Novel organisation and regulation of the promoter from enteroaggregative and uropathogenic .

The serine protease autotransporters of the (SPATEs) are a large family of virulence factors commonly found in enteric bacteria. These secreted virulence factors have diverse functions during bacterial infection, including adhesion, aggregation and cell toxicity. One such SPATE, the Pic mucinase (protein involved in colonisation) cleaves mucin, allowing enteric bacterial cells to utilise mucin as a carbon source and to penetrate the gut mucus lining, thereby increasing mucosal colonisation.

Cost, Value, and Patient Satisfaction in Carpal Tunnel Surgery.

The cost of carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery can be decreased and patient satisfaction increased by a few relatively simple changes. Although cost estimates vary in the literature, most investigators agree that open CTR costs less than endoscopic CTR, and the clinic procedure room or ambulatory surgery center is cheaper than the ambulatory surgery center, which is less than the hospital. Patient satisfaction can be increased by making office visits more patient-centered and improving the quality of dialogue between the surgeon and patient.

First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis: Does the Addition of a Lag Screw to a Dorsal Locking Plate Influence Union Rate and/or Final Alignment after Fusion.

First metatarsophalangeal (MTP-1) joint fusion is a reliable method for the correction of various deformities, including hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. Ideal constructs provide high rates of fusion in the desired alignment. The present study examined the union rates and the change in dorsiflexion angle during the follow-up period in patients who had undergone MTP-1 fusion with a dorsal locking plate and a lag screw compared with patients who had undergone fusion with a dorsal locking plate alone.