Core microbiota drive multi-functionality of the soil microbiome in the Cinnamomum camphora coppice planting.

BACKGROUND: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl (C. camphora) is an evergreen broad-leaved tree cultivated in subtropical China. The use of C. camphora as clonal cuttings for coppice management has become popular recently. However, little is known about the relationship between soil core microbiota and ecosystem multi-functionality under tree planting. Particularly, the effects of soil core microbiota on maintaining ecosystem multi-functionality under C. camphora coppice planting remained unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we collected soil samples from three points (i.e., the abandoned land, the root zone, and the transition zone) in the C. camphora coppice planting to investigate whether core microbiota influences ecosystem multi-functions. RESULTS: The result showed a significant difference in soil core microbiota community between the abandoned land (AL), root zone (RZ), and transition zone (TZ), and soil ecosystem multi-functionality of core microbiota in RZ had increased significantly (by 230.8%) compared to the AL. Soil core microbiota played a more significant influence on ecosystem multi-functionality than the non-core microbiota. Moreover, the co-occurrence network demonstrated that the soil ecosystem network consisted of five major ecological clusters. Soil core microbiota within cluster 1 were significantly higher than in cluster 4, and there is also a higher Copiotrophs/Oligotrophs ratio in cluster 1. Our results corroborated that soil core microbiota is crucial for maintaining ecosystem multi-functionality. Especially, the core taxa within the clusters of networks under tree planting, with the same ecological preferences, had a significant contribution to ecosystem multi-functionality. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results provide further insight into the linkage between core taxa and ecosystem multi-functionality. This enables us to predict how ecosystem functions respond to the environmental changes in areas under the C. camphora coppice planting. Thus, conserving the soil microbiota, especially the core taxa, is essential to maintaining the multiple ecosystem functions under the C. camphora coppice planting.

Rational design of YAP WW1 domain-binding peptides to target TGFß/BMP/Smad-YAP interaction in heterotopic ossification.

The transforming growth factor-ß/bone morphogenic protein/Smad signaling pathway has been raised as a new and promising therapeutic target of heterotopic ossification, which is mediated by recruitment of transcription coactivator Yes-associated protein (YAP) to Smad. Here, we described a successful integration of computational modeling and experimental assay to rationally design novel peptide aptamers to disrupt YAP-Smad interaction by targeting YAP WW1 domain. In the protocol, a computational genetic evolution strategy was used to improve a population of potential YAP WW1-binding peptides generated from the YAP-recognition site in Smad protein, from which several promising peptides were selected and their affinities toward YAP WW1 domain were determined using binding assay. In addition, a high-activity peptide was further optimized based on its complex structure with YAP WW1 domain to derive a number of derivative peptides with higher binding potency to the domain. We also found that a strong YAP WW1 binder should have a negatively charged N-terminus, a positively charged C-terminus and a nonpolar core to match the electrostatic distribution pattern in peptide-binding pocket of YAP WW1 domain, which may also form additional nonbonded interactions such as hydrogen bond, salt bridge and π-π stacking to confer stability and specificity for the domain-peptide recognition.

A "hybrid" sural flap for treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis remains a challenge for orthopedic and plastic surgeons. The basis of surgical therapy includes thorough debridement of infected tissue and reconstruction with well-vascularized flaps. METHODS: A "hybrid" sural flap composed of an adiponeurofascial flap proximally and a neurofasciocutaneous flap distally is described here. The adiponeurofascial flap was used to obliterate the bone cavity, and the distal part was used to resurface soft tissue defects. Five patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis were treated with this modified sural flap. RESULTS: The size of the adiponeurofascial flap ranged from 5.0 × 4.0 cm to 13.0 × 5.0 cm, and that of the neurofasciocutaneous flap ranged from 6.5 × 3.0 cm to 6.0 × 8.0 cm. The donor defects were covered with skin grafts in three patients and closed primarily in two patients. All the flaps survived completely without any complications, the skin graft and the skin over the adiponeurofascial flap healed uneventfully. There was no evidence of recurrent infection during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The modified "hybrid" sural flap is simple and reliable and is a good candidate for treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.

