Utilising anterolateral bladder flap to create a continent cutaneous diversion in a patient with pelvic fracture urethral injury.

A male child in the first decade of life presented to us with a history of a pelvic fracture and urethral injury resulting from a road traffic accident 4 months prior. He had previously undergone an exploratory laparotomy and suprapubic cystostomy at another medical centre. He was circumcised and exhibited a substantial urethral defect on the retrograde urethrogram, as well as on the micturating cystourethrogram. Following a careful assessment of the patient's and caregivers' expectations, a continent cutaneous catheterisable channel was planned. This procedure involved the use of an anterolateral bladder flap, and continence was achieved through the creation of a Nissen-type seromuscular invagination. Three months postoperatively, the child remains continent, can easily catheterise the stoma and has resumed his education.

Two Decadal Experiences in Managing Combined Obstetric Vesicovaginal and Rectovaginal Fistulas: A Study From Northern Indian Tertiary Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: A retrospective study of 28 patients with obstetric combined vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and rectovaginal fistula (RVF) treated at our centre throughout the last two decades (2002 to 2022) has been conducted. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In 12 patients, a preoperative diverting colostomy was performed. Six patients had single-stage surgery (both VVF and RVF repair in the same operation) of which two cases required transabdominal repair and four required transvaginal repair. RESULT: All single-stage repairs (n=6) were successful in curing urine and faecal incontinence. In 22 patients, VVF was corrected initially via the transvaginal method with Martius flap interposition, followed by RVF repair three months later. In 2/22 patients, there was a leak after RVF repair; therefore, proximal diverting colostomy was performed, and RVF repair was repeated after six months. CONCLUSION: All cases had effective VVF and RVF repairs, and both urine and faecal incontinence were completely cured. This study suggests the collaborative engagement of a urologist and a surgical gastroenterologist results in an advantageous outcome for the surgical treatment of these intricate obstetric fistulas.

Adipose Tissue and Plasma Markers Associated with HbA1c Pre- and Post-bariatric Surgery: a Cross-sectional and Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Obesity can be associated with chronic inflammation and dysregulated expression of inflammatory adipokines that contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This may also affect the clinical response to bariatric surgery. Our objective was whether baseline visceral adipose tissue features and plasma adipokine are associated with HbA1c ≥0.06 at the time of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and with persistently elevated HbA1c at 12 months post-RYGB. METHODS: During the surgery, adipose biopsies and plasma were collected for adipokine/cytokine profile. Clinical and biochemical measurements were also collected at the time of RYGB and, in those with baseline elevated HbA1c, at 12 months post-RYGB. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, 109 patients (82.6% female; age 49 years; BMI 46.98 kg/m2) participated. Of those with elevated HbA1c at baseline (n = 61), 47 patients had repeated measurements at 12 months post-RYGB (23% drop-out). Using a multivariate logistic regression model, older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.22) and higher plasma resistin (aOR, 5.30; 95% CI, 1.25-22.44) were associated with higher odds of HbA1c ≥ 0.06, whereas higher plasma adiponectin (aOR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.99-0.996) was associated with lower odds of HbA1c ≥0.06. In addition, baseline higher average adipose cell area (aOR, 1.0017; 95% CI, 1.0002-1.0032) and plasma resistin (aOR, 1.0004; 95% CI, 1.0000-1.0009) were associated with higher odds of having persistently elevated HbA1c at 12 months post-RYGB. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that baseline plasma adipokine dysregulation, specifically high resistin, and adipocyte hypertrophy may affect the clinical response to RYGB.

Gut microbiome modified by bariatric surgery improves insulin sensitivity and correlates with increased brown fat activity and energy expenditure.

