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Chronic liver disease is rising in western countries and liver cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death worldwide. Simultaneously, use of gastric acid suppressive medications is increasing. Here, we show that proton pump inhibitors promote progression of alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by increasing numbers of intestinal Enterococcus spp. Translocating enterococci lead to hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte death. Expansion of intestinal Enterococcus faecalis is sufficient to exacerbate ethanol-induced liver disease in mice. Proton pump inhibitor use increases the risk of developing alcoholic liver disease among alcohol-dependent patients. Reduction of gastric acid secretion therefore appears to promote overgrowth of intestinal Enterococcus, which promotes liver disease, based on data from mouse models and humans. Recent increases in the use of gastric acid-suppressive medications might contribute to the increasing incidence of chronic liver disease.

Observations from human microbiome studies are often conflicting or inconclusive. Many factors likely contribute to these issues including small cohort sizes, sample collection, and handling and processing differences. The field of microbiome research is moving from 16S rDNA gene sequencing to a more comprehensive genomic and functional representation through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of complete communities. Here we performed quantitative and qualitative analyses comparingWGS metagenomic data from human stool specimens using the Illumina Nextera XT and Illumina TruSeq DNA PCR-free kits, and the KAPA Biosystems Hyper Prep PCR and PCR-free systems. Significant differences in taxonomy are observed among the four different next-generation sequencing library preparations using a DNA mock community and a cell control of known concentration. We also revealed biases in error profiles, duplication rates, and loss of reads representing organisms that have a high %G+C content that can significantly impact results. As with all methods, the use of benchmarking controls has revealed critical differences among methods that impact sequencing results and later would impact study interpretation. We recommend that the community adopt PCR-free-based approaches to reduce PCR bias that affects calculations of abundance and to improve assemblies for accurate taxonomic assignment. Furthermore, the inclusion of a known-input cell spike-in control provides accurate quantitation of organisms in clinical samples.

Assessing the sustainability of agriculture is a relevant methodological issue with practical implications. In this study, a systematic approach is followed to develop a composite indicator that ranks the sustainability performance of Spanish reference farms at the NUTS 2 level. The classical three-dimension approach is considered under a deductive point of view to represent sustainability. Multicriteria techniques suitable to model the trade-offs between individual attributes are used to weigh and aggregate the three dimensions’ attributes, allowing for different normative standpoints to be expressed. The sensitivity and uncertainty arising from the methodological choices are assessed using a variance-based technique. The ordinary least squares technique is applied to evaluate the sensitivity of the composite indicator to shifts in the consumption of relevant inputs. The results show that the trade-off level does not leverage most analysed units. In addition, the ranking obtained made it possible to discriminate the herbaceous farms as those with the worst sustainability performance. Methodologically, the most influential parameters in the indicator are related to the ethical complexity of evaluating overall sustainability. In addition, the indicator shows a high sensitivity to shifts in the consumption of machinery fuel and irrigation resources. In short, the indicator developed represents a relevant input to improve the interpretation of the sustainability performance of agriculture as a multidimensional issue, emphasising its normative character.

Secure data aggregation is essential in wireless sensor networks for lowering the amount of data transmitted and extending the lifetime of the network. The foundation underlying significantly greater industrial internet of things applications is primarily wireless sensor nodes. Sensors that have already been integrated within can be used to sense data in any form of real-time IoT application. In real-time physical surroundings, sensors utilize as little power as feasible to conduct operations including sensing, communicating, and processing data. Many investigations are being carried out to improve sensor node energy efficiency and network lifetime. To save energy, more attention must be paid to the clustering and routing aspects of communication. In this paper, we introduce Energy Efficient Greedy Tree based Data Aggregation (EE–GTDA) algorithm for efficient data aggregation with increased reliability and reduced energy consumption. It is a two-fold homogeneous technique that supervises safe energy-efficient connectivity and data aggregation with the greedy tree based solution that emphasizes multi-objective function. These methodologies are based on minimizing sensor energy consumption to maximize network lifetime simultaneously decreasing communication overhead. A trade-off between energy and safety is accomplished in order to increase efficient energy consumption with a higher packet delivery ratio.

