The Gut Bacterial Community Composition of Wild Cervus albirostris (White-Lipped Deer) Detected by the 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequencing.

Cervus albirostris (white-lipped deer) is an endemic species in China. As the name implies, C. albirostris has a characteristic pure white marking around their mouth and on the underside of the throat. The animal is a typical alpine species normally living at the height of 3500-4300 m. In this study, by pyrosequencing the 16S rRNA gene sequences, we for the first time analyzed the gut bacterial community composition in eight feces samples of wild C. albirostris. From a total of 243,634 high-quality sequences, we identified 186 genera, included in 17 prokaryotic phyla in the feces. The relative proportions of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were highly consistent in each individual sample. The most frequently detected genus was Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, ranging from 6.70 to 21.00%, displaying positively connections with the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group. The bacterial communities associated with C. albirostris provide the basic knowledge for further microbiological studies and facilitates the conservation efforts of this vulnerable deer species.

Technical feasibility and histopathologic studies of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) as a non-adhesive embolic agent in swine rete mirabile.

BACKGROUND: Non-adhesive liquid embolic agents are increasingly gaining importance in the embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). We investigated the use of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as a non-adhesive embolic agent in swine rete mirabile. METHODS: The PNIPAM hydrogel was mixed with iohexol and embolization was performed in swine rete mirabile in 30 animals. The microcatheter was examined after embolization. Follow-up angiography was performed for embolic efficacy after embolization. Embolized retia were examined histopathologically, and the alterations of inside rete and surrounding tissue were observed. RESULTS: The copolymer hydrogel was used for rete embolization in 30 swine, 28 swine survived the procedure, 2 swine died, 1 swine died of cerebrum infarction and the other died of embolic agent reflux into the occipital artery. The inside wall of the microcatheter was smooth, without copolymer adhering to it. Follow-up angiography was performed in 22 swine, there was no rete recanalization in 20 swine and partial rete recanalization in 2 swine because of the trunk embolization of ascending pharyngeal arteries. Histopathologically, the copolymer was found diffused into vessels of 100 - 150 microm in diameter. In acute group, neutrophils scattered surrounding the copolymer and endothelial integrity was observed, without endothelial denuding and necrosis. In subacute and chronic groups, the copolymer was found inside retia, a few mononuclear cells and eosinocytes scattered inside and surrounding it. The muscular layer was loosened with most muscular nuclei degraded. CONCLUSION: Experimental rete embolization with PNIPAM, made radiopaque with iohexol, is technically feasible in swine. Because of its properties, PNIPAM has great potential as a therapeutic non-adhesive embolic agent.

Bactericidal properties and biocompatibility of a gentamicin-loaded Fe3O4/carbonated hydroxyapatite coating.

Postoperative implant-associated infection remains a serious complication in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) surgery. The addition of antibiotics to bone cement is used as an antimicrobial prophylaxis in cemented joint arthroplasty; however, in cementless arthroplasty, there are no comparable measures for the local delivery of antibiotics. In this study, a gentamicin-loaded Fe3O4/carbonated hydroxyapatite coating (Gent-MCHC) was fabricated according to the following steps: (i) deposition of Fe3O4/CaCO3 particles on Ti6Al4V substrates by electrophoretic deposition; (ii) conversions of MCHC from Fe3O4/CaCO3 coatings by chemical treatment; and (iii) formation of Gent-MCHC by loading gentamicin into MCHC. MCHC possessed mesoporous structure with a pore size of about 3.8 nm and magnetic property with the saturation magnetization strength of about 4.03 emu/g. Gent-MCHC had higher drug loading efficiency and drug release capacity, and superior biocompatibility and mitogenic activity than Ti6Al4V. Moreover, Gent-MCHC deterred bacterial adhesion and prevented biofilm formation. These results demonstrate that Gent-MCHC can be used as a local drug delivery system to prevent implant-associated infection in TJA surgery.