Project description:Metagenome data from soil samples were collected at 0 to 10cm deep from 2 avocado orchards in Channybearup, Western Australia, in 2024. Amplicon sequence variant (ASV) tables were constructed based on the DADA2 pipeline with default parameters.
Project description:Gouty Arthritis (GA) is caused by urate deposition in the joint capsule, cartilage, bone, and surrounding tissues to trigger recurrent attacks of acute joint inflammation. However, the clearance mechanism of urate deposition is still not clear. We aimed to investigate whether lymphatics vessels can drain monosodium and involve in the immune process of GA. Methods: Inguinal lymph nodes (LNs) in 4 normal volunteers and 4 patients with acute flare of GA were examined by ultrasound. Acute and chronic GA flare mouse models were established by intra-footpad administrations of monosodium urate (MSU) for 1 week or 1 month. Mice were treated with VEGFR-3 inhibitor or undergone popliteal lymph node (PLN) excision or PLN macrophage depletion. The severity of foot inflammation, lymphatic draining function, concentration of uric acid (UA), and macrophage population were examined. Macrophages were co-cultured with MSU-treated lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and differential gene expression of LECs was assessed by Agilent gene expression microarray. Results: 1) Draining LNs were enlarged in patients with GA flare and GA mouse models. 2) The lymphatic function and structure were abnormal in GA mouse models. 3) Acute GA mice had elevated UA levels in draining LNs, but not in the serum, while chronic GA mice had elevated UA levels in both LNs and serum. 4) Blockade of VEGFR-3 reduced foot inflammation in chronic GA mice. 5) MSU induces pro-inflammatory polarization of macrophages by inducing LEC inflammation. 6) PLN local depletion of macrophages or removal of PLNs alleviated foot inflammation in GA. Conclusions: Lymphatics drain MSU to the draining LNs to clear deposited urate in the distal extremity and induce LECs to stimulate macrophage pro-inflammatory response during GA. We have identified a novel mechanism about MSU clearance and pro-inflammatory macrophage activation, and provided possible therapeutic approach for GA.
Project description:Interventions: Measure amylase levels in drain fluid daily after low colorectal anastomoses as an early indicator of anastomotic leak.
- a small sample of drain fluid will be collected daily while pelvic drain is in situ during hospital admission following colorectal surgery and samples will be sent to the local pathology service for measurement of amylase
- the amylase levels in drain fluid at each collection while the drain is in-situ will be collected and correlated to the clinical course
- clinical course following surgery will be observed during admission (and data collected after patient has been discharged, retrospective data collection).
- Follow up consultation at 6 weeks following surgery
Primary outcome(s): Daily amylase levels in the drain fluid post-operatively. The measurement of amylase in drain fluid is measured and reported by local pathology service.[Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and Day 5, post operatively, or until pelvic drain is removed. ]
Study Design: Purpose: Screening;Duration: Longitudinal;Selection: Defined population;Timing: Both
Project description:Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) has been inversely associated with lower risk of ulcerative colitis. A pig model was used to evaluate the impact of feeding FV on the host response to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods: Six-week-old pigs were fed a grower diet alone or supplemented with lyophilized FV equivalent to the half (half-FV) or full (full-FV) daily levels recommended for humans by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Pigs were fed a 1) grower diet alone (negative control), 2) grower diet and orally treated with 4% DSS for 10 days to induce colitis (positive control), 3) half-FV diet treated with 4% DSS or 4) full-FV diet treated with 4% DSS. Pigs were monitored for the development of clinical signs of colitis. Proximal colon (PC) contents and mucosa (PCM) were collected for gut metagenome, tissue transcriptome and histopathological analysis. Results: Pigs fed the full-FV diet did not exhibit diarrhea, showed less fecal occult blood (FOB), PCM crypt hyperplasia but with no differential expressed genes (DEG) or changes in PC microbiome diversity (p < 0.05). Pigs within the half-FV group exhibited increased group FOB and DEG associated with tissue remodeling, crypt and goblet cell hyperplasia in the PCM and no changes in PC microbiome diversity and two pigs exhibiting diarrhea (p < 0.05). Pigs within the DSS positive control group exhibited a reduced DEG involved with intestinal immune response and PC microbiome diversity with altered metagenome, increased group PCM erosion and FOB with persistent diarrhea in one pig (p < 0.05) Conclusions: Overall, our results showed that pigs fed a three-week full-FV supplemented diet, were resistant to DSS-induced colitis with a differential dose-dependent protective effect on host intestinal tissue and gut metagenome when exposed to an inflammatory challenge.
Project description:Interventions: Patients without the Penrose drain
Patients with the Penrose drain: After suturing fascia, implant 6mm-PD with a slit to cover the whole length of wound. Change the gauze to cover the top of the drain every day until drain is removed. The 6-mm Penrose drain produced by Kaneka corporation should be used.
Primary outcome(s): The rate of superficial surgical site infection in abdominal medial incision.
Study Design: Parallel Randomized
Project description:Assessing the use of a T drain approach for an anastomotic leak after gastrointestinal surgery. The study’s aim is to retrospectively assess the safety and benefits of this approach.