Cookwalker4292

Biofilm-related infections are implicated in a wide array of chronic conditions such as non-healing diabetic foot ulcers, chronic sinusitis, reoccurring otitis media, and many more. Microbial cells within these infections are protected by an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), which can prevent antibiotics and host immune cells from clearing the infection. To overcome this obstacle, investigators have begun developing dispersal agents as potential therapeutics. These agents target various components within the biofilm EPS, weakening the structure, and initiating dispersal of the bacteria, which can theoretically improve antibiotic potency and immune clearance. To determine the efficacy of dispersal agents for wound infections, we have developed protocols that measure biofilm dispersal both ex vivo and in vivo. We use a mouse surgical excision model that has been well-described to create biofilm-associated chronic wound infections. To monitor dispersal in vivo, we infect the wounds with bacterial strains that express luciferase. Once mature infections have established, we irrigate the wounds with a solution containing enzymes that degrade components of the biofilm EPS. We then monitor the location and intensity of the luminescent signal in the wound and filtering organs to provide information about the level of dispersal achieved. For ex vivo analysis of biofilm dispersal, infected wound tissue is submerged in biofilm-degrading enzyme solution, after which the bacterial load remaining in the tissue, versus the bacterial load in solution, is assessed. Both protocols have strengths and weaknesses and can be optimized to help accurately determine the efficacy of dispersal treatments.Bioluminescence - light emitted by a luciferase enzyme oxidizing a small molecule substrate, a luciferin - has been used in vitro and in vivo to activate light-gated ion channels and pumps in neurons. Trolox While this bioluminescent optogenetics (BL-OG) approach confers a chemogenetic component to optogenetic tools, it is not limited to use in neuroscience. Rather, bioluminescence can be harnessed to activate any photosensory protein, thus enabling the manipulation of a multitude of light-mediated functions in cells. A variety of luciferase-luciferin pairs can be matched with photosensory proteins requiring different wavelengths of light and light intensities. Depending on the specific application, efficient light delivery can be achieved by using luciferase-photoreceptor fusion proteins or by simple co-transfection. Photosensory proteins based on light-dependent dimerization or conformational changes can be driven by bioluminescence to effect cellular processes from protein localization, regulation of intracellular signaling pathways to transcription. The protocol below details the experimental execution of bioluminescence activation in cells and organisms and describes the results using bioluminescence-driven recombinases and transcription factors. The protocol provides investigators with the basic procedures for carrying out bioluminescent optogenetics in vitro and in vivo. The described approaches can be further extended and individualized to a multitude of different experimental paradigms.

To evaluate the content, quality, and reliability of keratoconus-related YouTube videos as sources for patient education.

YouTube was queried using the keywords "keratoconus," "contact lenses for keratoconus," "corneal cross-linking," and "corneal transplant surgery for keratoconus." Two ophthalmologists independently classified videos as useful, misleading, or patient testimonials and rated them using the DISCERN score (range, 16-75), Journal of the American Medical Association score (JAMAS; range, 0-4), Global Quality Score (GQS; range, 1-5), and Keratoconus-Specific Score (KSS; range, 0-32). Interrater agreement was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Multivariate linear regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with quality and popularity indices.

Of the 300 videos screened, 201 were included in the study, 58% were classified as useful, 13% as misleading, and 29% as patient views. Overall video quality was poor, with an average DISCERN score of 22, JAMAS of 1.2, GQS of 1.8, and KSS of 4.5. Misleading videos scored significantly lower than average but had higher popularity compared with useful videos. Video length inversely correlated with popularity index. Television shows were more likely to share misleading information than other uploaders, whereas all videos uploaded by university channels provided useful information but constituted only 12% of all videos.

Videos rated the best source of information were not the ones most popular. YouTube has great potential to change the attitude of individuals both for and against the right choice. Therefore, health professionals should act to use this potential in favor of effective and reliable health communication.

Videos rated the best source of information were not the ones most popular. YouTube has great potential to change the attitude of individuals both for and against the right choice. Therefore, health professionals should act to use this potential in favor of effective and reliable health communication.

To assess dry eye symptoms associated with different contact lens modalities in patients with keratoconus using a dry eye questionnaire.

An online survey was distributed by the National Keratoconus Foundation. link2 The survey asked participants to report demographic characteristics, current optical correction, age at the time of diagnosis of keratoconus, and contact lens history. The 12-item Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was also completed. Data from participants wearing the same contact lens modality bilaterally were analyzed.

