Bioremediation of oily hypersaline soil via autochthonous bioaugmentation with halophilic bacteria and archaea.

Kuwaiti hypersaline soil samples were contaminated with 5 % (w/w) weathered Kuwaiti light crude oil and bioaugmented with autochthonous halophilic hydrocarbonoclastic archaeal and bacterial strains, two each, individually and as consortia. Residual oil contents were determined, and microbial communities were analyzed by culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches initially and seasonally for one year. After one year of the bioremediation process, the mean oil degradation rate was similar across all treated soils including the controlled unbioaugmented one. Oil hydrocarbons were drastically reduced in all soil samples with values ranging from 82.7 % to 93 %. During the bioremediation process, the number of culturable oil-degrading bacteria increased to a range of 142 to 344 CFUx104 g-1 after 12 months of bioaugmentation. Although culture-independent analysis showed a high proportion of inoculants initially, none could be cultured throughout the bioremediation procedure. Within a year, microbial communities changed continually, and 33 species of halotolerant/halophilic hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria were isolated and identified belonged mainly to the three major bacterial phyla Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. The archaeal phylum Halobacterota represented <1 % of the microbial community's relative abundance, which explains why none of its members were cultured. Improving the biodegradability of an already balanced environment by autochthonous bioaugmentation is more involved than just adding the proper oil degraders. This study emphasizes the possibility of a relatively large resistant population, a greater diversity of oil-degrading microorganisms, and the highly selective impacts of oil contamination on hypersaline soil bacterial communities.

A Comparison of 2,845 Head and Neck Injuries in Various Martial Arts.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study is to estimate and compare the frequencies, types, and hospital admission rates of head and neck injuries in subjects who practice different martial art fighting styles, including karate, kung fu, kickboxing, taekwondo, judo, and jiu jitsu. METHODS: The investigators designed and implemented a 20-year cross-sectional study using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. Information related to head and neck martial art injuries from January 2000 through December 2019 was included in this study. Study variables were obtained from both patient demographics and injury characteristics (date of injury, diagnosis, body part, type of martial art, and disposition). Patient and injury characteristics were compared through χ2 and independent sample tests. RESULTS: Taekwondo was the most likely type of martial art to lead to a head injury (P < .01), whereas jiu jitsu (P < .01) and judo (P < .01) were most likely to cause neck injuries. The type of martial art was not significantly associated with admission rates (P = .190); however, patients with head injuries were more likely to be admitted relative to patients who did not suffer head injuries (P < .05). Moreover, injuries secondary to judo were more likely to result in admissions relative to that of all other martial arts (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Judo was the most severe martial art during this time period as it led to the highest rate of hospital admissions. Karate injuries are most likely to occur in younger populations of fighters under the age of 18 years.

Does Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Provide a Quality-of-Life Benefit Over Traditional Closed Reduction of Mandibular Condyle Fractures?

PURPOSE: This study sought to estimate patient-reported outcomes and compare quality-of-life (QOL) measures between patients electing for either open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) or closed reduction with intermaxillary fixation (CRIMF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with unilateral condyle fractures who had undergone either ORIF or CRIMF at the New York University Tisch Hospital and Bellevue Hospital Center. The primary study predictor was treatment choice (ORIF or CRIMF). Other study predictors were patient age, gender, and the presence of any other coexisting facial fractures. The 9 study outcomes were derived from an 11-item postoperative QOL questionnaire evaluating self-reported perceptions of pain and function. Univariate comparisons and multivariate regression models were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients (21 CRIMF and 17 ORIF) comprised the study sample. All patients were eligible for either ORIF or CRIMF, and the choice of treatment was decided through shared decision making after a comprehensive discussion of risks and benefits. With respect to pain outcomes, patients who underwent ORIF reported lower overall pain scores at 2 weeks (P < .01) and 2 months (P = .01), less mastication pain at 3 months (P = .01), and a lower rate of persistent headaches after 6 weeks (P = .04). With respect to functional outcomes, patients who underwent ORIF reported better range of motion at 3 months (P = .01), less treatment-related weight loss (P = .01), and more ease when performing physical (P < .01) and work-related (P < .01) activities. In the multivariate regression models, ORIF was independently associated with decreased pain at 2 weeks (P < .01) and decreased difficulty in obtaining nutrition (P < .01), performing physical activities (P = .02), and performing work-related activities (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent ORIF appeared to experience subjective favorable pain and functional QOL outcomes. Given the clinical controversy, the choice of treatment should synthesize patient-reported outcomes and be approached through shared decision making.