Gut microbiota has been described as a new ‘organ’ that interferes with host physiology by its metabolites produced from the utilization and biotransformation of undigested food components. Fu Ling (FL), the sclerotia of fungi Wolfiporia cocos, contains β-glucan, which is a known natural polysaccharide with strong medicinal efficacy. This study endeavors to evaluate the fermentability of FL and polysaccharides extracted from its sclerotia. An in vitro fermentation of structurally characterized FL and its β-glucan by human fecal microbiota was conducted. Total bacterial count, pH change, short-chain fatty acid profile and microbiota profile were assessed post-fermentation. FL containing over 70% of β-(1 → 3) and (1 → 6)-glucans with a low degree of branching of 0.24 could enhance acetic acid (a major microbial metabolite) production. Both FL and its extracted β-glucan had similar modulation on microbial composition. They enriched Phascolarctobacterium faecium, Bacteroides dorei and Parabacteroides distasonis, all of which are shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. FL polysaccharide can be utilized as a natural whole food for its potential health benefits to human gut bacteria.

In view of the limited evidence showing anti-obesity effects of synbiotics via modulation of the gut microbiota in humans, a randomized clinical trial was performed. Assessment of the metabolic syndrome traits and profiling of the fecal gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in overweight and obese Hong Kong Chinese individuals before and after dietary intervention with an 8-week increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and/or synbiotic supplementation was conducted. The selected synbiotic contained two probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019) and a prebiotic (polydextrose). Fifty-five overweight or obese individuals were randomized and divided into a synbiotic group (SG; n = 19), a dietary intervention group (DG; n = 18), and a group receiving combined interventions (DSG; n = 18). DSG showed the greatest weight loss effects and number of significant differences in clinical parameters compared to its baseline values—notably, decreases in fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides and an increase in HDL-cholesterol. DSG lowered Megamonas abundance, which was positively associated with BMI, body fat mass, and trunk fat mass. The results suggested that increasing dietary fiber consumption from fruits and vegetables combined with synbiotic supplementation is more effective than either approach alone in tackling obesity.

Estimating the average environmental impacts of a representative crop in a specific region is a helpful starting point from which to propose improvements in the agricultural sector. However, data collection from official representative sources is complex, and often they require subsequent treatment to be transformed into meaningful inventory data. This article shows a comprehensive dataset for obtaining inventory data and developing an environmental life cycle impact assessment of representative agricultural production corresponding to reference holdings at a regional level (NUTS 2) in Spain. The dataset comprises Excel files with the data compiled from secondary sources to be used in the assessment and the R code scripts to transform the data into relevant inventory data to estimate the environmental impacts of the reference holdings. This dataset is a reliable tool for researchers and other potential users to be used as a secondary information source for further studies. It can also be used to estimate the environmental impacts of the farming activity of agri-food products in other regions or countries by collecting similar data for the specific region and adjusting the R code.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease nowadays. Currently, there is no officially approved drug to treat NAFLD. In view of the increasing global prevalence of NAFLD and an absence of treatments, the development of effective treatments is of utmost importance. β-glucan, a natural bioactive polysaccharide, has demonstrated hepatoprotective effects in NAFLD prevention and treatment. This review solely focuses on gathering the published preclinical animal studies that demonstrated the anti-liver injury, anti-steatotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and antioxidant activities of β-glucan. The impact of β-glucan on gut microbiota and its metabolites including short-chain fatty acids and bile acids as the underlying mechanism for its bioactive beneficial effect on NAFLD is also explored. Given the limited knowledge of β-glucan on anti-fibrotic activity, bile acid metabolism, and gut microbiota function, additional relevant research is highly encouraged to lay a solid foundation for the use of food-derived β-glucan as a functional food for NAFLD. It is envisaged that further investigation of food-derived β-glucan in human clinical studies should be carried out for its wider utilization.

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is essential for timely administration of appropriate treatment and reducing the spread of the disease. We examined the performance of the new Alinity m STI assay, a qualitative real-time multiplex PCR test for simultaneous identification of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) run on the fully automated Alinity m platform.

