Serum Metabolomics Reveals Higher Levels of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Lepromatous Leprosy: Potential Markers for Susceptibility and Pathogenesis

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. M. leprae infects the skin and nerves, leading to disfigurement and nerve damage, with the severity of the disease varying widely. We believe there are multiple factors (genetic, bacterial, nutritional and environmental), which may explain the differences in clinical manifestations of the disease. We studied the metabolites in the serum of infected patients to search for specific molecules that may contribute to variations in the severity of disease seen in leprosy. We found that there were variations in levels of certain lipids in the patients with different bacterial loads. In particular, we found that three polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) involved in the inhibition of inflammation were more abundant in the serum of patients with higher bacterial loads. However, we do not know whether these PUFAs originated from the host or the bacteria. The variations in the metabolite profile that we observed provide a foundation for future research into the explanations of how leprosy causes disease

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Notes on praetors in Spain in the mid-second century B. C.

This article reassesses the ancient evidence on the praetors who fought in the Spains in the 150s and 140s, and argues against some recent reconstructions of the fasti praetorii for these years. In particular, two new possibilities are offered: L. Mummius, pr. in Hispania Ulterior 155 and prorogued through (at least) 154; and C. Laelius, pr. in a city jurisdiction in 145, and sent ex praetura to Citerior in 144, when his friend Scipio Aemilianus secured the removal of the Spains from the consular sortition for that year. If correct, this example of a city praetor setting out after the year of the magistracy for an overseas province would provide an early precedent for what was later to be a common practice, which Sulla as dictator finally was to institutionalize.No disponibl

Wisdom from the ancients/ Figueira

xii, 240 hal.: ill.; 23 cm

Wisdom from the ancients : Pelajaran bisnis klasik dari Alexander Agung

xii, 240 hal ; 23 c

Using Digital Ethnography to Understand the Experience of Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the decision-making process and illness experience of women experiencing pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using large-scale social media analysis. METHODS: Digital ethnographic analysis of online posts identified through data mining was performed. Grounded theory methodology was applied to two hundred posts via traditional hand coding. To supplement our qualitative approach, we applied a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) probabilistic topic modeling process to review the entire dataset of identified posts to ensure thematic saturation. RESULTS: 3,451 posts by 2,088 unique users from 117 websites worldwide were identified via social media data mining. We found that the anonymity of online forums allowed for information and support exchange among women with POP. Our analysis revealed that the exchange of online information aids in the decision-making process and, in some instances, appears to be the primary source of information. There was confusion about the anatomical and surgical complexities of prolapse. Our study also identified misconceptions, perceived risk factors, prevention methods, and management recommendations that were discussed online. CONCLUSION: This large-scale online community-based analysis demonstrated the utility of social media to better understand women’s experience with POP. Thematic findings highlighted essential concerns and challenges involved in the surgical decision-making process and the understating of the anatomical complexity of sector defects, specifically to cystocele, rectocele, etc