Integrated 'omics analysis for the gut microbiota response to moxibustion in a rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of moxibustion in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and explore the effects on gut microbiota and metabolic profiles.

Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group (Con), CFS model group (Mod, established by multiple chronic stress for 35 d), MoxA group (CFS model with moxibustion Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4), 10 min/d, 28 d) and MoxB group (CFS model with moxibustion Zusanli (ST36), 10 min/d, 28 d). Open-field test (OFT) and Morris-water-maze test (MWMT) were determined for assessment the CFS model and the therapeutic effects of moxibustion.

Preventing Acute Kidney Injury and Hypotension After Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty Is Possible: An Update to an Established Multidisciplinary Protocol.

Introduction: Based on preoperative and perioperative risk factors that have been found to correlate with the development of acute kidney injury (AKI), our institution developed a protocol aimed at managing and improving outcomes in all elective THA and TKA patients. This article highlights the continued success and growth of our protocol aimed at decreasing AKI and hypotension in elective total joint arthroplasty patients.

Method: A multidisciplinary team comprising orthopaedic surgeons, nephrologists, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and internal medicine hospitalists created a comprehensive protocol aimed at decreasing complications after elective joint arthroplasty and improving clinical outcomes across multiple hospitals.

Reducing Hypotension and Acute Kidney Injury in the Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty Population: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach.

Background: When critically analyzing our hospital system's rate of hypotension and acute kidney injury (AKI) after total joint arthroplasty, our incidence rates (14.54%, 6.02%) were much higher than our peers (7.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of 3-arylidene azetidin-2-ones as potential antifungal agents against Alternaria solani Sorauer.

A new concise and facile method was explored to synthesize a collection of new 3-arylidene azetidin-2-ones, which could be regarded as the derivatives of the hybrid scaffold of bioactive natural cinnamamide and heterocycle azetidi-2-one. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by H, C NMR, and MS; and their antifungal activity were evaluated against Alternaria solani Sorauer. These antifungal data were subjected to a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis using Codessa software on the basis of the results from B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) quantum calculations.

Natural α-methylenelactam analogues: Design, synthesis and evaluation of α-alkenyl-γ and δ-lactams as potential antifungal agents against Colletotrichum orbiculare.

In our continued efforts to improve the potential utility of the α-methylene-γ-lactone scaffold, 62 new and 59 known natural α-methylenelactam analogues including α-methylene-γ-lactams, α-arylidene-γ and δ-lactams, and 3-arylideneindolin-2-ones were synthesized as the bioisosteric analogues of the α-methylenelactone scaffold. The results of antifungal and cytotoxic activity indicated that among these derivatives compound (E)-1-(2, 6-dichlorobenzyl)-3-(2-fluorobenzylidene) pyrrolidin-2-one (Py51) possessed good selectivity with the highest antifungal activity against Colletotrichum orbiculare with IC = 10.4 μM but less cytotoxic activity with IC = 141.

Does Early Surgical Decompression in Cauda Equina Syndrome Improve Bladder Outcome?: Comments on a Recent Study by Srikandarajah et al.

Study Design And Objectives: This study by Srikandarajah et al is a retrospective cohort study of 200 CES patients. Although parts of the study appear to be well done we identified serious problems that impacted their conclusions.

Summary Of Background Data: There is strong consensus that patients with incomplete cauda equina syndrome (CESI) should be operated upon expeditiously to prevent progression to CES with urinary retention (CESR).

New antifungal scaffold derived from a natural pharmacophore: synthesis of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone derivatives and their antifungal activity against Colletotrichum lagenarium.

Thirty new and thirty-four known analogues were designed and synthesized to improve the potential use of the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone ring, a natural pharmacophore. All structures were confirmed by (1)H and (13)C NMR, MS, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The results of antifungal and cytotoxic activity indicated that the synthesized analogues showed significant inhibitory activity and limited selectivity.

Src is a major signaling component for CTGF induction by TGF-beta1 in osteoblasts.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) where it acts as a downstream mediator of TGF-beta1 induced matrix production in osteoblasts. We have shown the requirement of Src, Erk, and Smad signaling for CTGF induction by TGF-beta1 in osteoblasts; however, the potential interaction among these signaling pathways remains undetermined. In this study we demonstrate that TGF-beta1 activates Src kinase in ROS17/2.

Timing of surgery in cauda equina syndrome with urinary retention: meta-analysis of observational studies.

Object: The authors performed exploratory meta-analyses of observational cohort studies, evidence level III, examining whether earlier surgery makes a difference in outcome in terms of urinary function once cauda equina syndrome (CES) from a herniated lumbar disc has progressed to urinary retention (CESR).

