Molecular Evidence of Leptospira spp. Infection Among Household Dogs From 15 Municipalities of the Department of Caldas, Colombia.

Introduction: Leptospira spp. is a bacterial genus which includes pathogenic species that causes leptospirosis. Several animal species can harbour, shed and disseminate the bacteria through their urine.

Estimated Incidence of Hospitalizations and Deaths Attributable to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections Among Adults in Germany Between 2015 and 2019.

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) burden in adults is underestimated mainly due to unspecific symptoms and limited standard-of-care testing. We estimated the population-based incidence of hospitalization and mortality attributable to RSV among adults with and without risk factors in Germany.

Methods: Weekly counts of hospitalizations and deaths for respiratory, cardiovascular, and cardiorespiratory diseases were obtained (Statutory Health Insurance database, 2015-2019).

Morphological and molecular confirmation of Ornithodoros hasei (Schulze, 1935) (Acari: Argasidae) in Colombia.

A large number of tick species are proven vectors for the transmission of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) in South America have been found to be the most frequent carriers of borreliae of the relapsing fever group (RFG); however, there are several information gaps specially on the taxonomy and distribution of some tick species. Here, we used light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and PCR amplification of a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene to evaluate 174 larvae of Ornithodoros (Argasidae) collected from three bat species (Eptesicus orinocensis, Molossus rufus and Noctilio albiventris) in the Orinoquia Region of Colombia.

Birth weight and its relationship with endothelial function and pattern of endothelium-derived microparticles during childhood: New insight about early vascular damage.

Aims: To investigate whether a specific endothelium-derived microparticles (EMPs) phenotype could be associated with birth weight and microvascular endothelial function in children.

Materials And Methods: A total of 95 children aged 6-14 years were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurement, microvascular endothelial function testing, and biochemical profile analyses were performed.

High circulating levels of CD62E and CD31/Annexin V endothelium-derived microparticles in children with overweight/obesity: Evidence of early vascular damage.

Background: Obesity perturbs endothelium integrity, leading to endothelial activation, which predisposes the release of endothelium-derived microparticles (EMP). We measured the CD31/annexin V and CD62E EMP levels to improve our understanding of their contribution to endothelial damage in children with overweight/obesity.

Subject And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 107 children with normal weight and 35 children with overweight/obesity were evaluated.

Flea-borne Rickettsia species in fleas, Caldas department, Colombia.

Introduction: Rickettsioses are zoonotic diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Rickettsia and transmitted to man by means of arthropod vectors such as ticks, fleas, mites and lice. Historically, Caldas Department has reported a significant number of cases of murine typhus to the Colombian national health surveillance system, and consequent studies of flea-borne rickettsiosis identified the circulation of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis in multiple municipalities. Our aim was to genotype species of Rickettsia detected in fleas collected from domestic and wild mammals in Caldas.

Nephropathy in Hypertensive Animals Is Linked to M2 Macrophages and Increased Expression of the YM1/Chi3l3 Protein.

Macrophages contribute to a continuous increase in blood pressure and kidney damage in hypertension, but their polarization status and the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified. This study revealed an important role for M2 macrophages and the YM1/Chi3l3 protein in hypertensive nephropathy in a mouse model of hypertension. Bone marrow cells were isolated from the femurs and tibia of male FVB/N (control) and transgenic hypertensive animals that overexpressed the rat form of angiotensinogen (TGM(rAOGEN)123, TGM123-FVB/N).

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in Chagas heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: In patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChCM), sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a well-established therapy for secondary prevention in patients with structural heart disease, but there are conflicting opinions regarding its efficacy and safety in patients with ChCM. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of the ICD for secondary prevention in patients with ChCM, comparing mortality as the primary outcome of patients treated with ICD with those treated with amiodarone.

TLR2 and TLR4 play opposite role in autophagy associated with cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is considered an inflammatory disease in which toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling pathways play an important role. The activation of TLRs results in production of several inflammatory cytokines leading to further renal damage. In contrast, TLRs are key players on autophagy induction, which is associated with a protective function on cisplatin-induced AKI.

Nasal Polyp-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Exhibit Lack of Immune-Associated Molecules and High Levels of Stem/Progenitor Cells Markers.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are considered adult progenitor stem cells and have been studied in a multitude of tissues. In this context, the microenvironment of nasal polyp tissue has several inflammatory cells, but their stroma compartment remains little elucidated. Hence, we isolated MSCs from nasal polyps Polyp-MSCs (PO-MSCs) and compared their molecular features and gene expression pattern with bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs).

Macrophages During the Fibrotic Process: M2 as Friend and Foe.

Macrophages play essential activities in homeostasis maintenance during different organism's conditions. They may be polarized according to various stimuli, which subsequently subdivide them into distinct populations. Macrophages with inflammatory activity function mainly during pathological context, while those with regulatory activity control inflammation and also remodel the repairing process.

Preventive Medicine and Its Role in the Special Operation Forces Medical Team.