Tendon ball arthroplasty and proximal carpal stabilization with tendon graft for advanced Kienbock's disease.

This study reports the surgical technique and outcomes of tendon ball arthroplasty combined with proximal carpal stabilization using the extensor carpi radialis longus tendon for treating advanced Kienbock's disease. The collapsed lunate is excised and a tendon ball inserted as a spacer. A distally based extensor carpi radials longus graft is passed through the scaphoid, tendon ball and triquetrum, reconstructing the proximal carpal row. In total, 16 patients were included and the mean follow-up was 25 months. Pain improved from 5.6 preoperatively to 1.3 postoperatively on a 10-point visual analogue scale. Mean wrist motion improved by 17.8° and grip strength compared with the non-operative side increased by 22.1% on average. Radiographic outcomes demonstrated correction of scaphoid flexion and carpal height ratio. The modified tendon ball arthroplasty may be an alternative wrist salvage procedure for the treatment of advanced Kienbock's disease.Level of evidence: IV.

The position of the median nerve in relation to the palmaris longus tendon at the wrist: a study of 784 MR images.

Iatrogenic injury of the median nerve has been reported after endoscopic carpal tunnel release and corticoid injection. In 784 MR images of the wrist, the position of the median nerve in relation to the palmaris longus tendon was analysed. The ulnar edge of the median nerve was found medial to the palmaris longus tendon in 14% and 36% of patients at the proximal wrist crease and entrance of the carpal tunnel, respectively, compared with 23% and 40% of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (88 patients). The position of the median nerve in relation to the palmaris longus tendon varies widely. It is suggested that the palmaris longus tendon may not be considered a safe landmark to locate the position of the median nerve and care should be taken when introducing an endoscopic instrument or during steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome.Level of evidence: IV.

Effects of Cinnamomum camphora coppice planting on soil fertility, microbial community structure and enzyme activity in subtropical China.

Cinnamomum camphora (C. camphora) is a broad-leaved evergreen tree cultivated in subtropical China. Currently, the use of C. camphora clonal cuttings for coppice management has become popular. However, the effects of C. camphora coppice planting on soil abiotic and biotic variances remained unclear. In this study, we collected soil from three points in the seven-year C. camphora coppice planting land: under the tree canopy (P15), between trees (P50), and abandoned land (Control) to investigate the effects of C. camphora coppice planting on soil fertility, microbial community structure and enzyme activity. The results revealed that C. camphora coppice planting significantly increased soil fertility in the point under the tree canopy (P15) and point between trees (P50), and P15 had more significant effects than P50. Meanwhile, in P15 and P50, soil bacterial, fungal alpha-diversity were improved and microbial community structures were also changed. And the changes of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen promote the transformation of soil bacterial, fungal community structures, respectively. In addition, C. camphora coppice planting significantly (p < 0.05) increased soil urease (UE), polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activities, while significantly decreased soil ACP activity. This study demonstrated that the C. camphora coppice planting could improve soil fertility in subtropical China, which promoted the transformation of soil microbial community from oligotrophs (K-strategist) to copiotrophs (r-strategist). Thus, this work can provide a theoretical basis for soil nutrient variation and productive management of C. camphora coppice plantation in subtropical China.

Arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous reconstruction of chronic triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal tears: outcomes in 12 patients.

We report the surgical method and outcomes of a simple arthroscopic-assisted technique of repairing triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) foveal injuries in 12 patients with chronic distal radioulnar joint instability. An ulnar transosseous tunnel was created with its distal exit point located 3 to 4 mm radial to the fovea. A tendon graft was cut into two parts, and both were then passed through the bone tunnel to secure the radioulnar ligament remnants back to the fovea in a 'V' shape configuration. At the final follow-up of 13 to 26 months (average 21), all patients had a reduction of wrist pain, with the mean visual analogue scale dropped from 4.6 to 1.6 out of 10. The distal radioulnar joint was completely stable in nine patients and had improved stability in three patients. The mean Mayo modified wrist scores improved from 72 to 89, and the clinical outcomes were excellent in four patients, good in seven and fair in one. No major surgical complications occurred. This simple arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous approach is effective for chronic foveal tears of the TFCC with intact radioulnar ligament remnants.Level of evidence: IV.