Alterations in the microbiome correlate with improved metabolism in patients following bariatric surgery. While fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from obese patients into germ-free (GF) mice has suggested a significant role of the gut microbiome in metabolic improvements following bariatric surgery, causality remains to be confirmed. Here, we perform paired FMT from the same obese patients (BMI > 40; four patients), pre- and 1 or 6 months post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, into Western diet-fed GF mice. Mice colonized by FMT from patients' post-surgery stool exhibit significant changes in microbiota composition and metabolomic profiles and, most importantly, improved insulin sensitivity compared with pre-RYGB FMT mice. Mechanistically, mice harboring the post-RYGB microbiome show increased brown fat mass and activity and exhibit increased energy expenditure. Moreover, improvements in immune homeostasis within the white adipose tissue are also observed. Altogether, these findings point to a direct role for the gut microbiome in mediating improved metabolic health post-RYGB surgery.

A gut bacterial strain rescues stunted growth.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum promotes growth in undernourished mice.

Optimization of 'on farm' hydropriming conditions in wheat: Soaking time and water volume have interactive effects on seed performance.

Seed priming is a simple and cost effective method to obtain a better plant stand under diverse environmental conditions. The current study was designed to determine the optimal priming duration and water volume for wheat seed. For this experiment, three wheat genotypes with distinct genetic and adaptive backgrounds were chosen. Seeds of each genotype were hydroprimed for 7 durations, i.e. 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 hours, in three different water volumes, i.e. half, equal, and double volume with respect to seed weight and then surface dried for 1 hour. The control was unprimed (dry) seed. The germination characteristics and seedling vigour potential of hydroprimed seeds were evaluated in the lab by recording several parameters such as germination percentage and speed, seedling growth, and vigour indices at two different temperature levels. The results showed that optimal duration for hydropriming of wheat seed is 12 hours with an equal volume with respect to original seed weight, closely followed by 8 hours with double volume. Reduction in seed performance was observed at 16 and 20 hours priming particularly at double volume treatment. Effect of temperature on seed germination showed improvement in seedling vigour at 25°C when compared to 20°C, although effect on germination percentage was non-significant. Volume of water and priming duration showed significant interactive effects demonstrating that a higher volume can give equivalent results at a shorter duration and vice versa. Another experiment was also conducted to compare the on-farm priming (surface dried seed) with conventional priming (seed re-dried to original moisture) taking 3 potential durations i.e. 8, 12 and 16 hours. Results revealed that both priming methods were statistically at par in terms of germination percentage, while, surface drying resulted in better seedling vigour and speed of germination.

Induction and sustenance of antibacterial activities distinguishes response of mice to Salmonella Typhi from response to Salmonella Typhimurium.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), the causative agent of typhoid in humans, shares a high degree of homology with a closely related serovar, S. Typhimurium. Yet, unlike S. Typhimurium, S. Typhi does not establish infection in mice, the reasons for which are not well understood. Here, we present evidence that the response of mice to infection with S. Typhi is marked by early antibacterial activities. Cell-free peritoneal fluids from S. Typhi but not S. Typhimurium-infected mice inhibited the replication of Salmonella ex vivo. The production of this activity was reduced in the presence of the serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonlyl fluoride (PMSF). PMSF also inhibited the generation of antibacterial activity released from in vitro S. Typhi-infected peritoneal macrophages in a cell death-dependent manner. Infection with S. Typhimurium but not S. Typhi was associated with reduction in the mRNA levels of iron-regulating molecules, ferroportin and lipocalin. These results suggest that early induction and sustenance of antibacterial activities may contribute to the nonestablishment of infection with S. Typhi in mice.

Effect of faecal microbial transplant via colonoscopy in patients with severe obesity and insulin resistance: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial.