The survey was completed by 197 individuals wearing the same contact lens modality bilaterally. The average age of participants at the time of the survey was 47.2±14.8 years (range 15-87 years), and the average age at which keratoconus was diagnosed was 26.1±9.9 years (range 8-55 years). The mean overall OSDI score of all participants was 40.2±22.8 (range 0-100). There was no difference in the mean OSDI scores based on current contact lens modality type (F=1.79; n=187; P=0.13). Based on an OSDI score of 33 or higher, 90% of participants reported symptoms indicative of dry eye disease. Scleral lens wearers reported less discomfort on the individual items related to windy and low-humidity conditions.

Individuals with keratoconus, irrespective of contact lens modality, report a high incidence of dry eye symptoms.

Individuals with keratoconus, irrespective of contact lens modality, report a high incidence of dry eye symptoms.

To characterize very asymmetric keratoconus (KC) in terms of clinical demographics and risk factors in the Japanese population.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with very asymmetric KC attending a university hospital. Patients with very asymmetric KC had defined clinical KC in one eye and normal topography in the fellow eye. All patients completed a questionnaire on potential risk factors (family history of KC, atopy, asthma, allergy, heart disease, sleep apnea, Down syndrome, eye rubbing, prone sleep position, and dominant hand). These data were compared with those of patients with clinical or topographic KC in both eyes. Subgroup analysis of very asymmetric KC eyes were performed based on the KC status mild and severe.

We retrospectively investigated 66 patients with very asymmetric KC and 505 patients with KC. Patients reported eye rubbing (53%-56%), allergy (62%-63%), and atopy (28%-29%) in both groups. There was no significant difference in terms of risk factors between the two groups. Approximately half of the 66 patients with very asymmetric KC had KC eyes ipsilateral to the dominant hand. Subgroup analysis of very asymmetric KC showed that atopy and asthma were more frequent in the mild KC group than in the severe KC group. Forty-four of 60 patients (73.3%) were using corneal, rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses (corneal GPs) for the KC eye, of which 30 patients (68.2%) were also using a corneal GP for the fellow eye.

The patient-reported frequency of eye rubbing, allergy, and atopy were similar between KC and very asymmetric KC. Furthermore, we found no association between hand dominance and KC laterality.

The patient-reported frequency of eye rubbing, allergy, and atopy were similar between KC and very asymmetric KC. Furthermore, we found no association between hand dominance and KC laterality.

Rotator cuff tears are common. A previous systematic review reported on factors associated with rotator cuff tears; however, it included relatively few studies and few variables, and in addition, it had considerable heterogeneity. To identify the factors associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears and to help guide clinicians to potentially modifiable factors, we felt a broader and more inclusive meta-analysis would be useful.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we asked what (1) demographic, (2) disease, and (3) imaging factors are associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears?

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched, and the search period were from the inception of each database through February 2021. The keywords included "risk factor," "rotator cuff injury," "rotator cuff tears," and "rotator cuff tendinitis." All comparative studies on symptomatic rotator cuff tears were included. We considered that the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear could be made by any imaging tool (MRI or uel of Evidence Level III, prognostic study.

This study identified several factors associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears, including blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and smoking. Clinicians may seek to modify these factors, possibly in patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears, but also in symptomatic patients who have not yet been diagnosed with rotator cuff tears because there would be no harm or risk associated with modifying any of the factors we identified. Future research should further study whether addressing these factors can delay the progression and size of rotator cuff tears.Level of Evidence Level III, prognostic study.

To determine the effect of Bu-Shen-Zhu-Yun Decoction (BSZY-D) on the kisspeptin through JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway in hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) infertility.

SD rats were treated with BSZY-D for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) extraction. GT1-7 cells were subjected to different treatments. link3 The phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT5, and the expressions of PRLR and kisspeptin of GT1-7 cells in different groups were detected by western blot, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. The expressions of CSN5 and GATA1 and other molecular features were checked by western blot, RT-PCR, co-immunoprecipitation and renilla luciferase activity.

The phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT5, and the expressions of PRLR and kisspeptin in the HPRL group were significantly decreased, and these changes could be reversed after BSZY-D treatment. In addition, the presence of PRLR deubiquitination was detected in the HPRL group, which could be reversed by shRNA-CSN5, suggesting that BSZY-D played a role through targeting CSN5. The binding level of GATA1 and CSN5 promoter in the HPRL group was significantly decreased, but elevated in the HPRL (BSZY-D/CSF) group (P < 0.