Magnesium promotes osteogenesis via increasing OPN expression and activating CaM/CaMKIV/CREB1 pathway.

Magnesium (Mg) based alloy has been used as a biodegradable implant for fracture repair with considerable efficacy, and it has been proved that magnesium ion (Mg2+ ), one of the degradation products, could stimulate osteogenesis. Here, we investigated the osteogenesis property of magnesium both in vitro and in vivo, and to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects. Results showed that magnesium exerts a dose-dependent increase in the proliferation of MC3T3 and MG63 cells, and in the expression of osteopontin (OPN), a promising biomarker of osteogenesis. Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis showed the interactions between calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) and CREB1. The ratio of p-CaMKIV/CaMKIV and p-CREB1/CREB were increased at protein level in MC3T3 and MG63 cells after treatment with Mg2+ . Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that p-CREB1 could directly bind to OPN promoter and up-regulate the transcription of OPN after nuclear entry. Meanwhile, the expression of OPN and p-CREB1, which increased after Mg2+ treatment, was down-regulated by sh-CaMKIV or sh-CREB1. Moreover, the mineralized deposit and expression of OPN were reduced after treatment with an inhibitor of CaMKIV, KN93. In addition, massive cavities in the cortical bone around the Mg screw were showed in vivo after injection of KN93. These data indicated that the osteogenic effect of Mg is related to the activation OPN through CaM/CaMKIV/CREB1 signaling pathway.

Positive feedback between peanut and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with the application of hairy vetch in Ultisol.

Multiple agricultural practices are being applied to increase crop yield in order to overcome the food shortage. Green manure has emerged as an appropriate practice to improve soil fertility and crop yield. However, the potential functions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the below-ground ecosystems following the application of green manure in Ultisols remain largely unexplored. In this study, qPCR and high-throughput sequencing were used to investigate the response of AMF abundance and communities in different treatment groups, i.e., control (without fertilization), mineral fertilization (NPK), mineral fertilization with returning peanut straw (NPKS), and with green manure (hairy vetch; NPKG). The NPKG treatment significantly increased soil fertility compared to other treatment groups. Compared with control, the NPK, NPKS, and NPKG treatments increased peanut yield by 12.3, 13.1, and 25.4%, respectively. NPKS and NPKG treatments significantly altered the AMF community composition decreased the AMF diversity and increased AMF abundance compared to the control. The AMF network of the NPKG treatment group showed the highest complexity and stability compared to other treatment groups. The structural equation modeling revealed that the application of hairy vetch improved soil nutrients and peanut yield by increasing the soil AMF abundance and network stability. Overall, the results suggested that the application of hairy vetch might trigger positive feedback between the peanut and AMF community, contributing to fertility and yield improvement in the dryland of Ultisol.

[Clinical application progress of the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure].

Objective: To review the clinical application progress of the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. Methods: The indications, techniques, effectiveness, and modifications of the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure were analyzed and evaluated by an extensive review of the relevant literature. Results: The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure can be applied for various disorders of the distal radioulnar joint. Risk of series of complications exist, which might be reduced by modification of the procedure. Conclusion: The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure, as a salvage operation, can be a good alternative by meticulous manipulation for appropriate cases with distal radioulnar joint disorders.

Bioinformatic analysis to find small molecules related to rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks flexible (synovial) joints. AIMS: Our aim is to explore the change of gene expression profile in patients with RA, and investigate the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis and progression of RA. METHODS: We downloaded the dataset GSE2053 from Gene Expression Omnibus database and screened the differentially expressed genes by analyzing the profiles between RA and normal cells with bioinformatics methods. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to screen GO and the significantly changed signaling pathways in RA cells with the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). RESULTS: By bioinformatics methods, we obtained the metabolic pathway changed in the cells of patients with RA, and explored small molecule drugs that can restore these changes. CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide a new approach for explore the pathogenesis of RA and a new breakthrough in the medical treatment of patients with RA.

