Shotgun metagenomic analysis of microbial communities from the Loxahatchee nature preserve in the Florida Everglades.

Background: Currently, much is unknown about the taxonomic diversity and the mechanisms of methane metabolism in the Florida Everglades ecosystem. The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a section of the Florida Everglades that is almost entirely unstudied in regard to taxonomic profiling. This short report analyzes the metagenome of soil samples from this Refuge to investigate the predominant taxa, as well as the abundance of genes involved in environmentally significant metabolic pathways related to methane production (nitrogen fixation and dissimilatory sulfite reduction).

Protective effects of zinc, pentoxifylline, and N-acetylcysteine in an animal model of laparoscopy-induced ischemia/reperfusion injury of the small intestine.

Background: Pneumoperitoneum induced to facilitate laparoscopy is associated with splanchnic hypoperfusion, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and oxidative stress.

Aim: This study investigated the effects of pre- and postlaparoscopic conditioning, zinc, pentoxifylline, and N-acetylcysteine on markers of I/R injury of the small intestine in an animal model.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=56) were randomized to 1 of 7 treatment groups.