This study does not refer to ethical approval and consent to participate. The data used in this study was obtained from gene databases.
1. Prediction of disease targets
<ol>
	<li>Access the GeneCards database (https://www.genecards.org) and online Mendelian inheritance in man database (OMIM, https://www.omim.org), utilizing &#34;anus eczema&#34; as the search term for disease targets.</li>
	<li>Download the spreadsheets of the disease targets. Delete the repeated targets to obtain the anus eczema targets.</li>
</ol>
2. Selection of active components
<ol>
	<li>Search the keyword &#34;indigo naturalis, golden cypress, calcined gypsum, calamine, and Chinese Gall&#34; on the Traditional Chinese Medicine system&#39;s pharmacology database (TCMSP;&#160;http://tcmspw.com/tcmsp.php) to obtain the list of the candidate active ingredients and targets of SDG.</li>
	<li>Entrust the component onto the Swiss ADME database (http://www.swissadme.ch/index.php), extracting details of those exhibiting &#34;high&#34; GI absorption, coupled with at least two &#34;Yes&#34; DL values as active elements. 
	NOTE: Normally, only ingredients with drug-like (DL) values &#8805;0.18 in the database are included as active ingredients.</li>
</ol>
3. Construction of the PPI network and screening of the core proteins
<ol>
	<li>In Venny2.1( https://bioinfogp.cnb.csic.es/tools/venny/index.html), enter the targets of SDG and anus eczema into LIST1 and LIST2, respectively. A visual representation of the intersection is generated instantly. Click on the shared area to reveal the common targets in the&#160;Results section.</li>
	<li>Access the STRING database (https://string-db.org/). Enter the targets in the&#160;List of Names field. Then Select Homo sapiens as the Organism and proceed with Search &#62; Continue.</li>
	<li>When the results are available, open Advanced Settings and select the hide disconnected nodes in the network. In the Minimum Required Interaction Score, set the highest confidence (0.900) and then click on Update.</li>
	<li>Click on Exports to download the text of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network in .png and .tsv format.</li>
</ol>
4. Construction of a drug-component-disease-target network
<ol>
	<li>Open Cytoscape 3.9.1 and import the .tsv file mentioned in step 3.4. Click on the Style bar in the control panel to optimize the color, font, and side of the network nodes.</li>
	<li>For network topology analysis, employ the Analyze Network function. To obtain hub genes, use CytoHubba in Cytoscape software. Establish the drug-component-disease-target network.</li>
</ol>
5. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis
<ol>
	<li>Access the Metascape website (https://metascape.org/). Select a file or paste a gene list into the dialog box and click the&#160;Submit button. Then select H. sapiens in both Input as Species and Analysis as Species; after that, enable the Custom Analysis function.</li>
	<li>In the enrichment option, select GO Molecular Functions, GO Biological Processes, GO Cellular Components, and the KEGG Pathway database. Check Pick Selective GO Clusters, then click on the Enrichment Analysis button. Upon completion of the progress bar, initiate an Analysis Report Page click to retrieve the enrichment results.</li>
</ol>
6. GEO gene chip dataset analysis
<ol>
	<li>Search and analyze the GEO gene chip dataset (GDS3806) using the GEO2R tool (https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/geo2r/) to investigate the expression of central genes in different data groups (control group-non-atopic dermatitis; experimental group-atopic dermatitis).</li>