Pension plans play a vital role in the economy by impacting savings, consumption, and investment allocation. Despite declining mortality rates and increasing life expectancy, pension enrollment remains low, affecting the long-term financial stability and well-being of populations. To address this issue, this study was conducted to explore the potential of predictive modeling techniques in improving pension participation. The study utilized three tree-based machine learning algorithms and a logistic regression classifier to analyze data from a nationally representative 2019 Kenya FinAccess Household Survey. The results indicated that ensemble tree-based models, particularly the random forest model, were the most effective in predicting pension enrollment. The study identified the key factors that influenced enrollment, such as National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) usage, monthly income, and bank usage. The findings suggest that collaboration among the NHIF, banks, and pension providers is necessary to increase pension uptake, along with increased financial education for citizens. The study provides valuable insight for promoting and optimizing pension participation.

The role of insurance in financial inclusion and economic growth, in general, is immense and is increasingly being recognized. However, low uptake impedes the growth of the sector, hence the need for a model that robustly predicts insurance uptake among potential clients. This study undertook a two phase comparison of machine learning classifiers. Phase I had eight machine learning models compared for their performance in predicting the insurance uptake using 2016 Kenya FinAccessHousehold Survey data. Taking Phase I as a base in Phase II, random forest and XGBoost were compared with four deep learning classifiers using 2019 Kenya FinAccess Household Survey data. The random forest model trained on oversampled data showed the highest F1-score, accuracy, and precision. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was furthermore highest for random forest; hence, it could be construed as the most robust model for predicting the insurance uptake. Finally, the most important features in predicting insurance uptake as extracted from the random forest model were income, bank usage, and ability and willingness to support others. Hence, there is a need for a design and distribution of low income based products, and bancassurance could be said to be a plausible channel for the distribution of insurance products.

This study reports on observed interaction patterns between 20 children with autism and mixed intellectual disabilities (mean chronological age = 11:4 years; language age = 4:7 years) and their nine teachers working with a specially developed multimedia program aiming to increase literacy skills. An increase in verbal expression was found over time for the total group. Children with autism also showed increased enjoyment and willingness to seek help from their teachers. Teachers for both diagnostic groups reduced their instructions on how to handle the computer during the program but the decrease was greater in the teachers for children with autism. When the total group of children was subdivided according to language age (high versus low), it appears that those with a low language age showed an increase in verbal expressiveness from start to end of training. Those with a high language age showed increased enjoyment. It is concluded that more detailed studies of the interaction patterns between teachers and children are needed, and these should be related to children's language level as well as to diagnostic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may resolve (viral clearance), persist without complications, or cause end-stage liver disease (ESLD). The frequency and determinants of these outcomes are poorly understood.Objective: To assess the incidence and determinants of viral clearance and ESLD among persons who acquired HCV infection from injection drug use.Design and Setting: Community-based prospective cohort study with enrollment in 1988-1989 and a median follow-up of 8.8 years.Subjects: A total of 1667 persons aged 17 years or older with a history of injection drug use and an HCV antibody-positive test result during follow-up.Main Outcome Measures: Viral clearance was assessed in a subset of 919 patients and defined as failure to detect HCV RNA in at least 2 consecutive samples collected 5 or more months apart. End-stage liver disease was assessed at semiannual visits and by review of medical records and death certificates and defined by the presence of ascites, esophageal varices, or hepatic encephalopathy, or when ESLD was stated as a cause of death.Results: Viral clearance was observed in 90 persons who were compared with 722 with persistent viremia, while the viremia of 107 was not resolved. Viral clearance occurred more often in nonblacks (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.60-10.17) and those not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (adjusted OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.26-3.47). Forty cases of ESLD were observed throughout follow-up (incidence, 3.1 per 1000 person-years). In a multivariate model, risk of ESLD was higher for persons aged 38 years or older at enrollment (adjusted relative incidence, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.96-6.88) and who reported ingestion of more than 260 g of alcohol per week (adjusted relative incidence, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.73-7.52). Of 210 patients without ESLD randomly selected for biopsy, only 2 had cirrhosis.Conclusions: Our results indicate that although HCV infection can be self-limited or associated with ESLD, the majority of adults have persistent viremia without clinically demonstrable liver disease. Further research is needed to explain the less frequent clearance of HCV infection among black persons and to improve utilization of treatment for those infected in the context of injection drug use. JAMA. 2000;284:450-456 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the treatment results from 20 patients who underwent an alternative osteosynthesis method as definitive treatment for pelvic ring fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a series of 20 patients with pelvic ring fractures (Tile type C) and a high risk of postoperative infection, who were treated at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo between August 2004 and December 2012. The patients underwent percutaneous supra-acetabular external fixation in association with cannulated 7.0 mm iliosacral screws. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 40 years (range 22-77 years) and the mean length of follow-up was 18.5 months (range 3-69 months). At the end of the treatment, ten patients (50%) were classified as having good results, nine patients (45%) had fair results and one patient (5%) did not have any improvement. Six patients presented complications, and paresthesia of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was the most frequent of these (two patients). CONCLUSION: Supra-acetabular external fixation in association with iliosacral percutaneous osteosynthesis is a good definitive treatment method for patients with a high risk of postoperative infection.

