The forgotten oral microbial transplantation for improving the outcomes of COVID-19.

Ever since the uncovering of the severe discrepancy of COVID-19 manifestations, irrespective of viral load, scientists have raced to locate and manage factors contributing to the genesis of a critical state. Recent evidence delineates the role of oral dysbiosis in the development of low-grade inflammation, characterized by the increase of inflammatory cytokines common to those fundamental to the development of severe COVID. Furthermore, high periodontopathic bacteria were recorded in severe acute respiratory syndrome in COVID patients, as well as its common provoking comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. This can be explained by the immigration and elimination of oral bacteria into the airways, which, in the context of an injured lung, allows for their preferential overgrowth familiar to that, causing the progression to advanced lung diseases. This is why we indicate the promising usage of oral microbiome transplantation as a treatment of oral microbial dysbiosis, not only associated with the worst outcomes of COVID-19 but also in other disorders of low-grade inflammation.

Is the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-like syndrome associated with ChAdOx vaccine related to the vaccine itself or to an autoimmune reaction to severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus: insights and implications from previous reports in infected cases?

Prothrombotic states, similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in recipients of the ChAdOx vaccine, sounded alarm bells internationally. Equivalent episodes of HIT were detailed in several case reports of coronavirus disease 2019. This suggests a common pathogenesis and warrants a shift in the management of implicated cases.

Reverse-flow anterolateral thigh perforator: an ad hoc flap for severe post-burn knee contracture.

We evaluate function outcomes of the reverse-flow ALT perforator flap to reconstruct severe post-burn knee contracture. Between October 2012 and December 2014, 10 patients with severe post-burn knee contracture were subjected to reconstruction with 10 ipsilateral reversed-flow ALT perforator flaps. All the patients were male. Ages ranged from 15 to 47 years (mean = 32 years). Time from burn injury to patient presentation ranged from 2-8 months. All patients demonstrated post-burn flexion contracture of the knee joint, ranging from 35 to 75 degrees. Flap sizes ranged from 8×16 to 12×26 cm. The flaps and skin grafts were carried out without major complications. Only minor complications occurred, such as transient, mild congestion immediately after inset in two flaps. Two flaps developed superficial necrosis at the distal edge. One case sustained partial skin graft loss due to haematoma. One case complained of skin hyperpigmentation and hypertrophic scars around the graft. Secondary debulking procedures were required in two cases. The entire donor sites were closed by partial thickness skin graft with acceptable appearance, except one case that was closed primarily. Eight out of ten patients (80%) demonstrated gradual improvement in range of knee motion after a specialized rehabilitation program. Two patients (20%) did not get back full range of motion. RALT perforator flap is the cornerstone for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects around the knee with acceptable aesthetic and functional results provided that the following items are fulfilled: inclusion of muscle cuff around the pedicle, the pivot point, prevention of pedicle compression after transfer and early surgical intervention on the post-burn knee contracture.

Nous avons évalué les résultats fonctionnels après utilisation du lambeau perforant antérolatéral de cuisse à flux rétrograde dans la reconstruction des rétractions importantes du genou après brûlure. Entre octobre 2012 et décembre 2014, 10 patients présentant ces rétractions ont subi une reconstruction avec ce type de lambeau perforant. Tous ces patients étaient de sexe male, les âges s'étalaient de 15 à 45 ans (moyenne 32 ans). Le moment chirurgical par rapport la brûlure se situait entre 2 à 8 mois. Tous les patients présentaient une rétraction en flexion du genou entre 35 et 75 degrés. La dimension des lambeaux était de 8 x 16 jusqu'à 12 x 26. Les lambeaux et les greffes cutanées se déroulèrent sans complication majeure. Seule une complication légère et transitoire a été observée avec une congestion de moyenne importance après mise en place du lambeau. 2 lambeaux développèrent une nécrose superficielle au niveau d'une berge distale. I cas présentât une nécrose partielle de la greffe cutanée en rapport avec un hématome. 1 autre cas développa une hyper pigmentation et une hypertrophie cicatricielle autour de la greffe. Un dégraissage secondaire fut nécessaire dans 2 cas. La totalité des sites donneurs fut couverte par des greffes de peau demie épaisse avec un aspect acceptable sauf dans 1 cas de fermeture primaire. 80% des patients présentèrent une amélioration de la mobilité du genou après une réadaptation spécialisée. 2 patients (20%) n'ont pas récupérer complètement leur mobilité. Le lambeau perforant antérolatéral de cuisse à flux inversé est le lambeau de choix pour la reconstruction des pertes de substance du genou avec des résultats esthétiques et fonctionnels acceptables dans la mesure où l'on respecte certaines règles: confection d'un manchon musculaire autour du pédicule, recherche du point pivot, prévention d'une compression du pédicule après transfert et enfin précocité du geste chirurgical après la brûlure.