	<li>Enter the GEO database website (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/). Input keyword or GEO Accession, and click on the&#160;Search button. Select the best matching result. Find the Reference Series (GSE26952).</li>
	<li>Enter the GEO2R tool website (https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/geo2r/), enter the reference series in the&#160;GEO Accession box, and click the Set button. Select Atopic Dermatitis as the experimental group, select Nonatopic Control as the control group, and click the Analyze button. After the calculation is completed, the result will appear.</li>
</ol>
7. Molecular docking
<ol>
	<li>Open the TCMSP database and download the 3D structure of the selected ingredients. Use the Chemical Name search box and search the selected ingredient names to download the corresponding 3D structure files in mol2 format.</li>
	<li>Open the RCSB protein database (http://www.pdb.org/) and download the crystal structures of the key targets. In the search box, search the target names and download the corresponding crystal structure files in pdb format.</li>
	<li>Import ingredients and target structure files into the analysis software. Delete water molecules by clicking on Edit &#62; Delete Water. Add hydrogens by clicking on Edit &#62; Hydrogens &#62; Add. Set the ingredients as the ligand, select whole targets as the receptor, and perform blind docking.</li>
	<li>Determine the range of molecular docking.
	<ol>
		<li>Select the receptor and ligand in sequence. Click on Grid &#62; Grid Box to adjust the grid box to include the entire model. Click on File &#62; Close saving current to save the grid box status. Save files in gpf format.</li>
		<li>Click on Run &#62; Run Autogrid4 &#62; Parameter Filename &#62; Browse, select the gpf file, then click the Launch button.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Use AutoDock 4 to perform molecular docking.
	<ol>
		<li>Click on Docking &#62; Macromolecule &#62; Set Rigid Filename to select the receptor. Click on Docking &#62; Ligand &#62; Open/ Choose to select the ligand.</li>
		<li>Click on Docking &#62; Search Parameters to set operation algorithms and Docking &#62; Docking Parameters to set docking parameters. Select the dpf file, then click the Launch button. Save files in the dpf format.</li>
		<li>Click on Analyze &#62; Docking &#62; Open, select the dlg file, click on Analyze &#62; Macromolecule to open the receptor, click on Analyze &#62; Conformations &#62; Play, Ranked by Energy to analyze the results. Click Set Play &#62; Write Complex to save the results in pdbqt format.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Import the docking files into PyMOL software to construct further visualization.
	<ol>
		<li>Select the ligand, and click on Action &#62; Find &#62; Polar Contacts &#62; To Other Atoms in Object to display hydrogen bonds between ligands and the external environment. Click on c to change color.</li>
		<li>Click on Action &#62; Extract Object. Click on Show &#62; Sticks to show the stick structure of the receptor. Identify the residues connected to ligands and show the stick structure.</li>
		<li>Click on Hide &#62; Sticks to hide the stick structure of the receptor. Click on Wizard &#62; Measurement and click on two atoms in sequence. Click on Label &#62; Residue to show the label of the residues. Adjust the background color and transparency if necessary. Click on File &#62; Export Image as to save the picture.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

