Based on limited serological studies, at least 10% of the US population has been exposed to spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) species. The immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA) has been the gold standard for the serodiagnosis of rickettsial infections such as spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR). However, the IFA is semi-quantitative and subjective, requiring a high level of expertise to interpret it correctly. Here, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of Rickettsia parkeri infection in the guinea pig. Our ELISA is an objective, quantitative, and high-throughput assay that shows greater sensitivity and resolution in observed titers than the IFA. We methodically optimized relevant parameters in sequence for optimal signal-to-noise ratio and low coefficient of variation% values. We used a guinea pig model as it is a part of our overall research efforts to understand the immunological and clinical response to SFGR species after tick transmission. Guinea pigs are a useful model to study SFR and show clinical signs of SFR, such as fever and eschars. We anticipate that this assay will be easily adapted to other hosts, including humans and other SFGR species.

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The overall prevalence of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and associated co-morbidities have increased at an alarming rate in the United States and worldwide. There is a growing body of epidemiological evidence implicating exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including legacy organochlorine (OC) pesticides and their bioaccumulative metabolites, in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to determine if exposure to trans-nonachlor, a bioaccumulative OC pesticide contaminant, in concert with high fat diet intake induced metabolic dysfunction. Briefly, male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to trans-nonachlor (.5 or 5 ppm) in either a low fat (LFD) or high fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. At 8 weeks of intake, trans-nonachlor decreased serum triglyceride levels in LFD and HFD fed animals and at 16 weeks compared to LFD fed animals. Interestingly, serum glucose levels were decreased by trans-nonachlor (5 ppm) in LFD fed animals at 16 weeks. Serum free fatty acids were increased by trans-nonachlor exposure (5 ppm) in LFD fed animals at 16 weeks. HFD fed animals displayed signs of hepatic steatosis including elevated liver triglycerides, liver enzymes, and liver lipid peroxidation which were not significantly altered by trans-nonachlor exposure. However, there was a trans-nonachlor mediated increase in expression of fatty acid synthase in livers of LFD fed animals and not HFD fed animals. Thus, the present data indicate exposure to trans-nonachlor in conjunction with LFD or HFD intake produces both diet and exposure dependent effects on lipid and glucose metabolism.

Orthopedic surgery has consistently been one of the most male-dominated fields in medicine. Students enrolled in allopathic medical schools in the southeastern US were surveyed to assess the factors contributing to their specialty selection and to evaluate their opinions on women in the field of orthopedic surgery.