Biofilms and the Nail Unit.

Recent studies have shown that a superficial fungal infection such as onychomycosis may form complex biofilms. Although most individuals susceptible to documented fungal biofilm infections are immunocompromised, physical damage to the nail or concurrent infection with other organisms is also a common risk factor in developing nail biofilm. The complex nature of the biofilm, which includes efflux pumps and the formation of a virulent extracellular matrix, helps it evade the immune system. Although there is no standardized treatment for fungal biofilms in onychomycosis, various studies using antimicrobials and lasers have shown some efficacy in treating human fingernails.

Does QUICK TAPE Offer Comparable Support and Off-loading as Low-Dye Taping?

BACKGROUND: Low-Dye taping is commonly used to manage foot pathologies and pain. Precut one-piece QUICK TAPE was designed to facilitate taping. However, no study to date has demonstrated that QUICK TAPE offers similar support and off-loading as traditional taping. METHODS: This pilot study compared the performance of QUICK TAPE and low-Dye taping in 20 healthy participants (40 feet) with moderate-to-severe pes planus. Study participants completed arch height index (AHI), dynamic plantar assessment with a plantar pressure measurement system, and subjective rating in three conditions: barefoot, low-Dye, and QUICK TAPE. The order of test conditions was randomized for each participant, and the taping was applied to both feet based on a standard method. A generalized estimating equation with an identity link function was used to examine differences across test conditions while accounting for potential dependence in bilateral data. RESULTS: Participants stood with a significantly greater AHI (P = .007) when either taping was applied compared with barefoot. Participants also demonstrated significantly different plantar loading when walking with both tapings versus barefoot. Both tapings yielded reduced force-time integral (FTI) in the medial and lateral forefoot and increased FTI under toes. Unlike previous studies, however, no lateralization of plantar pressure was observed with either taping. Participants ranked both tapings more supportive than barefoot. Most participants (77.8%) ranked low-Dye least comfortable, and 55.6% preferred QUICK TAPE over low-Dye. CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies are needed to examine the clinical utility of QUICK TAPE in individuals with foot pathologies such as heel pain syndrome and metatarsalgia.

SSRI use during pregnancy.

The Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine recently had a conference on the use of medications during pregnancy, delivery, and breast-feeding. One of the most important topics covered during that 2-day conference was major depression (MDD) and the use of Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). This article will review the current state of knowledge about MDD during and immediately after pregnancy and treatment with SSRIs during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Specific bile acids inhibit hepatic fatty acid uptake in mice.

UNLABELLED: Bile acids are known to play important roles as detergents in the absorption of hydrophobic nutrients and as signaling molecules in the regulation of metabolism. We tested the novel hypothesis that naturally occurring bile acids interfere with protein-mediated hepatic long chain free fatty acid (LCFA) uptake. To this end, stable cell lines expressing fatty acid transporters as well as primary hepatocytes from mouse and human livers were incubated with primary and secondary bile acids to determine their effects on LCFA uptake rates. We identified ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) as the two most potent inhibitors of the liver-specific fatty acid transport protein 5 (FATP5). Both UDCA and DCA were able to inhibit LCFA uptake by primary hepatocytes in a FATP5-dependent manner. Subsequently, mice were treated with these secondary bile acids in vivo to assess their ability to inhibit diet-induced hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Administration of DCA in vivo via injection or as part of a high-fat diet significantly inhibited hepatic fatty acid uptake and reduced liver triglycerides by more than 50%. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate a novel role for specific bile acids, and the secondary bile acid DCA in particular, in the regulation of hepatic LCFA uptake. The results illuminate a previously unappreciated means by which specific bile acids, such as UDCA and DCA, can impact hepatic triglyceride metabolism and may lead to novel approaches to combat obesity-associated fatty liver disease.