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Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Jun 2024Buerger's disease is an uncommon segmental nonatherosclerotic vasculitis essentially affecting small to medium-sized arteries and veins of upper and lower extremities...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Buerger's disease is an uncommon segmental nonatherosclerotic vasculitis essentially affecting small to medium-sized arteries and veins of upper and lower extremities and can lead to limb amputation. Visceral vessel involvement is quite rare accounting for 2% of cases presenting with acute abdomen due to mesenteric ischemia. Moreover, isolated visceral involvement is even rare.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 42-year-old gentleman, a chronic smoker, presented with abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting and loose stool of 2 months duration. Magnetic resonance enterography revealed segmental circumferential wall thickening with stricture in the mid part of the jejunum with lymphadenopathy features of possible inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease). Furthermore, intraoperative surgical findings were also suggestive of Crohn's disease. However, histologic findings were consistent with thromboangiitis obliterans.
DISCUSSION
Thromboangiitis obliterans can present with inflammatory vascular lesions without necrosis in the early stage to varying degrees of recanalisation, gangrene, and amputation in the late stage. It rarely involves the brain, heart, and abdominal viscera. The visceral involvement may be in the form of intestinal obstruction or mesenteric ischemia or can mimic Crohn's in a background of smoking.
CONCLUSION
This case report will help to learn more about the rarer intestinal presentation of intestinal Buerger's disease. It can present with features of bowel ischemia, obstruction or Crohn's. So, histology would play a pivotal role in differentiating the diagnostic dilemma.
PubMed: 38846871
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000002111 -
Heliyon Jun 2024Incorporation of beneficial microbes to enhance the nutritive value of non-traditional feed additives is presently being promoted as a cost-effective way of increasing...
Incorporation of beneficial microbes to enhance the nutritive value of non-traditional feed additives is presently being promoted as a cost-effective way of increasing animal performance. Therefore, this trial investigated the impact of the incorporation of Dialium bark meal treated with yeast (TS) into broiler diets on intestinal histology, growth, and blood characteristics. One hundred and eighty days old Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to three treatments with five replications of 12 birds in a complete randomized design. The treatments were designed as (TS0: control) which is the (starter and finisher) diets without TS additive; whereas the TS0.5 and TS1.0 diets have TS additive at 0.5 and 1.5 g kg, respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 56 days comprising (28 days each for starter and finisher phases). Feed intake, body weight gains (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined at the end of the starter and finisher phases. Blood and intestinal histomorphological indices were determined at the end of the finisher phase. Results indicate that TS contains 8.15 % crude protein, 29.84 % crude fibre, and 11.61 % ash. In addition, starter broilers in the TS0.5 and TS1.0 groups gained less weight and had a higher feed intake than those in the TS0 group. Broilers (29-56 d) in the TS0.5 and TS1.0 groups recorded better ( < 0.05) final live weight (FLW), BWG, and FCR than those in the TS0 group. Feed intake responded linearly to increasing TS levels in the diet during the finisher production phase. Broilers in group TS1.0 tended ( < 0.05) to have higher haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration compared to those in group TS0. Conversely, there were no treatment effects (p > 0.05) on mean cell volume, white blood cells, lymphocytes, heterophils, and serum biochemical variables. Broilers on TS diets had significantly improved histoarchitecture of the jejunum in broilers. In conclusion, results suggest that Dialium bark meal treated (TS) with dried active yeast is high in fibre and ash, and its addition at 0.5 and 1.0 g kg feed improved body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, aspects of the blood characteristics and intestinal histomorphology of the jejunum of broilers at the finisher production phase. It is recommended that TS can be added to broiler finisher diet up to 1.0 g kg feed for best growth performance, intestinal histomorphological, and blood characteristics.
PubMed: 38845986
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31725 -
Journal of Clinical Imaging Science 2024The great majority of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for critical gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) will have a predictable etiology. Once the site is...
The great majority of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for critical gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) will have a predictable etiology. Once the site is localized to the upper versus the lower gastrointestinal tract, the number of typically encountered etiological possibilities is quite limited. On rare occasions, the cause of GIB requiring ICU care is not one of the standard considerations, potentially leading to diagnostic and therapeutic delays. Within a short time period, three patients were admitted to our institution's medical ICU each with a different unexpected cause of GIB. All three cases generated a variety of instructive images, which are used in the present series to illustrate these conditions and the role of radiology in their evaluation and management.
PubMed: 38841309
DOI: 10.25259/JCIS_96_2023 -
Veterinarni Medicina May 2024A 6-month-old Ragdoll and 9-year-old Russian Blue cat presented with vomiting. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a pyloric antrum mass with wall layering...