Fat content influences the color, lipid oxidation, and volatiles of irradiated ground beef.

Ground beef with 10%, 15%, or 20% fat were added with none, 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%alpha-tocopherol, or 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%alpha-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol, and irradiated at 0 or 2.5 kGy. The meat samples were displayed under fluorescent light for 14 d at 4 degrees C. Color, lipid oxidation, volatiles, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and carbon monoxide (CO) production were determined during storage. Irradiation increased lipid oxidation and total volatiles of ground beef regardless of fat contents. Ascorbic acid + alpha-tocopherol + sesamol treatment was the most effective in reducing lipid oxidation during storage. The production of ethanol in nonirradiated ground beef increased dramatically after 7 d of storage due to microbial growth. Total aldehydes and hexanal increased drastically in irradiated control over the storage period, but hexanal increased the most by irradiation. L*-values was decreased by irradiation, but increased in all meat regardless of fat contents as storage period increased. Irradiation reduced the redness, but fat contents had no effect on the a*-value of ground beef. Sesamol lowered, but ascorbic acid + alpha-tocopherol maintained the redness of irradiated beef up to 2 wk of storage. The yellowness of meat was significantly decreased by irradiation. The reducing power of ascorbic acid + alpha-tocopherol lasted for 3 d, after which ORP values increased. Irradiation increased CO production regardless of fat content in ground beef. In conclusion, up to 20% fat had no effect on the quality change of irradiated ground beef if ascorbic acid + alpha-tocopherol was added.

Effect of antioxidant application methods on the color, lipid oxidation, and volatiles of irradiated ground beef.

Four antioxidant treatments (none, 0.05% ascorbic acid, 0.01%alpha-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol, and 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%alpha-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol) were applied to ground beef using either mixing or spraying method. The meat samples were placed on Styrofoam trays, irradiated at 0 or 2.5 kGy, and then stored for 7 d at 4 degrees C. Color, lipid oxidation, volatiles, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and carbon monoxide (CO) production were determined at 0, 3, and 7 d of storage. Irradiation increased lipid oxidation of ground beef with control and ascorbic acid treatments after 3 d of storage. alpha-Tocopherol + sesamol and ascorbic acid +alpha-tocopherol + sesamol treatments were effective in slowing down lipid oxidation in ground beef during storage regardless of application methods, but mixing was better than the spraying method. Irradiation lowered L*-value and a*-value of ground beef. Storage had no effect on lightness but redness decreased with storage. Ascorbic acid was the most effective in maintaining redness of ground beef followed by ascorbic acid +alpha-tocopherol + sesamol. Irradiation and storage reduced the b*-value of ground beef. Irradiation lowered ORP of ground beef regardless of antioxidants application methods, but ORP was lower in beef with mixing than spraying method. Beef sprayed with antioxidants produced more hydrocarbons and alcohols than the mixing application, but ascorbic acid +alpha-tocopherol + sesamol treatment was effective in reducing the amount of volatiles produced by irradiation. Therefore, mixing was better than the spraying method in preventing lipid oxidation and maintaining color of irradiated ground beef.

Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat turkey breast rolls formulated with antimicrobials following electron-beam irradiation.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of antimicrobials on the survival and proliferation of Listeria monocytogenes in turkey breast rolls following electron-beam irradiation. Six antimicrobial additive treatments that include no preservatives (control), 0.1% potassium benzoate (PB), 2% sodium lactate (SL), 0.1% potassium benzoate plus 2% sodium lactate (PB + SL), 2% sodium lactate plus 0.1% sodium diacetate (SL + SDA), and 0.1% potassium benzoate, 2% sodium lactate, and 0.1% sodium diacetate (PB + SL + SDA) were used. Sliced turkey breast rolls were artificially inoculated with approximately 10(6) cfu/cm(2) of 5-strain L. monocytogenes cocktails, then vacuum-packaged and irradiated at 0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 kGy. The radiation dose (kGy) that results in 90% reduction of viable cells for breast rolls, D(10) value, with various additive treatments ranged from 0.56 to 0.58 kGy. Adding PB (0.1%) or SL (2%) in turkey rolls failed to prevent L. monocytogenes from growing during refrigerated storage. In turkey rolls added with 2 (PB + SL or SL + SDA) or 3 (PB + SL + SDA) antimicrobial combinations had 2 or 3 wk of lag phases before L. monocytogenes growth, respectively. Irradiating turkey rolls, which were added with PB + SL or SL + SDA, at 1.0 kGy was effective in suppressing the growth of L. monocytogenes for about 6 wk when stored at 4 degrees C. No growth of L. monocytogenes after irradiation occurred during 42 d of storage for 2.0 kGy irradiated breast rolls formulated with 0.1% PB + 2% SL, 2% SL + 0.1% SDA or 0.1% PB + 2% SL + 0.1% SDA, and 1.0 kGy irradiated turkey breast with 0.1% PB + 2% SL + 0.1% SDA. Sensory panelists found that low-dose irradiation (1.0 kGy) had no effect on the sensory characteristics of ready-to-eat turkey breast rolls. Including SL + SDA had slightly negative effect for nonirradiated turkey breast rolls, but the sensory characteristics of 1.0 kGy irradiated turkey roll containing SL + SDA was not significantly different from the others receiving 1.0 kGy irradiation. For microbial safety, PB + SL and SL + SDA antimicrobial treatments combined with 1.0 kGy or 2.0 kGy irradiation are a promising technology.

Effects of irradiation on survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes and natural microflora in vacuum-packaged turkey hams and breast rolls.

The effect of electron beam irradiation on the survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes and natural microflora in oven-roasted turkey breast rolls and turkey hams was evaluated. Slices of turkey breast rolls and hams were inoculated with a 5-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes to achieve 10(6) to 10(7) cfu/cm2; vacuum-packaged; irradiated at 0 (control), 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 kGy; and stored at 4 degrees C for up to 28 d. Numbers of naturally occurring bacteria on sliced turkey hams and breast rolls were 2.72 and 6.22 log10 cfu/cm2, respectively. The values of the radiation dose that results in 90% reduction of viable L. monocytogenes in breast rolls and hams were 0.52 and 0.47 kGy, respectively. For breast rolls, the log10 reductions of L. monocytogenes after irradiation at 1.0 and 2.5 kGy were 1.5 and 4.7, respectively, whereas they were 2.0 and 5.5 for hams. The log10 reductions of aerobic plate count (APC) in breast rolls after 1.0 and 2.0 kGy of irradiation were 2.9 and 5.2, whereas that of hams was < 10 cfu/cm2 after 1.0 and 2.0 kGy of irradiation. In 2.0-kGy irradiated hams, L. monocytogenes grew to 4.82 log10 cfu/cm2 after 28 d of storage at 4 degrees C, whereas APC increased to 2.98 log10 cfu/cm2, respectively. In breast rolls after 14 d of storage, APC in 1.0-kGy irradiated samples increased to 7.53 log10 cfu/cm2, and APC increased to 2.63 and 4.68 log10 cfu/cm2 for 2.0-kGy irradiated breast rolls after 14 and 28 d of storage. However, during the storage of breast rolls, L. monocytogenes grew slowly or even stopped to grow in both nonirradiated and irradiated breast rolls due to the competitive inhibition of natural flora in breast rolls. This study showed that irradiation (1.0 to 2.5 kGy) effectively reduced the number of L. monocytogenes and natural flora. However, L. monocytogenes and natural flora that survived irradiation could multiply during the 28-d storage period at 4 degrees C. Thus, additional hurdles are needed to ensure the microbial safety after low-dose irradiation.

Effects of aging time and natural antioxidants on the color, lipid oxidation and volatiles of irradiated ground beef.