[Mini external fixation device for comminuted open fractures of metacarpal and phalange].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of mini external fixation device for comminuted open fractures of the metacarpal and phalange. METHODS: Between October 2009 and April 2011, 33 patients with comminuted open fractures of the metacarpal and phalange were treated with mini external fixation device. There were 25 males and 8 females, aged from 21 to 62 years with an average of 25.5 years. Of 33 cases, 7 were rated as Gustilo type II and 26 as Gustilo type IIIA; 20 cases were diagnosed as having simple metacarpal and phalangeal comminuted fractures and 13 cases as having combined interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures. Partial or complete rupture of tendon was observed in 18 cases. The time between injury and operation was 2-8 hours (mean, 3.7 hours). After one stage debridement and reduction, fracture was fixed with mini external fixation device. RESULTS: Primary healing of incision was obtained in 30 cases and no pin hole infection was found. Incision infection occurred in 3 cases and leaded to nonunion. Nonunion also occured in 2 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. The mean follow-up was 8 months (range, 6 months to 1 year). X-ray films showed fracture healing in 13 cases after 8 weeks (8 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures and 5 cases of combined interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures), in 12 cases after 12 weeks (7 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures and 5 cases of interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures), and in 3 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures after 6 months. After removing the mini external fixation device and functional exercise, 3 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal comminuted fractures and 4 cases of combined interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures still had joint stiffness, but had no finger rotation and alignment deformity or chronic pain. According to the measurement of total active movement for 28 patients who obtained fracture healing, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 12 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 4 cases, the excellent and good rate was 67.9%. CONCLUSION: The mini external fixation device is a good technique for comminuted open fractures of metacarpal and phalange. In patients having comminuted open fractures with interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fracture, the results are fair or poor.

The free peroneal perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap: a novel tool for reconstruction of large soft-tissue defects in the upper limb.

BACKGROUND: The sural neurofasciocutaneous flap has been widely used for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in the lower leg, ankle, and foot. It can provide a large amount of tissue without compromising the function of the leg. The authors report the applications of the free peroneal perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap. METHODS: The free sural neurofasciocutaneous flap based on a single peroneal perforator is described. The peroneal perforator, which emerges from the posterior crural septum at the junction of middle and lower thirds of the fibula, was chosen as the pedicle of the flap. Six perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps were transferred to resurface large soft-tissue defects in the upper limb. The size of the defects ranged from 15 × 6 cm to 45 × 10 cm. RESULTS: All six flaps survived completely without necrosis. The area of the flaps ranged from 16 × 8 cm to 30 × 10 cm. The average diameter of the peroneal perforator ranged from 1.0 to 1.5 mm, and the length of the perforator pedicles ranged from 4 to 6 cm. One patient developed arterial thrombosis after surgery, which was treated by removal of the thrombus and reanastomosis. No severe venous congestion was observed. All the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome postoperatively at 3 to 12 months' follow-up. There were no serious donor-site complications. CONCLUSION: The free perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap is a good alternative for reconstruction of extensive soft-tissue defects in the upper limb.

Functional reconstruction of traumatic loss of flexors in forearm with gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap transfer.

Reconstruction of flexor function of forearm remains a challenge in the reconstructive surgery. With development of microsurgical techniques, reconstructive surgeons have been able to envision muscle transplantation for restoration of function and not simply for provision of soft tissue coverage. In this report, we present our experience in three patients of successful treatment of traumatic flexor loss in the forearm with the microsurgical medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap. At 18- to 24-months follow-up, the detected action potential (Latency and Amplity) in the transferred muscle was significantly improved in the EMG examination. The strength of the digital flexion reached to III degree in one case, IV degree in two cases. No complications were noted in the donor legs. We conclude that the microsurgical medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap transfer can be an ideal alternative for functional reconstruction of the forearm flexor muscle in three posttrauma patients.