METHOD: This is a retrospective cohort study. Data on medical background, previous DCF treatment and complications were obtained. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to measure factors related to various complications of DCF.

RESULTS: Ninety-eight patient records were retrieved. Of the 83 patients who were still alive, 75.9% (n = 63) had recurrent ulcers, 53.0% (n = 44) had undergone foot surgery and 45.8% (n = 38) had undergone amputation. Patients with a history of recurrent ulcers have the highest predilection to amputation (odds ratio: 8.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.8, 39.1).

SUBJECTS AND PURPOSE: Nineteen adults with normal hearing participated. The ABRs were acquired using click and LS chirp stimuli using three stimulus polarities (rarefaction, condensation, and alternating) at 80 dBnHL. The ABRs were tested only on the right ear at a stimulus rate of 33.33 Hz. The ABR test was stopped when the recording reached the residual noise level of 0.04 µV. The ABRs amplitudes, absolute latencies, inter-peak latencies (IPLs), and the recorded number of averages were statistically compared among ABRs at different stimulus polarities and stimuli combinations.

RESULTS: Rarefaction polarity had the largest ABR amplitudes and SNRs compared with other stimulus polarities in both stimuli. There were marginal differences in the absolute latencies and IPLs among stimulus polarities. No significant difference in the number of averages required to reach the stopping criteria was found.

METHODS: Soil and water samples near leptospirosis patients' residences were collected, processed and cultured into EMJH media. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to confirm the identity of Leptospira.

RESULTS: EMJH culture and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed predominant growth of pathogenic Leptospira kmetyi (17%, n=7/42). All tested locations had at least one Leptospira sp., mostly from the soil samples.

METHODS: A total of 50 g/kg/day of 1% HCD was fed to three to four months old male rabbits weighing 1.8 to 2.0 kg for four and eight weeks to induce early and established atherosclerosis respectively. The body weight and lipid profile were measured at baseline and post-HCD intervention. Following euthanasia, the aorta was excised and prepared for histology and immunohistochemical analysis to confirm the stages of atherosclerosis.

RESULTS: The mean body weight of the rabbits in early and established atherosclerosis groups increased significantly up to 17.5% (p = 0.026) and 19.75% (p = 0.019) respectively compared to baseline. The total cholesterol level dramatically elevated up to 13-fold (p = 0.005) and 38-fold (p = 0.013) compared to baseline, after four and eight weeks of 1% HCD feeding respectively. The low-density lipoprotein level significantly increased up to 42-fold (p = 0.006) and 128-fold (p = 0.011) compared to baseline, after four and eight weeks of 1% HCD feeding respectively. Rabbits fed with four and eight weeks 1% HCD significantly developed 5.79% (p = 0.008) and 21.52% (p = 0.008) aortic lesion areas compared to the control group. Histological evaluation in the aorta showed accumulation of foam cells in early atherosclerosis group and formation of fibrous plaque and lipid core in the established atherosclerosis group. Rabbits fed with eight weeks HCD showed higher tissue expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, e-selectin, IL-6, IL-8, NF-κBp65, and MMP-12 compared to four weeks of HCD intervention.