Beef rounds aged for one, two, or three weeks after slaughtering were ground added with 0.05% ascorbic acid+0.01% α-tocopherol or 0.05% ascorbic acid+0.01% α-tocopherol+0.01% sesamol, placed on Styrofoam trays and wrapped with oxygen-permeable plastic film, and treated with electron beam irradiation at 0 or 2.5kGy. The meat samples were displayed under fluorescent light for 7d at 4°C. Color, lipid oxidation, volatile analysis, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and carbon monoxide (CO) production were determined at 0, 3, and 7d of storage. Irradiation increased lipid oxidation of ground beef regardless of their aging time and storage period. As aging time increased lipid oxidation increased. Adding sesamol increased the effectiveness of ascorbate and tocopherol combination in reducing lipid oxidation especially as aging and storage time increased. The redness of beef were decreased by irradiation and adding ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol before irradiation was effective in maintaining the redness of irradiated ground beef over the storage period. The combination of ascorbic acid+α-tocopherol to ground beef was more effective in reducing ORP than adding sesamol. Irradiation increased CO production from all ground beef regardless of aging time or additives treatments. Volatile sulfur compounds produced by irradiation at Day 0 disappeared over the storage period. Alcohol greatly increased in all nonirradiated beef, but volatiles aldehydes only in irradiated control beef. Antioxidant treatments were effective in reducing aldehydes in ground beef during storage.

Insights in the mechanisms underlying the anti-ulcer activity of nicorandil.

This study was conducted to investigate possible mechanisms underlying the gastroprotective effect of nicorandil on experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats. The rats were randomly assigned to vehicle (saline or tween 80), nicorandil (2 mg/kg), glibenclamide (2 mg/kg), nicorandil plus glibenclamide- and cimetidine (50 mg/kg)-pretreated groups, in addition to the non-stressed control group, to demonstrate whether the KATP channel opening activity contributed to nicorandil's gastroprotection. Gastric lesions were induced by water immersion-restraint stress (WIRS) and ulcer indices were determined. Gastric juice parameters (pH, free and total acid output, and pepsin and mucin concentrations) were determined for each group. Another group of rats was divided into control, saline-pretreated and nicorandil (2 mg/kg)-pretreated subgroups. The rats were subjected to 5 h of WIRS and the stomachs were used for determination of gastric mucosal levels of lipid peroxides, histamine, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and total nitrites. Nicorandil displayed significant protection against gastric lesions formation. Glibenclamide, when administered concomitantly with nicorandil, abolished its protective effects. Nicorandil significantly reduced gastric acid secretion and pepsin concentration, but upon co-administration with glibenclamide, these effects were blocked. Additionally, nicorandil significantly reduced gastric mucosal lipid peroxides and total nitrites back to near normal levels and significantly increased gastric mucosal PGE2, but did not alter significantly histamine levels. The results confirm a gastroprotective effect for nicorandil, the mechanism of which comprises KATP channel opening, free radical scavenging, PGE2 elevation, decrease of proteolytic activity and acid output and prevention of the detrimental increase of nitric oxide during WIRS, probably, by inhibiting iNOS activity.

Investigation of the mechanisms underlying the gastroprotective effect of nicorandil.

AIM: This study investigated possible mechanisms underlying the gastroprotective effect of nicorandil on experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to vehicle-, nicorandil (10 mg/kg)-, glibenclamide (6 mg/kg)-, nicorandil + glibenclamide- and cimetidine-pretreated groups, in addition to non-stressed control group, to demonstrate whether the K(ATP )channel opening contributed to nicorandil's gastroprotection. Lesions were induced by water immersion-restraint stress (WIRS) and ulcer indices were determined. Gastric juice parameters (pH, acid output, pepsin and mucin concentrations) were determined. Another set of rats was divided into control, saline-pretreated and nicorandil (10 mg/kg)-pretreated groups. Rats underwent WIRS and their stomachs were used for determination of gastric mucosal lipid peroxides, histamine, PGE(2), and total nitrites levels. RESULTS: Nicorandil displayed significant protection against gastric lesions formation, abolished by concomitant administration of glibenclamide. Nicorandil significantly reduced gastric acid and pepsin secretion, but upon coadministration with glibenclamide, these effects were blocked. Additionally, nicorandil significantly reduced gastric mucosal lipid peroxides and total nitrites, but did not affect PGE(2) and histamine levels. CONCLUSION: Results confirm a gastroprotective effect for nicorandil, the mechanism of which comprises K(ATP) channel opening, free radical scavenging, decrease of pepsin and acid secretion and prevention of the detrimental rise in nitric oxide during WIRS.