A 6-month-old Ragdoll and 9-year-old Russian Blue cat presented with vomiting. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a pyloric antrum mass with wall layering loss and regional lymphadenopathy in the Ragdoll kitten. The Russian Blue cat only presented with muscularis layer thickening throughout the jejunum; however, despite medications, it later progressed to a mass with wall layering loss on the serial ultrasound. Both cats underwent surgery, and feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF) was histologically confirmed. FGESF should be considered for gastrointestinal masses demonstrating wall layering loss and lymphadenopathy, even in kittens, and intestinal muscularis layer thickening that is refractory to medications.
PubMed: 38841129
DOI: 10.17221/2/2024-VETMED -
PloS One 2024Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter, are widely present in the environment, have become a serious threat to aquatic life and human...
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter, are widely present in the environment, have become a serious threat to aquatic life and human health, potentially causing ecosystem disorders and health problems. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of microplastics, specifically microplastics-polystyrene (MPs-PS), on the structural integrity, gene expression related to tight junctions, and gut microbiota in mice. A total of 24 Kunming mice aged 30 days were randomly assigned into four groups: control male (CM), control female (CF), PS-exposed male (PSM), and PS-exposed female (PSF)(n = 6). There were significant differences in villus height, width, intestinal surface area, and villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C) between the PS group and the control group(C) (p <0.05). Gene expression analysis demonstrated the downregulation of Claudin-1, Claudin-2, Claudin-15, and Occludin, in both duodenum and jejunum of the PS group (p < 0.05). Analysis of microbial species using 16S rRNA sequencing indicated decreased diversity in the PSF group, as well as reduced diversity in the PSM group at various taxonomic levels. Beta diversity analysis showed a significant difference in gut microbiota distribution between the PS-exposed and C groups (R2 = 0.113, p<0.01), with this difference being more pronounced among females exposed to MPs-PS. KEGG analysis revealed enrichment of differential microbiota mainly involved in seven signaling pathways, such as nucleotide metabolism(p<0.05). The relative abundance ratio of transcriptional pathways was significantly increased for the PSF group (p<0.01), while excretory system pathways were for PSM group(p<0.05). Overall findings suggest that MPs-PS exhibit a notable sex-dependent impact on mouse gut microbiota, with a stronger effect observed among females; reduced expression of tight junction genes may be associated with dysbiosis, particularly elevated levels of Prevotellaceae.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Microplastics; Polystyrenes; Mice; Male; Female; Tight Junctions; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Intestinal Mucosa; Occludin; Claudins; Claudin-1; Tight Junction Proteins
PubMed: 38837998
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304686 -
BMC Veterinary Research Jun 2024ATPase activity and the antioxidant function of intestinal tissue can reflect intestinal cell metabolic activity and oxidative damage, which might be related to...
Relationship between jejunum ATPase activity and antioxidant function on the growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and jejunum microbiota in Hu sheep (Ovis aries).
BACKGROUND
ATPase activity and the antioxidant function of intestinal tissue can reflect intestinal cell metabolic activity and oxidative damage, which might be related to intestinal function. However, the specific influence of intestinal ATPase activity and antioxidant function on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and the intestinal microbiota in sheep remains unclear.
RESULTS
This study analyzed the correlation between ATPase activity and antioxidant function in the jejunum of 92 Hu sheep and their growth performance and feed conversion efficiency. Additionally, individuals with the highest (H group) and lowest (L group) jejunum MDA content and Na K-ATPase activity were further screened, and the effects of jejunum ATPase activity and MDA content on the morphology and microbial community of sheep intestines were analyzed. There was a significant correlation between jejunum ATPase and SOD activity and the initial weight of Hu sheep (P < 0.01). The H-MDA group exhibited significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) from 0 to 80 days old and higher body weight (BW) after 80 days. ATPase and SOD activities, and MDA levels correlated significantly and positively with heart weight. The jejunum crypt depth and circular muscle thickness in the H-ATP group were significantly higher than in the L-ATP group, and the villus length, crypt depth, and longitudinal muscle thickness in the H-MDA group were significantly higher than in the L-MDA group (P < 0.01). High ATPase activity and MDA content significantly reduced the jejunum microbial diversity, as indicated by the Chao1 index and observed species, and affected the relative abundance of specific taxa. Among species, the relative abundance of Olsenella umbonata was significantly higher in the H-MDA group than in the L-MDA group (P < 0.05), while Methanobrevibacter ruminantium abundance was significantly lower than in the L-MDA group (P < 0.05). In vitro culture experiments confirmed that MDA promoted the proliferation of Olsenella umbonata. Thus, ATPase and SOD activities in the jejunum tissues of Hu sheep are predominantly influenced by congenital factors, and lambs with higher birth weights exhibit lower Na K-ATPase, Ca Mg-ATPase, and SOD activities.
