Bovine respiratory microbiota of feedlot cattle and its association with disease

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), as one of the most common and costly diseases in the beef cattle industry, has significant adverse impacts on global food security and the economic stability of the industry. The bovine respiratory microbiome is strongly associated with health and disease and may provide insights for alternative therapy when treating BRD. The niche-specific microbiome communities that colonize the inter-surface of the upper and the lower respiratory tract consist of a dynamic and complex ecological system. The correlation between the disequilibrium in the respiratory ecosystem and BRD has become a hot research topic. Hence, we summarize the pathogenesis and clinical signs of BRD and the alteration of the respiratory microbiota. Current research techniques and the biogeography of the microbiome in the healthy respiratory tract are also reviewed. We discuss the process of resident microbiota and pathogen colonization as well as the host immune response. Although associations between the microbiota and BRD have been revealed to some extent, interpreting the development of BRD in relation to respiratory microbial dysbiosis will likely be the direction for upcoming studies, which will allow us to better understand the importance of the airway microbiome and its contributions to animal health and performance.

Qici Sanling Decoction Suppresses Glutamine Consumption and Bladder Cancer Cell Growth through Inhibiting c-Myc Expression

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used as an alternative therapy for cancer treatment in China. Glutamine catabolism plays an important role in cancer development. Qici Sanling decoction (QCSL) suppresses bladder cancer growth. However, the association between QCSL and glutamine catabolism remains unknown. In this study, different doses of QCSL were applied to T24 cells, followed by the measurements of cell viability and apoptosis using CCK-8 and Annexin V/PI assay, respectively. Furthermore, glutamine consumption was detected using the glutamine assay kit. QCSL was observed to inhibit cell growth and induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of glutamine consumption revealed that QCSL suppressed glutamine consumption in T24 cells. Furthermore, QCSL decreased the mRNA and protein levels of c-Myc, GLS1, and SLC1A5. All these effects induced by QCSL could be alleviated by c-Myc overexpression, indicating c-Myc was involved in the protective role of QCSL in bladder cancer. In addition, QCSL was found to inhibit tumor growth in the xenograft tumor model. The similar results were obtained in tumor samples that protein levels of c-Myc, GLS1, and SLC1A5 were decreased upon treatment with QCSL. In conclusion, QCSL suppresses glutamine consumption and bladder cancer cell growth through inhibiting c-Myc expression.

The Role of β-1.3/1.6-D-Glucan From Ganoderma lucidum Mycelium Extract in Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease that affects the colon. Current pharmacological modalities to treat UC have various side effects; therefore, there is a demand to develop a new alternative medicine that can reduce side effects and increase drug efficacy. One candidate for alternative therapy is Polysaccharide Peptide which is extracted from Ganoderma lucidum mycelium. This Polysaccaharide has an active compound of Β-1,3/1,6-D-Glucan which has strong immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Various studies have reported that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides can reduce inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17A, which is produced by colonic mucosal inflammation. In addition, β-1,3/1,6-D-Glucan has shown improvements in inflammatory parameters and intestinal immunological barrier function animal studies with artificial colitis and requires further research in humans before clinical applications.

Role of Ajwa Date Fruit Pulp and Seed in the Management of Diseases through In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