A cohort of Royal Thai Army (RTA) conscripts was followed in civilian life after completing 2 years of military service, to determine whether such a cohort might be suitable for HIV vaccine trials. Objectives were to identify correlates of participation and to determine the occurrence of risk behaviors for HIV infection after discharge from the military. The cohort was selected from among conscripts who had participated in HIV studies from 1991 to 1993. Risk factors were surveyed at 3, 9, and 15 months after discharge (1993-1995). Change in risk was evaluated based on deviations from expected distributions of risk categories for sentinel behaviors, assessed with chi-square analysis. HIV seroconversion rates (SR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A total of 380 men returned after discharge. Seven men seroconverted after discharge; the SR (95% CI) was 2.02/100 person-years (0.81-4.17). Among changes in risk were reduced visits to commercial sex workers (CSWs), more condom use with CSWs, and less alcohol use prior to CSW visits. Behaviors associated with increased risk of HIV seroconversion declined after military service. Thus, sufficient numbers of outcome events for vaccine trials may not be attained with this type of cohort. Nonetheless, these findings provide data on the dynamics of the HIV epidemic in Thailand and the development of HIV vaccine cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Articles in this issue are reviewed. American Sign Language (ASL) bilingual approaches are shown to support substantial progress by deaf children in English text skills. At the same time, it is clear that there are many different ways to conduct bilingual programs. In addition, there are a number of theoretical explanations for how bilingual contexts may contribute to progress in English literacy and also to progress in spoken English. A theoretical framework from Rare Event Learning theory is presented, with an emphasis on the complex ways in which social, emotional, expectancy, strategy, and motivational conditions dynamically mix with the particular language challenges encountered by deaf learners. Copyright (c) 1998 by Aspen Publishers, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Thailand the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is of recent origin. Because of the high seroprevalence of HIV among sex workers, the Ministry of Public Health began a program in 1990 and 1991 to promote the use of condoms during commercial sex. We evaluated the effect of this and other programs to prevent HIV infection in Thailand. Methods: Using direct interviews, we studied five cohorts of 21-year-old men from northern Thailand who were conscripted into the army by a lottery in 1991, 1993, and 1995. In all, 4311 men were tested for HIV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with confirmation by Western blot assay. Results: In the 1991 and 1993 cohorts, the prevalence of HIV infection was 10.4 to 12.5 percent. In 1995, it fell to 6.7 percent (P < 0.001). The seroprevalence was only 0.7 percent among men who did not have sexual relations with a sex worker before 1992. Over the study period, the proportion of men who reported having sexual relations with a sex worker fell from 81.4 percent to 63.8 percent (P < 0.001). From 1991 to 1995, the men's reported use of condoms during the most recent sexual contacts with sex workers increased from 61.0 percent to 92.5 percent (P < 0.001); and in 1995, 15.2 percent of men had a history of a sexually transmitted disease, as compared with 42.2 percent in 1991 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Public health programs in Thailand have led to substantial changes in sexual behavior among young men, especially an increased use of condoms, and the rate of new HIV infections has declined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews recent studies of family preservation and related family-strengthening programs, estimates the effect sizes of outcomes in studies with control or comparison conditions, and discusses the status of research on family preservation services. A set of core services that characterize innovative family preservation programs in child welfare, multisystemic family treatment in juvenile justice, and family-based psychoeducation in mental health is identified. Family preservation services may be useful in preventing youth violence; family-based psychoeducation in mental health may prevent or delay relapse and hospitalization; and aside from promising data on family reunification programs, the findings in child welfare are equivocal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a small minority of children with prelingually severe to profound hearing impairments in any country acquire either high spoken-language skills or high literacy skills. This article discusses English acquisition in relation to multiple language domains and multiple language modes for cultures in which English is the majority language. We argue that learning is complex and that at some developmental points there will be mutually facilitating progress in syntax, phonology, narrative, and other language domains, but that at other developmental points short-term negative trade-offs can be expected. To support progress by hearing-impaired children with quite varied profiles of language skills, 'tricky mixes' of converging learning conditions must be identified and maintained more often than in past typical educational practices. Such dynamic tricky mixes repeatedly combine new language challenges with cognitive enhancers of effective processing. In addition, these complex contextual mixes include social-emotional factors