AIM: To assess the effects of faecal microbial transplant (FMT) from lean people to subjects with obesity via colonoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, subjects with a body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2 and insulin resistance were randomized, in a 1:1 ratio in blocks of four, to either allogenic (from healthy lean donor; n = 15) or autologous FMT (their own stool; n = 13) delivered in the caecum and were followed for 3 months. The main outcome was homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and secondary outcomes were glycated haemoglobin levels, lipid profile, weight, gut hormones, endotoxin, appetite measures, intestinal microbiome (IM), metagenome, serum/faecal metabolites, quality of life, anxiety and depression scores. RESULTS: In the allogenic versus autologous groups, HOMA-IR and clinical variables did not change significantly, but IM and metabolites changed favourably (P < 0.05): at 1 month, Coprococcus, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides and Roseburia increased, and Streptococcus decreased; at 3 months, Bacteroides and Blautia increased. Several species also changed significantly. For metabolites, at 1 month, serum kynurenine decreased and faecal indole acetic acid and butenylcarnitine increased, while at 3 months, serum isoleucine, leucine, decenoylcarnitine and faecal phenylacetic acid decreased. Metagenomic pathway representations and network analyses assessing relationships with clinical variables, metabolites and IM were significantly enhanced in the allogenic versus autologous groups. LDL and appetite measures improved in the allogenic (P < 0.05) but not in the autologous group. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, in those with obeisty, allogenic FMT via colonoscopy induced favourable changes in IM, metabolites, pathway representations and networks even though other metabolic variables did not change. LDL and appetite variables may also benefit.

Gut symbionts dial up RA to prime host defense.

In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Woo et al. (2021) show that retinoic acid generated by symbiotic segmented filamentous bacteria in the intestine primes host intestinal epithelial defense and mediates early innate immune protection against Citrobacter rodentium infection.

Factors Affecting Metabolic Outcomes Post Bariatric Surgery: Role of Adipose Tissue.

Obesity is an ever-growing public health crisis, and bariatric surgery (BS) has become a valuable tool in ameliorating obesity, along with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. BS techniques have come a long way, leading to impressive improvements in the health of the majority of patients. Unfortunately, not every patient responds optimally to BS and there is no method that is sufficient to pre-operatively predict who will receive maximum benefit from this surgical intervention. This review focuses on the adipose tissue characteristics and related parameters that may affect outcomes, as well as the potential influences of insulin resistance, BMI, age, psychologic and genetic factors. Understanding the role of these factors may help predict who will benefit the most from BS.

Lysophosphatidylcholine Potentiates Antibacterial Activity of Polymyxin B.

Polymyxin B, used to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, produces nephrotoxicity at its current dosage. We show that a combination of nonbactericidal concentration of this drug and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) potently inhibits growth of Salmonella and at least two other Gram-negative bacteria in vitro This combination makes bacterial membrane porous and causes degradation of DnaK, the regulator of protein folding. Polymyxin B-LPC combination may be an effective and safer regimen against drug-resistant bacteria.

The MPB64 immunochromatography assay: an analysis of doubtful results.

Culture remains the gold standard for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, and the mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT), endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), is widely used. Further identification of a positive culture is done with the help of an immunochromatography assay, which often shows faint bands that are difficult to interpret. We analysed 125 BACTEC MGIT culture positive results, of which 11/16 (68.7%) of the doubtful assays, analysed by MGIT™ TBc Identification test (TBcId), were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), the remaining being non-tuberculous mycobacteria as determined by an in-house duplex polymerase chain reaction and line probe assay. Guidelines on faint or doubtful bands in immunochromatography assays are important so as not to overlook true-positive cases of TB.

NOD2 modulates immune tolerance via the GM-CSF-dependent generation of CD103+ dendritic cells.

Four decades ago, it was identified that muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a peptidoglycan-derived bacterial cell wall component, could display immunosuppressive functions in animals through mechanisms that remain unexplored. We sought to revisit these pioneering observations because mutations in NOD2, the gene encoding the host sensor of MDP, are associated with increased risk of developing the inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's disease, thus suggesting that the loss of the immunomodulatory functions of NOD2 could contribute to the development of inflammatory disease. Here, we demonstrate that intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of MDP triggered regulatory T cells and the accumulation of a population of tolerogenic CD103+ dendritic cells (DCs) in the spleen. This was found to occur not through direct sensing of MDP by DCs themselves, but rather via the production of the cytokine GM-CSF, another factor with an established regulatory role in Crohn's disease pathogenesis. Moreover, we demonstrate that populations of CD103-expressing DCs in the gut lamina propria are enhanced by the activation of NOD2, indicating that MDP sensing plays a critical role in shaping the immune response to intestinal antigens by promoting a tolerogenic environment via manipulation of DC populations.