CONCLUSIONS
The ATPase activity and antioxidant performance of intestinal tissue are closely related to growth performance, heart development, and intestinal tissue morphology. High ATPase activity and MDA content reduced the microbial diversity of intestinal tissue and affect the relative abundance of specific taxa, representing a potential interaction between the host and its intestinal microbiota.
Topics: Animals; Jejunum; Antioxidants; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Sheep; Male; Malondialdehyde; Superoxide Dismutase
PubMed: 38831422
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04100-0 -
Archives of Razi Institute Dec 2023This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying quantities of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on growth performance and mucosal enzyme activity in Japanese...
This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying quantities of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on growth performance and mucosal enzyme activity in Japanese quails at an early age. Using a completely randomized experimental design, 160 one-day-old quail chicks were randomly assigned to 4 experimental treatments and each treatment contained 4 replicate pens of 10 birds. The experimental treatments included T1: control (a basal diet containing 35.2 mg Zn only ), T2, T3, and T4 containing basal diet plus 20, 40, and 60 mg ZnO NPs, respectively. Performance characteristics were recorded weekly. After 21 days, one quail was selected and slaughtered from each experimental cage with a body weight equal to the average body weight of quails in the same experimental cage. After slaughtering and opening the abdominal cavity, a 5 cm sample was taken from the jejunum of the small intestine. The jejunum sample was stored at -80°C until the measurement of alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and lipase enzymes. The results showed that live weight was higher in the T3 and T4 groups than in the control group (<0.05). The feed conversion ratio was also lower in birds fed with basal diets supplemented with 40 and 60 mg ZnO NPs/kg (T3 and T4, respectively), compared to control treatments (>0.05). The results showed that amylase and lipase activity increased in the birds fed with 40 and 60 mg ZnO NPs/kg of the basal diet, in comparison to the control treatment; however, they were not significant (>0.05). The results of this study indicated that the addition of 40 or 60 mg ZnO NPs/kg to the basal diet could be used as a supplement to improve performance traits and enhance mucosal enzyme activity in Japanese quail in the starter stage.
Topics: Animals; Zinc Oxide; Coturnix; Animal Feed; Diet; Nanoparticles; Dietary Supplements; Metal Nanoparticles; Random Allocation; Intestinal Mucosa; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
PubMed: 38828183
DOI: 10.32592/ARI.2023.78.6.1787 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jun 2024The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is stationed by a dynamic and complex microbial community with functions in digestion, metabolism, immunomodulation, and reproduction....
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is stationed by a dynamic and complex microbial community with functions in digestion, metabolism, immunomodulation, and reproduction. However, there is relatively little research on the composition and function of microorganisms in different GIT segments in dairy goats. Herein, 80 chyme samples were taken from ten GIT sites of eight Xinong Saanen dairy goats and then analyzed and identified the microbial composition via 16S rRNA V1-V9 amplicon sequencing. A total of 6669 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were clustered, and 187 OTUs were shared by ten GIT segments. We observed 264 species belonging to 23 different phyla scattered across ten GITs, with Firmicutes (52.42%) and Bacteroidetes (22.88%) predominating. The results revealed obvious location differences in the composition, diversity, and function of the GIT microbiota. In LEfSe analysis, unidentified_Lachnospiraceae and unidentified_Succinniclassicum were significantly enriched in the four chambers of stomach, with functions in carbohydrate fermentation to compose short-chain fatty acids. Aeriscardovia, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and Romboutsia were significantly higher in the foregut, playing an important role in synthesizing enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins and immunomodulation. Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Alistipes were significantly abundant in the hindgut to degrade polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, etc. From rumen to rectum, α-diversity decreased first and then increased, while β-diversity showed the opposite trend. Metabolism was the major function of the GIT microbiome predicted by PICRUSt2, but with variation in target substrates along the regions. In summary, GIT segments play a decisive role in the composition and functions of microorganisms. KEY POINTS: • The jejunum and ileum were harsh for microorganisms to colonize due to the presence of bile acids, enzymes, faster chyme circulation, etc., exhibiting the lowest α-diversity and the highest β-diversity. • Variability in microbial profiles between the three foregut segments was greater than four chambers of stomach and hindgut, with a higher abundance of Firmicutes dominating than others. • Dairy goats dominated a higher abundance of Kiritimatiellaeota than cows, which was reported to be associated with fatty acid synthesis.