Impact of antimicrobial ingredients and irradiation on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes and the quality of ready-to-eat turkey ham.

Irradiation is an effective technology in eliminating Listeria monocytogenes, but it induces quality changes in meat products at or above specific radiation doses. To minimize irradiation-induced quality changes, only low irradiation doses are recommended. However, low-dose irradiation provides a chance for some pathogens to survive and proliferate during prolonged storage. To solve this problem, antimicrobial ingredients [2% sodium lactate (SL), 0.1% sodium diacetate (SDA), 0.1% potassium benzoate (PB)] and low-dose irradiation were combined and tested for their effects on the growth of L. monocytogenes and meat quality. The log10 reductions of L. monocytogenes in hams following exposure to 1.0 to 2.5 kGy of irradiation ranged from 2.0 to 5.0. The D10 values were 0.52 kGy for control ham or ham with PB, SL, or PB + SL; 0.49 kGy for ham with SL+SDA; and 0.48 kGy for ham with PB + SL + SDA (PSS). Addition of SL + SDA or PB + SL in combination with 1.0 kGy of irradiation was effective in suppressing the growth of L. monocytogenes for about 6 wk when stored at 4 degrees C, whereas 2.0 kGy of irradiation was listeriostatic. Ham irradiated with 1 kGy in combination with PSS was listeriostatic throughout storage. SL increased firmness of turkey hams, and sensory panelists noted that the saltiness was a little higher in products containing SL, but its overall impact on quality was minimal. Amounts of benzene were detected in irradiated hams with PB, showing PB was not fit as an antimicrobial ingredient for irradiated foods. In conclusion, 2% SL and 0.1% SDA in combination with low-dose irradiation were effective in ensuring the safety of ready-to-eat meat products against L. monocytogenes.

Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-binding protein-3 do not correlate with Gleason score or quantity of prostate cancer in biopsy samples.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) with histological cancer characteristics in men undergoing transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (652), with either an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen level or an abnormal digital rectal examination, were initially evaluated by TRUS and sextant prostatic needle biopsy. Blood was drawn before biopsy, serum extracted and stored frozen until IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured. In all, 241 patients had prostate cancer (37%) and were included in this study. The number of positive biopsies, the volume of tumour in each positive biopsy and the Gleason score were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 241 patients, 37 had five or six positive biopsies (from six), 128 had two to four and 76 had one. Serum IGF-1 did not correlate with the number of positive biopsies, with means of 176.7, 178.3 and 164.4 ng/mL, respectively (P = 0.3), while the mean IGFBP-3 was 2695, 2795 and 2572 ng/mL, respectively (P = 0.09). The additive percentiles of tumour volume in positive biopsies were assessed for each patient but serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 did not correlate (P = 0.7 and 0.9, respectively). In all, 92 patients had a Gleason score of < 7, 80 a score of 7 and 69 a score of > 7; the mean (sd) IGF-1 levels for the three groups were 181 (39), 174.6 (35) and 176 (26) ng/mL, and the mean IGFBP-3 2798 (240), 2735 (284) and 2647 (221) ng/mL, respectively, none of the differences being statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 do not correlate with quantity of cancer or Gleason score in biopsy samples from patients with prostate cancer.

Antihypercholesterolemic studies with sterols: beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol.

Stigmasterol, which differs from beta-sitosterol by unsaturation at C22, was tested for antihypercholesterolemic activity under an experimental protocol that gave the results expected with beta-sitosterol and cholestyramine. In terms of serum cholesterol, stigmasterol had a barely significant antihypercholesterolemic effect while exhibiting no obvious effect on the heart or liver. It was concluded that saturation of the side chain, at least at C22, is important in conferring antihypercholesterolemic activity on a sterol.