Network Pharmacology and GEO Dataset Analysis of SDG in Anus Eczema Treatment

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Atopic dermatitis is a specific form of eczema that shares underlying mechanisms with eczema. Hub genes believed to be related to this condition are TNF, MAPK14, and CASP3. The therapeutic effects of SDG on anal eczema are mainly attributed to its action on the TNF and MAPK signaling pathways via these three hub genes17.
SDG includes five distinct drugs: indigo naturalis, golden cypress, calcined gypsum, calamine, and Chinese Gall. In traditional Chinese medicine, calci...

Anal eczema is an allergic skin condition that affects the perianal region and mucosa, exhibiting various clinical manifestations1. The characteristic symptoms include anal erythema, papules, blisters, erosion, exudates, and crusting. These symptoms mostly arise due to scratching, thickening, and roughness of the affected area2.
Anal eczema, characterized by a prolonged duration of the disease, recurrent attacks, and challenging treatment, can have adverse effects on patients&#39; physical and mental health3. The pathogenesis of anal eczema is not yet clear, and modern medicine suggests that it may be related to local anal lesions, diet, environment, genetics, and other factors4. In addition to avoiding contact with irritants and potential allergens, the treatment of anal eczema mainly focuses on methods such as inhibiting inflammation, anti-allergy, and relieving itching5.
SDG has been extensively utilized for the treatment of anal eczema and other anal conditions. SDG regulates anal skin exudation, reduces moisture, repairs anal skin, and effectively addresses pruritus6,7,8. Furthermore, SDG has the potential to regulate perianus microbiota, thereby improving anus eczema9,10.
Network pharmacology, a novel and interdisciplinary, cutting-edge bioinformatic approach in the realm of artificial intelligence and big data, provides an in-depth exploration of traditional Chinese medicine. This discipline emphasizes the systemic expounding of molecular correlation rules between drugs and diseases from an ecological network perspective. It has been extensively adopted for various aspects, including identifying key active ingredients in herb extracts, deciphering their global mechanisms of action, formulating drug combinations, and studying prescription compatibility. Traditional Chinese prescriptions exhibit the attributes of multi-component and multi-target, signifying their substantial adaptability to the realm of network pharmacology. Driven by this methodology, fresh perspectives have emerged in the examination of complex traditional Chinese medicine systems, furnishing robust technical support for clinical application rationalization and drug innovation11,12,13,14.
This study aims to explore the mechanism of effectiveness of SDG in the treatment of anal eczema. This investigative effort sought to elucidate the mechanism of topical drug administration using a synergistic integration of network pharmacology and GEO datasets. The findings provide valuable insights into the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of SDG in the management of anus eczema, indicating its potential as an effective therapeutic approach for this condition.The detailed workflow diagram of the study is presented in Figure 1.

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	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>AutoDockTools</td>
			<td>AutoDock</td>
			<td>https://autodocksuite.scripps.edu/adt/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cytoscape 3.9.1&#160;</td>
			<td>Cytoscape</td>
			<td>https://cytoscape.org/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GeneCards database&#160;</td>
			<td>GeneCards</td>
			<td>https://www.genecards.org</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GEO database</td>
			<td>National Center for Biotechnology Information</td>
			<td>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GEO2R tool&#160;</td>
			<td>National Center for Biotechnology Information</td>
			<td>https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/geo2r/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Metascape</td>
			<td>Metascape</td>
			<td>https://metascape.org/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Online Mendelian inheritance in man database</td>
			<td>OMIM</td>
			<td>https://www.omim.org</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RCSB protein database&#160;</td>
			<td>RCSB Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB)</td>
			<td>http://www.pdb.org/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STRING database&#160;</td>
			<td>STRING</td>
			<td>https://string-db.org/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Swiss ADME database&#160;</td>
			<td>Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics</td>
			<td>http://www.swissadme.ch/index.php</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Traditional Chinese Medicine system&#39;s pharmacology database (TCMSP)</td>
			<td>Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform</td>
			<td>http://tcmspw.com/tcmsp.php</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Venny2.1</td>
			<td>BioinfoGP</td>
			<td>https://bioinfogp.cnb.csic.es/tools/venny/index.html</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

the efficacy and underlying pathway mechanisms of shidugao treatment for anus eczema based on geo datasets and network pharmacology

Anus eczema is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease affecting the area around the anus. While the lesions primarily occur in the anal and perianal skin, they can also extend to the perineum or genitalia. ShiDuGao (SDG) has been found to possess significant reparative properties against anal pruritus, exudation control, moisture reduction, and skin repair. However, the genetic targets and pharmacological mechanisms of SDG on anal eczema have yet to be comprehensively elucidated and discussed. Consequently, this study employed a network pharmacological approach and utilized gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets to investigate gene targets. Additionally, a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was established, resulting in the identification of 149 targets, of which 59 were deemed hub genes, within the "drug-target-disease" interaction network.
The gene function of SDG in the treatment of perianal eczema was assessed through the utilization of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. Subsequently, the anti-perianal eczema function and potential pathway of SDG, as identified in network pharmacological analysis, were validated using molecular docking methodology. The biological processes associated with SDG-targeted genes and proteins in the treatment of anus eczema primarily encompass cytokine-mediated responses, inflammatory responses, and responses to lipopolysaccharide, among others. The results of the pathway enrichment and functional annotation analyses suggest that SDG plays a crucial role in preventing and managing anal eczema by regulating the Shigellosis and herpes simplex virus 1 infection pathways. Network pharmacology and GEO database analysis confirms the multi-target nature of SDG in treating anal eczema, specifically by modulating TNF, MAPK14, and CASP3, which are crucial hub targets in the TNF and MAPK signaling pathways. These findings provide a clear direction for further investigation into SDG's therapeutic mechanism for anal eczema while highlighting its potential as an effective treatment approach for this debilitating condition.