This study investigated the health-promoting activities of methanolic extracts of Ajwa date seed and fruit pulp extracts through in vitro studies. These studies confirmed potential antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, anti-proteolytic, and anti-bacterial activities associated with Ajwa dates. The EC50 values of fruit pulp and seed extracts in methanol were reported to be 1580.35 ± 0.37 and 1272.68 ± 0.27 µg/mL, respectively, in the DPPH test. The maximum percentage of hydrogen peroxide-reducing activity was 71.3 and 65.38% for both extracts at 600 µg/mL. Fruit pulp and seed extracts inhibited heat-induced BSA denaturation by 68.11 and 60.308%, heat-induced hemolysis by 63.84% and 58.10%, and hypersalinity-induced hemolysis by 61.71% and 57.27%, and showed the maximum anti-proteinase potential of 56.8 and 51.31% at 600 μg/mL, respectively. Seed and fruit pulp inhibited heat-induced egg albumin denaturation at the same concentration by 44.31 and 50.84%, respectively. Ajwa seed showed minimum browning intensity by 63.2%, percent aggregation index by 64.2%, and amyloid structure by 63.8% at 600 μg/mL. At 100 mg/mL, Ajwa seed extract exhibited good antibacterial activity. Molecular docking analysis showed that ten active constituents of Ajwa seeds bind with the critical antioxidant enzymes, catalase (1DGH) and superoxide dismutase (5YTU). The functional residues involved in such interactions include Arg72, Ala357, and Leu144 in 1DGH, and Gly37, Pro13, and Asp11 in 5YTU. Hence, Ajwa dates can be used to develop a suitable alternative therapy in various diseases, including diabetes and possibly COVID-19-associated complications.

Efficacy of acupuncture and its influence on the emotional network in adult insomnia patients: protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

Introduction Insomnia disorder (ID) is characterized by dissatisfaction with the quantity or quality of sleep and is often accompanied by negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Patients with insomnia become trapped in a vicious circle of bad moods and poor sleep. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (r-fMRI) studies have shown abnormalities in emotion-related brain networks in patients with ID. And it has been proven that reducing negative emotions improves sleep quality. As a traditional alternative therapy, acupuncture has been demonstrated to be effective not only in improving sleep quality but also in stabilizing emotions; however, the mode of action needs to be further explored. Therefore, a clinical trial was designed to explore the effect of acupuncture in improving sleep and mood and to intuitively investigate the regulation of the emotional network using fMRI. Methods and analysis A total of 60 participants with ID will be randomly allocated to a spirit-regulating group or a control group using non-effective acupoints acupuncture at a ratio of 1:1. All participants will receive 3 acupuncture treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks. In addition, 30 healthy individuals will be included in the healthy group. The primary outcome is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Secondary outcomes are the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Hyperarousal Scale (HAS), and the Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), r-fMRI data, sleep diary, and actigraphy. The data will be collected prior to treatment, following treatment, and during the 12-week follow-up period; a sleep diary will be kept during the entire process. Ethics and dissemination This protocol has been approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Bejing TCM Hospital). The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals or presented at academic conferences. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trials Register ChiCTR1800015282. Protocol version: Version 1.0. Date: Dec.2020

Clinical Effect of Suture Anchor and Double-Pulley Technique in the Treatment of Inferior Patellar Fracture

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of suture anchor combined with double-pulley technique for subpatellar comminuted fractures compared with wire vertical suture and Krachow in the treatment of subpatellar fractures. Methods. Retrospectively selected 48 patients with subpatellar pole comminuted fracture admitted in our hospital from February 2013 to July 2019, 25 patients with double-pulley technique (group A), and 23 patients with vertical wire suture with Krachow suture. Patient age, gender, AT/OTA typing, injury mechanism, follow-up time, surgical time, bleeding volume, mean fracture healing time, and postoperative complications were recorded. The Insall-Salvati index immediately and 6 weeks after surgery. Bostman scores and knee activity were recorded at each follow-up, and month 12 was taken as the final result. Results. Time of surgery in group A (46.52 min) was significantly shorter than in group B (76.30 min). Intraoperative bleeding in group 15.1 ml, B, group 15.9 ml. Both incisions healed in stage I, averaging clinical healing of patella fracture within 10 weeks. There was no significant difference in mean Bostman score and knee activity at month 12 (group A: 28.4, 124.8°; group B: 28.1, 125.7°). There was no significant statistical difference in the Insall-Salvati index immediately or 6 weeks between the two groups. Group B patients had two wire fractures, fracture healing and the wire removed one year after surgery, and the remaining patients had no complications such as internal fixation loosening, fracture, delayed healing, or nonhealing of fracture. Conclusion. Compared with the treatment of subpatellar fracture with wire vertical suture and Krachow method, suture anchor with double-pulley technique has short operation time, reliable fixation, and less complications. Patients can have early functional exercise and good knee function recovery without secondary surgery. It can be considered as an alternative therapy for this fracture and deserves clinical adoption and promotion.