that favorably affect children's self-esteem, mood, and expectancy of success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the concept of chronic neglect is used in child welfare practice, studies have not differentiated chronic cases of neglect from those of more recent onset. In this study three groups of families referred to a large metropolitan county child welfare agency for child neglect are considered: those known to the agency for three years or more (chronic group), those more recently referred and substantiated (newly neglecting group), and those in which neglect was not substantiated (unconfirmed group). Significant differences among the three study groups included family size and composition, numbers and kinds of problems, neighborhood characteristics, family relationships, parenting knowledge and expectations, and mental health. Findings demonstrate the need for changes in social policy and social services delivery systems to supplement intervention with individual families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection led blood banks to initiate donation deferral criteria based on self-reported risk factors. However little information is available on the differences in reporting risk factors before and after HIV status is known.Methods: Between April and July 1994, blood donors in a provincial hospital in northern. Thailand were interviewed at the time of donation, about their demographic characteristics and risk factors. All donors had agreed to learn their test results and were called back for post-test counselling and reinterview.Results: HIV-positive blood donors were more likely to change from 'denying' to 'acknowledging' risk factors while HIV-negatives were more likely to change from 'acknowledging' to 'denying'. The differences between risk factors obtained before and after test results were known resulted in stronger, weaker or even opposite risk measures.Conclusion: The study results raise questions about the impact of the differences in reporting HIV-related risk factors by the donors on how effective donation deferral criteria can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a survey of 1,057 active intravenous drug users in Baltimore, MD, who were recruited through extensive community outreach, 12 reported endocarditis and 113 reported subcutaneous abscesses in the 6 months before being interviewed. Of all the persons surveyed, 556 reported cleaning their skin prior to injection at any time and 173 reported cleaning their skin all the time in the 6 months before the interview. The frequency of subcutaneous abscesses was lower among those who reported skin cleaning all the time; a similar trend was noted for frequency of endocarditis. The relatively simple procedure of encouraging intravenous drug users to clean their skin prior to injection will not eliminate but might reduce the frequency of these serious and expensive infectious complications of intravenous drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) assay that simultaneously detects the three major causes of genital ulcer disease (GUD), Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, and herpes simplex virus, was used to evaluate swab specimens for 38 sequential patients with GUD at a Thai sexually transmitted disease clinic. Subjects received clinical diagnoses and syndromic treatment. Swab specimens for H. ducreyi cultures and M-PCR were obtained. No H. ducreyi cultures were positive. Of 38 M-PCR specimens, 31 (81.6%) were positive for HSV, 1 (2.3%) for both HSV and T. pallidum, and none for H. ducreyi or T. pallidum alone; 6 (15.8%) were negative for all 3 pathogens. Clinical diagnoses corresponded poorly to M-PCR findings; none of 5 suspected cases of chancroid were positive by M-PCR and none of 1 for syphilis, but 21 of 24 suspected herpes lesions were confirmed by M-PCR. Human immunodeficiency virus infection status was known for 24 of 38 subjects; 11 (45.8%) were seropositive, and all 11 had HSV by M-PCR. HSV appeared to be the most common pathogen overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: This was an epidemiological study on fractures of the proximal third of the femur in elderly patients who were treated at a teaching hospital in the central region of São Paulo. METHODS: The subjects were patients over the age of 60 years who were attended over a 1-year period. A questionnaire seeking basic sociodemographic data and information on comorbidities presented and medications used was drawn up. The circumstances of the fractures and their characteristics, the treatment instituted and the intra-hospital mortality rate were evaluated. RESULTS: The 113 patients included in the study presented a mean age of 79 years. The ratio between the sexes was three women to each man. Only 30.4% of the patients reported having osteoporosis and only 0.9% had had treatment for the disease. Low-energy trauma was the cause of 92.9% of the fractures. Femoral neck fractures accounted for 42.5% of the fractures and trochanteric fractures, 57.5%. Five patients did not undergo operations; 39 underwent joint replacement; and 69 underwent osteosynthesis. The mean length of hospital stay was 13.5 days and the mean length of waiting time until surgery was 7 days. The intra-hospital mortality rate was 7.1%. CONCLUSION: The patients attended at this institution presented an epidemiological profile similar to what is found in the Brazilian literature. Chronic kidney failure is a significant factor with regard to intra-hospital mortality. Preventive measures such as early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and regular physical activity practices were not implemented.