Anus eczema-related genes, SDG target genes, and common targets 
A total of 958 potential gene candidates were screened in Genecards and 634 in OMIM databases, while duplicates were excluded. To gain a comprehensive understanding of anal eczema-related genes, the findings from multiple databases were amalgamated, yielding a total of 958 distinct genes. Consequently, a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) specific to anal eczema was meticulously formulated. SDG is composed of five traditional Ch...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Efficacy and Underlying Pathway Mechanisms of ShiDuGao Treatment for Anus Eczema Based on GEO Datasets and Network Pharmacology at JoVE.com

Author Spotlight: Exploring ShiDuGao's Multi-Target Approach in Anus Eczema Treatment

This investigative effort sought to elucidate the mechanism of topical drug administration using a synergistic integration of network pharmacology and gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets. This article evaluated the feasibility, target, and mechanism of ShiDuGao (SDG) in treating anus eczema.

The Efficacy and Underlying Pathway Mechanisms of ShiDuGao Treatment for Anus Eczema Based on GEO Datasets and Network Pharmacology

Anus eczema is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease affecting the area around the anus. While the lesions primarily occur in the anal and ...

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707 Views.  Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. This investigative effort sought to elucidate the mechanism of topical drug administration using a synergistic integration of network pharmacology and gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets. This article evaluated the feasibility, target, and mechanism of ShiDuGao (SDG) in treating anus eczema. 

Video: Author Spotlight: Exploring ShiDuGao's Multi-Target Approach in Anus Eczema Treatment

The Measurement and Treatment of Suppression in Amblyopia

Amblyopia, a developmental disorder of the visual cortex, is one of the leading causes of visual dysfunction in the working age population. Current estimates put the prevalence of amblyopia at approximately 1-3%1-3, the majority of cases being monocular2. Amblyopia is most frequently caused by ocular misalignment (strabismus), blur induced by unequal refractive error (anisometropia), and in some cases by form deprivation.
Although amblyopia is initially caused by abnormal visual input in infancy, once established, the visual deficit often remains when normal visual input has been restored using surgery and/or refractive correction. This is because amblyopia is the result of abnormal visual cortex development rather than a problem with the amblyopic eye itself4,5 . Amblyopia is characterized by both monocular and binocular deficits6,7 which include impaired visual acuity and poor or absent stereopsis respectively. The visual dysfunction in amblyopia is often associated with a strong suppression of the inputs from the amblyopic eye under binocular viewing conditions8. Recent work has indicated that suppression may play a central role in both the monocular and binocular deficits associated with amblyopia9,10 .
Current clinical tests for suppression tend to verify the presence or absence of suppression rather than giving a quantitative measurement of the degree of suppression. Here we describe a technique for measuring amblyopic suppression with a compact, portable device11,12 . The device consists of a laptop computer connected to a pair of virtual reality goggles. The novelty of the technique lies in the way we present visual stimuli to measure suppression. Stimuli are shown to the amblyopic eye at high contrast while the contrast of the stimuli shown to the non-amblyopic eye are varied. Patients perform a simple signal/noise task that allows for a precise measurement of the strength of excitatory binocular interactions. The contrast offset at which neither eye has a performance advantage is a measure of the "balance point" and is a direct measure of suppression. This technique has been validated psychophysically both in control13,14 and patient6,9,11 populations.
In addition to measuring suppression this technique also forms the basis of a novel form of treatment to decrease suppression over time and improve binocular and often monocular function in adult patients with amblyopia12,15,16 . This new treatment approach can be deployed either on the goggle system described above or on a specially modified iPod touch device15.

Amblyopia is a developmental disorder of the visual cortex that is often accompanied by strong suppression of one eye. We present a new technique for measuring and treating interocular suppression in patients with amblyopia that can be deployed using virtual reality goggles or a portable iPod Touch device.