Homeopathic Treatment of Rectal Prolapse in a Kitten

Rectal prolapse be either partial or incomplete in nature and is defined as double layer evagination of the rectum through the anal canal. The common associated causations which can be seen in kittens are severe endoparasitism, enteritis, and associated tenesmus (Fossum, 2002). Rectal prolapse is the one of the most encountered surgical conditions involving the rectum in all domestic animal species (Tyagi and Singh, 1993). Surgical intervention is the most common treatment methodology adopted but however, in cases where surgery is not indicated, required, not opted by the owner, becomes a challenge to treat. Therefore, finding alternative therapies for clinical management is the need of hour. The objective of this study is to report successful management of rectal prolapse in a 5-month-old kitten having 4 episodes of prolapse in five days. The homeopathic medicines used in this case were Sepia 200C and Ruta g. 200C. The patient revealed a favourable response by 2nd day of the treatment and complete healing was observed on 7th day. This therapeutic protocol used was conclusive and it re-established the normal intake of food and energy level. Hence, homeopathic treatment can be considered as an alternative therapy for clinical management of rectal prolapse in a Felines and Canines.

Alternative treatment horizon for polycystic ovarian syndrome through Homoeopathy

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder characterized by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism and infertility. Global prevalence of PCOS is estimated to be between 06% and 26%. Homoeopathy, being a system of holistic healing can be accepted as one of the alternative treatments for PCOS. Aim & Objective: The aim of the study is to review clinical data, where the intervention was aimed to treat PCOS through Homoeopathy. The objective of the study is to identify the therapeutic approach, assessment criteria, treatment outcomes through an alternative therapy i.e., Homoeopathy in cases of PCOS. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the month of June2021 following International/National search databases for all clinical studies published in the period from 2000 to 2021. This search was aimed to target the entire literature of randomized trials or controlled trials, observational studies case studies/reports on PCOS in homoeopathy. Result:28 articles related to Homoeopathy on PCOS were identified. Out of these 28studies, 22 studies (01 RCT, 02 NRCT,06 observational studies,04 case series and 09 case reports) were included in this review. All studies were published in peer reviewed journals. Conclusions: To establish the evidence based efficacy of the homoeopathic treatment in cases of RCT more pragmatic studies need to be planned in the future based on proper diagnostic criteria.

Assessing the Efficacy of Superior Hypogastric Nerve Block as a Possible Treatment Option for Bladder Pain Syndrome

Introduction: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP), and its subtype of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) can be debilitating and difficult conditions to treat. A new treatment modality being explored is the superior hypogastric (plexus) nerve block (SHPB). While previously indicated to relieve conditions related to chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, there is a paucity of evidence for use in IC/BPS patients. We aim to explore the efficacy of SHPB therapy in this population. Methods: This is a retrospective, single institution study including patients with IC/BPS or CPP who underwent SHPB during a 7-year span. Parameters analyzed include number of treatments, percentage of pain improvement after treatment, and multiple demographic and disease variables. Results: A total of 30 patients (26 CPP; 4 IC/BPS) were included in the study and 80% completed pain scores after their first injection (n=24). Fourteen patients had >50% pain improvement (58.3%), 10 had >70% improvement (41.7%) and 5 patients had 100% improvement (20.8%) after their first injection. Greater pain improvement was seen in the multiple vs. single injection group (52.3% vs. 20.8%, p=0.013). There was no significant difference in pain improvement between CPP and IC/BPS groups (42.2% vs. 50.0%, p= 0.630). Conclusion: SHPB may be useful as an alternative therapy for IC/BPS patients who have failed previous treatment options. Additional high-powered studies are needed to validate the safety and efficacy of SHPB in this population.