Hip arthroscopy has been popularized over the last decade and, with technical advances regarding imaging diagnostics, understanding of the physiopathology or surgical techniques, several applications have been described. Both arthroscopy for intra-articular conditions and endoscopy for extra-articular procedures can be used in diagnosing or treating different conditions. This updated article has the objective of presenting the various current possibilities for hip arthroscopy.

Crystalline tellurium undergoes amorphization after irradiation with strong femtosecond pulses. Steady-state reflectivity and single-shot transient reflectivity studies suggest the amorphization is due to thermal melting rather than non-thermal switching.

The pelvic ring fractures comprise 2 -8% of all skeletal injuries. As the incidence rises to 25% in polytrauma and represents a negative prognostic factor with regard to morbidity and mortality of patients, we sought with this work to establish the profile of these, compared to an alteration in the profile of patients with pelvic ring fractures in recent decades. To this end, we evaluated the epidemiological profile, mechanism of injury and types of fractures. By reviewing the literature indexed in the databases related to the theme, 20 papers were selected that contained the requirements for the study. For the period between January 1987 and December 1999 (first decade), and another period in January 2000 and December 2010 (second decade), data were analyzed by Mann -Whitney test. The ratings Tile, Young and Burgess AO were adequate to permit their categorization. The research in each decade was homogeneous. At first the lesions were more prevalent in men with 62.5% with a tendency to reverse this pattern given the increase of women in the second decade (p = 0.286). The average age in the first decade was 39.3 years, an increase in the second (p = 0.068). The most prevalent mechanisms of trauma were related to traffic in both periods as well as fractures classified as type A (p = 0.203 and p = 0.457, respectively), having mortality rates decreased (p = 0.396). We conclude that there was a tendency to increase in the average age of patients (p = 0.068); however the increasing involvement of women (p = 0.286) and decreased mortality (p = 0.396) were not significant.

Female patient, 42 years old with a history of low back pain on the left for seventeen years in which the definitive diagnosis of the etiology of pain was evident after the completion of neurography magnetic resonance imaging of the sciatic nerve. In this test it was identified the presence of an anatomical variation in the relationship between the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve. We discuss details of this imaging technique and its importance in the frames of refractory low back pain. We also describe the treatment given to the case.Paciente do sexo feminino, 42 anos, com histórico de lombociatalgia à esquerda havia 17 anos. O diagnóstico definitivo da etiologia da dor só foi evidenciado após a neurografia por ressonância magnética do ciático. Nesse exame identificou-se a presença de variação anatômica entre o músculo piriforme e o nervo ciático. Descrevemos detalhes sobre a técnica de imagem e sua importância nos quadros de lombociatalgia refratária, como também o tratamento instituído para o caso.