Innate Activation of IFN-γ-iNOS Axis During Infection With Salmonella Represses the Ability of T Cells to Produce IL-2.

Pathogenic Salmonella serovars are a major cause of enteric illness in humans and animals, and produce clinical manifestations ranging from localized gastroenteritis to systemic disease. T cells are a critical component of immunity against this intracellular pathogen. The mechanisms by which Salmonella modulates T-cell-mediated immune responses in order to establish systemic infection are not completely understood. We show that infection of mice with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) suppresses IL-2 and increases IFN-γ and IL-17 production from T cells activated in vivo or ex vivo through the T cell receptor. Infection with S. Typhimurium brings about recruitment of CD11b+Gr1+ suppressor cells to the spleen. Ex vivo depletion of these cells restores the ability of activated T cells to produce IL-2 and brings secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17 from these cells back to basal levels. The reduction in IL-2 secretion is not seen in IFN-γ-/- and iNOS-/- mice infected with Salmonella. Our findings demonstrate that sustained innate activated IFN-γ production during progression of infection with Salmonella reduces IL-2-secreting capability of T cells through an iNOS-mediated signaling pathway that can adversely affect long term immunity against this pathogen.

The Virulence Polysaccharide of Salmonella Typhi Suppresses Activation of Rho Family GTPases to Limit Inflammatory Responses From Epithelial Cells.

Vi capsular polysaccharide (Vi) is a major virulence factor of human typhoid-causing pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi). It distinguishes S. Typhi from closely related non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars such as S. Typhimurium which do not normally cause systemic infection in humans. Vi not only forms a capsule around S. Typhi but it is also readily released from this pathogen. We have previously reported that Vi targets prohibitin to inhibit cellular responses activated through immune receptors. Here, we show that engagement of membrane prohibitin with Vi prevents Salmonella-induced activation of small Rho-family GTPases, Rac1, and Cdc42, and suppresses actin cytoskeletal rearrangements resulting in reduced invasion and highly subdued inflammatory responses. Cells infected with S. Typhimurium in the presence of Vi show poor activation of NF-kB and MAP-kinase pathways of intracellular signaling. Treatment with Vi brings about redistribution of Rac-1, prohibitin, and ganglioside GM1 in membrane raft domains. Vi-mediated interference with activation of Rho-family GTPases represents a previously unrecognized mechanism by which S. Typhi can limit its invasion and alarming of the host.

Host lipid sensing promotes invasion of cells with pathogenic Salmonella.

Pathogenic Salmonella species initiate infection by invading non-phagocytic intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). This invasion is brought about by a number of Salmonella invasion promoting molecules (Sips) encoded by the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island - 1 (SPI-1). Intracellular delivery of some of these molecules also brings about caspase-1 - mediated pyroptotic cell death that contributes to pathogen clearance. These molecules are secreted and delivered inside cells upon contact of Salmonella with one or more host signals whose identity has not been established. We show that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) released following activation of caspase-1 in Salmonella - infected cells and abundant in plasma amplifies production of Sips from this pathogen and promotes its cellular invasion. LPC brings about adenylate cyclase and cAMP receptor protein (CRP) - dependent de novo synthesis of SipC that is accompanied by its translocation to bacterial cell surface and release into the outside milieu. Treatment of Salmonella with LPC produces sustained induction of SPI - 1 transcriptional regulator, hilA. Our findings reveal a novel host lipid sensing - driven regulatory mechanism for Salmonella invasion.

Molecular docking, molecular modeling, and molecular dynamics studies of azaisoflavone as dual COX-2 inhibitors and TP receptor antagonists.