Throughout history, Soldiers in wartime have been especially vulnerable to infectious diseases, which have devastated and decimated entire armies, causing suspension and, in some cases, complete cancellation of military operations. Dr. William Foege,1 a renowned Harvard epidemiologist, and his colleagues claim that throughout history, infectious diseases have killed more Soldiers than have weapons.

[HIV drug resistance in ART-experienced patients in Cali, Colombia, 2008-2010].

Introduction: Little has been published in Colombia on HIV drug resistance in patients taking antiretroviral treatment (ART). Currently, the Colombian guidelines do not recommend the use of genotypic antiretroviral resistance tests (GART) for treatment-naive patients or for those experiencing a first therapeutic failure.

Objective: To determine the frequency of relevant resistance mutations and the degree of susceptibility/ resistance of HIV to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in ART-experienced patients.

Early complications of anterior supine intermuscular total hip arthroplasty.

Anterior supine intermuscular total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed on a fracture table has been increasingly used for primary THA. Accurate cup placement, low incidence of dislocation, shorter hospital stay, and faster return of function are potential benefits of the technique. However, a high complication rate, particularly during a surgeon's learning curve, has been reported.

Influence of preoperative 7.5% hypertonic saline on neutrophil activation after reamed intramedullary nailing of femur shaft fractures: a prospective randomized pilot study.

Objectives: Femoral reaming and intramedullary nailing (IMN) primes polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and thereby increases the posttraumatic systemic inflammatory response. Resuscitation with hypertonic saline (HTS) attenuates PMNL activation after trauma-hemorrhage. We hypothesized that preoperative administration of 7.

High rectal injury during trans-1 axial lumbar interbody fusion L5-S1 fixation: a case report.

Study Design: A case report.

Objective: To report a case of high rectal injury during trans-1 axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (axiaLIF) L5-S1 fixation.

Summary Of Background Data: Trans-1 axiaLIF procedure is gaining in popularity for L5-S1 fusion due to the ease of access to the sacrum through the presacral space.

The effect of pelvic fracture on mortality after trauma: an analysis of 63,000 trauma patients.

Background: The understanding of the mortality risk posed by pelvic fracture is incomplete. The purposes of this study were (1) to compare the mortality risk associated with a pelvic fracture with the risk conferred by other injuries and (2) to determine if the association of a pelvic fracture with mortality varies when combined with other known risk factors.

Methods: Trauma registry records from two level-I trauma centers were examined.

Safety and efficacy of damage control external fixation versus early definitive stabilization for femoral shaft fractures in the multiple-injured patient.

Background: Optimal timing and treatment of patients with concomitant head, thoracic, or abdominal injury and femoral shaft fracture remain controversial. This study examines acute patient outcomes associated with early total care with intramedullary nailing (ETC group) versus damage control external fixation (DCO group) for multiple-injured patients with femoral shaft fractures. We propose DCO as a safe initial treatment for the multiple-injured patient with femur shaft fractures.

Incarcerated tibial nail.

Removal of intramedullary nails is considered a routine procedure but may prove to be challenging. Bone ongrowth or overgrowth, damage to the proximal threads of the nail, and broken nails or locking screws may complicate intramedullary nail removal. This article presents a case of a 28-year-old patient with an incarcerated tibial nail and describes a salvage procedure for tibia nail extraction after all previously described methods have failed.

Treatment of distal femur and proximal tibia fractures with external fixation followed by planned conversion to internal fixation.

Purpose: To evaluate healing rates and complications in patients treated with temporary external fixation (EF) and subsequent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for high-energy distal femur or proximal tibia fractures.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data 1999 to 2005. Demographic data and injury severity score were obtained from medical records.

Retrograde femoral nailing: an understanding of the intercondylar insertion site.

Background: : The intercondylar starting site for retrograde femoral nailing has been selected to avoid damage to the articular weight-bearing surface. This starting point assumes that implants will adapt to the femoral radius of curvature. Implant-femur radius mismatch may result in postoperative fracture angulations, translation, or increase in hoop stress.

Analysis of efficacy and failure in proximal humerus fractures treated with locking plates.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of proximal humerus locking plates (PHLP) and to clarify predictors of loss of fixation.

Design: Retrospective review of patients with proximal humerus fractures fixed with a PHLP.

Setting: Five Level 1 trauma centers.

Treatment of complex proximal femoral fractures with the proximal femur locking compression plate.

The PF-LCP represents a feasible alternative for the treatment of unstable inter- and subtrochanteric fractures.

Osseous healing with a composite of allograft and demineralized bone matrix: adverse effects of smoking.

We report on our use of a composite graft of lyophilized cancellous allogenic chips and demineralized bone matrix (DBM; Grafton; Osteotech, Eatontown, NJ) to manage traumatic osseous defects and nonunions. Data were prospectively collected from all patients who received this composite bone graft between 1996 and 2000. Only acute fractures with bone loss resulting in a uncontained defect and atrophic non-unions were included in the present study.