Amblyopia, a developmental disorder of the visual cortex, is one of the leading causes of visual dysfunction in the working age population. Current ...

The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool

Precise measurement of neurological and neuropsychological impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis is challenging. We report a new test, the Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT), which represents a new approach to quantifying MS related disability. The MSPT takes advantage of advances in computer technology, information technology, biomechanics, and clinical measurement science. The resulting MSPT represents a computer-based platform for precise, valid measurement of MS severity. Based on, but extending the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), the MSPT provides precise, quantitative data on walking speed, balance, manual dexterity, visual function, and cognitive processing speed. The MSPT was tested by 51 MS patients and 49 healthy controls (HC). MSPT scores were highly reproducible, correlated strongly with technician-administered test scores, discriminated MS from HC and severe from mild MS, and correlated with patient reported outcomes. Measures of reliability, sensitivity, and clinical meaning for MSPT scores were favorable compared with technician-based testing. The MSPT is a potentially transformative approach for collecting MS disability outcome data for patient care and research. Because the testing is computer-based, test performance can be analyzed in traditional or novel ways and data can be directly entered into research or clinical databases. The MSPT could be widely disseminated to clinicians in practice settings who are not connected to clinical trial performance sites or who are practicing in rural settings, drastically improving access to clinical trials for clinicians and patients. The MSPT could be adapted to out of clinic settings, like the patient&#8217;s home, thereby providing more meaningful real world data. The MSPT represents a new paradigm for neuroperformance testing. This method could have the same transformative effect on clinical care and research in MS as standardized computer-adapted testing has had in the education field, with clear potential to accelerate progress in clinical care and research.

The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool

Precise measurement of neurological and neuropsychological impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis is challenging. We report methodologic details on a new test, the Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT). This new approach to the objective of quantification of MS related disability provides a computer-based platform for precise, valid measurement of MS severity.

Precise measurement of neurological and neuropsychological impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis is challenging. We report a new test, the ...

Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) is an fMRI method that examines the connectivity of different brain areas based on the correlation of BOLD signal fluctuations over time. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of adult epilepsy and involves multiple brain networks. The default mode network (DMN) is involved in conscious, resting state cognition and is thought to be affected in TLE where seizures cause impairment of consciousness. The DMN in epilepsy was examined using seed based fcMRI. The anterior and posterior hubs of the DMN were used as seeds in this analysis. The results show a disconnection between the anterior and posterior hubs of the DMN in TLE during the basal state. In addition, increased DMN connectivity to other brain regions in left TLE along with decreased connectivity in right TLE is revealed. The analysis demonstrates how seed-based fcMRI can be used to probe cerebral networks in brain disorders such as TLE.

The Default Mode Network (DMN) in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is analyzed in the resting state of the brain using seed-based functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI).

Functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) is an fMRI method that examines the connectivity of different brain areas based on the correlation of BOLD signal ...

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), the cause of widespread peritoneal metastases, continues to have an extremely poor prognosis; fewer than 30% of women are alive 5 years after diagnosis. The omentum is a preferred site of HGSC metastasis formation. Despite the clinical importance of this microenvironment, the contribution of omental adipose tissue to ovarian cancer progression remains understudied. Omental adipose is unusual in that it contains structures known as milky spots, which are comprised of B, T, and NK cells, macrophages, and progenitor cells surrounding dense nests of vasculature. Milky spots play a key role in the physiologic functions of the omentum, which are required for peritoneal homeostasis. We have shown that milky spots also promote ovarian cancer metastatic colonization of peritoneal adipose, a key step in the development of peritoneal metastases. Here we describe the approaches we developed to evaluate and quantify milky spots in peritoneal adipose and study their functional contribution to ovarian cancer cell metastatic colonization of omental tissues both in vivo and ex vivo. These approaches are generalizable to additional mouse models and cell lines, thus enabling the study of ovarian cancer metastasis formation from initial localization of cells to milky spot structures to the development of widespread peritoneal metastases.

