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Clostridium sordellii (C sordellii) is a gram positive, anaerobic bacterium that causes severe, often fatal infections. Classically, C sordellii infection is described as a high mortality process for women of childbearing age. We examined C sordellii infections in our hospital to determine if there have been any changes in prevalence, treatment, or outcome. We performed a query review of all patients with positive cultures for any type of Clostridium from 2007 to 2022. Individual charts were then reviewed for culture data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while comparison between the patients that lived compared to those who died was analyzed using a student's t -test. A total of 15 patients had culture results positive for C sordellii. Interestingly, five patients had a C sordellii microbiology result without clinical evidence of soft tissue infection, suggesting colonization. Of the remaining ten patients with soft tissue infections, eight (80%) had a known history of intravenous drug use. All four patients who died presented with hypotension and markedly elevated WBCs. All four who died had a known history of intravenous drug use. To date, we believe this is the largest case series of C sordellii infections at a single institution. Our findings suggest that C sordellii may be more common in the environment that previously reported. Determining what makes this bacterium deadly to some, but not to others, requires further research. We must remain vigilant in evaluation of C sordellii infections to improve patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) myocardium differ in their pathophysiological response to pressure-overload hypertrophy. In this report we use microarray and proteomic analyses to identify pathways modulated by LV-aortic banding (AOB) and RV-pulmonary artery banding (PAB) in the immature heart. Newborn New Zealand White rabbits underwent banding of the descending thoracic aorta [LV-AOB; n = 6]. RV-PAB was achieved by banding the pulmonary artery (n = 6). Controls (n = 6 each) were sham-manipulated. After 4 (LV-AOB) and 6 (RV-PAB) wk recovery, the hearts were removed and matched RNA and proteins samples were isolated for microarray and proteomic analysis. Microarray and proteomic data demonstrate that in LV-AOB there is increased transcript expression levels for oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondria energy pathways, actin, ILK, hypoxia, calcium, and protein kinase-A signaling and increased protein expression levels of proteins for cellular macromolecular complex assembly and oxidative phosphorylation. In RV-PAB there is also an increased transcript expression levels for cardiac oxidative phosphorylation but increased protein expression levels for structural constituents of muscle, cardiac muscle tissue development, and calcium handling. These results identify divergent transcript and protein expression profiles in LV-AOB and RV-PAB and provide new insight into the biological basis of ventricular specific hypertrophy. The identification of these pathways should allow for the development of specific therapeutic interventions for targeted treatment and amelioration of LV-AOB and RV-PAB to ameliorate morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of standing electric motorized scooters (eScooters) has skyrocketed since its first release in 2016. This quickly popularized form of transportation has been associated with significant injury and even death. These eScooter-related traumatic injuries led to local advocacy efforts, resulting in safety restrictions including speed limit geofencing, sidewalk restrictions, and limiting the number of eScooter providers in high-density population areas. We hypothesized that these local safety restrictions decreased the number of eScooter-related injuries presenting to our trauma center. ., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of eScooter-crash patients presenting to our Level 1 trauma center from July 2018 to June 2023. Variables included patient demographics, injury severity score (ISS), and mortality. The primary outcome was the rate of eScooter patients presenting over time in relation to the implementation of local-regional safety regulations., Results: A total of 381 patients presented after eScooter crashes. Males were 73.8% of patients. The average age was 38.6 years; 45+ years was the most common age group at 33%, followed by ages 25-34 (31%). The mean ISS was 9±6, with ISS 0-9 (65.1%), 10-15 (24.4%), 16-24 (8.4%), and >25 (20.1%). There were three (0.8%) deaths. The median number of eScooter patients per month with prespeed limits was nine and post five (p=0.005), showing a 44.4% decrease in injured patients. After February 2022 restrictions, the rate precipitously declined with a median of two (p=0.033), reflecting an additional 60% decrease in injured patients., Conclusion: Local advocacy resulting in increased safety regulations was associated with a significant reduction in injured patients secondary to eScooter use. This demonstrates the importance of advocacy efforts in response to changes in injury patterns and mechanisms of injury. We believe that our work can serve as a model for other urban centers seeking to reduce eScooter-related injuries and implement effective safety measures., Level of Evidence: IV, prognostic/epidemiologic., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)