Methods: Literature search identified 27 studies of CESR patients with clear definition of surgical timing. Relative risk (RR) could not be calculated in 11 studies, leaving 16 for meta-analysis.

Molecular requirements for induction of CTGF expression by TGF-beta1 in primary osteoblasts.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a cysteine rich, extracellular matrix protein that acts as an anabolic growth factor to regulate osteoblast differentiation and function. In osteoblasts, CTGF is induced by TGF-beta1 where it acts as a downstream mediator of TGF-beta1 induced matrix production. The molecular mechanisms that control CTGF induction by TGF-beta1 in osteoblasts are not known.

Microorganisms associated with a pneumonic epizootic in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis).

A comprehensive study of a pneumonic epizootic was initiated when the first signs of disease were noted in a metapopulation of bighorn sheep inhabiting Hells Canyon, bordering Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. A total of 92 bighorn sheep were tested for etiologic agents during the following 6-mo study period. The study population included bighorn sheep believed to be the subpopulation in which disease was first noted, and these sheep were translocated to a holding facility in an effort to contain the disease (group A1, n = 72); bighorn sheep in other subpopulations (group A2) with evidence of clinical disease were captured, sampled, given antibiotics, and released (n = 8) and those that were found dead were necropsied (n = 12).

Two-screw femoral neck fracture fixation: a biomechanical analysis of 2 different configurations.

In the study reported here, we evaluated 2-screw femoral neck fixation. Femoral necks from 5 paired fresh-frozen cadavers were fractured and then fixed with two 7.3-mm cannulated cancellous screws.

Arthroscopically-assisted removal of retrograde intramedullary femoral nails.

Retrograde nailing of femoral shaft fractures has become more prevalent as a result of its growing acceptance and familiarity to orthopaedic surgeons. Nail removal is occasionally indicated, which may require a formal arthrotomy. We describe an arthroscopic removal technique that has several advantages.

Characterization of Pasteurella spp isolated from healthy domestic pack goats and evaluation of the effects of a commercial Pasteurella vaccine.

Objective: To characterize Pasteurella spp isolated from healthy pack goats and evaluate the effects of administration of a commercial Pasteurella vaccine.

Animals: 45 goats.

Procedure: Pharyngeal swab specimens and blood samples were collected on day 0 before vaccination with a Pasteurella (Mannheimia) haemolytica serotype A1 bacterin.

Bone morphogenetic proteins are expressed by both bone-forming and non-bone-forming lesions.

Context: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are thought to be responsible for bone formation; they cause bone to form in soft tissues and are clinically used in helping fracture union or tumor reconstructions. Skeletal metastases from epithelial tumors may be either bone-forming (blastic) or non-bone-forming (lytic).

Objective: We studied the expression of BMPs in a variety of primary and secondary lesions of bone (both bone-forming and non-bone-forming) to determine if there was a consistent relationship between bone formation and BMP expression.

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins Are Expressed by Both Bone-Forming and Non-Bone-Forming Lesions.

Context.-Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are thought to be responsible for bone formation; they cause bone to form in soft tissues and are clinically used in helping fracture union or tumor reconstructions. Skeletal metastases from epithelial tumors may be either bone-forming (blastic) or non-bone-forming (lytic).

Organizing the orthopaedic trauma association mass casualty response team.

Physicians and surgeons in the United States have become increasingly aware of the requirement for an organized response to mass casualty and disaster situations. This has not always been the case. The terrorist acts in Oklahoma City in 1995 and at the World Trade Center in 1993 and 2001 showed the inefficiencies and confusion of the civilian managed disaster response.

Cytokines in patients with polytrauma.

Patients with multiple injuries have alterations in hemodynamic, metabolic, and immune responses that largely are orchestrated by endogenous mediators referred to as cytokines. At the molecular level cytokines act as architects constructing a blueprint which ultimately will become the clinical "Big Picture"; however, the exact role and extent each cytokine has is still in question. In addition, the surface of research opportunities has nearly been scratched regarding the best way to control or manipulate the cytokine response in efforts to improve care for the trauma patient.

Evaluation and treatment of spinal injuries in the patient with polytrauma.

Spinal injuries occur frequently in the patient with polytrauma making the knowledge of the evaluation and treatment of these injuries invaluable to the trauma team. In the immediate moments after these injuries, critical steps can be taken to prevent additional injury and insure maximum neurologic and functional recovery of the patient. A simple, standardized approach to treating the patient at the scene, examining the patient in the trauma admitting area, ordering appropriate radiographic studies, and instituting early treatment can markedly influence a patient's maximal recovery.