Designed multi-target ligand (DML) is an emerging strategy for the development of new drugs and involves the engagement of multiple targets with the same moiety. In the context of NSAIDs it has been suggested that targeting the thromboxane prostanoid (TP) receptor along with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may help to overcome cardiovascular (CVS) complications associated with COXIBs. In the present work, azaisoflavones were studied for their COX-2 and TP receptor binding activities using structure based drug design (SBDD) techniques. Flavonoids were selected as a starting point based on their known COX-2 inhibitory and TP receptor antagonist activity. Iterative design and docking studies resulted in the evolution of a new class scaffold replacing the benzopyran-4-one ring of flavonoids with quinolin-4-one. The docking and binding parameters of these new compounds are found to be promising in comparison to those of selective COX-2 inhibitors, such as SC-558 and celecoxib. Owing to the lack of structural information, a model for the TP receptor was generated using a threading base alignment method with loop optimization performed using an ab initio method. The model generated was validated against known antagonists for TP receptor using docking/MMGBSA. Finally, the molecules that were designed for selective COX-2 inhibition were docked into the active site of the TP receptor. Iterative structural modifications and docking on these molecules generated a series which displays optimum docking scores and binding interaction for both targets. Molecular dynamics studies on a known TP receptor antagonist and a designed molecule show that both molecules remain in contact with protein throughout the simulation and interact in similar binding modes. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Prognostic significance of glycemic variability after cardiac surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The prognostic significance of acute glycemic variability (GV) after cardiac surgery is not known. This study was therefore planned to analyze the independent prognostic value of GV after cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single center prospective observational study in 870 consecutive cardiac surgery patients over a 3-month period at a tertiary care institute in India. RESULTS: In linear regression analysis, GV was a significant predictor of length of stay in intensive care unit (LOS-ICU) (beta 0.102, p=0.007) and rise in creatinine after surgery (beta 0.229, p<0.001). Mean POC-BG was a significant positive predictor of length of stay in hospital (LOS-hospital) (beta 0.1, p=0.004). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, GV predicted prolonged LOS-ICU (p=0.006, OR 1.016) and acute kidney injury (p<0.001, OR 1.034). CONCLUSION: This study showed that GV, as measured by standard deviation, was a predictor of LOS-ICU, rise in creatinine and AKI after cardiac surgery. GV is therefore a new dimension in postoperative glycemic management in cardiac surgery patients, which needs to be explored.

Mapping and identification of cassava mosaic geminivirus DNA-A and DNA-B genome sequences for efficient siRNA expression and RNAi based virus resistance by transient agro-infiltration studies.

Geminiviruses are among the most serious pathogens of many economically important crop plants and RNA interference (RNAi) is an important strategy for their control. Although any fragment of a viral genome can be used to generate a double stranded (ds) RNA trigger, the precursor for generation of siRNAs, the exact sequence and size requirements for efficient gene silencing and virus resistance have so far not been investigated. Previous efforts to control geminiviruses by gene silencing mostly targeted AC1, the gene encoding replication-associated protein. In this study we made RNAi constructs for all the genes of both the genomic components (DNA-A and DNA-B) of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV-CM), one of the most devastating geminiviruses causing cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Africa. Using transient agro-infiltration studies, RNAi constructs were evaluated for their ability to trigger gene silencing against the invading virus and protection against it. The results show that the selection of the DNA target sequence is an important determinant for the amount of siRNA produced and the extent of resistance. The ACMV genes AC1, AC2, AC4 from DNA-A and BC1 from DNA-B were effective targets for RNAi-mediated resistance and their siRNA expression was higher compared to other RNAi constructs. The RNAi construct targeting AC2, the suppressor of gene silencing of ACMV-CM gave highest level of resistance in the transient studies. This is the first report of targeting DNA-B to confer resistance to a bipartite geminivirus infection.

MyD88-dependent pro-inflammatory activity in Vi polysaccharide vaccine against typhoid promotes Ab switching to IgG.

Vi capsular polysaccharide is currently in use as a vaccine against human typhoid caused by Salmonella Typhi. The vaccine efficacy correlates with IgG anti-Vi Abs. We have recently reported that Vi can generate inflammatory responses through activation of the TLR2/TLR1 complex. In the present study, we show that immunization with Vi produces IgM as well as IgG Abs in wild type mice. This ability is not compromised in mice deficient in T cells. However, immunization of mice lacking the TLR adaptor protein, MyD88, with Vi elicits only IgM Abs. These results suggest that MyD88-dependent pro-inflammatory ability of the Vi vaccine might be vital in generating IgG Abs with this T-independent Ag.