Post-infection fatigue syndrome following Q fever

In 1989, 147 individuals in the West Midlands, UK, were infected with Q fever. Five years later, following anecdotal reports of fatigue, we used a questionnaire-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms in this group. Replies from 71 patients were compared with those from 142 age- and sex-matched controls. Increased sweating (52.9% vs. 31.6%, p = 0.006), breathlessness (50.7% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.006), blurred vision (34.3% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.016) and undue tiredness (68.7% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.03) were found in controls compared to cases. These findings were similar to those in Australian abbatoir workers occupationally exposed to Q fever. CDC criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome were fulfilled by 42.3% of cases and 26% of controls. Using visual analogue scores, symptoms were more severe in cases than in controls. Our findings support the existence of a chronic fatigue state following acute Q fever, in a group of patients exposed just once to the organism, and in circumstances free of such confounding factors as lawsuits over compensation.      

A Chromatographic Study on the Glycosides of Aerva lanata L.

AIM:In order to identify the HPTLC profile(bio-marker),at species level,for the identification and confirmation of crude drugs,HPTLC separation was initiated on different parts of Aerva lanata L.from South India.METHODS:Preliminary phyto-chemical screening was done by the method of Harborne.HPTLC studies were carried out following Harborne and Wagner et al method.The Ethyl acetate-ethanol-water(8:2:1.2)was employed as mobile phase for glycosides.RESULTS:The methanolic extract of stem,leaves,root,flowers and...     

Recent advances of genetic ancestry testing in biomedical research and direct to consumer testing

In the post-Human Genome Project era, the debate on the concept of race/ethnicity and its implications for biomedical research are dependent on two critical issues: whether and how to classify individuals and whether biological factors play a role in health disparities. The advent of reliable estimates of genetic (or biogeographic) ancestry has provided this debate with a quantitative and more objective tool. The estimation of genetic ancestry allows investigators to control for population stratification in association studies and helps to detect biological causation behind population-specific differences in disease and drug response. New techniques such as admixture mapping can specifically detect population-specific risk alleles for a disease in admixed populations. However, researchers have to be mindful of the correlation between genetic ancestry and socioeconomic and environmental factors that could underlie these differences. More importantly, researchers must avoid the stigmatization of individuals based on perceived or real genetic risks. The latter point will become increasingly sensitive as several 'for profit companies' are offering ancestry and genetic testing directly to consumers and the consequences of the spread of the services of these companies are still unforeseeable.     

Knowledge,attitudes and practices about malaria among communities: Comparing epidemic and non-epidemic prone communities of Muleba district,North-western Tanzania

Background  

Muleba district in North-western Tanzania has experienced malaria epidemics in recent years. Community knowledge, attitudes and practices are important in enhancing disease control interventions. This study investigated determinants of malaria epidemics in the study area in relation to household knowledge, attitudes and practice on malaria.     

Esophageal motility: assessment with synchronous video tape fluoroscopy and manometry

Synchronous video tape fluoroscopy and manometry of the esophagus was performed in 11 subjects (seven men and four women; mean age, 49 years). Four had normal and seven had abnormal esophageal motility (diffuse esophageal spasm, n = 4; nonspecific esophageal motility disorder, n = 3) that was shown by previous manometry. A digital timer appeared on the video tape recording and marked the manometric tracing synchronously. Alternate 5-mL and 10-mL barium boluses were recorded for a total of 10 swallows per patient. Video tape examinations were reviewed prospectively, and the status of primary peristalsis and presence and severity of tertiary activity were noted. A total of 98 swallows (58 normal, 40 abnormal) were correlated, and a 96% agreement was found in assessing primary peristalsis. Overall results of fluoroscopic examinations of each subject during all swallows showed complete agreement with those of manometry; segregating the swallows into groups of five showed 92% concordance. Severe tertiary activity was invariably seen with abnormal primary peristalsis at fluoroscopy.     

The Effects of Age,Adiposity, and Physical Activity on the Risk of Seven Site‐Specific Fractures in Postmenopausal Women

Risk factors for fracture of the neck of the femur are relatively well established, but those for fracture at other sites are little studied. In this large population study we explore the role of age, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity on the risk of fracture at seven sites in postmenopausal women. As part of the Million Women Study, 1,154,821 postmenopausal UK women with a mean age of 56.0 (SD 4.8) years provided health and lifestyle data at recruitment in 1996 to 2001. All participants were linked to National Health Service (NHS) hospital records for day‐case or overnight admissions with a mean follow‐up of 11 years per woman. Adjusted absolute and relative risks for seven site‐specific incident fractures were calculated using Cox regression models. During follow‐up, 4931 women had a fracture of the humerus; 2926 of the forearm; 15,883 of the wrist; 9887 of the neck of the femur; 1166 of the femur (not neck); 3199 a lower leg fracture; and 10,092 an ankle fracture. Age‐specific incidence rates increased gradually with age for fractures of forearm, lower leg, ankle, and femur (not neck), and steeply with age for fractures of neck of femur, wrist, and humerus. When compared to women with desirable BMI (20.0 to 24.9 kg/m²), higher BMI was associated with a reduced risk of fracture of the neck of femur, forearm, and wrist, but an increased risk of humerus, femur (not neck), lower leg, and ankle fractures (p < 0.001 for all). Strenuous activity was significantly associated with a decreased risk of fracture of the humerus and femur (both neck and remainder of femur) (p < 0.001), but was not significantly associated with lower leg, ankle, wrist, and forearm fractures. Postmenopausal women are at a high lifetime risk of fracture. BMI and physical activity are modifiable risk factors for fracture, but their associations with fracture risk differ substantially across fracture sites. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)