Topics: Animals; Goats; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Bacteria; Phylogeny; DNA, Bacterial; Biodiversity; Female
PubMed: 38822843
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13200-8 -
BMC Surgery May 2024The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of double-tract reconstruction on short-term clinical outcome, quality of life and nutritional status of patients... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of double-tract reconstruction on short-term clinical outcome, quality of life and nutritional status of patients after proximal gastrectomy by comparing with esophagogastrostomy and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction.
METHODS
The clinical data of patients who underwent double tract reconstruction (DTR), esophagogastrostomy (EG), total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (TG-RY) were retrospectively collected from May 2020 to May 2022. The clinical characteristics, short-term surgical outcomes, postoperative quality of life and nutritional status were compared among the three groups.
RESULTS
Compared with the DTR group, the operation time in the TG group was significantly shorter (200(180,240) minutes vs. 230(210,255) minutes, p < 0.01), and more lymph nodes were removed (28(22, 25) vs. 22(19.31), p < 0.01), there were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, first flatus time, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complication rate among the three groups. Postoperative digestive tract angiography was completed in 36 patients in the DTR group, of which 21 (58.3%) showed double-tract type of food passing. The incidence of postoperative reflux symptoms was 9.2% in the DTR group, 43.8% in the EG group and 23.2% in the TG group, repectively (P < 0.01). EORTCQLQ-STO22 questionnaire survey showed that compared with EG group, DTR group had fewer reflux symptoms (P < 0.05), fewer anxiety symptoms (P < 0.05) and more swallowing symptoms (P < 0.05). Compared with TG group, DTR group had fewer reflux symptoms (P < 0.05). There were no other significant differences between the two groups. Compared with TG group and EG group, DTR can better maintain postoperative BMI, and there is no statistical difference between the three groups in terms of hemoglobin and albumin.
CONCLUSIONS
Although partial double-tract reconstruction approach does not always ensure food to enter the distal jejunum along the two pathways as expected, it still shows satisfactory anti-reflux effect. Moreover, it might improve patients' quality of life and maintain better nutritional status comparing with gastroesophageal anastomosis and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Male; Female; Gastrectomy; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Body Mass Index; Aged; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y; Nutritional Status; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Operative Time
PubMed: 38822305
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-024-02454-8 -
Scientific Reports May 2024The close link between intestinal microbiota and bone health ('gut-bone' axis) has recently been revealed: the modulation of the amount and nature of bacteria present in...
The close link between intestinal microbiota and bone health ('gut-bone' axis) has recently been revealed: the modulation of the amount and nature of bacteria present in the intestinal tract has an impact on bone health and calcium (Ca) metabolism. Probiotics are known to favorably impact the intestinal microbiota. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 (PA) on laying performance, egg/eggshell quality, Ca metabolism and bone mineralization and resistance in relatively old layers (50 wks old at the beginning of the experiment) during 14 weeks. 480 Hy Line brown layers were divided into 2 groups (CON and PA: 3 layers/rep, 80 rep/group) and fed with a diet formulated to be suboptimal in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) (- 10% of the requirements). The total egg weight was improved by 1.1% overall with PA, related to an improvement of the weight of marketable eggs (+ 0.9%). PA induced a decreased % of downgraded eggs, mainly broken eggs (- 0.4 pts) and FCR improvement (- 0.8% for all eggs, - 0.9% for marketable eggs). PA also led to higher Haugh units (HU: + 7.4%). PA tended to decrease crypt depth after the 14 weeks of supplementation period in the jejunum (- 25.2%) and ileum (- 17.6%). As a consequence, the VH/CD ratio appeared increased by PA at the end of the trial in the jejunum (+ 63.0%) and ileum (+ 48.0%). Ca and P retention were increased by 4 pts following PA supplementation, translating into increased bone hardness (+ 19%), bone cohesiveness (+ 43%) and bone Ca & P (+ 1 pt) for PA-supplemented layers. Blood Ca and P were respectively improved by 5% and 12% with PA. In addition, blood calcitriol and osteocalcin concentrations were respectively improved by + 83% and + 3% in PA group at the end of the trial, compared to CON group. There was no difference between the 2 groups for ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and PTH (parathyroid hormone). PA significantly decreased the expression of the following genes: occludin in the small intestine, calbindin 1 in the ovarian tissue and actin B in the bone. PA therefore improved zootechnical performance of these relatively old layers, and egg quality. The parallel increase in Ca and P in the blood and in the bone following PA supplementation suggests an improvement of the mineral supply for eggshell formation without impacting bone integrity, and even increasing bone resistance.
Topics: Animals; Probiotics; Pediococcus acidilactici; Chickens; Phosphorus; Calcium; Female; Dietary Supplements; Animal Feed; Eggs; Oviposition; Gastrointestinal Microbiome
PubMed: 38821966
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62779-5