , Truini Andrea 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe morphology of cutaneous sensory and autonomic innervation in human trigeminal territory is still unknown. The aim of this study is to describe facial cutaneous innervation using skin biopsy. This new tool could be useful in understanding the mechanisms underlying several facial pain conditions. In 30 healthy subjects, we quantified epidermal nerve fibers (ENFs) and dermal myelinated fibers (MFs) in V1, V2 and V3, using indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy applied to 2‐mm punch skin biopsies from areas adjacent to the eyebrow, upper and lower lip. Using selective markers, we also evaluated the distribution of peptidergic, cholinergic and noradrenergic fibers. Facial skin appeared abundantly innervated and rich in annexes. The ENF density decreased and the MF density increased, moving from the supraorbital to the perioral skin. Noradrenergic sudomotor fibers were particularly and constantly expressed compared with other body sites. Distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide‐immunoreactive (VIP‐ir) fibers appeared peculiar for their constant presence in the subepidermal neural plexus – in close contact, but without colocalization with calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (Sub‐P)‐ir fibers. Finally, in perioral skin samples, we observed striated muscle fibers with their motor nerves and motor endplates. Our work provides the first morphological study of human facial cutaneous innervation, highlighting some unique features of this territory. Quantification of unmyelinated and myelinated fibers on 2‐mm punch biopsies appeared to be feasible and reliable. Facial skin biopsy may be a new approach with which to study and to better characterize facial pain syndromes.
Escaping the Zero‐Sum Game of Positional Races
Authors: Grolleau Gilles , Galochkin Igor , Sutan Angela 
Published: October 2012

SummaryPositional races are frequently described as zero‐sum games implying that winners are exactly offset by losers. From the social welfare viewpoint, these races are wasteful. We develop several mechanisms allowing individuals to cope with the zero sum nature of rank games and possibly increase their happiness. We provide evidence to support the relevance of these mechanisms in real world settings. Several policy implications are drawn.
Cardioembolic Stroke in Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale and Implanted Cardiac Leads
Authors: DESIMONE CHRISTOPHER V. , DESIMONE DANIEL C. , HAGLER DONALD J. , FRIEDMAN PAUL A. , ASIRVATHAM SAMUEL J. 
Published: October 2012

Implanted cardiac devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, and resynchronization devices, are known to develop thrombus on their intravascular leads. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) occurs in approximately one‐quarter of the adult population. It is unclear whether paradoxical cardioembolism and clinically relevant stroke occur in patients with implanted cardiac leads and PFO. We present a case series of four patients with cardioembolic stroke, presumed to arise from intravascular cardiac leads and associated PFO that required device closure of the PFO.(PACE 2013; 36:50–54)
Ivabradine in the Treatment of Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia in Patients after Successful Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrioventricular Node Slow Pathway
Authors: PTASZYNSKI PAWEL , KACZMAREK KRZYSZTOF , RUTA JAN , KLINGENHEBEN THOMAS , WRANICZ JERZY K. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundInappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) occurs relatively common after catheter ablation of slow pathway in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. The treatment of IST symptoms using β‐blockers or calcium channel‐blockers are often noneffective or not well tolerated. Ivabradine is a new heart rate (HR)‐decreasing agent inhibiting sinus node If current. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ivabradine in patients with persistent and β‐blocker‐resistant IST after successful radiofrequency (RF) ablation of atrioventricular node slow pathway.MethodsWe enrolled 14 patients (42 ± 11 years; 10 women) affected by IST after RF ablation. Holter monitoring, treadmill stress test, and IST symptoms assessment were performed at baseline and after first, and second month of the study.ResultsWe observed significant reduction of mean resting HR after 30 and 60 days of ivabradine treatment compared to baseline (P < 0.001). 24‐hour Holter monitoring showed a significant reduction of mean HR and mean HR during daily activity (P < 0.001). The study revealed significant improvement in exercise capacity during treadmill exercise test on ivabradine therapy (P < 0.001). Significantly lower incidence of IST‐related symptoms were registered after administration of If current inhibitor. After 2 months of treatment no patients reported severe complaints assessed by means of European Heart Rhythm Association score. We did not observe severe side effects during therapy.ConclusionIvabradine is an effective treatment option to reduce HR and symptoms in patients with IST after RF ablation of atrioventricular node slow pathway. The therapy with ivabradine is well tolerated even with maximum daily dose.(PACE 2013; 36:42–49)
Use of Stored Implanted Cardiac Defibrillator Electrograms in Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: LOWERY CHRISTOPHER M. , TZOU WENDY S. , ALEONG RYAN G. , NGUYEN DUY T. , VAROSY PAUL D. , KATZ DAVID F. , HEATH RUSSELL R. , SCHULLER JOSEPH L. , LEWKOWIEZ LAURENT , SAUER WILLIAM H. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundVentricular fibrillation (VF) can be abolished by targeting triggering ventricular ectopy, most often originating in the Purkinje network or right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). This strategy relies upon the induction of premature ventricular complex (PVC) and/or VF. We sought to evaluate a VF ablation strategy that utilizes analysis of stored implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) electrograms.MethodsEleven consecutive patients experiencing frequent VF episodes (≥three episodes in prior month) underwent electrophysiology study and ablation of VF triggers. PVC and VF induction was intentionally avoided or not possible in all of these patients. Pacemapping at likely sites for PVC triggers of VF using an analysis of the morphology and relative timing of the stored far‐ and near‐field ICD electrograms of VF triggers was used to identify potential culprit locations. Radiofrequency energy was applied to these sites for ablation of the identified VF trigger.ResultsAreas targeted for ablation included the left posterior fascicle (six), left anterior fascicle (three), RVOT (three) and left ventricular outflow tract (one); two patients had two separate triggers. Ablation was completed successfully without any complications. With a mean follow‐up of 288 days (range 45–649), 10 patients are free of VF.ConclusionAblation of VF triggers can be performed successfully with good short‐term outcomes in patients with and without underlying heart disease. Use of stored ICD electrograms with a focus on likely target areas permit ablation without the need for PVC or VF induction. This can be useful when ectopy is not present for mapping and to avoid potentially dangerous initiation of multiple episodes of VF.(PACE 2013; 36:76–85)
