Molecular epidemiology and transmission dynamics of leprosy among multicase families and case-contact pairs.

Background: Human-to-human transmission of Mycobacterium leprae among household contacts of active leprosy cases is significant, and surveillance of household contacts is vital to interrupting the transmission chain for this disease. This study was conducted to identify similarities in M. leprae strains, based on genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), among cases and their household contacts and in multicase families in order to decipher possible associations, transmission links, various clinical conditions of index cases that enhance person-to-person transmission, and timelines for transmission patterns.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Limits Host Glycolysis and IL-1β by Restriction of PFK-M via MicroRNA-21.

Increased glycolytic metabolism recently emerged as an essential process driving host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), but little is known about how this process is regulated during infection. Here, we observe repression of host glycolysis in Mtb-infected macrophages, which is dependent on sustained upregulation of anti-inflammatory microRNA-21 (miR-21) by proliferating mycobacteria. The dampening of glycolysis by miR-21 is mediated through targeting of phosphofructokinase muscle (PFK-M) isoform at the committed step of glycolysis, which facilitates bacterial growth by limiting pro-inflammatory mediators, chiefly interleukin-1β (IL-1β).

An ecological momentary episodic future thinking intervention on mother's weekly food purchases.

Background: Imagining one's own future (episodic future thinking, EFT) has helped mothers with overweight purchase healthier groceries during an online shopping task in the laboratory. The present study explored whether delivering an EFT intervention to participants' devices via an ecological momentary intervention (EMI) tool would help mothers purchase healthier food at brick-and-mortar stores.

Method: Participants (N = 43, mothers 31-52 years of age, BMI ≥ 24.

Identification of novel open reading frames in the intergenic regions of Mycobacterium leprae genome and detection of transcript by qRT-PCR.

Mycobacterium leprae is an unculturable obligate pathogen and causative agent for debilitating human disease leprosy. Due to reductive genome evolution M leprae genome harbours large number of pseudogenes and small number of genes (∼1600 genes and ∼1300 pseudogenes). How M leprae remained a successful human parasite with small set of genes remains poorly understood and provided us the impetus to investigate the intergenic regions of M leprae genome for the presence of possible open reading frames (ORFs).

Should Finasteride Be Routinely Given Preoperatively for TURP?

Objective. The aim of the review was to compare the use of finasteride to placebo in patients undergoing TURP procedures. Material & Methods.

Hernia repair during endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy: outcome after 93 cases.

Objective: To investigate the outcome of preperitoneal inguinal hernia mesh repairs performed during endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE).

Patients And Methods: Ninety-three patients underwent inguinal hernia repair during 2125 EERPEs performed between 2002 and 2008. Seventy-seven patients had a unilateral hernia and 16 bilateral inguinal hernias.

Previous laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair does not adversely affect the functional or oncological outcomes of endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy.

Objective: To investigate whether previous laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) affected adversely key outcome measures in radical prostatectomy, including perioperative data, pathologic data, complications, potency, continence, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We have shown previously that LIHR does not preclude safe endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE).

Methods: EERPE is the standard approach to radical prostatectomy in our unit.

Renal colic: a prospective evaluation of non-enhanced spiral CT versus intravenous pyelography.

The aim of this study was to compare non-enhanced spiral CT (NECT) and intravenous pyelography (IVP) in patients with suspected acute renal colic. Two-hundred patients presenting to the Emergency Department with suspected acute renal colic were randomized into groups undergoing NECT or IVP. The main outcome measures were diagnostic utility, incidence of alternative diagnoses, requirement for further imaging, length of hospital stay, urological intervention rates, radiation dosage and costs.

Synchronous bladder reconstruction and antegrade continence enema.

Purpose: We assess the long-term outcome of synchronous bladder reconstruction and antegrade continence enema in a large series of patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of the last 50 consecutive patients treated at 1 unit in Southampton and 1 in Denver.

Results: A total of 46 patients were available for analysis, including 24 from Southampton and 22 from Denver.

Comparison between low and high pressure suction drainage following axillary clearance.

Aim: We report the comparison of low (Exudrain) and high pressure (Redivac) drains in 69 patients following mastectomy and axillary clearance.

Methods: Volume of drainage was recorded daily for 8 days postoperatively.

Results: Comparison of daily drainage revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients (P>0.

A prospective study of the natural history of hematuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and the effect of finasteride.

Purpose: We prospectively studied the effect of finasteride on chronic hematuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively evaluated 57 patients with chronic intermittent hematuria who were randomized to a finasteride treated or a control arm.

Results: In the untreated control group hematuria recurred in 17 patients (63%) within a year but in only 4 (14%) in the finasteride group, which was a statistically significant difference (p <0.

A prospective trial of flexible cystodiathermy for recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Purpose: The flexible cystoscope has a proved role in the followup of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder but the full extent of its therapeutic role has yet to be defined. We analyzed 171 flexible cystodiathermies to assess patient tolerance and treatment success. Potential cost savings were also analyzed.

A survey of post-operative care after day case surgery.

A prospective survey of patients undergoing day surgery was performed with the main aim of identifying the need for post-operative follow-up after minor or intermediate surgery. The degree of patient satisfaction and the increased workload that this group of patients caused general practitioners was also analysed. Patients underwent either varicose vein surgery, inguinal hernia repair or vasectomy and were asked to return a prepaid reply questionnaire two weeks after surgery.

Maintaining safety and high performance on shiftwork.

This review of the shiftwork area focuses on aspects of safety and productivity. It discusses the situations in which shiftworker performance is critical, the types of problem that can develop and the reasons why shiftworker performance can be impaired. The review ends with a discnssion of the various advantages and disadvantages of several shift rotation systems, and of other possible solutions to the problem.

How fast should the night shift rotate? A rejoinder.

The argument for greater use of permanent night shift does not match the three times greater use of rotating three-shift systems in Britain. Studies of industrial production show very slight differences between output on different shifts, unlike laboratory studies, suggesting that it is almost impossible to reproduce the practice, motivation, and real consequences of work in laboratory settings. People who prefer permanent night shift often prefer to avoid management, and few managements welcome this; or have important tasks to perform at home in the day-time.

Clinical versus biochemical assessment in thyroxine replacement therapy: a retrospective study.

A retrospective audit of a thyroid clinic revealed that only 67% of clinical assessments of thyroid status in patients receiving thyroxine replacement therapy were correct. The identification of patients on excessive doses of thyroxine appears to be the most difficult by clinical assessment alone, only 10% of those patients with a suppressed TSH level being identified. This study emphasises the importance of thyroid function tests in the assessment of patients on thyroxine replacement.