Spatial analysis of murine microbiota and bile acid metabolism during amoxicillin treatment.

Antibiotics cause collateral damage to resident microbes that is associated with various health risks. To date, studies have largely focused on the impacts of antibiotics on large intestinal and fecal microbiota. Here, we employ a gastrointestinal (GI) tract-wide integrated multiomic approach to show that amoxicillin (AMX) treatment reduces bacterial abundance, bile salt hydrolase activity, and unconjugated bile acids in the small intestine (SI).

Experimental strategies to improve drug-target identification in mass spectrometry-based thermal stability assays.

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based thermal stability assays have recently emerged as one of the most promising solutions for the identification of protein-ligand interactions. Here, we have investigated eight combinations of several recently introduced MS-based advancements, including the Phase-Constrained Spectral Deconvolution Method, Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry, and the implementation of a carrier sample as improved MS-based acquisition approaches for thermal stability assays (iMAATSA). We used intact Jurkat cells treated with a commercially available MEK inhibitor, followed by heat treatment, to prepare a set of unfractionated isobarically-labeled proof-of-concept samples to compare the performance of eight different iMAATSAs.

Complex Catheter-Based Structural Heart Reconstruction in a Patient With Tricuspid Atresia and Björk Palliative Conduit.

Björk conduit failure is a common reason for reintervention after a Björk modification of the Fontan procedure. We describe a first performed in human percutaneous procedure for the treatment of a failing Björk circuit in an adult with congenital heart disease and complex anatomic features. ().

Coffee Consumption Modulates Amoxicillin-Induced Dysbiosis in the Murine Gut Microbiome.

The microbiome is essential for host health, and perturbations resulting from antibiotic use can lead to dysbiosis and disease. Diet can be a powerful modulator of microbiome composition and function, with the potential to mitigate the negative effects of antibiotic use. Thus, it is necessary to study the impacts of diet and drug interactions on the gut microbiome.

Bronchial artery embolization for massive hemoptysis: long-term follow-up.

Aim: Bronchial artery angiography with embolization has become a mainstay in the treatment of massive hemoptysis. Whereas the immediate success rate is high, the reported long-term success rate varies widely among different groups. We aimed to explore the long-term outcome and clinical predictors associated with recurrent bleeding following bronchial artery embolization.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy in critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis: complications and late outcome.

Aim: To evaluate the outcome of percutaneous cholecystostomy in critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis.

Materials And Methods: The study group included critically ill patients who underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis at a tertiary medical centre in 2007-2011. Data on complications, morbidities, surgical outcome, and imaging findings were collected from the medical files and radiology information system.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair using transvenous intravascular US catheter guidance in patients with chronic renal failure.

Purpose: To describe the transvenous application of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for guidance during endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).

Materials And Methods: Eight patients with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and chronic renal failure were determined suitable for EVAR. The procedure was performed by deploying the transcaval and transiliac vein guidance of an ICE catheter to reduce the dosage of iodinated contrast medium.

Angioplasty using covered stents in five patients with symptomatic pulmonary artery stenosis after single-lung transplantation.

Objective: After lung transplantation, pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) may occur at the anastomotic site, resulting in poor graft function and hypoxemia. Surgical repair has been the standard-of-care, although percutaneous angioplasty with stent insertion has been performed in patients unsuitable for surgery. We summarize our experience of pulmonary artery stent-graft placement in transplant recipients who were also fit for surgical repair.

Transarterial embolization for acute head and neck bleeding: eight-year experience with emphasis on rebleeding risk in cancer patients.

Objectives/hypothesis: To present our 8-year experience with transarterial embolization for head and neck bleeding, with an emphasis on the need for repeated procedures in patients treated for head and neck cancer.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Tertiary university-affiliated medical center.

The evaluation of a novel technique to treat saphenous vein incompetence: preclinical animal study to examine safety and efficacy of a new vein occlusion device.

Objectives: We tested a novel technique to treat great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence in an animal model.

Methods: V-block (VVT Medical Ltd, Kfar Saba, Israel), an occlusion device composed of a nitinol frame and anchoring hooks, was percutaneously deployed at the saphenofemoral junction in 12 sheep. Four of the 12 sheep were treated with adjunctive liquid sclerotherapy.

Low-voltage 96 dB snapshot CMOS image sensor with 4.5 nW power dissipation per pixel.

Modern "smart" CMOS sensors have penetrated into various applications, such as surveillance systems, bio-medical applications, digital cameras, cellular phones and many others. Reducing the power of these sensors continuously challenges designers. In this paper, a low power global shutter CMOS image sensor with Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) ability is presented.

Percutaneous trans-papillary elimination of common bile duct stones using an existing gallbladder drain for access.

Background: The presence of stones in the common bile duct (CBD) may cause complications such as obstructing jaundice or ascending cholangitis, and the stones should be removed.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of percutaneous elimination of CBD stones from the gallbladder through the papilla.

Methods: During a 4 year period, six patients (five men and one woman, mean age 71.

Hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome in pediatric patients: is it really so rare?

Background: Hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome (HHS) is characterized by unilateral renal artery stenosis with secondary hypertension and glomerular and tubular dysfunction due to hyperfiltration and activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).

Case-diagnosis/treatment: We describe four children with HHS. All presented with polyuria and polydipsia, electrolyte disturbances, metabolic alkalosis, variable tubular dysfunction, and nephrotic range proteinuria along with hypertension.

Inhibition of glucosylceramide accumulation results in effective blockade of polycystic kidney disease in mouse models.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) represents a family of genetic disorders characterized by renal cystic growth and progression to kidney failure. No treatment is currently available for people with PKD, although possible therapeutic interventions are emerging. Despite genetic and clinical heterogeneity, PKDs have in common defects of cystic epithelia, including increased proliferation, apoptosis and activation of growth regulatory pathways.

Intraoperative hydrocolonic ultrasonography for localization of small colorectal tumors in laparoscopic surgery.

Background: Accurate localization of small colorectal cancers and polyps during laparoscopic resection may be difficult and requires precise and reliable localization techniques. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) combined with retrograde saline instillation in locating small colorectal cancers and polyps during laparoscopically assisted colectomy.

Methods: The study investigated 14 patients with left-sided lesions of the colon and rectum necessitating preoperative marking.

Retrospective comparison of mechanical percutaneous thrombectomy of hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts with the Arrow-Trerotola device and the lyse and wait technique.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine whether pharmacologic thrombolysis with urokinase in the lyse and wait (L&W) technique compared with mechanical declotting using the Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombectomy device is more efficient, safer, or less expensive in treating thrombosed hemodialysis grafts.

Materials And Methods: The files of 157 patients who underwent arteriovenous graft declotting from 2000 to 2007 at one tertiary care center were reviewed. The study group included 83 women and 74 men with a mean age of 68 +/- 12 years (range, 27-95 years).

Infrapopliteal stenting with silicon carbide-coated stents in critical limb ischemia: a 12 month follow-up study.

Background: Critical limb ischemia is an increasingly common condition that has high surgical morbidity and limited non-surgical options.

Objectives: To evaluate the use of silicon carbide-coated Motion stents, as compared to reported data for bare metal stents, in elderly patients with infrapopliteal artery stenoses causing critical limb ischemia after failed or complicated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Methods: Between January 2003 and March 2004, 41 stents were inserted into 17 consecutive patients (11 males, 6 females, mean age 82 years, range 75-93) following unsuccessful or complicated PTA.

A comparison of transjugular and plugged-percutaneous liver biopsy in patients with contraindications to ordinary percutaneous liver biopsy and an "in-house" protocol for selecting the procedure of choice.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) and plugged-percutaneous liver biopsy (PB) in consecutive patients with severe liver disease associated with impaired coagulation, ascites, or both and to verify the in-house protocol used to select the appropriate procedure. In 2000-2006, 329 patients (208 male [62.8%] and 121 female [37.

Stent graft closure of a high flow splenorenal shunt after liver transplantation.

We describe a patient after liver transplantation with a preexisting surgical splenorenal shunt close to the confluence of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins and a wide, short communication between the splenic and renal veins. To close the shunt, an inferior vena cava filter was inserted in the shunt and a vascular plug was placed in the splenic vein inside the filter. When this failed to stop the flow through the shunt, a covered stent was deployed at the superior mesenteric vein-portal vein junction.

Celiac trunk embolization, as a means of elongating short distal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm necks, prior to endovascular aortic repair.

The purpose of this study was to report our experience in elongating short distal necks of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTAAs) by coil embolization of the celiac trunk prior to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). During 6 years seven patients (five men and two women; mean age, 74) who had DTAAs with short distal necks unsuitable for conventional EVAR, and well patent superior and inferior mesenteric arteries based on CT, were treated in one session with EVAR after the celiac trunk was coil embolized to elongate the neck. All patients were followed by CT every 3 months in the first year and every 6 months thereafter.

Intraoperative ultrasound in colorectal surgery.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) as a localizing technique for colorectal resections, and its impact on surgical management.

Methods: Twenty-five patients (15 men and 10 women; mean age, 74.4 years) with early cancers (p T1), or polyps, not amenable to endoscopic removal were selected.

Postshunt hepatic encephalopathy in liver transplant recipients.

Background: Preexisting spontaneous portosystemic shunts increase the risk of posttransplantation portal vein thrombosis. Portosystemic shunts may also be placed surgically to manage posttransplant portal vein stenosis/thrombosis. Both types may be complicated by hepatic encephalopathy.

Crossing chronic total occlusions with a new 0.014'' CiTop guidewire: proof of concept.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a new 0.014'' CiTop guidewire to cross total occlusions within normal and diseased blood vessels; proof of concept.

Background: Despite recent advances, chronic arterial occlusions remain the main obstacle of coronary and peripheral interventions.