Vaccination with recombinant actin from scab mites and evaluation of its protective efficacy against Psoroptes cuniculi infection
Authors: Zheng W. , Tang Q. , Zhang R. , Jise Q. , Ren Y. , Nong X. , Wu X. , Gu X. , Wang S. , Peng X. , Lai S. , Yang G. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe mite Psoroptes cuniculi is globally widespread and has a serious impact on commercial rabbit breeding. Current treatment methods are based on chemotherapy. Because of the disadvantages of these methods, alternative measures are required, and vaccination is one of the most promising strategies. Here, we cloned and expressed the recombinant P. cuniculi actin gene (rPc‐act). Antiserum levels against rPc‐act in rabbits were used to locate actin distribution in mite sections. Challenge trials were carried out to evaluate the immunity protection of rPc‐act in rabbits, with antibody levels determined by ELISA. Sequence analysis of this gene fragment showed 89·26% and 84·91% identity to Sarcoptes scabiei and Mayetiola destructor sequences, respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed rPc‐act to locate widely throughout the mites, especially in feet and muscle tissues. Recombinant P. cuniculi actin with QuliA adjuvant was used to immunize six rabbits. Each animal was challenge‐infested with 25–50 adult mites. Although IgE levels showed no significant difference to controls, IgG levels were significantly higher, and clinical development showed no significantly different severity of lesions in vaccinated rabbits than in the controls. This study showed that rPc‐act is a muscular isotype actin and has no clinical protective efficacy against P. cuniculi.
How Costly is Modern Maritime Piracy to the International Community?
Authors: Bensassi Sami , Martínez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis paper focuses on the impact of maritime piracy on international trade. Piracy increases the cost of international maritime transport through an increase in insecurity regarding goods deliveries. Bilateral trade flows between the main European and Asian countries over the 1999 to 2008 period are used to estimate an augmented gravity model that includes various measures of piracy acts. We found robust evidence indicating that maritime piracy reduces the volume of trade; the effect of 10 additional vessels hijacked being associated to an 11% decrease in exports. Consequently, the current cost of piracy in terms of international trade destruction is estimated at 24.5 billion dollars.
Trade and Global Pollution in Dynamic Oligopoly with Corporate Environmentalism
Authors: Yanase Akihiko 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis paper examines the effects of international trade in the presence of dynamic oligopolistic competition where the stock of global pollution has a negative welfare effect and the oligopolists' objectives may include society's pollution damage as well as private profits. In a symmetric case where the number of firms, emission coefficient, and firms' environmental consciousness are the same in two countries, an opening of trade unambiguously improves each country's welfare in the short run. In the long run, however, trade increases the stock of global pollution and hence, whether opening of trade is beneficial depends on the parameters of the economy. If there are asymmetries between countries, the short‐run gains from trade in both countries are not necessarily guaranteed, because trade liberalization may increase output in one country and reduce it in the other. Moreover, free trade may result in lower pollution stock than under autarky.
Cross‐border Lobbying in Preferential Trading Agreements: Implications for External Tariffs and Welfare
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Subhayu , Lahiri Sajal , Wall Howard J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of cross‐border lobbying on domestic lobbying and on external tariffs in both Customs Union (CU) and Free Trade Area (FTA). We do so by developing a two‐stage game which endogenizes the tariff formation function in a political economic model of the directly unproductive rent‐seeking activities type. We find that cross‐border lobbying un‐ambiguously increases both domestic lobbying and the equilibrium common external tariffs in a CU. The same result also holds for FTA provided tariffs for the member governments are strategic complements. We also develop a specific oligopolistic model of FTA and show that tariffs are indeed strategic complements in such a model.
China's Regional Trade and Domestic Market Integrations
Authors: Xu Zhenhui , Fan Jianyong 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe global economic crisis in 2007 forced China to move from export‐led growth to promoting domestic demand. The move is significant, but the success of this new growth strategy depends critically on the level of domestic market integrations. In this paper, we use the methodology proposed by Anderson and Wincoop to examine China's domestic market integrations. We find evidence of border effects at both national and regional levels with significant regional differences, but they are smaller than some earlier studies suggest. Income growth, lower transportation costs, and higher intra‐industry trade all have positive effects on China's regional trade. Among the factors affecting regional trade, a better business environment has the largest positive impact on lifting China's domestic trade between regions, especially in intermediate goods, suggesting that improving business environment should be the priority of government at all levels in China.
Free Trade Agreement and Vertical Trade with a Manufacturing Base
Authors: Yanase Akihiko , Kurata Hiroshi , Kawabata Yasushi 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe examine the effects of free trade agreement (FTA) on tariffs and welfare in a three‐country model with vertical trade, where an FTA is formed between a country exporting a final good whose production involves using an intermediate good, and a country exporting the intermediate good in exchange for the final good. We demonstrate that the FTA reduces its member country's external tariff, whereas it raises the non‐member country's tariff. The non‐member country unambiguously becomes better off. In contrast, the FTA may or may not make its member countries better off. This implies that the formation of an FTA may not always be Pareto‐improving.