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose

We outline a protocol that implements both in vivo and ex vivo approaches to study ovarian cancer colonization of peritoneal adipose tissues, particularly the omentum. Furthermore, we present a protocol to quantitate and analyze immune cell-structures in the omentum known as milky spots, which promote metastases of peritoneal adipose.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), the cause of widespread peritoneal metastases, continues to have an extremely poor prognosis; fewer than 30% of ...

MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder

Here we outline the protocol for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Technicians used a neuronavigation system to process patient MRIs to generate a 3-dimensional head model. The head model was subsequently used to identify patient-specific stimulatory targets. The dmPFC was stimulated daily for 20 sessions. Stimulation intensity was titrated to address scalp pain associated with rTMS. Weekly assessments were conducted on the patients using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HamD17) and Beck Depression Index II (BDI-II). Treatment-resistant MDD patients achieved significant improvements on both HAMD and BDI-II. Of note, angled, double-cone coil rTMS at 120% resting motor threshold allows for optimal stimulation of deeper midline prefrontal regions, which results in a possible therapeutic application for MDD. One major limitation of the rTMS field is the heterogeneity of treatment parameters across studies, including duty cycle, number of pulses per session and intensity. Further work should be done to clarify the effect of stimulation parameters on outcome. Future dmPFC-rTMS work should include sham-controlled studies to confirm its clinical efficacy in MDD.

Here we outline the procedure for MRI-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex as an experimental treatment for major depressive disorder.

Here we outline the protocol for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the dorsal medial ...

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients

Approximately 30% of epilepsy patients are refractory to antiepileptic drugs. In these cases, surgery is the only alternative to eliminate/control seizures. However, a significant minority of patients continues to exhibit post-operative seizures, even in those cases in which the suspected source of seizures has been correctly localized and resected. The protocol presented here combines a clinical procedure routinely employed during the pre-operative evaluation of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with a novel technique for network analysis. The method allows for the evaluation of the temporal evolution of mesial network parameters. The bilateral insertion of foramen ovale electrodes (FOE) into the ambient cistern simultaneously records electrocortical activity at several mesial areas in the temporal lobe. Furthermore, network methodology applied to the recorded time series tracks the temporal evolution of the mesial networks both interictally and during the seizures. In this way, the presented protocol offers a unique way to visualize and quantify measures that considers the relationships between several mesial areas instead of a single area.

This protocol describes a procedure to track the evolution of mesial network measures in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients. It is based on the combination of intracranial recordings with a novel numerical technique for data analysis. Specifically, we present a protocol for network analyses of foramen ovale recordings.

Approximately 30% of epilepsy patients are refractory to antiepileptic drugs. In these cases, surgery is the only alternative to eliminate/control ...

Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity

The systemic administration of protective agents to treat drug-induced ototoxicity is limited by the possibility that these protective agents could interfere with the chemotherapeutic efficacy of the primary drugs. This is especially true for the drug cisplatin, whose anticancer actions are attenuated by antioxidants which provide adequate protection against hearing loss. Other current or potential otoprotective agents could pose a similar problem, if administered systemically. The application of various biologicals or protective agents directly to the cochlea would allow for high levels of these agents locally with limited systemic side effects. In this report, we demonstrate a trans-tympanic method of delivery of various drugs or biological reagents to the cochlea, which should enhance basic science research on the cochlea and provide a simple way of directing the use of otoprotective agents in the clinics. This report details a method of trans-tympanic drug delivery and provides examples of how this technique has been used successfully in experimental animals to treat cisplatin ototoxicity.

We present a technique for localized administration of drugs through the trans-tympanic route into the cochlea. Drug delivery through this route would not interfere with the anti-cancer efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin.

The systemic administration of protective agents to treat drug-induced ototoxicity is limited by the possibility that these protective agents could ...

Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine

The gut is the largest endocrine organ of the body, producing more than 15 different peptide hormones that regulate appetite and food intake, digestion, nutrient absorption and distribution, and post-prandial glucose excursions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate gut hormone secretion is fundamental for understanding and translating gut hormone physiology. Traditionally, the mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion are either studied in vivo (in experimental animals or humans) or using gut hormone-secreting primary mucosal cell cultures or cell lines. Here, we introduce an isolated perfused rat small intestine as an alternative method for studying gut hormone secretion. The virtues of this model are that it relies on the intact gut, meaning that it recapitulates most of the physiologically important parameters responsible for the secretion in in vivo studies, including mucosal polarization, paracrine relationships and routes of perfusion/stimulus exposure. In addition, and unlike in vivo studies, the isolated perfused rat small intestine allows for almost complete experimental control and direct assessment of secretion. In contrast to in vitro studies, it is possible to study both the magnitude and the dynamics of secretion and to address important questions, such as what stimuli cause secretion of different gut hormones, from which side of the gut (luminal or vascular) is secretion stimulated, and to analyze in detail molecular sensors underlying the secretory response. In addition, the preparation is a powerful model for the study of intestinal absorption and details regarding the dynamics of intestinal absorption including the responsible transporters.

Here, we present a powerful and physiological model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion and intestinal absorption &#8212; the isolated perfused rat small intestine.

The gut is the largest endocrine organ of the body, producing more than 15 different peptide hormones that regulate appetite and food intake, digestion, ...

Isolation of Adipose Derived Regenerative Cells for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy

Stem cells are used in many research areas within regenerative medicine in part because these treatments can be curative rather than symptomatic. Stem cells can be obtained from different tissues and several methods for isolation have been described. The presented method for the isolation of adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) can be used within many therapeutic areas because the method is a general procedure and, therefore, not limited to erectile dysfunction (ED) therapy. ED is a common and serious side effect to radical prostatectomy (RP) since ED often is not well treated with conventional therapy. Using ADRC&#8217;s as treatment for ED has attracted great interest due to the initial positive results after a single injection of cells into the corpora cavernosum. The method used for the isolation of ADRC&#8217;s is a simple, automated process, that is reproducible and ensures a uniform product. Furthermore, the sterility of the isolated product is ensured because the entire process takes place in a closed system. It is important to minimize the risk of contamination and infection since the stem cells are used for injection in humans. The whole procedure can be done within 2.5-3.5 hours and does not require a classified laboratory which eliminates the need for shipping tissue to an off-site. However, the procedure has some limitations since the minimum amount of drained lipoaspirate for the isolation device to function is 100 g.

Precise disclosure of methods and protocols is crucial for large scale uptake of stem cell therapies. Here, we present a protocol to isolate adipose-derived regenerative cells, used for a single intracavernous injection as treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) following radical prostatectomy (RP).

Stem cells are used in many research areas within regenerative medicine in part because these treatments can be curative rather than symptomatic. Stem ...

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis

Brucellar spondylodiscitis (BS) is the most prevalent and significant osteoarticular presentation of human Brucellosis, which is commonly manifested in pastoral communities. It is difficult to differentially diagnose and usually leads to irreversible neurologic deficits and spinal deformities. The initial diagnosis of BS is based on clinical findings and radiographic assessments, and the confirmed diagnosis should be established by the isolation of Brucella species from the blood and/or the standard tube agglutination test. Differential diagnosis of multifocal BS from either degenerative disc diseases or tuberculosis is especially highlighted. The surgical approach, either endoscopic or open, is demonstrated in detail, accompanied by radiographic evidence of structural compression or severe instability. Further, the crucial surgical steps, including single-stage transforaminal decompression, debridement, interbody fusion, and internal fixation, are explained. Moreover, perioperative care and postoperative rehabilitation are also addressed. Taken together, this clinical algorithm presents a practical guide that has yielded substantially satisfactory outcomes in the past decades, which can also be introduced for large-scale application to manage human BS, especially in endemic regions.

We describe a clinical algorithm, based on decades of front-line experience of diagnosis and surgical treatment of human Brucellar spondylodiscitis in the largest medical center of the China's Xinjiang Pastoral Area.

Brucellar spondylodiscitis (BS) is the most prevalent and significant osteoarticular presentation of human Brucellosis, which is commonly manifested in ...